The future bodes well for academy prospects across Pembrokeshire as Haverfordwest County bid to win the FAW Youth Cup for the first time in history on Sunday against Caernarfon Town.
County, who have reached the final for the first time, have enjoyed a promising campaign that leaves them on the cusp of silverware ahead of their trip to Park Avenue (KO 13:00).
“The boys are chuffed to get to the final, we wanted a good cup run this season and we’ve done that,” said development head coach Ceri Phillips, who emphasised the club’s strong pathway between the first-team and academy as a major factor. “It’s one more game to get over the line but they’ve done so well to get this far.
“There’s an excellent pathway at this club, [first-team manager] Tony Pennock is always willing to give young players opportunities, particularly Pembrokeshire players, so the boys have had some good experiences on this cup run and it’s put them in good stead to add different parts and sides to their game.
“There’s plenty of talent in Pembrokeshire, there always has been and it’s important that the club and the academy are in a good position to make sure we’re giving these Pembrokeshire and West Walian prospects the opportunity.”
Although County lead the National Academi South Development League, Phillips insists his young Bluebirds will not underestimate Caernarfon when they meet at Park Avenue.
“We saw their [semi-final] game against Newport County and were very impressed with them. They were really competitive and obviously the result against a team like Newport shows that so we know how difficult it’s going to be. They seem to be a very committed and passionate team.
“It would be amazing if we can go a step further. They’ve already made history being the first Haverfordwest team to get this far, so that’s massive. It’s a prestigious competition with the calibre of players who have played in these games and finals in the past, and have gone on to have good careers, so it should be a great occasion and fingers crossed they can go one further.”
One such emerging player is 19-year-old academy team captain Dan John. He and his twin brother, Harri, have both featured regularly for the development team and are also seeing increased involvement in County’s first-team – with 22 JD Cymru Premier appearances between them this season.
FAW Youth Cup Final
“It’s been amazing to share the pitch with some of these players,” Dan said on his first-team involvement. “I’ve been able to learn a lot, playing in a competitive environment like that has been really good for me and the manager’s trust in me to go and effect games has given me a lot of confidence.
“Since going into first-team, I feel I’m improving my decision making and being more confident on the ball.
“To win on Sunday would be amazing,” he added. “We have boys who sacrifice a lot and there’s a lot of local boys as well, so to represent Haverfordwest and Pembrokeshire in a final and win the Welsh Youth Cup would be huge. I’m on edge waiting for it and I know a lot of the other boys are as well. It’s going to be a huge challenge and we’re preparing as much as we can.
“To play with my twin brother would be huge. There’s a little rivalry between us. He’s an unbelievable player and we really push each other to be better so to play on the same team is perfect. People say twins can read each other’s minds, so I know what he’s going to do and he knows what I’m going to do which is great with him being a centre midfielder and me be a striker!”
Sunday’s final will very much be a family celebration for the Johns.
“My whole family are so chuffed. My mum’s come to every single cup game, but she doesn’t like watching penalties, so she looks the other way and just waits to listen to the reaction from other parents.
“My mum, my step-dad and my dad are all going up on Sunday and to win would be amazing in front of them.”
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