Sport
Swifts seal Division 1 title
MONKTON Swifts won the Division 1 title for the first time since the 2006/07 season as they earned a comprehensive 5-3 win over Merlins Bridge on Wednesday night (Apr 24).
Going into the game the Wizards sat just a point behind the Swifts who knew they would need to win to claim the title while Merlins Bridge knew they would need to win to take the title fight to the last game of the season.
After an even start it was the Swifts who went ahead when Tom Powell sent James Russell through and the striker scored to make it 1-0 to the home side.
With 25 minutes gone the Swifts made it 2-0 as Ben Nicholas fired in from just outside the box.
The Swifts were clearly up for it as Dylan Davies then came close to adding a third but Bridge keeper Gary Thomas kept his side in it with a good save.
That looked to be a crucial stop as moments later the Wizards were back in it when Laurie Haworth set up Adam Hawkins to score and reduce the gap.
It remained 2-1 until half time with the Swifts on course for the title while the Wizards knew they would need a big second half to turn the score around.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Swifts restored their two goal lead as Paul Miller, only on as a sub minutes earlier, tapped in from Blake James’ cross.
Davies then came close again for the home side but he saw his header go just wide of the post.
Richard Hughes then came close for the Wizards but he saw his header saved.
The Swifts looked to be edging towards the title as with twenty minutes to go they scored a fourth when Miller cut inside and fired in off the post to make it 4-1.
They continued to put the pressure on and with ten minutes to go they made it 5-1 as sub Ryan Griffiths score to all but put Monkton’s name on the League trophy.
Will and Laurie Haworth both scored late on for the Wizards to add some respectability to the scoreline but it wasn’t going to stop Monkton taking the league title.
On Saturday (Apr 27), Merlins Bridge will finish their season away to Hakin and Monkton will look to finish their season with another win when they host Goodwick United.
Sport
Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double
Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.
Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.
The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.
Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.
Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.
The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.
Sport
Swifts eyes on double.
Monkton Swifts reserves have blown away the second division this season and now have the double in their sights. They face Merlins Bridge reserves in the semi final of the second division cup and lived up to their favourites tag.
Swifts won comfortably with key player Butland getting three assists and Josh Sture grabbing a brace. Waterman and Rhys Sture added the other goals as outstanding Monkton won 4-0.
Herbrandston and Johnston played in the other semi final and this was a much harder fixture to call. The promoted Herbie a younger and perhaps less physical outfit in comparison to the Tigers. Johnston quickly took control of the game when they found themselves two up after just 29 minutes.
However when Scott Murray was shown a red card just eight minutes later, Herbie would have been confident of staging a comeback. Despite being a man light, Johnston held Herbie until the final minute of the 90, when Alex Ouzman gave Herbie late hope. The Tigers held firm however and progress to the final where they will be underdogs. A tag that I’m sure the players and manager Steven Allen won’t mind too much.
Sport
Tenby hit five against downbeat Bridge
On a beautiful day in Tenby, the hosts welcomed Merlins Bridge to The Clicketts, fresh from their West Wales semi final defeat midweek.
The Bridge squad was missing some influential players after picking up some injuries and the visiting team asked questions over the fitness of the pitch, which, according to the Bridge management, was too hard.
The referee waved these away and the game was on, with the Tenby squad clearly thinking they were already in the heads of the Bridge team.
Almost straight from Kick off Tenby set their stall out with some great attacking play, which Jerome Mansbridge benefitted from in just the second minute putting the home team ahead.
The bridge players weren’t at the races and Tenby capitalised scoring a further 4 first half goals, including a Mansbridge hat trick, leaving the away team bewildered and 5-0 down at half time.
What could have been a hugely embarrassing defeat for a team that harboured title hopes at the beginning of the season, turned around somewhat at half time, when Dai Davies, the club captain, almost singlehandedly dragged them to a much higher level in the second half, ensuring his players kept their discipline and worked hard against a very good Tenby team. Undoubtedly Merlin’s Bridge were the better team in the second period, but the damage had already been done in the first half, and despite Bridges best efforts, the score remained 5-0 to the home team.
In a game which saw Tenby jump to 4th in the league, they can be hugely proud of their season and will look to build on that for their next in Division one.
A fantastic game on a beautiful day with a good home crowd watching, the team from the Clicketts will be justifiably happy with their afternoons work.
Tenby 5-0 Merlins Bridge.
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