Go Haverfordwest

By Tony Rees

They may have lost the home leg of their UEFA Cup qualifying round tie 1-0 to Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjördur, but Welsh part-timers Haverfordwest County AFC have not given up hope of success on their long trip north.

Late goal
Allan Borgvardt's 75th-minute goal saw the Icelandic side take advantage in the tie in front of 612 supporters at Cardiff City FC's Ninian Park stadium.  A lack of permanent seating forced Haverfordwest to play their home fixture away from their Bridge Meadow stadium, but the journey to Iceland will be longer.

Scheduled flight
In order to make the journey, the players and their manager, former Norwich City FC and Wrexham AFC defender Deryn Brace, will have to make a long journey to Stanstead airport in England in order to catch a plane to Iceland since they could not afford to charter a flight of their own.

'Economic decisions'
"There are some problems ahead," admitted 28-year-old player-manager Brace. "Our coach trip to Stanstead airport will take longer than the flight to Iceland. It's not ideal but we have to take responsible economic decisions for the football club."

Helpful workmates
"Our team is part-time," he added. "All of us have full-time jobs and we will have to rely on mates to cover for us while we are away. I'm a postman and have always been fortunate to get cover for myself in my office. People appreciate what it means to see Haverfordwest competing in the UEFA Cup."

Good goalkeeping
While the whole team are grateful to their employers, Brace has good reason to be grateful to his goalkeeper, Lee Kendall, who kept his side in the competition with a terrific first-leg display as the Icelandic side threatened to overwhelm Haverfordwest at times.

Sharper side
"They created more chances than us and were technically sharper than us on the ball," admitted Brace after the game. "We've only been back in training for three weeks, they are in their league programme. It would be very interesting to see us play our opponents ten games into our campaign."

Late chances
However, Brace will take some comfort in the fact that his side began to create some good chances in the second half. Simon Heal and Tim Hicks both went close for the Welsh team who will be hoping for better luck at the Kaplakrikavöllur stadium in the town of Hafnarfjördur, just outside Reykjavik.

Near misses
"We might well have nicked a result," said the coach. "But I still believe we have the ability to spring a shock in Iceland. The only real difference between the teams here was fitness. But my lads gave me everything. They know things might have gone our way on another night."

Third place
The Welsh side qualified for the competition despite finishing third in the League of Wales. Second-placed Total Network Solutions FC were runners-up to title winners Rhyl FC in the Welsh Cup, ensuring that the top three teams all got a slice of the European action.

Brace optimistic
However, as Haverfordwest head for their date with destiny, they will be eager to cling on to their place in Europe. For Brace, hope springs eternal. "The Icelandic team probably think they have done the hard work," he said. "No one will be expecting us to do anything. But we are capable of going away and getting results."