Leahy’s stunning double wins Senior Cup for Wizards

Published

4 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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Senior Cup Final Preview: Carew v Merlins Bridge

Cup semi-finals and more league action this weekend

Published

4 weeks ago

March 2, 2023

James Hemingray

THERE are two Divisional cup semi-finals this weekend as well as the usual league action across Pembrokeshire.

The first of those semis is in the Division 3 Cup. Letterston will take on Lawrenny at Carew with that game kicking off at 2pm.

Letterston beat holders Clarbeston Road seconds on penalties in the last round while Lawrenny beat St Florence.

The other semi-final sees Haverfordwest CC taking on Camrose with that game taking place next weekend, March 11.

There is also one semi-final in the Division 5 Cup this weekend and it sees Cosheston seconds taking on Milford Athletic seconds with that game being played at Pembroke Boro and also kicking off at 2pm.

Cosheston beat Pembroke Boro seconds 5-1 in the quarter finals while Milford Athletic beat Broad Haven seconds 4-3.

There is a game in the Division 2 cup too as Herbrandston host Solva, with that game again kicking off at 2pm.

In Division 1, leaders Goodwick United host Kilgetty in what will be a good game between two in-form teams. Goodwick earned a 2-0 win over Kilgetty in their last meeting. Both sides go into this game on three-game unbeaten runs (in all competitions) and it promises to be a close encounter.

Second placed Merlins Bridge have suffered three straight defeats in all competitions and they will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Fishguard.

Clarbeston Road take on Neyland and the league’s bottom two also meet as St Clears travel to St Ishmaels.

Monkton Swifts are on a four game unbeaten run and they face local rivals Pennar Robins who themselves have won their last two games.

All Division 1 games will be kicking off at 2:30pm.

In Division 2, second placed Milford United host fifth placed Johnston. Milford were beaten last week by Tenby and they will be keen to get back to winning ways.

Johnston are unbeaten in three games and they will be looking for another win to close the gap on the top four.

Narberth have won their last three games and they take on Carew seconds. A win for the Bluebirds will take them closer to their opponents in the table.

Tenby will be bouyed by their win over Milford last week and they host Broad Haven on Saturday.

Pennar Robins seconds earned their first win of the season last weekend and they now host rivals Monkton Swifts seconds.

In Division 3, Cosheston host Camrose, Haverfordwest Cricket Club host Goodwick United seconds. Milford Athletic host Pendine and Pembroke Boro visit St Florence.

Fixtures for Division 4:

Angle v Newport Tigers
Camrose II v Tenby II
Carew III v Prendergast Villa
Kilgetty II v St Ishmaels II
Neyland II v Herbrandston II

Fixtures for Division 5:

Broad Haven II v Pembroke Boro II
Johnston II v N Hedges & Saundersfoot
Lawrenny II v Letterston II
St Clears II v Monkton Swifts III

Sport

Bluebirds beaten on the road

Published

4 weeks ago

February 27, 2023

James Hemingray

HAVERFODWEST County suffered defeat on Saturday (Feb 25) as their hopes of finishing seventh took a blow.

The Bluebirds had beaten Flint Town United last time out and were hoping to pick up another win but they came up against a Pontypridd side bouyed by their late show against Aberystwyth in their last game which saw them earn a 3-3 draw.

There was a chance for Ben Fawcett early on as he latched on to a long ball but his shot from the edge of the area went just wide.

In the 24th minute, Jordan Davies crossed the ball to the back post for Jazz Richards whose header back towards proved too hot for the Ponty keeper to handle who palmed the ball into the net.

However, nine minutes later the home side were back level as Kieran Lewis’ corner was headed in by Jarrad Wright.

The game remained 1-1 at the break with both sides keen to make a good start to the second half.

For the Bluebirds, it was anything but. Four minutes in, Oscar Borg was sent off for pulling down Ponty’s Ben Ahmun, giving the home side a free kick on the edge of the box.

Lewis stepped up and curled a brilliant effort into the net to put the home side ahead.

Ponty nearly added a third late on as the ball was sent through for Danny Williams but he could not beat Bluebirds keeper Zac Jones. The rebound fell to Owain Jones but he sent his effort over the bar.

The win for Ponty moves them back out of the bottom two and they now sit three points behind the Bluebirds.

The sides now have a two-week break before their next league game.

On Saturday, March 11, Haverfordwest travel to Aberystwyth Town while Pontypridd host Caernarfon Town.

Sport

Division 2: Johnston, Tenby and Hakin seconds earn victories

Published

4 weeks ago

February 27, 2023

James Hemingray

THERE were wins for Johnston, Tenby and Hakin United seconds on Saturday (Feb 25) as the race for promotion to Division 1 hots up.

Hakin United seconds remain top of the table after they beat Monkton Swifts seconds 2-0.

Leon Davies scored after half an hour and James Trueman added a second with twenty minutes to go as the Vikings earned their thirteenth win of the season.

Their gap to second placed Milford United increased to four points as the Robins were beaten 4-0 by Tenby.

After a goalless first half, Dan Storer put Tenby ahead before Scott Ferney added a second. Jerome Mansbridge added a third before Ferney put the result beyond doubt with an 82nd minute penalty.

Herbrandston missed the chance to close the gap to Milford after they were beaten 2-0 by Johnston.

Craig Bendall scored a 17th minute penalty and Joey George added a second ten minutes before the break. There were no more goals and Johnston held on for the win which moves them five points behind Herbie.

Narberth earned their third league win in a row on Saturday as they came from behind to beat Merlins Bridge seconds 2-1.

Rhys Corney put the Wizards ahead but two quick goals from Jordan Williams and Morgan Preece gave Narberth victory.

Broad Haven earned their sixth win of the season on Saturday as they beat Solva 6-1.

Jack Thornton put Solva ahead in the thirteenth minute but Thomas Lawrence equalised a minute later.

Spencer Le-Petit then scored either side of half time to make it 3-1. Ian Harvey added a fourth before scoring a further two goals in the space of four minutes to seal a comfortable win.

Pennar Robins seconds earned their first win of the season on Saturday as they beat Carew seconds 1-0. It had looked as if the game was heading for a 0-0 draw but a late goal from Bobby Jones earned Pennar a welcome win.

Fixtures for Saturday, March 4:

Second Division Cup
Herbrandston v Solva

Division 2
Milford United v Johnston
Narberth v Carew seconds
Pennar Robins seconds v Monkton Swifts seconds
Tenby v Broad Haven