MILFORD United scored five goals for the third game running as they beat Monkton Swifts seconds 5-1 in Division 2 at Marble Hall on Saturday (Jan 22).

Milford went into the game full of confidence after two good home performances which resulted in two wins and 10 goals scored.

Monkton would have also come into the game with high expectations, having won the reverse fixture 5-3.

It was Milford who started the liveliest, causing lots of problems for the Monkton back four. It didn’t take Milford too long for their pace, power and high pressing to be rewarded with the opening goal on 6 minutes.

The ball was won by United in midfield and Lewys Tee picked up the ball in space. A great run by Liam Parr was picked out, who controlled the ball and outpaced the defence. Finishing it superbly from 18 yards into the top corner.

The Monkton team struggled all game to deal with United’s pace and movement and by the end of 90 minutes they had picked up 4 bookings trying to contain United’s attack.

Jordan Boswell in goal for Monkton was a busy man and had to pull off a number of good saves throughout the game.

It didn’t take United too long to get their second, which gave them a strong grip on the game. A good ball down the flank, which Liam Parks nodded down, then out muscled a couple of Monkton defenders, before crossing from the by-line for Ben Lewis. But he was quickly closed down and his shot was blocked, when a goal looked certain. But Tee was on hand to pick up the rebound, to knock the ball over the line, despite the best efforts of the Monkton defence.

This wasn’t United in top gear, but they did go in at half time with a comfortable lead. Monkton made a substitution during the break and came out the second half with much more resolve.

There was now a definite ebb and flow to the game, with Monkton now using the most of their 4-3-3 formation. But United spurned a couple of great chances to put the game out of sight with a third.

It was Monkton, who got the next goal, to really open up the game. A Monkton cross came in from the left and could only be half cleared by United’s defence. Which landed invitingly for Monkton’s Jay Kilby, who volleyed it perfectly passed Ferdy Stevenson.

At this stage, the game could have gone either way, despite United’s overall dominance. United’s manager Steve Parks, was fortunate to have the benefit of a strong bench and used them in a change of system in a 3 man substitution. It had an immediate effect and United once again gained control.

A dangerous run by Liam Parks had to be halted illegally and from the resulting free kick, Morgan Picton hit a peach of a shot into the top right corner from 30 yards. Only to be thwarted by a superb save from Boswell.

But the pressure was mounting and the chances becoming more frequent. Liam Parks got the all important 3rd goal after a good interplay with Liam Davies, which left Parks in space who calmly chipped the ball over the on rushing keeper.

With the game now running away from Monkton, it was a good break down the right from Parks, who in turn set up Davies to score from 10 yards. Even before United’s fifth goal had hit the net, it’s scorer Jake Barrett was already smiling. A good ball from Davies was sweetly met by Barrett, 20 yards out, who knew it was destined to beat the keeper.

It wasn’t United at their best, but 3 home wins on the bounce and 15 goals suggest a cause for optimism at Marble Hall.

On Saturday, January 29, Milford United, who now sit sixth in Division 2, travel to Broad Haven while Monkton Swifts seconds host Milford Athletic.

GOODWICK United and Merlins Bridge fought out a goalless draw in a highly contested game at Phoenix Park last Saturday (Jan 22).

The two sides had met earlier in the season at the Racecourse with Goodwick winning that game 7-0.

It was a much closer game this time around though but neither side was able to do enough to pick up the three points.

Chances were few and far between, but one of the best chances of the afternoon fell to Merlins Bridge midfielder Lee Hudgell, whose effort hit the underside of the crossbar with many in attendance feeling that the ball had bounced over the line. It wasn’t given and both teams had to settle for a point each.

On Saturday, January 29, Goodwick travel to Carew while Merlins Bridge travel to Narberth.

Goodwick United: Kyle Marsh, Stefan Hayes, Sion O’Sullivan, Jordan Thomas, Scott Delaney, Luke Hayward, Rhys Dalling, Kieran O’Brien, Nathan Greene, Jordan Griffiths, Steven Dockerty. Subs: Llyr Tobin, Rob Morgans, Daniel James.

Merlins Bridge: James Dickson, Chris Ormond, Andrew John, Richard Hughes, Henry Thomas, Dai Davies, Jordan Williams, Lee Hudgell, Matthew D’Ivry, Adam Hawkins, Will Haworth. Subs: Leon Davies, Josh Silk, Ben Davies.

THE results from the latest round of the Pembrokeshire Junior Netball League, played on Saturday (Jan 22) can be seen below.

In the Under 12s division, Fishguard B and Fishguard A both picked up wins as did Pembroke firsts.

Pembroke were also winners in the under 14s league while Chaos Purple were victorious in the under 16s league.

The results and players’ player from each game are as follows:

Under 12’s:

Sapphires White 12 v 15 Fishguard B
Players player:
Sapphires: Seren Davies
Fishguard: Megan Nicholas

Pembroke (2) 0 v 24 Fishguard A
Players player:
Pembroke: Mollie Smith
Fishguard: Anna Waldon-Smith

Pembroke (1) 19 v 0 Chaos Lightning
Players player:
Pembroke: Freya Cook
Chaos: Lily Jo Thomas

Under 14’s:

Sapphires White 0 v 22 Pembroke
Players player:
Sapphires: Kate Joseph
Pembroke: Ava Midgley

Under 16’s:

Chaos Purple 25 v 16 St David’s
Players player:
Chaos: Katie David
St David’s: Robyn Lewis