Bill Carne talks to talented young footballer Laurie Haworth, who made a little history by playing for the Welsh Schools and Welsh Colleges football teams in the same week . . .

Laurie Haworth recently completed a footballing first as the talented young Haverfordwest County midfielder played for the Welsh Schools and the Welsh Colleges in the same season, a feat that was made all the more remarkable because the games were played within four days of each other!

He also ended up on the winning team in both occasions as the Welsh Schools beat Australia by 3-2 at Llanwern High School and in midweek the Welsh Colleges won on Cambrian and Clydach's new 3G pitch.

"Six of us from Haverfordwest County were invited to the schools' trial for South Wales at Dragon Park, Newport," Laurie told us, "and three of us were then picked for the final trial at the New Saints' ground in Oswestry. I was thrilled to be told I was in the starting lineup and even more so when I was handed my favourite No 11 red shirt.

"All my family had travelled to support me at Llanwern and I could hear them cheering as we ran out. Standing there when they played the national anthem was really emotional because it must be every footballer's dream to play for their country,"

Laurie is studying for an extended Diploma 3 in Sport at Pembrokeshire College and he was part of their team which did well in a five a side tournament in Swansea before losing out in the final to Gower College. He hoped it might catch the eye of Welsh College selectors but there was no news until he received a call up after playing so well for the Welsh Schools.

"I had shirt No 14 and only came on for the last stages and we won 3-1 to make it another memorable day.”

Laurie then played for the Welsh Schools against their counterparts from the English Independent Schools, played on the 3G pitch utilised by the New Saints in Oswestry.

“Owen and Spencer were also picked and we lost 4-3,” Laurie told us, “but I scored my first goal for Wales, which was a great thrill, especially since it was a rare strike with my right foot.”

But it won’t go down in his book as the best goal he has scored because at the moment that was one scored earlier in the season at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

“We were playing a very strong Cardiff City Youth at home in the Welsh Youth Cup,” he said, “and we were losing 2-1 late on when the ball came back out to me just outside the corner of their penalty area.

“It had an awkward high bounce made more difficult because I was sideways on to their goal but I managed to swivel, got my left foot above the ball and the crowd erupted as it flew into the top corner of their net before anyone moved.

“I knew it was a goal as soon as I hit it and it helped us reach 2-all before we went into extra time and ran out of steam against professional players, losing 6-2 in the end.”

That Laurie should be such a good midfielder because his dad Ade was one of the most respected players ever in the county and picked up a pile of silverware. Laurie was originally coached at Camrose from under 9 to 13 level by dad and then by his uncle, Damian Haworth. Laurie’s brothers William (15) and Joe (13) play respectively for Camrose and Haverfordwest Cricket Club as a centre forward and full back. Mum Nikki is a physiotherapist now working in Scotland and his stepmother Joi was once a Dyfed Schools’ hurdles champion. Then there’s granddad, Dave Haworth, who has been involved in football all his life and is currently such a hard worker at Camrose Football Club.

Outside of his football, Laurie has played tennis and squash, as well as going on tour to Canada with STP rugby team, but is also a very good athlete who has won the Pembrokeshire and Dyfed cross country championships on no fewer than four occasions. He was champion for three years in a row in the steeplechase, coming second in the Welsh Championships on one occasion. He has also run for Pembrokeshire Harriers in 1,500 metres, 3,000 metres and 2,000 steeplechase.

But football has always been Laurie’s firm favourite after starting out in the family’s garden with dad and his brothers. He was in the Camrose under 16 team that reached the final of the cup for their age group before losing at the Conygar Bridge Meadow to Milford United and then joined Haverfordwest County Youth last season but didn’t play as often as he liked as the nipper in the squad.

“I didn’t start this season very well, admitted Laurie, “but then I managed to score a goal from a really acute angle in one match and I haven’t looked back since.”

Laurie enjoyed the quarter final of the McWhirter Youth Cup, again at home against Pontardawe, where the Young Bluebirds trailed 2-0 at half time but fought back to win 5-2.

“It was a brilliant win because it showed what we can do when we are on form. Steve Batty and Colin Fawcett are terrific coaches and we are lucky to have them.”

It seems the respect is mutual because Steve told us,

“Laurie is a great advert for the game as a talented left midfielder who never misses a training session, listens to all we tell him and gives 100% commitment.

“Colin and I really believe he will make the club’s senior team because he is a natural left footer, tackles well, has a tremendous work rate and the ability to make direct runs at the opposition. He tackles well and can score spectacular goals – he just needs to work at his winning of the ball in the air!”

Laurie would love to be selected for Wales for the Sky Sports-sponsored Centenary matches which they televise later in the season.

“That would be amazing,” said Laurie, “and I also want to play for the Bluebirds in the Welsh and Premier Leagues.”

We sincerely wish him every success in both because, as Steve says, Laurie is a great advert for young players in our county and deserves to do well!