Sport

Ormond wins Senior Cup for Merlins Bridge

Published

9 years ago

April 23, 2017

Tom Sinclair

Chance: Adam Hawkins runs into the box for Merlins Bridge

CHRIS ORMOND’S second half strike gave Merlins Bridge a 2-1 victory over Clarbeston Road in the Senior Cup Final on Saturday (Apr 22).

The game was played at the Bridge Meadow Stadium and just over 1100 fans gathered to watch the final.

A win for Clarbeston Road would have seen them become only the third second division side to win the Senior Cup but it wasn’t to be their day.

Clarbeston Road started on the front foot and could have gone ahead when Richard Bevan headed the ball back across goal but no one was on the end of it and the ball went wide.

Both sides had a number of half chances but the keepers were largely spectators for the opening half an hour.

Steve McNabney sent a shot wide of the post for the Wizards but that was the closest any side came to scoring.

With half an hour gone Dai Davies crossed the ball on the edge of the box for Joe Leahy who shot first time on the half volley into the bottom left corner of the goal to put Merlins Bridge ahead.

However, their lead only last four minutes as Clarbeston Road were given a free kick. Mike Turpin took the kick from nearly 30 yards out and sent it into the top corner of the net to make it 1-1.

Runners up: Clarbeston Road

It stayed that way until half time and both sides were still in with a chance of victory.

Ten minutes into the second half Joe Leahy was sent through but his effort was ruled out for an offside.

Soon after, Clarby were dealt a blow when Turpin was forced off with an injury and he was replaced by Greg Brown.

A minute later Merlins Bridge went ahead after good work from Steve McNabney on the right hand side of the box and he crossed into the area for Chris Ormond to stab the ball into the net.

Clarby were looking to find another equalising goal and came close from a corner after a shot was blocked the ball bounced up to Bevan who headed the ball against the base of the post.

Bevan then saw another shot blocked as Clarby continued to press forward in search of another goal.

With fifteen minutes to go Merlins Bridge’s Adam Hawkins was brought down on the edge of the box by Clarby keeper Matthew Davies who was shown a yellow card.

Winners: Merlins Bridge celebrate their victory

Clarby pushed forward in the final minutes looking to take the game to extra time but Bevan saw another header go over the bar.

They had a late free kick but after the ball bounced around in the Wizards’ box Merlins Bridge were able to clear the ball and the chance had gone.

The final whistle went moments later and Merlins Bridge celebrated winning the Senior Cup.

Speaking to the Herald after the match, Merlins Bridge Manager Nathan Thomas said he had ‘a mixture of emotions’.

He added: “It’s hard to describe the feeling, after all the hard work we’ve put in through the season right the way through to now. Yes it was nip and tuck but all we wanted to was win the game and when the final whistle went it was just fantastic.

“We’ve come away with a trophy this season which we haven’t had in a couple of years so we’re over the moon.

“We had a few stern words at half time but there is only so much we can do, we organise everything and after that it’s up to the players on the pitch. We felt the first half we weren’t at our best but in the second half we came out of the blocks a bit better.

“We said not to give free kicks away because we knew Clarby were dangerous and we didn’t and we did that little bit better in the second half.”

Merlins Bridge coach Taffy said he was lucky enough to win the Senior Cup final as a player and said to win it is part of the coaching team was ‘fantastic’.

He added that Clarby are a very good side and although it was a scrappy game at times, the main thing was to have Merlins Bridge’s name on the cup.

Sport

Haverfordwest County Under-13 girls shine at final FAW festival

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women and Girls have praised their under-13s after another strong showing at the third and final FAW Festival of the season.

The young Bluebirds travelled to Colliers Park in Wrexham on Saturday (Apr 4), where they once again impressed with their performances.

Club officials said the girls had performed fantastically well throughout the season, adding that everyone at Haverfordwest County was incredibly proud of their efforts.

The squad for the day was Libby O, Ela I, Ines M, Mila E, Scarlett C, Rachel B, Lydia H, Lilly M, Zara E, Leila P and Lillie EJ.

Well done girls.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Friendly League week 22 results

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

RESULTS from week 22 of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association Friendly League have been confirmed, with Badgers recording a comprehensive 10-0 win over Lamphey and St Twynnells edging past Cosheston 6-4.

An earlier fixture also saw Cosheston claim a 10-0 victory over Reynalton.

Several matches were postponed during the week, including Kilgetty v Carew, Llanteg v St Twynnells and Hundleton v East Williamston.

St Johns had the bye.

Latest results:
Cosheston 4 St Twynnells 6
Badgers 10 Lamphey 0
Cosheston 10 Reynalton 0

League table after week 22:
East Williamston — Played 19, Won 13, Drawn 0, Lost 6, Shot difference 169, Points 126
St Johns — Played 20, Won 12, Drawn 1, Lost 7, Shot difference 132, Points 118
Reynalton — Played 20, Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference 24, Points 99
St Twynnells — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 7, Shot difference 9, Points 99
Carew — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 9, Shot difference -12, Points 98
Hundleton — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 8, Shot difference -7, Points 97
Llanteg — Played 18, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 8, Shot difference -16, Points 95
Badgers — Played 20, Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -104, Points 89
Cosheston — Played 19, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference -39, Points 88
Lamphey — Played 20, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 11, Shot difference -71, Points 80
Kilgetty — Played 19, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -85, Points 73

League officials have reminded clubs that all outstanding matches must be completed by midnight on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Sport

Amman United Youth suffer agonising semi-final defeat

Published

2 days ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

Cup final dream slips away as Newcastle Emlyn battle back to seal 20-19 win in windy Carmarthenshire Cup clash

AMMAN UNITED YOUTH saw their Carmarthenshire Cup final hopes ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday (Apr 4) as Newcastle Emlyn snatched a 20-19 victory in a dramatic semi-final.

Played in difficult, windy conditions, the contest was fiercely competitive throughout, with Amman left to rue a series of handling errors that allowed the visitors back into the game.

Newcastle Emlyn made the stronger start, taking an early 3-0 lead through a penalty and then missing a chance to add to their tally.

Amman responded well and took control of the first half. Captain Ceian Lewis crossed following a well-worked catch-and-drive to put his side 5-3 in front. Toby Slater then produced an excellent touchline conversion in tough conditions to extend the lead to 7-3.

Amman continued to build momentum when Harvey Duncan made a sharp break down the wing to score their second try. Slater was again on target with an impressive conversion in the wind, giving his side a 14-3 lead at the break.

But the game turned soon after the restart. A costly Amman mistake allowed Newcastle Emlyn back into the contest, with the visitors scoring in the corner before adding the conversion to close the gap to 14-10.

Amman appeared to have steadied themselves when Kelston Fairhurst powered over from another catch-and-drive, stretching the lead to 19-10.

However, Newcastle Emlyn refused to give in. Strong forward play brought them another try, and the conversion cut the deficit to just two points at 19-17 as the pressure mounted in the closing stages.

The decisive moment came in the final five minutes when another Amman handling error handed Emlyn a crucial opportunity. The visitors worked their way into range and slotted a late penalty to edge ahead 20-19.

Amman had one final chance to rescue the game and opted for a catch-and-drive from a late penalty, having already found success with that tactic earlier in the match. This time, though, Newcastle Emlyn held firm to deny them and secure their place in the final.

It was a bitter end for Amman United Youth, who had looked in control at half-time, but Newcastle Emlyn showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.