Leahy’s stunning double wins Senior Cup for Wizards

Published

5 years ago

April 20, 2019

MERLINS Bridge’s Joe Leahy scored a stunning double late on to help his side to come from behind to beat Carew in the final of the Senior Cup on Saturday (Apr 20).

Another large crowd were in attendance at the Bridge Meadow in Haverfordwest on a glorious day and the game was an excellent advert for Pembrokeshire football.

Carew started the game well and had a couple of chances to go ahead with Sam Christopher nearly going through on goal.

Shaun Whitfield then sent a cross into the box but Jack Christopher headed wide of Gary Thomas’ goal.

The Bridge then threatened as Leahy sent a free kick towards goal but Carew were able to head the ball away.

Sam Christopher then came close as the ball bounced back to him off a Bridge defender but his effort was saved by Thomas.

Laurie Haworth then crossed into the box for Nathan Greene but he again missed the target with his header.

Midway through the first half, Iwan Izzard found Alex Bayley who then played in Sam Christopher who fired into the roof of the net to give Carew the lead.

He nearly then grabbed a second but he saw his header saved by Thomas.

The Bridge nearly got themselves level when Haworth was played in by Ashley Beck but his effort was saved by the legs of Carew keeper Tom Davies.

Half time came with the Rooks still ahead but whilst the game was still only 1-0 the Wizards still had a chance of getting back into it.

They started the second half well with Leahy shooting just wide while Nathan Greene saw a shot blocked on the line by Scott Richards.

Sam Christopher scores for Carew

Leahy had another chance to score but he sent his free kick under the wall and just wide of the goal.

The Bridge brought on Will Haworth and he looked dangerous as he sent a cross into the box that had to be cleared by the Carew defenders.

With four minutes to go the ball fell kindly for Leahy and he fired in an unstoppable shot from 30 yards that went in off the post.

It looked as if extra time would be needed to separate the sides but Leahy had other ideas.

With the clock having just ticked past ninety minutes, Greene headed on for Leahy and he fired in from the edge of the box to put the Bridge ahead.

That sparked wild celebrations amongst the Bridge players but there was still time for Carew to get back level.

Jack Christopher saw a shot saved and he then also headed over as Carew’s time began to run out.

The Bridge looked to keep the ball in the corner and moments later, referee Tom Bevan blew for full time and the Bridge celebrated regaining the Senior Cup, having last won it in 2017.

After the game, Bridge player/manager Matthew Divry said: “I’m delighted, it’s my first season as manager so I’m delighted to have won it.

“We showed great character because our performance didn’t match what we’re capable of but to win it late on with two quality goals shows what this team is about.

“Both sides made it a very good game of football.”

Game winning-hero and Man of the match Joe Leahy added: “It’s amazing. We were 1-0 down for so long and to win it like that is incredible.

“It was a massive team effort from everyone.”

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Spotlight – Milford United

Published

22 hours ago

December 3, 2023

Herald Sport

We recently sat down with Milford United manager Steve Parks, we timed it well on the back of an outstanding 7-1 win at Marble Hall. The season has started extremely well for Parks’ men, many may have predicted a relegation dog fight this season. However as the weeks and games tick by this seems to be very unlikely as the boys from Marble Hall prove they belong in the top division.

Herald Thanks for your time Steve, a fantastic win for you yesterday beating Tenby 7-1, how do you reflect on that?

Steve Yesterday was a great win against a good Tenby side who have been strong this season. To win this tie and score 7 was a true reflection of our ability as a team and our willingness to play the ball through the right channels.

Herald Assuming stabilising division one status is your priority this season? You seem to have had a very positive start, is that how you see it?

Steve To progress into the last 16 of the West Wales Cup is a true reflection of our cup performances this season beating three first division teams, one from Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire with 21 goals scored and only 2 conceded.
This seasons objective was to remain in the 1st Division and gain valuable experience along the way . We have a mixture of youth and experience in our squad and potential to improve as a team as the season progresses.

Herald Who have been your stand out players so far this season?

Steve As a Manager I am conscientious about
naming stand out players, all squad members have had a part to play this season. We have a young talented goalkeeper who is growing with confidence with every game he plays. We are very strong in defence and have creative midfield players that offer our forwards plenty of opportunities in front of goal.

Herald With the two cup competitions still alive for you and mid table in the league so far. What would be deemed a successful season for you this season?

Steve A successful season for Milford united would be to finish mid table in the League, have a good Senior Cup and West Wales Cup run. The season started well winning the Joe Lennon Cup which we haven’t won for a very long time. We as a club are looking forward to the challenges ahead of us for the rest of the 23/24 season and hope to be as competitive as we can.

Sport

West Wales Cup Round Up 02/12/23

Published

23 hours ago

December 3, 2023

Herald Sport

Unfortunately the weather got the better of the majority of fixtures this weekend in Pembrokeshire and indeed West Wales. However the games that did go ahead provided us with plenty of action and plenty to talk about.

In the West Wales Cup, Milford United hit 7 in a huge victory over Tenby. We expected this to be a close affair with both clubs having similar records so far in the league and having drawn earlier in the season. However yesterday was a complete dominance for the hosts, Scott Reid with a hat-rick, two penalties for Liam Parr and a goal a piece for Grimwood and Parks. It sees Milford into the next round of the competition and it’ll be a shock to the system for Tenby. Milford host Monkton Swifts in the league next week and it’ll be another opportunity to make a statement in their first season back in the top division.

A brace for Anthony Couzens ensured Fishguard Sports’ progressed to the next round of the competition, as they defeated AFC Glais 4-3. The cup proved a nice break from what has been a tricky season in the league so far for Phil Jones and his men.

Carew came out on top of the all Pembrokeshire tie in the West Wales Cup at the Gerald Hicks Recreation Ground. They defeated Pennar Robins 6-2, as they welcomed Sam Christopher back to the club after a spell elsewhere. Christopher was on the score sheet along with Hinchcliffe (2) who also got an assist and is in top form. Curtis Hurlow also popped up with a rare goal for the defender, youngster Archie Smith also getting on the score sheet in a win sure to please manager Scott Richards.

The West Wales Cup fixtures that didn’t take place yesterday will be re scheduled for next Saturday, taking precedence over any scheduled fixture.

News

Sporting achievements celebrated at the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2023

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2023

Tom Sinclair

The remarkable achievements of Pembrokeshire’s sporting community were celebrated at a glittering awards ceremony on Friday evening, November 24^th.

The Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2023 were held at Folly Farm and paid tribute to efforts both on and off the pitch by sports people, coaches and volunteers alike.

Record nominations had been received as the awards continue to go from strength to strength.

The judges had an extremely difficult task to whittle the numbers firstly down to finalists and then deserving winners.

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was race walking star Heather Warner who has represented both Wales and Team GB at the highest levels.

A Pembrokeshire Harrier, Heather soon discovered a natural talent for race walking and it was no surprise that a collection of local and national titles followed.

Welsh and Team GB vests at both junior and senior level were the natural progression in her career.

Heather collected a fantastic seventh place in the Commonwealth Games in 2018 on Australia’s Gold Coast and a British record followed in Birmingham four years later to go with a brilliant sixth place.

While competing around the world Heather has always continued to coach at Pembrokeshire Harriers and passing on the breadth of her knowledge and experience and is a worthy winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023.

“Heather’s outstanding success, coupled with an obvious desire to one day guide others, can only help raise the profile of the sport in a positive way,” said Geoff Williams from BBC Wales, who presented Heather with her award.

The winner of the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award, presented by Cllr Thomas Tudor, was Makala Jones.

Makala has taught cold water confidence and a proper swimming technique to countless people of all ages in Pembrokeshire, enabling them to enjoy the coastline all year round. She also successfully swum the English channel solo in July this year.

She has been described as a legend, an inspiration, a real-life super hero, great fun to be around, a role model proving you can achieve your dreams and an incredibly strong and helpful human being.

In presenting her award, Cllr Tudor said what makes her so special is her passion for sharing the benefits of outdoor swimming for improved mental health.

This year the School Award was won by Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi.

The judges were impressed by the wide range of sports and activities provided by and hosted by Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and how the school is a focal point for sports health and wellbeing in the St Davids community and surrounding areas.

Under Headteacher Rachel Thomas and Head of Wellbing Bruce Evans, young people are given the opportunity to try a wide variety of sports and activities to embed a love of staying active and protecting the natural environment from an early age.

It was also a significant evening with the announcement that host Bill Carne would be retiring after 17 years presenting the awards.

Matthew Freeman, manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, paid tribute to his dedication and professionalism over the years.

“Bill Carne has become synonymous with the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards and is rightly regarded as the voice of sport in Pembrokeshire,” he said.

“Sport Pembrokeshire are truly honoured to have had his support at the awards for all these years along with his wider support in advocating and raising the profile of the work that Sport Pembrokeshire team do across the county.

“Bill can now retreat from the stage and enjoy the evening from the audience’s vantage point and enjoy the spectacle that is the Sport Pembrokeshire awards.”

The other winners are as follows: