Sport
Hawkins hat-trick gives Tigers win
Johnston 4
St Clears 1
ADAM HAWKINS scored a hat trick as Johnston ran out 4-1 winners against St Clears on Saturday. The Saints were unable to field a full strength side at the start of the game as their keeper James Dickson turned up late for the game. Neil Thomson deputised in goal for the Saints but by the time Dickson turned up with 20 minutes of the game gone they were already 1-0 down.
Johnston had the better of the early stages against the ten men and could have gone ahead in the third minute but Thomson pulled off a brilliant save to deny Liam James. Despite being a man down the Saints had a couple of chances as Steve Thomas saw his shot pushed away before a Simon Bancroft cross just evaded the Saints players in the box. However the Tigers continued to dominate and they went ahead with seventeen minutes gone as skipper Luke Hayward played in Adam Hawkins whose low shot found the bottom corner of the net.
The Saints were then boosted by the arrival of the keeper and the referee allowed the switch meaning they were back to full strength. Sean Seymour-Davies then set off on a mazy run into the Johnston half but he was brought down for a free kick in a dangerous position. Steve Thomas passed the ball to Bancroft but his shot hit the side netting. With seven minutes to go until half time the Tigers doubled their lead when Ryan Doyle lashed the ball into the top corner.
Shortly before half time the Saints got back into the game when another Seymour-Davies run set up Dan Ramsey who curled a shot into the bottom left hand corner. The Saints started the second half well as Scott Page’s effort flew just wide before Seymour- Davies went close with a free kick. The visitors then claimed for a penalty but referee Gareth Elliot waved away the appeals.
Johnston came back into the match and twenty minutes in their two-goal advantage was restored when Adam Hawkins tapped in after a shot was saved. The home side began to control the game and with five minutes left they added a fourth goal. Steve Mills was tripped in the area and referee Elliot pointed to the spot. Hawkins stepped up to take the penalty and although the keeper got a hand to it he could not keep the ball out.
The win for Johnston sees them close the gap to Goodwick in the table going into their game with Pennar Robins on Saturday. Johnston: Joel Codd, Chris Phillips, Steven Mills, Sion Price, Ben Phillips, James Skudder, Scott Murray, Luke Hayward, Adam Hawkins, Liam James, Ryan Doyle. Subs: Jack Mills, Gary James, Jamie Picton. St Clears: James Dickson, Neil Thomson, Aiden Rainbow, Ryan Maunsey, Scott Page, Sean Seymour-Davies, Ian Darbyshire, Ynyr James, Steve Thomas, Dan Ramsey, Simon Bancroft. Subs: Gareth Griffiths, Ben Hewens.
Sport
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.
Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.
The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.
She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.
The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.
“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.
“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”
Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.
He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.
Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.
Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.
Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.
“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.
Sport
Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown
In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.
The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.
However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.
As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.
In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.
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.
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