Sport

Team of the week: Lawrenny AFC

Published

10 years ago

February 11, 2014

LAWRENNY first XI are a senior football team currently playing in the Division 3 of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League.

They play on the Lawrenny Sports and Social Club ground, which they share with the cricket club.

The club first played in the league in 1985, with a second team being entered three years later in 1988. The firsts play in red and black striped shirts and black shorts and the seconds plays in yellow and black striped shirts and black shorts.

Their most recent silverware success was last season when they won the Division 3 Cup, which was very rewarding after the ‘heartache’ of losing it in 2005 by a single goal to Pembroke United. Two seasons after gaining promotion to the Division 2 they won the Division 2 Cup in 2000 beating Saundersfoot Sports Club.

They have had very limited league success with only two league titles to their name, the Division 5 title in the 1985/1986 season and the Division 3 title in the 1997/1998 season. They also finished runner up in Division 4 in the 1987/88 season. They also completed the double in the 1985/1986 when they won the Division 5 cup final against St Clears. The club would like to thank their sponsors who give so much every season.

Player profiles

Jamie Lewis is another ex-Carew youth player. He is best used as a right back but is also a great back-up as goalkeeper. He is an excellent striker of the dead ball, setting up a number of goals with his pinpoint crosses from corners and free kicks and us.

After playing junior football for Carew, Tom Lewis joined Lawrenny to play senior football. After starting out in the Seconds he moved up to the Firsts last season and has cemented his place in the First XI. Another quick player with a good engine.

Phil Cole was the youngest first team captain in recent history at the age of 19. He is one of a number of players that has great pace. One of the most experienced players at the club. Although he is a recognised centre midfield he has played at sweeper.

Ed Merriman joined the club as a 16 year old and made his debut as a striker in the seconds coming on against Letterston with the game 1 – 1 and missing an open goal. Since then he was moved into defence and has improved every year to become an important part of the team.

Chris Beff joined Lawrenny after playing junior football for Carew and Narberth. He started out as a forward but has impressed since being moved into defence and has nailed down his place in the 1st XI with some impressive performances.

Jon ‘Beefy’ Beff has played for Lawrenny for the past six seasons despite only being 21. He was the captain last year and still picks the team this year. He has scored a number of important goals this year including winners in the two games against Fishguard.

Matt Lewis signed for the Lawrenny at the start of the 2010/11 season joining brother Jamie and cousins Tom and Dean at the club. He is very composed on the ball and has good pace and a good touch. He is very effective on the wings but is also equally at home in midfield.

Sport

Spotlight – Milford United

Published

22 hours ago

December 3, 2023

Herald Sport

We recently sat down with Milford United manager Steve Parks, we timed it well on the back of an outstanding 7-1 win at Marble Hall. The season has started extremely well for Parks’ men, many may have predicted a relegation dog fight this season. However as the weeks and games tick by this seems to be very unlikely as the boys from Marble Hall prove they belong in the top division.

Herald Thanks for your time Steve, a fantastic win for you yesterday beating Tenby 7-1, how do you reflect on that?

Steve Yesterday was a great win against a good Tenby side who have been strong this season. To win this tie and score 7 was a true reflection of our ability as a team and our willingness to play the ball through the right channels.

Herald Assuming stabilising division one status is your priority this season? You seem to have had a very positive start, is that how you see it?

Steve To progress into the last 16 of the West Wales Cup is a true reflection of our cup performances this season beating three first division teams, one from Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire with 21 goals scored and only 2 conceded.
This seasons objective was to remain in the 1st Division and gain valuable experience along the way . We have a mixture of youth and experience in our squad and potential to improve as a team as the season progresses.

Herald Who have been your stand out players so far this season?

Steve As a Manager I am conscientious about
naming stand out players, all squad members have had a part to play this season. We have a young talented goalkeeper who is growing with confidence with every game he plays. We are very strong in defence and have creative midfield players that offer our forwards plenty of opportunities in front of goal.

Herald With the two cup competitions still alive for you and mid table in the league so far. What would be deemed a successful season for you this season?

Steve A successful season for Milford united would be to finish mid table in the League, have a good Senior Cup and West Wales Cup run. The season started well winning the Joe Lennon Cup which we haven’t won for a very long time. We as a club are looking forward to the challenges ahead of us for the rest of the 23/24 season and hope to be as competitive as we can.

Sport

West Wales Cup Round Up 02/12/23

Published

23 hours ago

December 3, 2023

Herald Sport

Unfortunately the weather got the better of the majority of fixtures this weekend in Pembrokeshire and indeed West Wales. However the games that did go ahead provided us with plenty of action and plenty to talk about.

In the West Wales Cup, Milford United hit 7 in a huge victory over Tenby. We expected this to be a close affair with both clubs having similar records so far in the league and having drawn earlier in the season. However yesterday was a complete dominance for the hosts, Scott Reid with a hat-rick, two penalties for Liam Parr and a goal a piece for Grimwood and Parks. It sees Milford into the next round of the competition and it’ll be a shock to the system for Tenby. Milford host Monkton Swifts in the league next week and it’ll be another opportunity to make a statement in their first season back in the top division.

A brace for Anthony Couzens ensured Fishguard Sports’ progressed to the next round of the competition, as they defeated AFC Glais 4-3. The cup proved a nice break from what has been a tricky season in the league so far for Phil Jones and his men.

Carew came out on top of the all Pembrokeshire tie in the West Wales Cup at the Gerald Hicks Recreation Ground. They defeated Pennar Robins 6-2, as they welcomed Sam Christopher back to the club after a spell elsewhere. Christopher was on the score sheet along with Hinchcliffe (2) who also got an assist and is in top form. Curtis Hurlow also popped up with a rare goal for the defender, youngster Archie Smith also getting on the score sheet in a win sure to please manager Scott Richards.

The West Wales Cup fixtures that didn’t take place yesterday will be re scheduled for next Saturday, taking precedence over any scheduled fixture.

News

Sporting achievements celebrated at the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2023

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2023

Tom Sinclair

The remarkable achievements of Pembrokeshire’s sporting community were celebrated at a glittering awards ceremony on Friday evening, November 24^th.

The Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2023 were held at Folly Farm and paid tribute to efforts both on and off the pitch by sports people, coaches and volunteers alike.

Record nominations had been received as the awards continue to go from strength to strength.

The judges had an extremely difficult task to whittle the numbers firstly down to finalists and then deserving winners.

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was race walking star Heather Warner who has represented both Wales and Team GB at the highest levels.

A Pembrokeshire Harrier, Heather soon discovered a natural talent for race walking and it was no surprise that a collection of local and national titles followed.

Welsh and Team GB vests at both junior and senior level were the natural progression in her career.

Heather collected a fantastic seventh place in the Commonwealth Games in 2018 on Australia’s Gold Coast and a British record followed in Birmingham four years later to go with a brilliant sixth place.

While competing around the world Heather has always continued to coach at Pembrokeshire Harriers and passing on the breadth of her knowledge and experience and is a worthy winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023.

“Heather’s outstanding success, coupled with an obvious desire to one day guide others, can only help raise the profile of the sport in a positive way,” said Geoff Williams from BBC Wales, who presented Heather with her award.

The winner of the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award, presented by Cllr Thomas Tudor, was Makala Jones.

Makala has taught cold water confidence and a proper swimming technique to countless people of all ages in Pembrokeshire, enabling them to enjoy the coastline all year round. She also successfully swum the English channel solo in July this year.

She has been described as a legend, an inspiration, a real-life super hero, great fun to be around, a role model proving you can achieve your dreams and an incredibly strong and helpful human being.

In presenting her award, Cllr Tudor said what makes her so special is her passion for sharing the benefits of outdoor swimming for improved mental health.

This year the School Award was won by Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi.

The judges were impressed by the wide range of sports and activities provided by and hosted by Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and how the school is a focal point for sports health and wellbeing in the St Davids community and surrounding areas.

Under Headteacher Rachel Thomas and Head of Wellbing Bruce Evans, young people are given the opportunity to try a wide variety of sports and activities to embed a love of staying active and protecting the natural environment from an early age.

It was also a significant evening with the announcement that host Bill Carne would be retiring after 17 years presenting the awards.

Matthew Freeman, manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, paid tribute to his dedication and professionalism over the years.

“Bill Carne has become synonymous with the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards and is rightly regarded as the voice of sport in Pembrokeshire,” he said.

“Sport Pembrokeshire are truly honoured to have had his support at the awards for all these years along with his wider support in advocating and raising the profile of the work that Sport Pembrokeshire team do across the county.

“Bill can now retreat from the stage and enjoy the evening from the audience’s vantage point and enjoy the spectacle that is the Sport Pembrokeshire awards.”

The other winners are as follows: