THE LATEST latest round of Pembrokeshire First Division football delivered some thrilling encounters, with standout performances from Monkton Swifts and Merlins Bridge, while Goodwick and Hakin couldn’t be separated in a tightly contested match.

Monkton Swifts 3-1 Carew
Monkton Swifts extended their unbeaten run with a solid 3-1 victory away at Carew. Dylan Davies was the star of the show, netting twice, while Ben Steele also added his name to the scoresheet, securing the win for the Swifts. Carew’s James Hinchliffe found the back of the net, but his effort wasn’t enough to prevent a home defeat. With this result, Carew has only one point from their opening three matches, signalling a slow start to their season.

Clarbeston Road 1-0 Milford United
In a closely-fought contest, Clarbeston Road edged out Milford United with a narrow 1-0 victory, courtesy of a goal from Travis Jones. Both teams had their chances, but it was Jones’ decisive strike that earned Clarbeston Road a valuable three points. Milford United, despite a spirited performance, will be disappointed to leave empty-handed.

Hakin United 1-1 Goodwick United
The highly anticipated clash between Hakin United and Goodwick United ended in a 1-1 draw. Shane Walsh opened the scoring for the Vikings, but Rhys Dalling quickly equalised for Goodwick, ensuring both sides shared the spoils. The evenly matched nature of the teams suggests that this season could see a thrilling title race.

Herbrandston 0-6 Merlins Bridge
Merlins Bridge delivered the most dominant performance of the weekend, thrashing Herbrandston 6-0. Jordan Thomas was in sensational form, scoring four goals, while Nathan Evans added a brace to complete the rout. Herbrandston face an uphill battle even at this early stage of the season, while the Wizards will be relieved to have secured their first win.

Kilgetty 0-4 Tenby
Tenby cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory over local rivals Kilgetty, with four different players finding the net. Jerome Mansbridge, Joe Leahy (from the penalty spot), Daryl Mansbridge, and Fraser Finlay all contributed to Tenby’s dominant performance. The result leaves Tenby with seven points from a possible nine, marking a strong start to their campaign.

St Ishmaels 2-3 Pennar Robins
Pennar Robins emerged victorious in a five-goal thriller against St Ishmaels. Luke Phillips converted a penalty for Pennar, while Ben Adams struck twice to secure the win. Tish fought valiantly, with Brennan Devonald and Ieuan Hawkins both scoring for the home side, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Robins from taking all three points in an enthralling encounter.

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IN their final midweek fixture of the season, newly-promoted Solva played host to Merlin’s Bridge 2nds at their picturesque coastal ground. Solva, buoyed by the momentum of their recent promotion, were keen to make a statement. Their opponents, however, arrived with a blend of seasoned veterans and youthful exuberance, including the much-anticipated return of Bradley Barrett, a player whose promising career had been marred by injuries in recent years.

Solva began the match brightly, dominating possession and displaying some attractive football. Yet, despite their early control, the visitors, expertly marshalled by their captain Morgan Richards, remained steadfast in defence. Then, somewhat against the run of play, it was Merlin’s Bridge who broke the deadlock. The ever-dangerous Barrett showcased his clinical finishing, slotting home to give the visitors an unexpected lead.

As the first half drew to a close, Solva continued to press, but they were unable to find the back of the net, leaving the home side frustrated and trailing 1-0 at the interval, though still hopeful of mounting a second-half comeback.

The second half kicked off with the home crowd optimistic for a turnaround. The intensity of the match increased, with tempers flaring and some fierce challenges going in. However, it was Merlin’s Bridge who struck again. Youngster Oscar Willington demonstrated the quality of the Bridge’s emerging talent, finishing neatly to double their advantage and leave Solva with a mountain to climb.

To their credit, Solva refused to capitulate. Just seven minutes later, the impressive Finn Isles found the net, halving the deficit and reigniting hopes of a comeback. With momentum seemingly shifting, Solva pressed forward in search of an equaliser. But they were soon stunned by a moment of brilliance from Barrett. Picking up the ball, Barrett unleashed an unstoppable 30-yard half-volley, a strike of such quality that it is sure to be a contender for goal of the season. The goal was a testament to Barrett’s class, physical presence, and experience—attributes that could prove transformative for Merlin’s Bridge this season.

Barrett’s wonder strike appeared to sap Solva’s energy, and as their heads began to drop, Bridge took full advantage. Another of their rising stars, Tomos Gwilliam, added a fourth, capping off an excellent performance from the visitors.

Solva managed to score a late consolation goal, but any hopes of a dramatic comeback were quashed when Morgan Elliot was sent off. Two needless yellow cards in quick succession left referee Martin Jones with no choice but to brandish the red card, sealing Solva’s fate.

Despite the scoreline, the match was played in excellent spirits, with both teams showing great respect towards the match official, contributing to an entertaining and competitive encounter. Solva can take solace in knowing they won’t face opposition of Merlin’s Bridge calibre every week, while Bridge will be buoyed by their strong away performance, particularly the standout display from Bradley Barrett, whose performance served as a potent reminder of his undeniable talent.

Full-time: Solva 2-4 Merlin’s Bridge 2nds.

Jodie Grinham, originally from Haverfordwest and currently residing in Crawley, has made history by winning a gold medal in the mixed team compound archery event at the Paralympics, despite being 32 weeks pregnant. The 31-year-old archer, alongside her teammate Nathan Macqueen, secured a 155-151 victory over Iran, with a perfect score of 40 in the final end clinching the title.

This gold medal adds to Grinham’s already impressive achievements at the Paris Paralympics, where she also earned a bronze medal in the individual compound event on Saturday. Remarkably, Grinham is believed to be the first openly pregnant woman to win a Paralympic medal.

Reflecting on her journey to the podium, Grinham revealed that she had spent several days in a Paris hospital, fearing she might go into labour early. However, she persevered and went on to secure her place in history. “My coach and I spent a long time doing little pregnancy preps – of him moving me and moving the bump so I could get used to that feeling,” she explained. “I would be at full draw and would feel that sensation. You acknowledge it and go, ‘I know you’re there, mummy loves you,’ and you carry on with your process, so it wasn’t a distraction.”

Grinham, who has a condition called Brachysyndactyly—resulting in a shortened left arm, underdeveloped left shoulder, no fingers, and half a thumb on her left hand—had previously won a silver medal in the same event at the 2016 Rio Games.

Team GB’s success at the Paralympics did not stop there, with five more gold medals being claimed on Monday. These victories came from triathletes David Ellis and Megan Richter, swimmers Ellie Challis and Louise Fiddes, and Stephen McGuire in boccia. Great Britain currently stands second in the medal table, behind China, with a total of 29 golds, 15 silvers, and 10 bronzes.

Grinham’s achievements, particularly under such extraordinary circumstances, will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the standout moments of the Paris Paralympics.