Sport
Bulldogs tamed by Hicks’ goals
Haverfordwest County 4 Ton Pentre 2
THE Bluebirds did the double over Ton Pentre as they ran out 4-2 winners in what was an exciting game on Saturday.
The Blues made the perfect start as the returning Tim Hicks produced a lovely chip just 15 seconds in after latching on to a through ball.
The Bulldogs were rattled by the early goal but after weathering the storm they picked themselves up and got back in the game with twenty minutes on the clock. Ex-Bluebird Adam Raymond evaded a challenge and swung the ball into the box for Rameer Outlaw to head past Chris Curtis. The Bulldogs were not level for long as the Bluebirds restored their advantage. After a neat pass from Hicks, Declan Carroll was on hand to smash an 18-yard shot into the bottom corner. The away side would not go down easily and they again drew level when Leon Young headed home from a corner.
After a frantic first half both sides would have been hoping to calm things down and look to take control of the game.
It was the Blues who had the better of the early exchanges in the second half and they went ahead in the fifty-third minute. Carroll made a superb run down the right and his cut back was turned in by Hicks for his second goal of the game.
The Blues continued to dominate but were frustrated by the woodwork and some good defending from Ton Pentre. The Bulldogs were still in the game with just a one goal margin but the Bluebirds finally made the points safe with a stunning effort. With ten minutes left Richie Lewis drove towards goal and from 35 yards out he unleashed an unstoppable shot which left keeper Gavin Rees no chance as the ball flew into the top corner.
It was one of the best performances of the season from the Bluebirds who stay in second place three points behind the leaders Taffs Well with two games in hand. Next Saturday they are away at Cwmbran Celtic. The programme sponsors on Saturday were AG Edwards & Son, Office Furniture, and the match ball sponsors were Dai and Viv, of County Windows.
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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