Sport
Bluebirds soar to the top after beating Wingmakers
HAVERFORDWEST County went joint top of the JD Cymru Premier on Saturday (Aug 27) after a strong second-half display earned the Bluebirds a convincing 3-0 win against Airbus UK Broughton.
A brace from substitute Jordan Davies, after Henry Jones’ free-kick had given the hosts a half-time lead, helped Tony Pennock’s side to a second league victory of the season.
County had to work hard against a competitive Wingmakers side, who were very much in the contest in the first-half, but the Bluebirds’ extra quality made a telling difference after the break as they put on a show for a home crowd of over 400 at the Ogi Bridge Meadow.
Pennock made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Bala Town on MD3, with Zac Jones and Jamie Veale coming in to make their first league starts for the club, while wing-back Ryan George was also handed a starting berth as Lewis Brass, Elliot Scotcher and Jordan Davies dropped to the bench.
It was the visitors who had the first sight on goal, when Jake Phillips’ long throw into the box was met by George Peers, who directed his effort wide of the right post.
After Joe Palmer had seen his shot from distance fly well over the crossbar, the Bluebirds had a good chance to go ahead when Jack Wilson headed the ball into the path of Ben Fawcett, who saw his shot under pressure gathered by Lewis Dutton.
The hosts suffered a setback nine minutes before half-time when midfielder Ricky Watts was forced off through injury after taking a knock minutes before. Scotcher came on in his place.
Chances were few and far between in a scrappy opening 45 minutes, however, with almost the final action of the first-half, County took the lead.
After Ben Fawcett had been fouled five yards from the left side of the area, Jones stepped up and saw his effort go under Dutton and into the net for his first goal of the season, which gave the team a real confidence boost heading into half-time.
The Bluebirds took this momentum into the second period, as a cross into the area found an unmarked Fawcett, but the striker’s header went over the bar.
Pennock introduced Jordan Davies from the bench after 63 minutes, and just moments after coming on the forward was played through on goal but was unable to keep his shot down and saw it fly over.
There was another big chance for County three minutes later when George was played through on goal, but Dutton was equal to his effort to keep thee deficit at one for the time being.
Pennock’s men continued to keep the pressure on, as Fawcett saw his shot saved at the near post just a minute later.
And the pressure eventually told soon after when Dutton’s misplaced clearance landed at the feet of Scotcher, who slid a pass through to Jordan Davies, and he made no mistake by firing into the left corner to double the advantage with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Goalkeeper Jones had a solid first outing between the sticks for Haverfordwest County, and the New Zealand stopper got down well to deny substitute Beau Cornish’s shot in the closing stages to preserve the clean sheet.
And with the win already secured, there was just enough time for the hosts to add a third and final goal.
After substitute Ioan Evans had won possession back in midfield, the ball fell to Veale who played a through ball for Jordan Davies, with the striker showing great composure to take it around Dutton and roll it into an empty net to end the game in perfect fashion.
The Bluebirds are next in action on Tuesday (August 30), when we travel to the SDM Glass Stadium to take on Penybont. Kick-off is at 7.45pm, and the game will be shown live on Sgorio via their digital platforms (Facebook and YouTube).
Report by Haverfordwest County
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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