Sport

Saints stun Felinfoel in extra time

Published

3 years ago

November 7, 2021

ST CLEARS booked their place in the third round of the West Wales Cup on Saturday (Nov 6) as they beat Felinfoel 3-2 after extra time.

Felinfoel had not lost in any league or cup game prior to Saturday’s match but Nathan Evans’ goal gave the Saints an excellent win in tricky conditions.

Rain battered the pitch for much of the game but it did not dampen the spirits of the Felinfoel supporters who had come to support their team.

It was the Saints though who had the first real chance of the game as Nico Setaro sent Ashley Williams through on goal but his effort was well saved by Felinfoel keeper Anthony Andrews.

Sadly for Williams he was forced off moments later with an injury and was replaced by Steve Thomas.

Felinfoel then had a great chance to score as Chris James looped the ball over the defenders for Jordan Badman but his shot was beaten away by Saints keeper Jason Jones.

Nathan Evans and Ben John then linked up well down the right and they set up Jon Seeley but he saw his shot saved.

Goal: Chris James’ free kick flies into the net

With 26 minutes gone the visitors were awarded a free kick and James curled the ball superbly into the top corner of the net.

The Saints responded well to going behind as they won a corner. Evans sent the corner into the box and Nick Squire headed down towards goal but after his header was blocked the ball fell to Danny Peters who tried to turn the ball in. There were shouts for a penalty but the referee waved away the appeals.

David Owens then saw a shot saved for the visitors before James saw a header go wide.

At the other end John’s cross found Steve Evans but he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet and the ball was pushed out for a corner.

Nathan Evans took the resulting corner and Kyran Lewis ran in at the front post to smash a header home to level the game.

It was a deserved equaliser and they nearly took the lead just a minute into the second half but John’s long range effort was tipped over the bar.

Just four minutes later though Felinfoel were back in front. The Saints attempted to pass the ball out from the back but when Martin Thomas missed the ball, Tom Roberts took the ball and fired it into the bottom corner of the net.

Twenty minutes into the second half the Saints were level once more. Will Evans, who had only come on as a sub just a minute earlier, ran down the right and cut in from the byline and his cross hit the Felinfoel keeper and bounced just over the line before it was kicked away.

The Saints were now on top and they came close to scoring from a corner soon after. A shot was blocked wide for another corner but Saints players were convinced the ball had hit a hand. Their vehement protests were waved away by the referee.

There was another chance for Nathan Evans as a free kick was played short but his shot was blocked before being tipped over by the Felinfoel keeper.

Will Evans then cut inside from the right and curled the ball towards goal but he watched agonisingly as his effort went inches wide of the angle of crossbar and post.

He had another chance to win two minutes before the end when the ball fell to him at the back post but he shot into the side netting.

That was the last of the action in the 90 minutes and it meant extra time would be needed to separate the sides.

The home side had another penalty appeal waved away early on in the first period of extra time but neither were able to find a goal.

In the second period of extra time, Steven Evans played in Nathan Evans whose shot from the edge of the box went in off the post.

Felinfoel looked for a late goal which would have taken the game to penalties but James saw a free kick go over the bar.

Nicky Morgan then won a free kick for the away side wide on the left, despite Jason Baxter appearing to get the ball, but they were unable to find the net.

Craig Lewis saw a shot go wide for Felinfoel who then sent up keeper Andrews for the resulting corner.

However, they were unable to score as the Saints held on for an excellent win.

Will Evans looks on as his shot goes just over

Related Topics:Felinfoel Football St Clears West Wales Cup

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Carmarthen Town FC manager to step down at end of season

Published

8 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CARMARTHEN TOWN AFC’s long-serving manager, Mark Aizlewood, has announced that he will not be renewing his contract, marking the end of an era for the club. In a heartfelt statement released on January 14, 2025, Aizlewood revealed this season would be his last at the helm of the Old Gold.

Aizlewood expressed gratitude to the players, staff, volunteers, directors, sponsors, and supporters who have supported him throughout his tenure. “The people of CTFC have made me one of their own,” he said, despite living 60 miles away. He also extended heartfelt thanks to his wife and family for their understanding and unwavering support.

Two decades of success

Aizlewood has been a defining figure in the club’s history, holding a UEFA Pro Licence for over 30 years and leading Carmarthen Town AFC to consistent top-six finishes in the Welsh league, as well as cup victories and European qualifications. “In my 20+ years at the club, these achievements became the norm, and we were at the very top of the football ecosystem in Wales,” Aizlewood remarked.

However, he acknowledged that the current situation at the club has shifted, adding, “Unfortunately, this is not the case any longer. The ship is pointing in the right direction, and the destination is agreed by all, but perhaps now is the right time for a new captain to steer the club along its agreed journey.”

Looking ahead

Aizlewood assured fans he remains passionate about football, declaring he will retain his UEFA Pro Licence and remain involved in the sport. As Carmarthen Town AFC prepares for a new chapter, Aizlewood wished his successor and the club every success in the future.

A legacy of dedication

Mark Aizlewood’s departure signals the end of one of the longest managerial tenures in Welsh football, a career marked by dedication, achievement, and an unyielding love for the game. His leadership will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy at Carmarthen Town AFC.

The search for a new manager begins as the club aims to build on Aizlewood’s formidable achievements and continue its proud tradition in Welsh football.

Cover image credit: Lewis Mitchell/FAW

Sport

Letterston marksman wins junior athlete award

Published

3 days ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A TALENTED young athlete from Letterston has been honoured at the British Shooting Awards 2024.

Seren Thorne was shortlisted for the prestigious awards and attended the gala event held at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. To the delight of her family and supporters, Seren was named the winner of the Rifle Pathway / Junior Athlete of the Year award.

This accolade highlights Seren’s exceptional skill and dedication to the sport, marking her as one of the rising stars in British shooting.

Her mother, Sian Thorne, expressed immense pride in Seren’s achievement, sharing photos of the memorable evening.

The British Shooting Awards 2024 celebrated excellence in the sport, with a full list of winners available on their official website.

PHOTO CAPTION: Champion marksman: Seren Thorne receiving the Rifle Pathway / Junior Athlete of the Year award (Pic: Supplied).

Sport

Previewing the 2025 Super Bowl

Published

4 days ago

January 20, 2025

Staff Writer

Each year millions of people across the world gather to watch one of the biggest sporting events of the year – the Super Bowl. Last year, 3.4 million people in the UK watched the Super Bowl, up 1.1 million from the previous year. Considering the growth in popularity of American football in the UK, we anticipate the viewership will be even higher for 2025.

The 2025 Super Bowl is scheduled to take place on 9 February 2025 at Caesars Superdrome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

NFL teams

12 teams began competing for a spot in the 2025 Super Bowl when the playoffs began on January 11. At this point, four teams were eliminated. This now leaves eight teams to compete in the Divisional playoffs. Four of these will make it to the Conference Championships before contesting for a spot at this year’s Super Bowl.

The eight teams left with a shot at competing in the 2025 Super Bowl are:

Philadelphia Eagles
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Rams
Washington Commanders

Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs took the title for the second year in a row. However, the latest Super Bowl odds puts the Detroit Lions as the favourites to win this year’s Super Bowl, following a series of impressive performances in the regular season.

The national anthem and halftime show

Before the game commences, a special guest performs the national anthem. Last year, Reba McEntire offered a moving performance of The Star-Spangled Banner, and this year the task falls to jazz singer Jon Batiste.

It’s not just the football match that people look forward to. Super Bowl halftime shows are a spectacle in themselves and many look forward to the performance as much as the game itself. This year, 17-time grammy winner Kendrick Lamar is headlining the halftime show. Lamar previously headlined the Super Bowl in 2022.

How can I watch the Super Bowl in the UK?

The Super Bowl is being broadcast to fans free on ITV, including live online via ITVX on your laptop, mobile, or tablet.

Sky Sports is also broadcasting the event which you can watch online via Sky Go, NOW TV, or using the Sky Sports mobile app. You could also head to your local pub as plenty of pubs in Pembrokeshire will be showing the big game.

Will you be tuning in?

With a surge in popularity for American Football, it’s anticipated that more people from the UK than ever before will be turning their TVs on for the big event this year. Will you be watching this year’s Super Bowl?