Sport
County relegated after 4th straight loss
Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Aberystwyth Town 3
Haverfordwest County 1
HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY were relegated on Friday (Apr 8) as they returned from their trip to Aberystwyth Town with a fourth straight defeat, meaning they have only picked up two points since the league split in January.
Their only hope of remaining in the league now stands with the potential relegation of Port Talbot, who have failed to obtain a license for next season, or with clubs in the promotion places from the divisions below also failing to obtain a license.
Man of the Match Craig Williams opened the scoring for Aber on 10 minutes, only for Luke Borelli to level the scores six minutes later.
The Black and Greens improved after the break and Williams created the chance for Chris Venables to lob a second on the hour, before sending in a corner, which Rhys Griffiths headed goal bound, for Sean Pemberton to complete the scoring with a headed own goal on 71 minutes.
On a drizzly night a pre match Club Photo ensured a decent turnout of 404, and a lively Friday night atmosphere at Park Avenue. Visitors Haverfordwest created the first chance when Borelli’s ball in from the left fell for stand in centre forward Sean Pemberton, but he could only tap it back to Mike Lewis in Aber’s goal.
Another Borelli cross was gathered by Lewis, but then came the first moment of real quality when Geoff Kellaway picked out Craig Williams out on the left, and the Taff’s Well Touchline Terror hit a sumptuous lob first time over Craig Morris’ head to open the scoring: a brilliant strike. Chris Venables tried another lob minutes later, but then the visitors equalised when the impressive Greg Walters managed to pick out Borelli at the back stick, and he tapped home. Pemberton headed wide again, Kellaway had a flick saved as did Borelli, and then Ross Stephens picked out Venables at the back post, but he headed inches wide, and a generally disappointing first half ended 1-1.
The second half started with the visitors creating most of the chances, with Pemberton having a low shot saved, and heading wide, but then on the hour the game turned when Williams cut inside from the left after a positive run and his low shot brought a save from Morris which spooned the ball into the air, and Venables managed to hook the ball over the goalkeeper to score with an instinctive lob which brought his season tally to 17, back on top of the Golden Boot List.
With the Dias Stand dancing, Rhys Griffiths released Kellaway through with a deft touch, and his shot was parried inches wide by Morris, but then the killer third came when Williams’ corner from the left was perfect for Griffiths to direct a strong header goal bound, which deflected in off the unfortunate Pemberton’s head.
Aber still had some defending to do, with Stephens, Lee Surman and Antonio Corbisiero making crucial blocks to defend their lead. Walters curled an effort wide, and then late on sub Liam Jaques set up Williams for another blocked effort, and the game ended at 3-1: a testament to Wyn Thomas and his Players’ desire to get a result when it really mattered.
This precious victory keeps Aber right in the running for the UEFA Europa League Play Offs, and with seventeen points garnered from their eight post split game to date, the Black and Greens can confidently look forward to another important clash at Carmarthen Town next Saturday afternoon.
For County it is a huge match against fellow relegated side Rhyl, as a victory would move them level on points, with the hope of leap-frogging their opponents on the final day of the season and giving them a slim hope of survival by bureaucratic means.
News
70 Pembrokeshire clubs benefit from Sport Wales funding
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
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.
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.
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