Sport
Hakin champions after thrilling draw
HAKIN United have been crowned Champions of the Pembrokeshire Football League after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Goodwick United on Wednesday night.
Goodwick needed to win to keep their slim title hopes alive but Hakin were in the mood to win their third league title in a row as they raced into a 3-0 lead.
However, the visitors hit back to earn a 3-3 draw but the point gives Hakin the title.
There was a tense start to the game as both sides knew what was at stake.
Ashley Bevan had the first real chance with ten minutes gone but his shot was well saved by Goodwick’s keeper.
Some neat play between Adam Davies and Nicky Woodrow saw the latter cross into the box but Justin Harding was unlucky to see his header bounce wide off the post.
At the other end Rhys Dalling squared the ball for Llyr Tobin but his shot hit the side netting.
Rain and wind did not make conditions easy and it looked like the sides would go in at the break with the score 0-0.
Hakin had other ideas and stunned their opponents with two goals in as many minutes.
Firstly, Nicky Woodrow latched on to a long ball forward and his first time shot flew into the bottom corner despite the Goodwick keeper getting a hand to it.
Then on the stroke of half time Nathan Banner’s mishit shot fell to Adam Davies six yards out and he calmly placed the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0.
Goodwick were shell-shocked but came out fighting at the start of the second half as Rob Morgan saw a free kick hit the bar within a minute of the restart.
Then shortly before the hour mark Hakin made it 3-0 as Nicky Woodrow broke through before firing low into the net.
The visitors had a great chance to get back in the game moments later when the ball fell to Llyr Tobin but his shot was blocked onto the bar and over.
Jonathan Bennett had a chance to make it four with twenty minutes to go but after he was put through by Adam Davies, his shot was saved by keeper Dean Mopson.
Three minutes later Goodwick did get themselves back in the game as Rob Morgan took the ball down before slotting into the corner of the net.
Goodwick had the wind in their sails and with twelve minutes to go a pass back was sliced horribly by Hakin keeper James Manson and the visitors had a corner. It was taken by Rob Morgan and the ball caught the wind hitting the back post and going in.
A minute later Goodwick equalised as Johnny Horgan crossed into the box where the unmarked Rhys Dalling headed in.
They almost spoilt the party moments later as the same duo combined once more but Dalling headed inches wide of the post.
Hakin held on for their first draw of the season and the point seals the title for the Vikings.
After the match Hakin manager Gary Dawes said: “It has been a long, hard-thought season. We may have underperformed in the cups but the most important thing in Pembrokeshire is to win the domestic league and we are doing that consistently. We are over the moon.”
Hakin United: James Manson, Adam Davies, Leigh Broome, Michael Cooper, Nathan Banner, Jonathon Bennett, Justin Harding, Nicky Woodrow, Ashley Bevan, Steven Mathias, James Stanmore. Subs: Ally Greenish, Paul Jones, Scott Reynish.
Goodwick United: Dean Mopson, Scott Delaney, Steff Hayes, Llyr Tobin, Wayne O’Sullivan, Lewis Banks, Kieran O’Brian, Karl Hedley, Rob Morgan, Rhys Dalling, Johnny Horgan. Subs: Jordan Griffiths, Darren Devonald, Patrick Hughes.
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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