Eye for goal: Haverfordwest County talented young striker Jack Christopher tries his luck from in front of goal.

Over the years Haverfordwest County supporters have enjoyed watching a number of proven goal grabbers at the Bridge Meadow and the latest in that long line is undoubtedly 20-year-old Jack Christopher.

Jack is from Tenby and this season has seen him score 14 goals, despite missing almost ten matches through injury and suspension, and has had manager Derek Brazil singing his praises for his attitude to the work needed to keep him sharp and finding the net.

He said: "I still need to sharpen up my shooting skills and I'm determined that there are going to be no more red cards for me after two this season. They cost me five weeks out of the team in all and I had a month out from injury - so I can't wait to get back in action alongside Nicky Woodrow to carry on our partnership up front."

Ironically, Jack was proud of the fact that before this campaign he hadn't received even a single yellow card, let alone a sending-off, but he was shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away against Caersws when he didn't hear the whistle, followed by a second yellow for showing dissent.

The same referee then sent him off against Carmarthen Town for an off the ball incident over which Jack still protests his innocence and has him vowing not to make it a hat-trick of sendings-off.

Jack has been a striker throughout his playing career, which started when he was a nine-year-old with Tenby, coached into his teens by Dean Hurlow and scoring goals galore. His highest bag in one match was nine goals in a 21-0 win over Kilgetty, with his cousin, Tom Christopher, the opposition's goalkeeper.

He also scored seven goals against Solva and six against Kilgetty in another match, with a season's best of almost 60 goals. These feats earned him selection for the county at under-14, 15 and 16 levels under Derek Roberts and Steve Maytum, followed by trials at Swansea City and Cardiff City, for whom he played in the centre of excellence team for three seasons.

Jack added: "I also played for the academy team at the Pembrokeshire College for two years with Ronnie Beynon and learned a lot, chosen as captain for one season. Then it was onto McWhirter under-17 league football, playing all over south Wales and winning the title, and I managed to grab 30 goals that season.

"This was followed by winning the McWhirter under-19 cup final against Cambrian an Clydach at Goytre's ground. I was captain that season and there was no score until the last minute of extra time, when I took the ball on the edge of the box and managed to fire it into the top corner of the net. It was a great moment for me and lifting the cup was really special."

Jack first joined the Haverfordwest County senior squad when Deryn Brace was manager and he scored in a friendly against Cardiff City, despite being marked by first team regular Darren Pearce.

Then Derek Brazil took over the reins and gave him the chance to prove himself and Jack has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. His tally this season has included goal braces at home to Aberystwyth, Newi Cefn Druids and Porthmadog, and one of his ambitions is to grab his first hat-trick in the Welsh Premier League.

He said: "I've been very lucky to have so much support from my parents, Louise and Andrew Christopher, plus Dean Hurlow and Ronnie Beynon, with Derek Brazil and chairman Rob Summons great at the Bridge Meadow. I've just signed a new two-year contract and I still hope to progress my career further if I can get the right breaks.

"Haverfordwest County is a smashing club to play for and the regular supporters are brilliant - and I hope I can score heaps more goals for the Bluebirds in the future."

2:56pm Tuesday 8th April 2008

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