Sport
Pembrokeshire Football Division 2 Preview 06-01-24
The league table has taken shape and clubs now know what their respective challenges and goals are for the second half of the season. We have what seems to be four possible title contenders based on the table, Monkton Swifts Reserves and Herbrandston occupy top two places, whilst Merlins Bridge Reserves are only one win off top. Narberth sit in fourth but have only played 11 league games and should they manage to win their games in hand they’ll be right in the mix.
At the opposite end of the table, there are again four teams who seem likely to be fighting a relegation battle for the rest of the season. Cosheston sit rock bottom on 1 point and seem very likely to be relegated unless they can dramatically improve results and fast. Carew Reserves have 6 points, St Clears have 8 points and Broad Haven 10 points to date. Results would suggest Broad Haven will have enough to steer themselves to safety, while St Clears will have to turn draws into wins, they’ve drawn 5 and only won one so far.
St Ishmaels vs Monkton Swifts Reserves
The hosts are unbeaten since September and after a shaky start to the season have shown they are a good outfit and much improved. Tish held table toppers Monkton to a draw in the reverse fixture in December. The Swifts can’t afford to drop anymore points really with Herbrandston hot on their heels and in excellent form. An interesting match up here, the game will be officiated by Keith McNiffe.
St Clears vs Hakin United Reserves
St Clears will be aiming to start the new year positively after 2023 wasn’t a great one for them. Hakin United Reserves beat St Clears 4-0 at the Obs, however they haven’t won since, suffering 3 league defeats in a row and conceding 5 in each of these games. This will give the hosts confidence, however I’m sure Hakin will be very keen to put this right and will see this fixture as a good opportunity.
Merlins Bridge Reserves vs Narberth
Two of the better teams in the division meet in what’s an important fixture for both teams. When they met in December Bridge came out 3-1 winners thanks to a Tomos Gwilliam hat-trick. Narberth will need to be consistent if they want to keep up pressure on the top three and a win against third place Bridge would be the perfect start. Joe Leahy seems to be playing regularly for the Bridge Reserves and is a quality player and is enough to worry any team in the county.
Cosheston AFC vs Carew Reserves
Must win is a phrase used often in sport but it couldn’t be more accurate here, Cosheston have failed to win all season and they need to start now if they want to steer themselves to safety. Carew Reserves sit second from bottom and themselves only have one win all season, and will be looking at this fixture as the perfect opportunity to get three points.
Johnston vs Camrose
Newly promoted Camrose sit in sixth place and would have taken that if you’d offered it to them at the start of the season. Last time out they narrowly lost 3-2 to Herbrandston after a costly red card, Camrose were 2-0 in that game proving they are a dangerous opponent for anyone in this division. Johnston sit in eighth however have only played ten league games whereas some teams have played fifteen. With some quality players in their ranks the hosts will be hoping to climb the league table in the coming few weeks.
SECOND DIVISION CUP – Herbrandston vs Broad Haven
Unbeaten in the league Herbie are proving to be one of, if not the best outfit in the second division. Manager Leigh Galdo will be aiming for cup success as well as winning the league. The hosts beat Broad Haven 4-0 at home in the league fixture back in December. However Broad Haven held Herbie to a 2-2 draw in September and have proved they can be a tricky opposition. With the weather having been very wet, this may suit battling Broad Haven more than free flowing Herbie, however the hosts are still firm favourites for this tie.
Sport
Devonald’s hat-trick secures St Ishmaels’ dominant win over Herbrandston
Herbrandston 0 – St Ishmaels 6
BRENNAN DEVONALD delivered a masterclass as St Ishmaels thrashed Herbrandston 6-0, with the skipper leading from the front and scoring a stunning hat-trick. The comprehensive victory propels St Ishmaels to eighth in the league table, while Herbrandston remain rooted to the bottom without a single point.
The visitors asserted their dominance from the outset. Devonald opened the scoring in the 9th minute, latching onto a pinpoint assist from Owen Lawrence. He doubled their lead just before halftime in the 40th minute, again set up by Lawrence, giving St Ishmaels a comfortable cushion at the break.
St Ishmaels maintained their momentum in the second half, adding four more goals to cap off a stellar team performance. Adam Kingsbeer’s clever play set up Ieuan Hawkins for the third, before Tom Williams capitalised on another opportunity to make it 4-0. Devonald sealed his hat-trick in the 85th minute with an expertly taken goal, and Joel Mills added the finishing touch in the dying moments, courtesy of an assist from Sol Goodall.
Team line-ups
Herbrandston: Adrian Rees, Oliver Robinson, Ethan Chalker, Scott Findlay, Dean John (Captain), Harley Barrett, Gedion Hockin, Leon Whatling, Scott Gillespie, Cian Davenport. Subs: Leo Duncan, Jacob James, Nico Cockrell.
St Ishmaels: Owen Thomas, Sol Goodall, Owen Lawrence, Finley Armstrong, Brennan Devonald (Captain), Adam Kingsbeer, Ieuan Hawkins, Joel Mills, Tom Williams, Daniel Coe, Nathan Thomas. Subs: Max Howells, Tyler Sheil.
Sport
Dominant wins for Pembrokeshire sides in West Wales Intermediate Cup round 3
Goodwick United 7-0 Carew
Goodwick United put on a commanding performance with a 7-0 triumph over Carew. The home side proved too powerful for their opponents, with Rhys Dalling and Rhys Jones each bagging two goals. Matty Delaney, Will Haworth, and Daniel Bryce also got their names on the scoresheet. As one of Pembrokeshire’s top teams, Goodwick will aim to build on this dominant win as they progress to the next round.
Hakin United 13-0 Clydach Sports
Hakin United were in ruthless form as they dispatched Clydach Sports 13-0. Jack Britton led the charge with an impressive five-goal haul, while Liam Parks netted a hat-trick. Jack Griffiths, Jay Kilby, Kieran King, Justin Harding, and Mason Dolling all contributed to the comprehensive scoreline. Hakin, one of the premier teams in Pembrokeshire, will be keen to continue their pursuit of the cup after this emphatic victory.
Merlins Bridge 7-3 Treboeth United
Merlins Bridge secured a thrilling 7-3 victory over Treboeth United in an exciting encounter. Nathan Evans was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick, while Tom Jago, Jason Griffiths, Hayden Dimond, and Ashton Plunkett all found the back of the net. Treboeth’s Liam Manning, Cori Jones, and Matthew Colley fought valiantly but could not prevent the home side from taking the win. Merlins Bridge will be pleased with their attacking display and will look to build on this result.
Monkton Swifts 5-4 Clarbeston Road
In a dramatic local derby, Monkton Swifts edged out Clarbeston Road 5-4 in a high-scoring affair. Dylan Davies was the standout performer with four goals, and Liam Butland added another. Clarbeston Road fought hard with goals from Laurie Haworth, Matthew Davies, Greg Brown, and Ben John, but it was the Swifts who held on to secure the victory. Monkton will be happy to progress after such a closely contested match.
Neyland 1-2 Cwm Wanderers
Neyland were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Cwm Wanderers in a closely contested match. Ben Gale scored for Neyland, but goals from Joseff Shaw and Corey Raven-Sayce gave the visitors the edge. Despite a valiant effort from Neyland, Cwm Wanderers held firm to secure the win and advance to the next round.
Plough Colts 0-2 Pennar Robins
Pennar Robins comfortably saw off Plough Colts 2-0, with Kieran Smith and Jamie Wilkes scoring the goals. Pennar demonstrated their class and will look to carry this momentum forward into the next round.
Tenby 2-0 Blaen-y-Maes
Tenby continued their fine form with a 2-0 victory over Blaen-y-Maes. Sam Butler and Scott Ferney were on target for Tenby, who have been one of the most impressive sides this season. This win further cements Tenby’s status as one of the top contenders in the competition.
Analysis:
Pembrokeshire’s leading teams, Goodwick United and Hakin United, demonstrated their superiority with commanding wins, while Tenby showed their credentials with a solid 2-0 victory. With such dominant performances, Goodwick and Hakin are likely to be among the favourites to claim the title, with Tenby also emerging as a serious contender in this year’s West Wales Intermediate Cup.
Sport
Thrills and dominance: Narberth shine in 6-1 victory
Broad Haven 4-4 Solva
In an exhilarating, high-scoring encounter, Broad Haven played out a 4-4 draw with Solva. Marco Valentine netted twice for Broad Haven, with Owen Sheppard and Shane Howells also getting on the scoresheet. Solva responded through Josh Bland, who scored a hat-trick, and Lucas Price, ensuring the points were shared in this thrilling clash.
Camrose 1-3 Fishguard Sports
Fishguard Sports claimed a 3-1 victory over Camrose, with a clinical display of attacking play. Andrew John scored the only goal for Camrose, but Fishguard’s offensive strength proved overwhelming. Anthony Couzens, Luke Thomas, and Ieuan Llewellyn all found the net to guide their side to victory.
Carew II 0-2 Hakin United II
Hakin United II earned a solid 2-0 win over Carew II. Rowan Dixon and Tom Edmonds were the scorers for the visitors, with Carew struggling to break down Hakin’s defense. It was a well-executed performance that saw Hakin advance with all three points.
Johnston P-P Merlins Bridge II
The match between Johnston and Merlins Bridge II was postponed, with no further details available at the time of writing.
Lawrenny 1-6 Narberth
Narberth cruised to a commanding 6-1 victory over Lawrenny. Owen James scored the lone goal for Lawrenny, but Narberth’s attacking prowess was on full display as Steffan Williams scored twice, and Ashley Williams, Chris Brown, Conor Bowen, and Ryan Williams each found the back of the net in a comprehensive win.
Analysis:
The 14th December 2024 fixtures saw a blend of thrilling draws and dominant victories. Broad Haven and Solva shared the spoils in an action-packed 4-4 draw, while Fishguard Sports, Hakin United II, and Narberth all secured convincing wins. Narberth’s 6-1 triumph over Lawrenny was the standout result of the day, highlighting their attacking firepower.
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