Sport
Wizards stun Swifts in second half

FIVE second half goals from Merlins Bridge helped them to an opening day victory over Monkton Swifts on Saturday (Sept 4).
It was one of the first league football matches played in Pembrokeshire in over 16 months because of the covid-19 pandemic.
The 2020-21 season was cancelled altogether and the return of Saturday league football came with much excitement.
It was the Bridge who got the better of the opening exchanges with a couple of early chances which never tested the Monkton keeper.
He was called into action after five minutes though as former Haverfordwest County man Fraser Finlay cut in from the right but saw his effort saved.
Moments later Scott Ferney passed to Will Haworth who sent it back to Ferney but his effort was pushed wide for a corner.
Finlay then saw a shot hit the side netting as the Wizards looked more likely to break the deadlock.
However, the 2018-19 champions were still a threat going forward with one shot going over while a free kick floated wide.
Inbetween those moments there was another chance for the Bridge as a lofted free kick into the Monkton box was headed goalwards by Ferney but 16-year-old keeper Taylor Gullam made an excellent save.
With five minutes to go until half time a deflected cross fell to Ferney but his shot was cleared off the line by Joe Lewis.
Two minutes later another free kick into the Monkton area found Will Haworth unmarked but he headed wide.
As half time approached the ball broke kindly for Monkton’s but Bridge keeper James Dickson came out well to prevent a scoring chance.
With the score level at the break the game was there for the taking for both sides.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Wizards finally made the breakthrough as Richard Hughes headed home a Will Haworth corner.
Haworth then dispossessed a Swifts defender and scored at the near post to make it 2-0.
Scott Ferney raced clear to slot the ball home for number three and Fraser Finlay made it four as he cut in from the right and fired the ball into the top corner to get his name on the score sheet.
Late on Ferney scored his second from close range to make it 5-0 to give the Wizards a perfect start to the season.
News
Triathlon returns to Fishguard – road closures announced

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
News
South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Final Table 2024/25

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.
News
Plans submitted to redevelop home of one of Wales’ oldest football clubs

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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