Baptism of fire for Bluebirds

Published

9 years ago

September 10, 2015

Dangerman: Bluebird’s Ricky Watts holds off the dangerous Scott
Quigley • Pic: Kevin Bryce

Haverfordwest County 0
TNS 4

THE Bluebirds were given a baptism of fire on their return to the Welsh Premier League as they were beaten 4-0 by Welsh Champions TNS.

The New Saints dominated for much of the game at a soaking Bridge Meadow Stadium and almost went ahead after eleven minutes.

Scott Quigley crossed from the left hand side but Michael Wide’s header bounced back off the crossbar.

Connell Rawlinson then saw a shot saved by the busy Bluebirds keeper Scott James.

The Bluebirds offered little going forward and did threaten briefly when Ricky Watts found space down the right but his cross was headed wide by Jack Christopher.

Greg Walters also tried his luck from long range but his shot was deflected away for a corner.

Scott Quigley then saw another shot saved before the Champions broke the deadlock in fine fashion.

Alex Darlington picked the ball up in the middle of the half and ran into the box, beating three County players before firing low into the bottom left corner of the goal.

TNS continued to dominate and with eight minutes to go until half time, Dale Griffiths gave away a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box.

Chris Seargeant looked favourite to take it and he brilliantly curled the ball into the net to double his sides lead.

The second half started much like the first with the only professional team in the Welsh Premier League on top.

Quigley was a constant threat to the Bluebirds and goalkeeper Scott James had to be alert to pull off another save from the striker.

With almost an hour gone, Quigley turned provider as he crossed into the box where Alex Darlington was on hand with a diving header to make it 3-0 to TNS.

Six minutes later TNS were awarded a penalty which Darlington stepped up to take, looking to complete his hat-trick.

However, Scott James guessed the right way and pulled off an excellent save to keep the score at 3-0.

With fifteen minutes to go, Bluebirds sub John Roberts was sent through on goal but he agonisingly lifted his shot into the side netting.

They were made to pay for that miss as two minutes later TNS added their fourth goal of the game.

Aeron Edwards drilled a low shot towards goal which was saved by Scott James but he could do nothing about the rebound as sub Greg Draper pounced to make it 4-0.

More chances followed for the champions who made the perfect start to their campaign while the Bluebirds will be hoping for a better time out in their next match.

The next game for the Bluebirds is on Saturday, August 29, and sees them travel to mid-Wales to take on Newtown AFC, kick off at 2.30pm.

Tough game: Declan Carroll in action in a tough opener for the Bluebirds

The stage is set – Senior Cup Final

Published

6 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Herald Sport

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

Published

16 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2024

Herald Sport

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.