Sport
Milford secure survival
MILFORD Haven Ladies, playing their last game of the season on Saturday (Mar 30), were aware that a win in this game would secure them from being relegated and that, in order to do so, they would have to overcome a strong Bridgend team who were lying in mid-table.
From the start Milford knew that they needed to score first to put pressure on the visitors and there was end to end hockey with both teams determined to be the first on the score board.
However, it was Milford Haven’s Charlotte Davies playing out of her skin that caused Bridgend’s defence to fault in their ‘D’ awarding the home team a short corner Meg Evans delivered the ball to Captain Rachel Coe who was able to get a good strike and spot the ball in the goal 20 minutes into the game.
Milford Ladies knew this wasn’t over by a long way and still had to fight hard to keep the lead as Bridgend were using their chances well but luckily Milford’s defence and goal keeper managed to keep them at bay.
With five minutes to go till half time Bridgend were forced to fault again awarding Milford Haven another short corner. Again Meg Evans delivered to Rachel Coe who managed to make it a brace making it 2-0 going into half time.
After a sterling half time team talk by Captain Coe, Milford Ladies came out determined to keep their lead and knew it was going to be a long 35 minutes.
Both Megan Jones and Lucy Mackintosh had chances at the beginning of the second half which was positive as Milford were still attacking well as a team.
Bridgend were awarded three consecutive short corners but again the defence of Meg Evans, Kate Farr, Vicki John and Emma Summons dug deep and defended well.
With 15 minutes to go Milford were awarded a free hit, Charlotte Davies placed the ball well in the ‘D’ to Jemma Phillips who placed the ball passed the goalkeeper making it 3-0.
Bridgend came back fighting for a goal but every member of the Milford team worked hard and made this impossible for them and Milford finished the stronger of the teams and came away with a fine victory.
Captain Rachel Coe stated: “I was so proud of the team today it was by far our best game of the season, every player gave 100% and we worked together as a team and played some superb hockey. “We look forward in anticipation to next season in Division 1, all the youngsters will have learned from the hard season we have had but it’s onwards and upwards to next year.”
Players of the match: “the team”
Milford: Emilie Zatac (GK), Meg Evans, Vicki John, Kate Farr, Alice Wonnacott, Cerys Jones, Charlotte Davies, Emma Summons, Georgia Davies, Jemma Phillips, Kacey Arran, Lucy Mackintosh, Megan Jones, Rachel Coe.
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.
Sport
Swifts eyes on double.
Monkton Swifts reserves have blown away the second division this season and now have the double in their sights. They face Merlins Bridge reserves in the semi final of the second division cup and lived up to their favourites tag.
Swifts won comfortably with key player Butland getting three assists and Josh Sture grabbing a brace. Waterman and Rhys Sture added the other goals as outstanding Monkton won 4-0.
Herbrandston and Johnston played in the other semi final and this was a much harder fixture to call. The promoted Herbie a younger and perhaps less physical outfit in comparison to the Tigers. Johnston quickly took control of the game when they found themselves two up after just 29 minutes.
However when Scott Murray was shown a red card just eight minutes later, Herbie would have been confident of staging a comeback. Despite being a man light, Johnston held Herbie until the final minute of the 90, when Alex Ouzman gave Herbie late hope. The Tigers held firm however and progress to the final where they will be underdogs. A tag that I’m sure the players and manager Steven Allen won’t mind too much.
Sport
Tenby hit five against downbeat Bridge
On a beautiful day in Tenby, the hosts welcomed Merlins Bridge to The Clicketts, fresh from their West Wales semi final defeat midweek.
The Bridge squad was missing some influential players after picking up some injuries and the visiting team asked questions over the fitness of the pitch, which, according to the Bridge management, was too hard.
The referee waved these away and the game was on, with the Tenby squad clearly thinking they were already in the heads of the Bridge team.
Almost straight from Kick off Tenby set their stall out with some great attacking play, which Jerome Mansbridge benefitted from in just the second minute putting the home team ahead.
The bridge players weren’t at the races and Tenby capitalised scoring a further 4 first half goals, including a Mansbridge hat trick, leaving the away team bewildered and 5-0 down at half time.
What could have been a hugely embarrassing defeat for a team that harboured title hopes at the beginning of the season, turned around somewhat at half time, when Dai Davies, the club captain, almost singlehandedly dragged them to a much higher level in the second half, ensuring his players kept their discipline and worked hard against a very good Tenby team. Undoubtedly Merlin’s Bridge were the better team in the second period, but the damage had already been done in the first half, and despite Bridges best efforts, the score remained 5-0 to the home team.
In a game which saw Tenby jump to 4th in the league, they can be hugely proud of their season and will look to build on that for their next in Division one.
A fantastic game on a beautiful day with a good home crowd watching, the team from the Clicketts will be justifiably happy with their afternoons work.
Tenby 5-0 Merlins Bridge.
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