Sport
Milford hit five again to see off Swifts
MILFORD United scored five goals for the third game running as they beat Monkton Swifts seconds 5-1 in Division 2 at Marble Hall on Saturday (Jan 22).
Milford went into the game full of confidence after two good home performances which resulted in two wins and 10 goals scored.
Monkton would have also come into the game with high expectations, having won the reverse fixture 5-3.
It was Milford who started the liveliest, causing lots of problems for the Monkton back four. It didn’t take Milford too long for their pace, power and high pressing to be rewarded with the opening goal on 6 minutes.
The ball was won by United in midfield and Lewys Tee picked up the ball in space. A great run by Liam Parr was picked out, who controlled the ball and outpaced the defence. Finishing it superbly from 18 yards into the top corner.
The Monkton team struggled all game to deal with United’s pace and movement and by the end of 90 minutes they had picked up 4 bookings trying to contain United’s attack.
Jordan Boswell in goal for Monkton was a busy man and had to pull off a number of good saves throughout the game.
It didn’t take United too long to get their second, which gave them a strong grip on the game. A good ball down the flank, which Liam Parks nodded down, then out muscled a couple of Monkton defenders, before crossing from the by-line for Ben Lewis. But he was quickly closed down and his shot was blocked, when a goal looked certain. But Tee was on hand to pick up the rebound, to knock the ball over the line, despite the best efforts of the Monkton defence.
This wasn’t United in top gear, but they did go in at half time with a comfortable lead. Monkton made a substitution during the break and came out the second half with much more resolve.
There was now a definite ebb and flow to the game, with Monkton now using the most of their 4-3-3 formation. But United spurned a couple of great chances to put the game out of sight with a third.
It was Monkton, who got the next goal, to really open up the game. A Monkton cross came in from the left and could only be half cleared by United’s defence. Which landed invitingly for Monkton’s Jay Kilby, who volleyed it perfectly passed Ferdy Stevenson.
At this stage, the game could have gone either way, despite United’s overall dominance. United’s manager Steve Parks, was fortunate to have the benefit of a strong bench and used them in a change of system in a 3 man substitution. It had an immediate effect and United once again gained control.
A dangerous run by Liam Parks had to be halted illegally and from the resulting free kick, Morgan Picton hit a peach of a shot into the top right corner from 30 yards. Only to be thwarted by a superb save from Boswell.
But the pressure was mounting and the chances becoming more frequent. Liam Parks got the all important 3rd goal after a good interplay with Liam Davies, which left Parks in space who calmly chipped the ball over the on rushing keeper.
With the game now running away from Monkton, it was a good break down the right from Parks, who in turn set up Davies to score from 10 yards. Even before United’s fifth goal had hit the net, it’s scorer Jake Barrett was already smiling. A good ball from Davies was sweetly met by Barrett, 20 yards out, who knew it was destined to beat the keeper.
It wasn’t United at their best, but 3 home wins on the bounce and 15 goals suggest a cause for optimism at Marble Hall.
On Saturday, January 29, Milford United, who now sit sixth in Division 2, travel to Broad Haven while Monkton Swifts seconds host Milford Athletic.
Sport
Preseli poses a challenge for novice crews
THE END of April will see the popular novice night rally organised by the Teifi Valley Motor Club being held in Pembrokeshire. On the weekend of 27th and 28th April, Rali Bro Preseli will see 75 novice crews tackling the winding and challenging roads that Pembrokeshire has to offer.
Clerks of the Course, father and son Richard and Jason Davies along with Aled Richards have a terrific route lined up for competitors. Starting as usual at the Crymych Mart, the route will appeal to all novice drivers and navigators.
“It will offer a bit of everything. It will be challenging but easy to follow with some whites thrown in the mix. Aled has designed the whole route and we’ve done the donkey work,” said Jason, now in his second year as Clerk of the Course.
As regular competitors, Jason and Richard wanted to give something back to the sport and they enjoy being on the organising side of the things.
Jason, who won the Bro Preseli with his father in 2013, explained: “We’ve competed in the Preseli on several occasions, and we decided to give something back to the sport and that’s why dad and I thought it would be a good idea to help.
“It’s interesting to see how it all comes together and the work involved, and there’s a lot of that,”
He also won the event with Tim Hand in 2016 and was fourth overall in 2019.
Aled Richards, Joint Clerk of the Course, knows the routes of Rali Bro Preseli like the back of his hand having only ever missed it once since its formation in 2003. He’s driven on four of them in 2005 – 2008 with the best result of a 4th place with Arwel Jenkins in the navigator seat.
Aled has been Chief Marshal on Rali Bro Preseli since 2013 before moving on to being Clerk of the Course this year and competitors can look forward to a great event.
Aled told the Herald: “This is the first time I’ve been Clerk of the Course, but we have a good team with Dylan Davies as Chief Marshal and Olwen Davies as Secretary.
“I live some 30 miles away from the actual route, but we’ve been around it twice and I’m confident it will be a good yet challenging night. Some of the whites are currently waterlogged but the farmers have been brilliant and offered to help clear the tracks before the event and we are very grateful.”
The rally, kindly sponsored by Arjay Factors and Home James Taxis, will have four official Spectator Points on the night and the locations will be available at signing on.
The Clerks of the Course and the Teifi Valley Motor Club would like to thank all those who have helped to organise the event – landowners, homes en route, petrol at Brian Llewellyn a’i Ferched, and the start and finish venues – Crymych Mart and the Teifi Waterside Hotel.
Sport
Herbrandston Clinch Promotion to Division One
Following a one all draw Tuesday night away to Narberth it confirmed Herbrandston’s promotion to the first division. An amazing achievement for Manger Leigh Galdo and his assistant Timmy Roberts. With a young team and after losing quality players over the summer it’s safe to say promotion wasn’t really ‘on the cards’ for Herbie in August.
On paper nobody would have expected Herbie to challenge at the top of the league. However they started the league as they meant to go on, with an outstanding unbeaten run, which made everyone quickly realise they were not to be underestimated. Galdo has done an excellent job in developing not only a young team, but the players as individuals who’ve matured as the season has developed. While they will enjoy promotion they won’t be relaxing too much as they still hope to lift the second division cup at Bridge Meadow.
Herbie’s boss however found some time in his busy schedule to reflect on promotion and the season to date.
‘Promotion wasn’t really on the radar when we sat down last summer and assessed the situation. With a mass exodus of first team starters, a full rebuild looked on the cards.
However the players we have in this years group are nothing if not resilient. A great start to the campaign meant we had put ourselves in contention early, 13 league games undefeated up to Xmas proved that we had enough to at least contend. There were certainly some tough test in the new year but all of them learning opportunities and a chance for this group of players to grow and mature as a team.
I’m a firm believer that through adversity, that’s where the real development can happen and it certainly seems that way with us at the moment with many of our young players now looking battle tested.
Humbled and armed with those lessons we’re looking now to finish the season strong. Back into the 1st Division has been the club’s ambition now for quite a few years and after finally achieving that after many close seasons in doing so we can turn our focus to trying to add some silverware in the 2nd Division cup.
A very tough task with the quality of teams left in the competition. But a challenge we embrace and look forward too. We’ll stay in the fight to the very end and see what destiny awaits us. ‘Up the Pickles’’
Congratulations to everyone involved in the club on promotion. A club that’s setup off the field and at junior level really deserves division one football. We also wish Herbie the best of luck for the cup too.
News
Micky Beckett, Pembrokeshire’s Olympic hopeful, wins big in Palma!
Micky Beckett, the pride of Solva and a stalwart of the British Sailing Team, once again etched his name in the annals of sailing history with a resounding victory at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma last week, marking his third consecutive triumph at this illustrious event. The 29-year-old maestro showcased his dominance in the men’s dinghy class amidst stiff competition from a formidable fleet of 193 boats, clinching the title with a day to spare.
His gold-medal feat spearheaded a triumphant campaign for the British contingent, as John Gimson and Anna Burnet secured bronze in the Nacra 17 category, while the rising star Matilda Nicholls clinched her debut senior-level medal, a bronze in the ILCA 6 class.
Entering the pivotal double points medal race, Beckett held an unassailable lead atop the leaderboard, a testament to his unparalleled skill and unwavering determination. Despite the comfort of his position, Beckett refused to relent, clinching a second-place finish in the decisive race and ultimately sealing victory with an imposing 44-point margin.
Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Beckett humbly acknowledged the significance of his third consecutive triumph, stating, “I’ve been trying all week not to think about the fact that if I won this event it would be three in a row, but now it’s real and it’s pretty cool.” His sentiments echoed a blend of confidence and humility, underscoring the arduous journey that led to his triumph.
With his sights set on the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, Beckett exuded a mixture of confidence and determination, aware of the challenges that lie ahead. “All the top guys will be following their own plans to build up to this summer, but I have to say that beating them is a nice confidence boost,” Beckett remarked, encapsulating the competitive spirit that drives him towards excellence.
Despite his past setbacks in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Beckett remains undaunted, poised to make his mark on the global stage in Marseille, where he aims to transcend mere participation and carve his legacy amongst the world’s elite ILCA 7 sailors. With a European title in 2021 and a world silver in 2023 adorning his resume, Beckett’s journey is a testament to perseverance and unwavering dedication to his craft.
-
Business4 days ago
Bluestone National Park Resort payments expected to end
-
Community6 days ago
The Harbourmaster: Special rail excursion draws crowds to Milford Haven
-
News5 days ago
Dragon LNG ‘monitoring’ scrap car blaze in Waterston
-
News6 days ago
Search for Luke, 19, reported missing in the Pembroke Dock area, continuing
-
News3 days ago
Search for missing teenager Luke continues at Pembroke Dock
-
Crime4 days ago
Estate agents admit health and safety failings following fatal market incident
-
News3 days ago
Man jailed after scarring police officer in Narberth altercation
-
News20 hours ago
Police issue update on the search for Luke, missing from Pembroke Dock