Sport
Missed chances cost college
ECFA BCS League
Pembrokeshire College 1st XI 0
Coleg y Cymoedd 1st XI 2
AFTER HEAVY overnight rain the Conygar Bridge Meadow was in surprisingly good nick as the Valero sponsored Pembrokeshire College welcomed their visitors from Coleg y Cymoedd for their last league game of the season.
The game was set up nicely as the visitors from Nantgarw arrived in good form, sitting in second place in the table, but the hosts themselves came into the game on the back of an impressive 4-2 victory against a strong Cardiff and the Vale side in their last outing.
The game started at a frantic pace with both sides eager to strike the first blow, and kicking into a strong wind, it was Pembrokeshire who were seemingly going to be up against it in the first half. However this wasn’t the case in the opening 15 minutes as the hosts’ fluent passing style allowed them to keep the ball on the deck, eliminating the effect of the wind, and allowing them to create several openings.
One such opening arrived in the fifth minute as Dan Raicu found himself one-on-one with Liam Barter in the visitors goal. The wide man seemed to have too much time as he made his way towards the goal, and as he failed to make up his mind Barter smothered the ball at his feet and the chance had gone.
The game was something of a midfield battle with the majority of the first half play fought in the middle third as the visitors began to utilise the wind with some testing balls in behind Matt Dickinson and Jacob Knox at full back.
From one such ball they created their first half chance of the game as they won a corner on the right hand side. A troubling ball into the heart of the area caused mayhem in the Pembrokeshire defence, and when the ball fell to Owain Morgan, he produced a stunning overhead kick, which shaved the paint off the upright.
With 25 minutes on the clock the visitors almost took the lead with another spectacular effort. After Ben Aldred in the Pembrokeshire goal had cleared the danger straight up the pitch, Cymoedd left back Connor Wescombe ran onto the ball on the halfway line and hit a blistering first time half volley, which was destined for the bottom corner. Luckily for the hosts Aldred was able to scramble across and produce a fine save with his feet.
After soaking up a period of Cymoedd pressure, the home side began to come back into the game, and on 32 minutes their Welsh Colleges Under 18 international Alfie Stotter, fresh from returning from the Caput Mundi tournament in Rome, found himself through on goal. But Barter in the visiting goal was proving to be inspired, and he again rushed out to smother the ball, and another Pembrokeshire chance was gone.
Just before the interval the hosts opened up Cymoedd again, with Raicu ghosting past his man on the outside before pulling a tantalising ball back across goal to the unmarked Lewis Watts, who from 8 yards dragged his shot agonisingly wide with the goal at his mercy, to send the sides in level at the break.
The second half began with Pembrokeshire in the ascendency, and with the wind now gusting crossways towards the right hand side, winger Fraser Finlay was beginning to see a lot of the ball, and the tricky wide man created several chances for his side, before a hammer blow took the wind out of the visitors sails.
Completely against the run of play, Cymoedd took the lead after venturing into the hosts half for the first time in ten first half minutes, but a brilliant goal it was. After forward Stotter had conceded possession on the halfway line, an inch perfect first time through ball released the impressive substitute Sam Jones, whose turn of pace took him beyond Matt Dickenson before he smashed an unstoppable shot high into the roof of the net to leave Ben Aldred with no chance.
The home team were left shellshocked and couldn’t rediscover their composure in a frantic five minutes, resulting in them conceding again, this time from the spot after Welsh Premier League star Spencer Williams brought down the elusive Jones for a certain foul when the Cymoedd winger was running down a blind alley away from goal.
Jones dusted himself off to take the kick himself, and his well struck effort was brilliantly saved by Aldred, but with no Pembrokeshire defenders following up, the ball fell again to the feet of Jones who dinked the ball nonchalantly over the stricken Aldred to double his sides advantage.
Pembrokeshire almost responded immediately when Finlay hit a superb 25-yard left footed effort against the crossbar after cutting in from his wing, but chances for the rest of the game were few and far between, as a demoralised home side struggled to regain their early momentum and the visitors went into cruise control, finding the corners and running down the clock at every possible opportunity.
Ultimately it was a disappointing day for Pembrokeshire College, but they can take great positives in the fact for large periods of the game they were in control, and but for some poor finishing they could well have been 3-0 up and out of sight, a lesson they will be sure to take into their next game.
Teams:
Pembrokeshire College: Ben Aldred, Jacob Knox, George Taylor, Ewan Jones, Matthew Dickinson, Dan Raicu, Spencer Williams, Louis Thompson, Fraser Finlay, Alfie Stotter, Lewis Watts.
Subs: Donovan Griffin, Ben John.
Coleg y Cymoedd: Liam Barter, Jesse White, Scott Peacock, Declan Hansen Spure, Connor Wescombe, Iefan Ball, Callum Evans, Jamie Crisp, Owain Morgan, Connor Waters, Owain Sprackling-Jones.
Subs: Tristan Notley, Sam Jones, Josh Maksimovic, Joel Ball, Joe Evans.
News
Tigers second division Cup Champions
In a thrilling Pembrokeshire Division Two Cup final under the floodlights of Bridge Meadow Stadium, fans witnessed an epic battle between Monkton Swifts reserves and Johnston. Despite Monkton Swifts reserves being touted as favorites, Johnston proved their mettle from the outset.
The game kicked off with a burst of energy as Johnston’s center half, Craig Bendall, seized an early opportunity to put his team ahead just ten minutes into the match. However, Monkton Swifts’ prolific Scotsman, Davis, swiftly responded with an equalizer, showcasing the resilience of the favourites.
The momentum shifted again when the dynamic duo of Alfie and Scott Crawford of Johnston orchestrated a beautifully executed goal, putting Johnston back in the lead at 2-1.
As the game progressed, Monkton Swifts brought in reinforcements, including Ben Steele, to regain control. Their efforts paid off when Jordan Kilby leveled the score at 2-2 with just under 20 minutes remaining.
But the Crawfords had other plans. Combining once more, Scott provided the assist for Alfie, who coolly finished to put Johnston ahead once again.
With time running out, Monkton Swifts launched a relentless onslaught in search of an equalizer. However, Johnston’s defense held firm, defying the odds to clinch the Division Two Cup title in a memorable victory.
The match showcased the passion and determination of both teams, with Johnston emerging as deserving champions in a fiercely contested final at Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Sport
Promotion, relegation and everything in between.
As we come to the end of the 2023-2024 season it’s time to look at the winners and losers so to speak as most promotion and relegation battles are now all sewn up.
We begin at the very top where Goodwick United have blown away the first division to become deserved champions elect. At the opposite end of the table Fishguard Sports struggled all season and we comfortably relegated, going down with them are Neyland who’s relegation was confirmed a few weeks ago. Neither team were cut adrift and battled right until the end which is credit to both outfits, sometimes relegation can act as a spring broad and both clubs will be hoping this is the case.
Monkton Swifts reserves were the outstanding team in the second division and were a cut above the rest on their journey to becoming league champions on 56 points with an impressive plus 61 goal difference. As Monkton can’t be promoted due to their first team being in the first division it allowed both Herbrandston and St Ishmaels to be promoted. Herbrandston finished in third on 40 points, whilst the Mice just beat them to second place ending up on 42 points. Both clubs will now use the summer to prepare for the step up that awaits.
At the opposite end of the division, Cosheston never really got going and after their points deduction ended on a lowly 6 points which is never going to be enough to avoid relegation. The second relegation place was much closer with St Clears, Carew reserves and Broad Haven all being in a dog fight for the majority of the season. Broad Haven showed good fight and character which steered them clear of trouble while Carew found form at a key time, which means St Clears will play their football in the third division next season.
Sport
Fox’s Fantastic Clarby shock the county to win Senior Cup
Strong favourites Goodwick United were expected by many to be lifting the senior cup again come Saturday afternoon. However Clarbeston Road had other ideas, we warned they were a dangerous opponent with pressure off, this proved to be the case.
A healthy crowd at the Bridge Meadow were treated to an excellent final, often cagey perhaps boring affairs this final was far from boring. It took just seven minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Clarby captain Rheinallt George put the underdogs ahead. However just before the twenty minute mark his opposite number in Scott Delaney squared things up with a trademark header.
Goodwick then took the lead when another set piece caused problems for Clarby who failed to deal with a free kick before Rhys Dalling latched onto the loose ball to volley his team into the lead. However the lead was short lived as the impressive Jake Booth found the net at the second time of asking to make it all square at the break.
Halfway through the second half another set piece led to the equaliser when Matthew Davies headed home a Laurie Haworth corner. Goodwick manager O’Sullivan rung the changes in search of a way to find an equaliser. Newly introduced striker Nathan Greene was fouled in the box and Rhys Jones had the chance to level the cup final, however Rhys Mansell had other ideas and he saved the penalty. The save gave his team a huge boast and belief that this could be their day, and indeed it was.
Most of the season we have hyped up the quality and character of this Clarby team and praised Matthew Fox and his players. Fox has done a excellent job and this is just rewards, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Clarby began this cup run by beating Hakin who have dominated this cup for so many years. An excellent achievement for all involved and an interesting plot going into next season, will Clarby be able to challange Goodwick in the league also.
For Goodwick it’ll be a bitterly disappointing defeat in a season of such dominance just the one trophy will be the least most expected from this quality side. Many thought Goodwick would win the treble and they were certainly capable, which will be the frustrating factor for the Goodwick management.
-
News20 hours ago
Police investigating after woman found dead on beach near Pennar
-
News20 hours ago
Police discover body in search for Luke Stephenson, 19
-
Crime2 days ago
Llandissilio man accused of making hundreds of child abuse images
-
Business6 days ago
Largest Welsh port appoints communications and marketing director
-
Business2 days ago
Lidl GB eyes Pembroke Dock for new larger supermarket
-
News19 hours ago
Councillors block Milford Haven boxing event – promoter to appeal
-
Crime7 days ago
All three school stabbing victims discharged from hospital, police confirm
-
News2 days ago
Search efforts continue for missing teenager Luke Stephenson