YOUNG AMMAN SIDE IMPRESS DESPITE DEFEAT

AMMAN UNITED may have suffered another defeat, but the Reds ended the week with plenty of encouragement after pushing Tumble hard in an entertaining Division Three West clash.

Playing their second away fixture in three days, Amman travelled to Parc y Mynydd Mawr with a side showing clear signs of the club’s future direction.

United had introduced a number of players from their Welsh Youth Cup-winning squad across two away matches, with several making their senior debuts.

Eight of those youngsters were involved in the midweek 26-12 defeat away to high-flying Division Three Cup winners New Dock Stars, where Dyfan Llewellyn marked his debut with a try.

Harvey Duncan, Ioan Booth, Hefin Davies, Ceian Lewis, Tom James, Aled Davies, Kennedy Richards and Cole Lacey were also introduced across the two games, giving Amman supporters real cause for optimism.

Youth given chance

At Tumble, Amman started with five members of the victorious youth side in the pack, with Tom James making his debut at lock under captain Rhydian Jones.

In bright sunshine, both sides served up an open and entertaining game full of running rugby.

Tumble, however, largely controlled the first half and built a 30-14 lead by the interval.

The Magpies crossed through Owen Bunford, Jack Morris, Iwan Morgan and Rhys King to secure their try bonus point before the break.

There was also a notable family moment for the Gwendraeth Valley side, with brothers Ellis and Zak Payne playing together for the first time.

Reds rally after break

Amman, safe from relegation because of league restructuring, came roaring back in the second half and gave their higher-placed hosts a real scare.

Back-row nuisance Cole Lacey was rewarded for an excellent performance with his first senior try for the club, while wing Dylan Matthews and impressive flanker Alun Lewis also crossed.

United’s five-try display brought them to within two points at 35-33, earning them a deserved bonus point and threatening a remarkable comeback.

Tumble, however, held their nerve in the closing stages.

After Dafydd Thomas had earlier crossed for the Magpies, late tries from Ifan Samuel and James Owens finally put the game beyond Amman and secured a 49-33 home victory.

It was a fine advert for grassroots rugby, with both sides contributing to an exciting, attacking contest.

Amman were due to complete their league campaign away at Cardigan on Tuesday night, while Tumble finish at home to Neyland on Saturday.

Haverfordwest County beat Barry Town United 3-1 on spot-kicks after 1-1 draw at Jenner Park

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY are one win away from another European adventure after a dramatic penalty shootout victory away at Barry Town United on Sunday (Apr 26).

The Bluebirds booked their place in the JD Cymru Premier European play-off final after beating Barry 3-1 on penalties at Jenner Park, following a 1-1 draw after normal time.

It is the third time in four years that County have reached the European play-off final, continuing their remarkable record in the end-of-season format.

Barry made the perfect start and went ahead after just three minutes through Ollie Hulbert, leaving Haverfordwest with a difficult task in front of them.

The home side held that lead until the interval, but County stayed in the contest and continued to push for a way back.

Their reward came midway through the second half when Greg Walters found the net to bring the Bluebirds level and set up a tense finish.

Neither side could find a winner before the end of normal time, meaning the tie would be settled from the spot.

Haverfordwest held their nerve when it mattered most, winning the shootout 3-1 to spark celebrations among the travelling support and send the club into another major play-off final.

County will now face Penybont in the final on Saturday (May 2), with kick-off at 5:25pm. Penybont reached the final after beating Colwyn Bay on penalties in the other semi-final.

The final will be hosted by the higher-ranked semi-final winner, meaning Haverfordwest are set for another away trip as they look to secure Wales’ final place in next season’s UEFA Conference League.

For manager Tony Pennock and his players, it is another huge moment in the club’s recent history.

After falling behind early in Barry, the Bluebirds showed character, patience and composure before delivering once again in a pressure shootout.

Now only Penybont stand between Haverfordwest County and a return to European football.

GOODWICK UNITED lifted the 2026 Pembrokeshire Senior Cup after a 3-1 win over Monkton Swifts at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on Saturday (Apr 25).

A crowd of 1,280 turned out in Haverfordwest for the county showpiece, with Goodwick coming out on top after an entertaining and hard-fought final.

Ben Adams gave Goodwick the lead midway through the first half, before Jimmy Wilkes brought Monkton level shortly before the break.

Rhys Dalling then restored Goodwick’s advantage after half-time, and Jonny Horgan sealed the win deep into stoppage time when Monkton had thrown bodies forward in search of an equaliser.

Goodwick make strong start

The opening stages belonged largely to Goodwick, who settled quickly and looked the more dangerous side from dead-ball situations.

Their pressure told after 20 minutes. Monkton goalkeeper Taylor Gullam did well to get a touch to an initial header from a Goodwick corner, pushing the ball onto the bar, but Adams was alert and headed home the rebound.

Monkton did not allow the setback to knock them out of their rhythm and gradually worked their way into the contest.

They carried a threat on the break and began to ask more questions of the Goodwick defence as the half went on, with Dylan Davies and Jimmy Wilkes both causing problems.

Goodwick also had a penalty appeal turned down when Dalling went down in the box, but referee Tudor Walters allowed play to continue.

Monkton press before half-time

The Swifts enjoyed their best spell in the closing stages of the first half.

Goodwick goalkeeper Nick Jones was called into action on several occasions, while Kyle O’Sullivan also produced a vital clearance on the line to keep his side ahead.

Monkton’s equaliser arrived in the 42nd minute.

A clever pass opened up the Goodwick back line and Wilkes timed his run well before finishing calmly with his left foot to make it 1-1.

Monkton almost added a second before the interval, but Goodwick survived further pressure to go in level at the break.

Dalling delivers

Goodwick made a change at half-time, with Tom Jago introduced in place of Sion O’Sullivan.

Jago was quickly involved and almost put Goodwick back in front when he rounded Gullam, only for Monkton to clear the danger.

The decisive second goal came ten minutes after the restart.

Dalling picked up possession, drove at the Monkton defence, cut inside and finished well to put Goodwick 2-1 ahead.

From that point, Monkton had to chase the game, and the final became increasingly tense.

Jones keeps Monkton out

Monkton pushed hard for a way back into the match and created chances, but Jones produced an excellent display in the Goodwick goal.

He made important saves, dealt confidently with crosses, and gave his defence a calm presence behind them during periods of pressure.

Monkton appealed for a penalty late on when Jack Clarke went down in the area, but again the referee waved away the claims.

As the clock ticked down, Monkton committed more players forward, leaving space for Goodwick to exploit on the counter.

Horgan seals cup glory

The game was finally settled in stoppage time.

With Monkton’s goalkeeper upfield for a late set-piece, Goodwick cleared their lines and the ball fell to substitute Horgan.

He showed composure to take the ball beyond Gullam before finishing into an empty net, sparking celebrations among the Goodwick players and supporters.

The final whistle confirmed Goodwick United as Senior Cup winners after a memorable afternoon at the Bridge Meadow.

Nick Jones was named man of the match following an outstanding performance between the posts.

Match details

Monkton Swifts: Taylor Gullam; Jay Kilby, Jimmy Walker, Ben Steele, Liam Butland; Dan James, Jimmy Wilkes; Dylan Davies, Gareth Finnegan, Paul Miller; Luke Phillips.

Substitutes: Jack Clarke, Connor Davies, Billy Davis, James Russell, Martyn Carroll.

Goodwick United: Nick Jones; Kyle O’Sullivan, Josh Wood, Ross Jones, Scott Delaney; Sion O’Sullivan, Rhys Jones; Jake Smith, Ben Adams, Will Haworth, Rhys Dalling.

Substitutes: Guto Roberts, Dan Devine, Kieran Blundell, Jonny Horgan, Tom Jago.

Referee: Tudor Walters.

Assistant referees: Stefan Jenkins and Ioan Nevatte.

Fourth official: Alan Boswell.

Attendance: 1,280.

Photo caption:

Cup winners: Goodwick United celebrate their Pembrokeshire Senior Cup final victory over Monkton Swifts at the Ogi Bridge Meadow (Pic: Ethan Ellis).