Sport
Newcomers Carew edged out by Tenby
Tenby 3 V Carew 1
On their return to the top flight of the Pembrokeshire League after a seven year absence, Carew produced a brilliant display of free-flowing football and will consider themselves highly unfortunate not to have come away from The Clicketts with at least a point, if not more.
As expected from one of the county’s best sides, Tenby came flying out of the blocks in the opening 10 minutes, but for all their dominance in possession they couldn’t find a way through a well organised Carew backline, marshalled by skipper Iwan Izzard and centre back partner Shaun Whitfield.
Growing in confidence, Carew started to dominate the midfield battle and subsequently got a firm foothold in the game, and when Scott Ferney put pressure on Alex Harley in the Tenby defensive third, the ball broke to Haydn Shapcott who broke free on goal and slotted the ball calmly into the corner, giving Tenby keeper Mike Brown no chance.
Having deservedly taken the lead, Carew went on to create two further one on one chances, however both unfortunately went the wrong side of the post, keeping the hosts in the game, and with half time looming Carew were made to pay the price.
With 45 minutes on the clock, when a hopeful long ball into the Carew box was only partially cleared, left back Jerome Mansbridge was the first to react, and his instinctive half volley made its way through a crowded box, just eluding Carew stopper Tom Davies to find the corner, sending the sides in level at half time.
After the interval, with both sides playing some brilliant football, a chess match ensued for 15 minutes, with both midfields looking to get the upper hand. However it was Carew who looked the more threatening, and in winger James Adie they had a constant outlet, as he went past fullback Ashley Andrews time and time again, creating several opportunities which Carew failed to convert.
With 25 minutes to go, the visitors were taught a harsh lesson about Division One, when their wasted opportunities came back to haunt them, as Tenby took the lead against the run of play.
When awarded an innocuous free-kick on the half way line, Tenby once more sought to pump it long. With the ball hanging in the air, Tom Davies came to claim the ball for Carew, but when he fumbled, Jay Richards was on hand to stab the ball home into an empty net, giving Tenby what had seemed an unlikely lead in the most fortuitous of circumstances.
Testament to Carew’s performance was that Tenby then sought to run the clock down at every opportunity and manager Phil Cattlin was forced to bring himself on at centre back to add defensive reinforcements. Despite this Carew still managed to create further goal-scoring chances, the best of which fell to substitute James Hinchliffe, whose left footed effort rolled agonisingly wide of the far upright.
In their desperation to survive, Tenby produced several rash tackles that could have seen the side reduced to 10 or possibly 9 men, but with the referee unwilling to punish the offences, the home side were allowed to maintain their defensive shape. They were further let off when the referee turned down a strong penalty shout from the visitors with just 5 minutes remaining.
As Carew desperately pressed for an equaliser deep into injury time, a long clearance form Cattlin saw Daryl Mansbridge race free down the left, and his pinpoint cross found former Carew player Jake Proctor in the middle, who headed home unmarked from 6 yards to give the scoreline a rather unbalanced feel.
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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