Sport

Ref steals the show

Published

8 years ago

February 1, 2016

‘Keeper Gwilt: Spill led to Goodwick own goal

Goodwick United 5

Carew 1

GOODWICK UNITED took advantage of their league rivals not playing to move top of the Pembrokeshire League Division One, largely thanks to some questionable decisions that went in their favour in a tight contest, in which a draw would’ve been slightly unfair on the visitors, but a 5-1 defeat was bordering on cruel.

The game started off with a real ebb and flow, with Carew enjoying the better of the battles in the middle of the park, but with the hosts getting some joy down the flanks, particularly through the livewire Jonny Horgan.

A tight contest produced no real efforts of note until the 40th minute, when Carew deservedly took the lead, with Dean Morris latching onto a through ball and producing a thunderous effort which keeper James Gwilt could only spill, and with Grant James following up, Goodwick put through their own net.

The goal seemed to force Carew into a retreat, and the visitors invited pressure onto themselves, and with the 45 minutes played, Goodwick equalised to draw level at the interval, as Adam Raymond’s speculative effort deflected over the right hand of Dan James to leave the sides at one apiece.

Carew emerged for the second half unaffected by the setback and went at the hosts from the first whistle, with Gwilt forced into action on several occasions, with the only outlet for the red and blacks being the irrepressible Horgan, who also drew a fine stop from James.

With 65 minutes played the turning point of the game occurred, with the referee ensuring that he took centre stage.

Carew worked an opening for Dean Morris, but when he was about to side foot home from the penalty spot, a horrendously mistimed tackle from Goodwick’s last man wiped him out.

The referee pointed to the spot, and with a red card imminent, he was surrounded by the home sides players, who somehow managed to get the decision downgraded to a free kick and incredibly, they even persuaded the official not to produce a card of any colour.

This flabbergasted even the Goodwick linesman and supporters, and it was now apparent that the game was being officiated by the home team with the resulting free kick being taken from bang on the line.

Shaun Whitfield stepped up to take the kick and produced a brilliant full length stop from Gwilt, but the keeper could only tip it onto the bar, and with the goal at their mercy, Carew’s Morris and midfielder Alex Bayley got in each other’s way and conspired to put the ball over the bar.

The decision spurred Goodwick on, and with the game ticking into the last fifteen minutes, it was won by a moment of true brilliance from man of the match Horgan.

The winger picked the ball up 30 yards from goal on the left hand side, and turned inside, then out, before coming back inside one last time to produce a thunderous shot across James, which flew in off the inside of the post, sparking scenes of mass celebration among the home players, with both players and management racing to congratulate the home hero.

With Carew now firmly disheartened, Goodwick ran away with the game, scoring a further three goals in the last five minutes.

Horgan grabbed his second and Kieran O’Brien a brace of well taken finishes to move the Phoenix Park side top of the league.

Sport

Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double

Published

13 hours 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.

Sport

Swifts eyes on double.

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2024

Herald Sport

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

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2024

Herald Sport

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.