Sport
Rooks win relegation six-pointer
Carew 2
Herbrandston 1
AFTER Carew had lost in midweek to fellow strugglers Milford United, the match at the recreation ground between the Rooks and bottom two side Herbrandston took on added significance, in what was a true ‘relegation six-pointer’.
A win for Herbrandston would’ve put them two points behind their hosts with a game in hand, as it was the Carew victory leaves Herbrandson eight points adrift and needing to win all their remaining fixtures, whilst hoping Carew lose both of theirs.
It was a fully deserved victory for the hosts who dominated every facet of play from the first to the last, with the visitors only looking like scoring from a set-piece or a mistake from the home side. As it was they did level briefly before the break from an innocuous penalty, but ultimately Carew had too much to triumph in the end.
The game started at a frantic pace as both sides looked to get the early goal, and Carew will have felt they should’ve been two goals to the good in the first five minutes as striker Dean Morris spurned two glorious one-on-one opportunities as Martin Langdon spread himself well in the visiting goal.
The first half was played mainly in the Herbrandston half, and when Carew were awarded a free kick on the left touchline, they made the most of it and got the breakthrough. Alex Bayley whipped in a delightful ball, which was attacked by left-winger Corey Hill who glanced a header high into the net.
It looked as though the hosts would go in at the break with the lead, however a long ball forward from the back was allowed to bounce by the Carew back four, and Shane Walsh latched onto the loose ball, when he over hit his touch he and Shaun Whitfield came together in a shoulder to shoulder which left both on the ground. Referee James Olyott deemed it enough to award a spot kick, and Walsh dusted himself down to dispatch under the despairing Dan James.
This would’ve dented Carew’s confidence in previous weeks, but they emerged for the second half in the same manner as they did the first, and although Morris missed another couple of great chances and Langdon pulled off some great saves, they did manage to retake the lead through Ashley Smith.
When the ball wasn’t cleared from a corner kick, the ball dropped for the striker on the edge of the box and his first time left-footed volley flew into the net to spark wild celebrations.
One more point will ensure Carew play in Division One next year, but with Herbrandston having favourable fixtures on the run-in this battle is still far from over.
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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