Sport
Bluebirds edge past Cwmamman
HAVERFORDWEST County kept the pressure on Welsh League Division 1 leaders Llanelli Town as they beat Carmarthenshire side Cwmamman United 2-1 on Saturday (Jan 6).
A host of postponements in the Pembrokeshire League saw the Bluebirds enjoy a bumper crowd at the Bridge Meadow and they were treated to an excellent game.
The Bluebirds beat Cwmamman 2-0 in September and also beat them in a cup match in 2016 but they knew they would be up against much tougher opposition this time around.
There was an even start to the game as both sides looked to gain the upper hand and it was the visitors who had the first real chance of the game when Chris Allen was played in but his shot was saved by County keeper Conah McFenton.
The home side responded with some pressure of their own and when the ball fell kindly for Steffan Williams on the penalty spot it looked as if he might score but he got his angles wrong and sent his effort wide of the left hand post.
Three minutes later Cwmamman had the best chance of the half as Tom Blackburn raced free only to see his effort rebound back off the post and Declan John could only send the rebound wide in what was a real let-off for the Bluebirds.
Declan Carroll then tried his luck from long range but his shot fell straight into the arms of Cwm keeper Chris Curtis.
John also tried a shot from long range for the visitors but his shot also went wide and the score remained 0-0 when the half time whistle was blown by referee Tom Bevan.
Ten minutes into the second half the deadlock was finally broken as Declan Carroll stepped inside a defender before firing an unstoppable shot into the top left corner of the net.
Cwm did not let that setback get to them and immediately looked to get back on level terms. They sent a dangerous free kick into the box but Bluebirds striker Joe Leahy put the ball behind for a corner.
Both teams then made substitutions but with just over twenty minutes to go the Bluebirds doubled their lead as Dan Williams’ free kick wasn’t cleared and Kristian Speake was in the right place to stab the ball home.
However, just three minutes later the Blues of Cwmamman were back in the game as a free kick into the box wasn’t cleared and after Chris Allen couldn’t get a shot away the ball fell to sub Colin Harris to fire into the net to give his side hope of a comeback.
Tom Blackburn did well to win the ball for the visitors and passed to Harris but he was tackled before he could get a shot away.
Jordan Vickers had also caused problems for the home side with his lively running throughout the match and with eight minutes to go he made a darting run into the box but his cross flashed across the face of goal with no one on hand to turn it in.
The Bluebirds survived that onslaught and took to taking the ball into the corner to preserve their lead.
Referee Bevan called time on the match with the Bluebirds hanging on for a twelfth win of the season and they remain two points behind leaders Llanelli.
The Bluebirds now have a week off and they return to action at the Bridge Meadow on Saturday, January 20, when they take on Goytre AFC with that match kicking off at 2pm.
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.
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