Sport
Rampant Swifts tame Tigers
MONKTON SWIFTS stunned Johnston on Saturday afternoon as they came away with a win in a game littered with controversy.
On two occasions, one against each team, the linesman flagged for an offside but the referee overruled them and allowed both goals. Johnston had the first chance of the game when James Skudder put Nicky Woodrow through on goal but the usually reliable striker sent his shot wide.
The Tigers defence was caught napping when the Swifts took the lead in the sixth minute. Joe Lewis played the ball through to Wayne Brunton who stabbed the ball home from close range. The referee allowed the goal to stand despite the linesman flagging for an offside.
After 15 minutes the Swifts doubled their lead. A long ball forward was punched away by Tigers keeper Martin Langdon, but only as far as Lee Brockway who volleyed the ball in despite the best efforts of Chris Ormond to stop it going over the line.
The Swifts were not afraid to take shots and when Daniel Scourfield saw the keeper off his line he attempted to lob him but the keeper had it covered. With ten minutes to go before half time the Swifts took a three goal lead. Daniel Scourfield played the ball low into the box from a free kick and Ben Adams was on hand to poke the ball into the net. Johnston knew to make a game of it they needed to score before half time and they did just that when Joe John headed in Adam Hawkins’ cross.
The second half was a more open affair and it was Monkton, looking to kill the game off, who had the first chance, but Ben Adams headed narrowly wide. The Swifts had another good chance shortly after as Scourfield’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked but it deflected up and went just inches wide of the top left hand corner, much to the relief of the Tigers.
The home side were running out of time and a number of players were letting frustrations get the better of them as they were booked for dissent.
With 15 minutes to go the Tigers got the goal they had been looking for to get themselves back in the game. Nicky Woodrow played the ball into the box and Joe John got the final touch to set up a grand stand finish. Again the referee ignored his linseman who was convinced he had spotted an offside earlier in the move but the goal stood.
Johnston poured forward in the final minutes looking for an equaliser but Chris O’Toole volleyed wide before Joe John was denied his hat trick by a good save from keeper Lance Creese.
The Swifts held on for an impressive win while Johnston will feel disappointed they could not find an equaliser.
Sport
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
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
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
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.
-
News2 days ago
Police and air ambulances at ‘serious incident’ at West Wales school
-
News6 days ago
20mph U-turn: Some roads will return to 30mph following public outcry
-
Community6 days ago
Miracle pup finds her forever home after heart-wrenching journey
-
Crime2 days ago
Pembrokeshire pensioner accused of 17 sexual offences against children
-
Crime1 day ago
All three school stabbing victims discharged from hospital, police confirm
-
Community4 days ago
County Hall to offer space for community banking
-
Crime4 days ago
Brian Davis: Wanted on suspicion of commercial burglary
-
Business6 hours ago
Largest Welsh port appoints communications and marketing director
1 Comment