Sport

Spotlight – Clarbeston Road

Published

11 months ago

January 11, 2024

We sat down with Clarbeston Road manager Matthew Fox after his team’s impressive win over Hakin United Saturday. His team has impressed and turned heads up and down the county over the past few months. We got some insight on the story of their season so far.

Herald – Matt thanks for taking the time to talk to us today! It’s good timing as I’m sure you’re still on a high after Saturdays win?

Matt – No problem it is my pleasure to catch up. Of course, we are delighted with the result Saturday. That is Hakin’s first League defeat of the season so to win down there is a massive credit to the lads. Especially with the amount of fitness work they put in over the Christmas break. But we are not complacent, we know that we cannot waste the effort of last week’s result only to then drop points this week. The league is fairly relentless and that shows where we go to Merlins Bridge this week which will be a really tough game. They are above us in the league, even though we do have some games in hand, but they have not lost since the beginning of October so they will be full of confidence also. Therefore, certainly no time to sit back and enjoy one good result! The target for us will be to continue getting good results week on week and the preparation for Saturday started Monday and we will be training again this week so we are ready for Saturday.

Herald – Saturday was your second win over Hakin this year. Have you had thoughts of disrupting the ‘top’ two?

Matt – We had an indifferent start to the season so after those early couple of defeats I would have taken not being relegated at that stage of the season let alone disrupt Goodwick or Hakin!! But no, as the the old football cliché goes, our aim is only focus on the next game and that is what we will be doing this Saturday. Hakin will be right up there at the end of the Season, Skinny will get them bang at it next week, but I do think it is now Goodwick’s to lose. Leon Luby and Cam Thomas being injured for Hakin hasn’t helped them, but Goodwick beat us convincingly at their place early in the season, and in the return fixture, it was a lot closer game than the 4-0 scoreline suggests. But still, they have taken 6 points from us and under Sully and Lee Morgan, they won’t show any complacency. Our aim will to be to finish as high as we can but to do that we have to be consistent week on week.

Herald – Obviously Goodwick would take some catching this season, so what are your goals for the rest of the season?

Matt – I agree, I don’t see Goodwick being caught in the League now. So after knocking one of the Senior Cup favourites out of the competition, you have to look at being in and around the competition come Final Day. However, there will be 16 other teams in round two thinking exactly the same thing!! In round two we have the winner of Fishguard or St Ishmaels,who have steadied themselves well in Division Two, so we cannot look further than that really as a trip to either is going to be tough. But it would be great to get back to the Meadow if we could and we will be all out to try and do that, not least to avenge the last time we got to the final where Hakin walloped us 7-1!

Herald – What’s pleased you most about this season so far?

Matt – It is probably the togetherness in the squad and the club as a whole. We train as one squad, firsts and seconds and we regularly have 30 plus training in all weathers. We all know the amount of work the committee at Clarbeston Road do for the club under the watch of Chairman Steve Brown so it is nice to put a team out every Saturday that they can be proud of and make the work that they do worthwhile. I would also have to say the amount of youngsters coming through to Senior football at the club and a large credit for that goes to the Junior Coaches at the club, not least, Raph Barnett our second team manager as he brought through seven or eight players from Junior football, that are now involved between the two squads every week.

Herald – If you had to pick out your teams main strength what would it be?

Matt – I would say team spirit and the blend of youth and experience. We often get labelled with “tricky” or “Sticky” opponents which suggests sometimes we are just hard to play against,but I feel sometimes we haven’t had the credit we deserve for our ability to play ourselves. We have quality now right through the squads and plenty in reserve so this season we have been far less disrupted by unavailability as we have quality players who can come in when players are away and make the position their own. We went to Hakin Saturday without our Club Captain, Rheinallt George and still won. That is a credit to the lads taking their opportunities when called upon and the depth of our squad this season.

Herald – And finally, where do you see the team and the club aiming to go in the next couple of years? Is it a long term project?

Matt – It most definitely is a long term project both on and off the field. My co-manager Matt Ellis is still playing exceptionally well at the ripe old ag of 39 and I think the way he is going he will be still playing at 49! Off the field there are plans for the changing rooms and training facilities to be developed at our Knock Field site and on the pitch we just want to improve year on year, keep bringing youngsters through and giving them a chance and enjoy everything that is good about Pembrokeshire League football. Like many other clubs in Pembrokeshire, we would like to look at options for the West Wales Premier League but geography is the biggest challenge we all face with most games in the Swansea area. We really feel that we can push teams at that level as we did against League Leaders Evans and Williams in the West Wales Cup. But for now we will continue working hard at what we are doing and look to improve week on week, year on year so maybe we can disrupt the “Top Two!”

Sport

Devonald’s hat-trick secures St Ishmaels’ dominant win over Herbrandston

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Herald Sport

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

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Herald Sport

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

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Herald Sport

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.