Sport
Saints’ winning run continues
ST Clears welcomed Hakin United seconds to Community Fields on Saturday (Dec 11).
The Saints were missing a large number of player and this was a potential banana skin against a Hakin team who are doing well in Division 2.
Hakin kicked off and showed early intent, keeping the ball well and trying to find space in behind the St Clears defence, however were limited to a few off target long range efforts.
It was around 20 minutes in when a risky pass across the back was closed down well by Nick Squire who was able to get a foot on the attempted clearance from around 25 yards out and the ball sailed across the wet surface onto the post and in.
After that, St Clears began to settle and find some rhythm moving the ball better in muddy conditions. Not long after, a long throw flicked on by Thomas, found its way to Jones, who laid it off for Squire to superbly finish and make it 2-0.
Towards the end of the first half, another loose pass across the back was closed down by Steve Thomas, who then found himself on the edge of the box and clinically finished into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 at half time.
The second half saw some chances being created for St Clears and periods of Hakin keeping the ball but unable to really create up top.
Following a Hakin corner, where St Clears cleared it well and went from defence to attack with Dorian Davies linking up with Josh Jones who provided another excellent assist on the return pass which Davies finished excellently across the keeper and into the bottom corner.
A loose pass from a free kick found its way to a Hakin player, who provided a pass to Joel Mills, who then cut inside and finished well back across goal into the right corner.
Towards the end of the game, substitute Joe Court, found himself one on one and as he rounded the keeper was brought down, with a penalty awarded. Young Harri Jones stepped up in very muddy conditions but just dragged his penalty wide.
The result finished at 4-1, with a tenth win in a row for the saints, who welcome league leaders Kilgetty to Community Fields on Saturday (Dec 18).
Sport
The stage is set – Senior Cup Final
It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.
League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.
Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.
There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.
The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.
News
70 Pembrokeshire clubs benefit from Sport Wales funding
SEVENTY Pembrokeshire clubs have been successful in receiving grants from the Be Active Wales Fund over the last financial year.
In total the clubs received more than £407,800 from the grants scheme from Sport Wales in 2023/24.
The fund backed 25 different sports, ranging from archery, basketball and cricket to sailing, short mat bowls and weightlifting and everything in between.
The Be Active Wales Fund is open to applications from not for profit community clubs and groups to help develop and sustain their activities.
Grants range from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £50,000.
The scheme will support coach education courses, the purchase of essential items of equipment right up to larger projects such as floodlighting and boats for sailing clubs.
For advice and support with your application contact Alan Jones or Lois Hilling at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sports Development department, Sport Pembrokeshire on [email protected]
The Be Active Wales Fund is always open for applications.
More information is available on the Sport Wales website.
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.
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