Nine-man Haverfordwest County succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against Maltese side Floriana in the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round at Parc y Scarlets, culminating in a 5-3 aggregate loss.
Initially trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Haverfordwest took control early on. Greg Walters scored from a corner, and Ben Ahmun's stylish finish gave them an aggregate advantage.
However, the early success turned to frustration as manager Tony Pennock and two players were sent off during the match. Floriana equalized with Carlo Lonardelli's deflected shot, and the situation worsened when Alaric Jones received the first red card of the night.
Jones, already booked for a heavy challenge, was shown a second yellow card for a handball in the box, leading to Mustapha Jan's fall. Jake Grech converted the resulting penalty, giving Floriana a 4-3 aggregate lead at halftime.
Ahmun hit the post early in the second half, but the situation deteriorated for Haverfordwest as Pennock was dismissed for kicking the ball away. Charles M'Mombwa's goal sealed the victory for Floriana, and Rhys Abbruzzese's late sending-off added to the home side's woes.
The contentious penalty decision was a major disappointment for Haverfordwest, echoing a dubious call that had led to their first-leg defeat. Pennock's team is left pondering what could have been, missing out on what would have been just the club's second European tie victory.
Haverfordwest boss Tony Pennock commented:
"The boys started brilliantly. We went two goals up, and Floriana seemed unsettled. They got a deflected goal, which happens, but we regained our composure. The second yellow and penalty just before halftime made it an uphill battle.
My emotions got the better of me, and I apologize to the team and the club. I've reviewed the penalty decision; it wasn't an elbow. The forward was on the ground more than the goalkeepers. It was the same in Malta.
The referee sided with him, leading to a penalty and a second yellow. It's tough. The players are very disappointed because it was a great opportunity that slipped away."
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