Sport

College cruise to Vale victory

Published

8 years ago

March 3, 2016

Pembrokeshire College 4 Cardiff and Vale College 2

[metaslider id=22216]

On a freezing, wet and windy day at the Bridge Meadow the Valero sponsored Pembrokeshire College welcomed their counterparts from Cardiff and Vale College in what promised to be a testing encounter.

The hosts got off to the perfect start when after just 90 seconds a free kick was awarded just inside the left hand touchline. Winger Fraser Finley delivered a teasing ball into the heart of the penalty area and when the Vale defence was unable to clear the danger, Lewis Watts capitalised to stab home from close range and give his side the lead.

With 15 minutes gone Pembrokeshire suffered a blow when Jordan Kilby went off injured after a crunching tackle in midfield left the midfield man nursing an ankle injury.

This allowed the Vale to move into the ascendency for a 5 minute spell as the hosts adapted to the change, but the solid Pembrokeshire backline repelled the danger the visiting attack threw at them, and when the Vale did manage to create a shooting opportunity they could only find the arms of Ben Aldred in the Pembrokeshire goal, playing out of his usual position of centre midfield.

They were made to pay for their inability to turn chances into goals when the hosts doubled their lead after 25 minutes when right sided midfield player Jake ‘Leon’ Luby was given time to pick out a cross into the box, when it went just over its intended target, the home defence failed to react to the bouncing ball, and it made it’s way through to Louis Thompson who had all the time in the world to control the ball before slotting it under Patrick Lane in the Vale goal.

With the soft surface cutting up a frustrated Vale side started to put in some zealous challenges, and when one of these challenges strayed over the boundary of acceptable, there was a flare up between the two sides, which was soon extinguished by referee Colin Newberry.

The visitors were now looking ragged and just after the half hour mark the college’s Haverfordwest Welsh Premier League star Spencer Williams was afforded an eternity of space 25 yards out, and the visitors were taught that you simply cannot allow a player of his quality that sort of time. They sat back and watched as he unleashed a ferocious shot into the far corner of the net. Despite the pureness of the strike, it is not one that Lane will want to see again however, as the Vale stopper put his arms up nonchalantly as if to suggest the shot was heading wide, only to be left red faced when it nestled inside the post.

With forages into the Pembrokeshire half now something of a rarity it was something of a surprise when the visitors got themselves back into the game, albeit thanks to a rather soft penalty. As Mikey George attacked through the right hand channel, he went down under an innocuous challenge by George Taylor and the appeals from his teammates were enough to see a penalty awarded. Luke Davison stepped up to confidently slot past Aldred to send the Vale in at the break with a lifeline.

After the break the Vale came out with renewed intent following their lift before the interval, and they were unfortunate not to score when Khalid Yousef saw his shot brilliantly tipped over by Aldred with just a minute played.

With the Vale attacking there was plenty of pace on the counter, with left-winger Finlay in particular enjoying a lot of space to attack, and through his outlet the college always looked a threat.

The game turned into a midfield battle with the hosts shading the possession, and with the visitors now out of ideas, the game was put beyond them when a hopeful ball through by Thompson caused confusion in the Vale defence. Failing to give a clear shout, the onrushing Lane took out his own centre back, allowing Luby to run through unopposed and tap the ball into the empty net.

With the game now won there was still time for some late drama as substitute Donovan Griffin got onto the end of a deep cross from first team debutant Ben John, but the diminutive wide man saw his header come back of the underside of the bar before being hooked clear.

The drama didn’t stop there, as with the game all but over the impressive Yousif in the Vale midfield struck the goal of the game as he glided forward from deep before curling a beautiful effort into the top corner of the goal past Aldred from fully 25-yards.

Next Wednesday (Mar 9) the College take on top of the table Coleg y Cymoedd (Nantgarw) at the Bridge Meadow, 1.30pm kick off.

Pembrokeshire College Team:

Ben Aldred, Jacob Knox, George Taylor (C), Ewan Jones, Matthew Dickinson, Jake ‘Leon’ Luby, Spencer Williams, Jordan Kilby, Fraser Finlay, Lewis Watts, Louis Thompson, Donovan Griffin, Dan Raicu, Will Bateman, Ben John

Sport

South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics

Published

5 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Design Team

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

Published

9 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Herald Sport

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

Published

19 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.