Sport
Fawcett sends Bluebirds through in extra time
TWO extra time goals from Ben Fawcett sent Haverfordwest County into the third round of the League Cup at the expense of holders Bridgend Street on Saturday (Sept 8).
The Street had beaten Haverfordwest County on their way to winning the Cup last season and the Bluebirds were out for some revenge in manager Wayne Jones’ first game in charge.
Both sides had chances early on but it was the Street who went ahead as Paul Fowler tucked away a penalty midway through the half.
The Bluebirds looked to get themselves back into the game and eight minutes before half time they did just that as Elliot Scotcher crossed into the box for Sean Pemberton to head home.
Then on the stroke of half time Trundle was brought down in the box and he was given the chance to put the Bluebirds into the lead. He made no mistake and the home side led 2-1 when referee Tom Bevan blew for half time.
Scotcher then saw a shot go just wide at the start of the second half before he again teed up Pemberton but this time his header was wide of the mark.
After some good build up play, Trundle played the ball through for Ricky Watts but he shot over the bar.
Ben Fawcett was then brought on for Trundle with fifteen minutes to go and he nearly had an instant impact but his header went wide.
Then with ten minutes to go the visitors levelled as the ball was played to Callum Smith after keeper Steve Hall had come out of his net and the striker shot into an empty net.
Smith then came close again moments later but his long range effort was pushed wide by Hall.
It looked as if the game would go to extra time but with four minutes left Leon Luby played an excellent ball to the back post for Jack Wilson who volleyed in superbly to make it 3-2.
There was still time for more drama when Fawcett won the ball back before going one on one with keeper Damian Lack who just got a hand on it to pluck the ball away.
Watts also saw a shot saved before Lack pulled a dangerous cross out of the air with Fawcett waiting to knock in.
With time running out Bridgend looked to force the game into extra time but Luby was in the right place as he cleared a David Brooks effort off the line.
In the last minute of time added on captain Paul Fowler unleashed an unstoppable shot which flew into the top left hand corner of the net.
An extra thirty minutes was needed to see if the teams could be separated and it was the Street who nearly went ahead when White flicked through for Brooks but his shot was saved.
Smith then saw a shot go over before Fraser Finlay hit the post for the Bluebirds.
Six minutes into extra time Fawcett fired into the top corner to put the home side into the lead.
Five minutes later a corner wasn’t cleared properly and sub Michael Nessbert lashed the ball into the net to level the scores once again.
Bridgend again had another chance to score but it remained 4-4 when the whistle went for half time.
The second half of extra time got underway with the Bluebirds looking to get themselves back into the lead for the fourth time.
They did just two minutes in as Ricky Watts won the ball well on the edge of the box and he crossed to the back post for Wilson who headed back across into the middle for Fawcett who headed in.
Wilson then saw a header saved as the home side looked to make the game safe.
Bridgend pushed for another equaliser but tempers boiled over as Brooks was shown a second yellow card for a kick out and goalscorer Nessbert was also given his marching orders for what appeared to be dissent.
They then saw the game out to book their place in the next round and they will look forward to seeing who they will be drawn against.
Before that the Bluebirds will return to league action on Saturday, September 15, when they play at home to Afan Lido, kick off 2:30pm.
FISHGUARD will once again play host to the Wales Triathlon this summer, with hundreds of competitors set to descend on the town for the popular sporting event on Sunday, June 15.
Organised by Activity Wales Events, the triathlon includes a two-lap sea swim in Fishguard Bay, followed by a two-lap cycle from Fishguard to St Davids and a four-lap run along the Marine Walk and out onto the breakwater.
In order to facilitate the bike leg on closed roads, several road closures will be in place throughout the day.
Major road closures
The A487 between Goodwick and Mathry will be closed between 9:45am and 3:00pm.
Between Mathry and Croesgoch, the A487 will be closed from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and from Croesgoch to St Davids the closure will run from 10:00am until 2:45pm.
Crossing points will be in operation at Mathry crossroads, Croesgoch crossroads, and the Llangoffan to Granston junction. Diversions will be signposted, with local traffic routed via minor B roads and through Haverfordwest for longer journeys.
Town centre impact
In Fishguard, West Street will be closed between 12:00pm and 6:00pm for the running stage. Residents will still be able to exit side roads, with diversions clearly marked.
Goodwick residents will be able to exit the town via the Tesco roundabout, which will remain open all day.
Care access and course passes
Care workers will be allowed access to visit clients within the closed sections, but must obtain a course pass via their organisation in advance.
On the day, carers using the route must:
- Follow the direction of the race
- Display their pass clearly
- Keep hazard lights on at all times
- Exit the route as soon as safely possible
Further information
The event attracted over 1,000 athletes last year, and organisers anticipate another strong turnout.
More information can be found at: www.walestriathlon.com/athletes/event-info
Road closure details are available at: community.walestriathlon.com
For course pass enquiries, contact: info@activitywalesevents.com
All matches complete as season concludes
THE 2024/25 season of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known as The Friendly League – has now officially concluded, with all clubs completing their outstanding fixtures.
The past few weeks saw the following catch-up matches played:
- Carew 8–2 Llanteg
- St Johns 8–2 Cosheston
- Hundleton 8–2 Reynalton
- Reynalton 9–1 Lamphey
- Cosheston 10–0 Kilgetty
- East Williamston 9–1 Kilgetty
Final League Table (2024/25 Season)
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | S/D | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Williamston | 20 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 313 | 158 |
| 2 | St Johns | 20 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 111 | 122 |
| =3 | Carew | 20 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 105 | 111 |
| =3 | Cosheston | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 77 | 111 |
| 5 | Reynalton | 20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 28 | 104 |
| 6 | Hundleton | 20 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 74 | 97 |
| 7 | Llanteg | 20 | 7 | 1 | 12 | -71 | 92 |
| 8 | St Twynnells | 20 | 8 | 1 | 11 | -97 | 89 |
| 9 | Badgers | 20 | 6 | 1 | 13 | -22 | 82 |
| =10 | Lamphey | 20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | -179 | 67 |
| =10 | Kilgetty | 20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | -262 | 67 |
Congratulations to East Williamston, who finish the season as clear champions with an impressive 158 points and a shot difference of +313.
FORMAL plans to redevelop the grounds of one of the oldest football clubs in Wales – which includes a new 310-seater stand – have been submitted to the council.
Aberystwyth Town Football Club has submitted an application for the redevelopment of its grounds at Park Avenue Stadium, Aberystwyth.
A supporting statement from agent JMS Planning and Development says the proposal seeks “full planning permission for the demolition of the existing main stand and the creation of a new clubhouse, turnstile, changing rooms, business unit and improvements to the existing seated and standing terraces which will include new roof canopies and all associated works”.
The formal application follows an earlier public consultation.
It adds: “Aberystwyth Town Football Club is proudly one of the oldest football clubs in Wales, whereby the club was founded some 140 years ago in 1884. The club is one of the founding members of what is now known as the ‘Cymru Premier’, of which it is only one of two teams to have never been relegated since its inception in 1992.
“The men’s senior team is loyally supported by local community and has seen an increase in attendance over the past couple of years, reaching nearly 6,000 spectators over the year for the men’s team alone. A number of Cymru Premier matches are broadcast live from the ground each season on S4C and streamed online to a worldwide audience. The Football Association of Wales recently confirmed a new structure and strategy to the league with the aim of boosting its commercial profile, competitiveness, and fan interest both nationally and internationally.
“As a Premier European Division, clubs are provided the opportunity to qualify for UEFA competitions and compete across the Continent, whereby it is imperative that facilities and infrastructure across the country are developed to meet UEFA Licensing requirements. Should Aberystwyth Town qualify – or host other clubs’ European matches as has occurred in recent years – the redevelopment of the facilities at Park Avenue will enable Ceredigion to continue to host continental sporting events.”
It says Aberystwyth Town Football Club “is often called ‘home’ by a number of other teams in the region which rely on the club’s facilities and all-weather pitch for the provision of training sessions and matches”.
The scheme itself is the first phase of development, the second relating to residential development.
Of phase 1, it says: “The proposal seeks the construction of a new clubhouse and community facility, a 310-seater stand, replacement turnstile, ticketing office, roofs over existing seated and standing terraces, new primary and secondary changing room facilities, dedicated business/employment unit, with improvements to accessibility throughout the site, including the re-construction of a dedicated disabled viewing platform.”
It adds: “The scheme proposes vast improvements to the accessibility of the site by providing step-free access throughout the whole site, thus promoting an inclusive environment. Similarly, the scheme introduces improvements to a dedicated viewing platform for less-able bodied.”
It goes on to say: “The existing main stand and changing rooms are in a state of deterioration and require significant investment if required to serve the club for years in the future. Hence, modern and fit-for-purpose facilities are proposed to revitalise the site which will enhance the provision of the community facility, encourage the uptake of sports, and in-turn promote the health and well-being of a wide range of social groups in the local and regional area.
“The development also promotes equality and inclusivity for both male and female players and officials, who will benefit from segregated and modern changing facilities, in accordance with the requirements of the Football Association of Wales.”
The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
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