Sport
Derby ends all square
Monkton Swifts 2
Pennar Robins 2
PENNAR ROBINS were forced to settle for a point on Saturday (Feb 14) as Monkton Swifts came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw. The Robins had raced into an early two goal lead and should have added more but the Swifts rallied in the second half to come away with a deserved point. Both sides gave their all in a typical blood and thunder derby match but neither did enough to come away with the bragging rights.
The draw means Monkton are now unbeaten in four while Pennar ended a two match losing streak. Monkton Swifts are now up to eleventh place while the Robins stay seventh. The Robins started the game brightly and were ahead after just five minutes. Phil Thompson laid the ball off for Mike Powell who curled an excellent shot into the bottom corner. They doubled their lead soon after as Ben Steele crossed from the right for Phil Thompson to head home.
Thompson could have had a second with twenty minutes gone but his header was easily saved by the Swifts keeper. The Swifts came back into the game as the half came to a close as Robin Stanley headed narrowly wide from Blake James’ cross. Sean Jones also tried his luck from distance but his rasping drive fizzed past the post with thirty minutes gone. Then on the stroke of half time they had their best chance of the half when a corner from Ben Nicholas found its way to Lee Evans who was unmarked but he could only head over the bar.
The Swifts caught the Robins sleeping at the start of the second half as they pulled a goal back just thirty seconds in. Robin Stanley passed to Daniel Scourfield who flicked the ball on for Ben Nicholas whose shot went in off the post. The Robins responded well and could have scored a third but Sam Southcott’s effort was well blocked by the Swifts defenders. With just over twenty minutes to go the Swifts were level with another excellent goal.
Blake James crossed into the box and Matthew Davies slid in at the back post to poke the ball home. The home side could have taken the lead five minutes later but Ben Nicholas poked the ball wide from Liam Butland’s cross. Pennar had a great chance to win the game with ten minutes to go when Phil Thompson got on the end of a through ball before the Swifts keeper but his shot towards goal was cleared off the line by Lee Evans. Both teams looked for a late winner but it never came meaning they would have to settle for a draw. Next week Pennar are at home to St Clears while Monkton are also at home to Tenby.
Monkton Swifts: Scott Trayhern, Matthew Davies, Lee Evans, Aaron Butland, Ben Nicholas, Sean Jones, Liam Butland, Jordan Kilby, Daniel Scourfield, Robin Stanley, Blake James. Subs: Rob Jones, Jason Kilby. Pennar Robins: Stuart James, Ross Lascelles, Luke Phillips, Gareth Lewis, Richard Hughes, Mike Powell, Phil Thompson, Jimmy Russell, Sam Soutchott, Ben Steele, Adam John. Subs: Jimmy Walker, Adam Cole, Patrick Macdonagh.
Sport
The stage is set – Senior Cup Final
It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.
League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.
Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.
There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.
The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.
News
70 Pembrokeshire clubs benefit from Sport Wales funding
SEVENTY Pembrokeshire clubs have been successful in receiving grants from the Be Active Wales Fund over the last financial year.
In total the clubs received more than £407,800 from the grants scheme from Sport Wales in 2023/24.
The fund backed 25 different sports, ranging from archery, basketball and cricket to sailing, short mat bowls and weightlifting and everything in between.
The Be Active Wales Fund is open to applications from not for profit community clubs and groups to help develop and sustain their activities.
Grants range from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £50,000.
The scheme will support coach education courses, the purchase of essential items of equipment right up to larger projects such as floodlighting and boats for sailing clubs.
For advice and support with your application contact Alan Jones or Lois Hilling at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sports Development department, Sport Pembrokeshire on [email protected]
The Be Active Wales Fund is always open for applications.
More information is available on the Sport Wales website.
Sport
Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double
Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.
Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.
The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.
Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.
Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.
The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.
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