On a lovely evening down Pill division 4 strugglers Milford Athletic hosted fellow strugglers Carew III’s and as both teams have previously played out close, exciting encounters, this was expected to be another great game!

With a good home crowd, Carew won the toss and decided to play downhill in the first half, and it was a decision that initially looked like it may backfire, as the attacking Carew team met staunch resistance from the Athletic defence. Club stalwart Sam Daine’s was having a great game winning everything aerially and mopping up loose balls superbly, whilst Ashley Busby in goal was like a reincarnated Gordan Banks between the sticks!!

Ultimately, the slope, the windy conditions and superb attacking play from Tyler Worral saw the Athletic defence finally undone at the half hour mark, and then Carew continued their dominance with another two quick fire goals, courtesy of Harvey Drummond & Tom Woodford. 3-0 at half time and a slightly flattering scoreline for Carew.

The second half saw Athletic start brightly with the defence remaining resolute and Macaulay Chapman starting to dominate midfield, creating chance after chance.

In the space of 11 seconds half minutes, Athletic found themselves back on level terms, with Ciaran Lewis scoring twice, and a stonewall penalty being despatched by Pete Tunstall. What a turnaround!!

When everyone thought Carew may fold under pressure, up they stepped and re-took the lead with Harvey Drummond completing his well taken hat trick, and Carew found themselves back in the lead! What a game this was turning into!

It took all of 2 minutes for Ciaran Lewis to equalise, and complete his hat trick and for the remaining 20 minutes the game was end to end, with outstanding chances, last ditch tackles and great saves all over the place!! Final score Milford Athletic 4-4 Carew III’s in what could well be a game of the seaon contender.

As well as the football being superbly entertaining, no yellow cards were necessary and referee Marty Jones had complete control of the game despite the world’s worst offside decision where he agreed he had totally missed the Athletic fullback out wide! In his defence it was sunny.

A great game and a credit to both teams.

Clarby came out on top of a nine goal thriller at Neyland on Saturday. The result means that Clarby remain in 3rd whilst Neyland will now be relegated to the second division.

The visitors started the better and 7 minutes in Laurie Howarth scored directly from a corner. However Neyland came back flying and started to cause problems for the away team.

There was then two goals in five minutes. The first Ben Gale nipped in between the Clarby’s centre backs to slot home and minutes later it was 2-1 as a deep cross evaded Clarby defence and Leo Power slid in to give the home side the lead.

After 32 mins Ben ‘Rocky’ John beat a defender at the left of the box and his outside of the foot effort went found its way in to make it all square again.

Some great play by Wood and Matthew Davies down the Clarby right hand side meant the latter crossed for Howarth to head home his second goal of the afternoon advantage visitors.

Haworth then completed his hat trick to make it 4-2 Clarby and it seemed the madness was over for the first half. However there was time for another goal as a wicked cross from Harry Young was deflected off the head of Rheinallt George into his own net for 4-3 at the oranges.

Seven goals in the first half, however the second half saw the game settle down well a little bit.

Laurie Haworth scored at the far post, Matthew Davies again the provider and it looked like Clarby would roll home. But Mikey Chandler scored in the 89th minute, a deft chip from all of 30 years an over Sam Edge in goal.

Despite a late push from the hosts it finished 5-4 to the visitors and it’ll be second division football for Neyland next season.

Milford United went into this fixture with five key players missing from the squad which allowed some 2nd team players to step into Steve Parks squad to face a Carew side that has been in good form.

The weather and pitch was good and the game kicked off with both teams playing some good football. It was a mistake from the Robins which would allow Carew to score on the 17th minute. The goal came through Griffiths who picked up a short pass and carried the ball and slotted it past the robins keeper, Milford dusted themselves down and played some good penetrating football down both wings through Tyler Sheil & Cameron Lees, it was lees who equalised on the 28th minute. Milford played some nice one two football on the right and Lees finished it off with a good finish.

Milford finished the half the strongest and should of taken the lead when Scott Reid broke the offside trap and was through one on one with the Carew keeper but his shot was pared away by the keeper.

The second half started with Carew pressing looking to dominate the play. Both sides had half chances and on the 75th minute Milford’s Morgan Picton released Reid who made no mistake rounding the keeper to put the Robins 2-1 up.

Robins manager Steve Parks thought at the 83rd minute that the win in the bag but Carew had other ideas and equalised through J. Hinchcliffe to level it at 2-2, in hind site a draw would have been a fair result for both managers.

Milford switched off and allowed Carew to score a third on the 87th minute and again at 90+4 leaving Parks absolutely stunned how Milford were winning 2-1 and gave is away in a lack lustre 10 minutes.

As the season draws to an end The Robins will be happy with their first season back in Div 1 and Carew look forward to their Senior cup Semi final against Clarbeston Road on Saturday.