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
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.
Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.
The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.
She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.
The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.
“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.
“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”
Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.
He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.
Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.
Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.
Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.
“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.
Sport
Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown
In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.
The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.
However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.
As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.
In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.
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.
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