Sport
Vikings thump Tigers to reach final
Hakin United 7
Johnston 0
HAKIN UNITED booked a mouth-watering final with Goodwick United on Thursday as they thrashed ten-man Johnston 7-0.
The game was played in wet conditions at the Bridge Meadow Stadium in Haverfordwest but that did not stop a large crowd attending.
Johnston were looking to cause an upset but it was Hakin who started well with a dangerous cross from Ben Steele headed away from the advancing Nicky Woodrow.
In the eighth minute of the game, Johnston’s Ross Williams appeared to kick out at Steele but the incident was not seen by the officials.
Ryan Doyle came close to giving Johnston the lead but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.
Woodrow was working hard in midfield as he twice won the ball back before setting up team-mates but both occasions saw long range efforts go wide.
Steven Mathias then played the ball to James Stanmore who crossed into the box but Ashley Bevan’s shot went wide.
With half an hour gone Hakin finally made the breakthrough that their play had deserved as Mathias crossed from the left for Woodrow who headed the ball back across goal and into the net.
The Vikings doubled their lead with seven minutes to go until half time when Matthew Broome played the ball to Mathias who grabbed his second assist as Woodrow tapped in for his second goal.
Shortly before half time Hakin thought they should have had a penalty when Steele was brought down by Williams but the referee waved away the protests.
A minute later, Williams kicked out at Steele off the ball and this time the referee was left with no choice but to send Williams for an early shower.
Johnston faced an uphill battle in the second half and it didn’t get any easier for them when Hakin scored a third goal six minutes in.
Woodrow turned provider as he crossed for Steele who beat the defender before shooting low into the bottom left corner of the net.
Steele nearly grabbed his second goal of the night with an hour gone but his curled effort from the edge of the box rebounded off the post and out for a goal kick.
With twenty minutes to go Hakin finally added their fourth when Ashley Bevan ran into the box before squaring for Woodrow who tapped in to seal his hat-trick.
Four minutes later it was five when Bevan won the ball back and after his initial cross was blocked he shot low into the bottom left corner of the net.
The Vikings were playing some great football and came close to a sixth when Bevan crossed into the box but Stanmore’s volley was only just wide.
With ten minutes to go Hakin made it 6-0 when Steele crossed into the box for Woodrow who dived in to head the ball home for his fourth of the night.
They saved their best goal of the night for the last as with seven minutes to go, Bevan crossed to the edge of the box for Stanmore who rifled a shot into the top corner of the net.
Sport
New Hedges Saundersfoot win cup final in style.
Division Four Cup Final
New Hedges Saundersfoot 7-1 St Ishmaels Reserves
The Division Four Cup Final between New Hedges Saundersfoot and St Ishmaels reserves took place at Monkton Swifts, witnessed by an eager crowd. The game, officiated by Sean O’Connor, with Gareth Elliot and Dean Driscoll as assistant referees, promised an intense battle for the coveted trophy.
From the onset, New Hedges Saundersfoot showcased their dominance. Owen, Miles, Davidson, and Marsh all getting on the score sheet leading to an impressive goal tally.
The Mice never gave up and battled well but they struggled to contain their opponent’s attacking quality. Thomas Williams managed the one and only goal for Tish.
The final score stood at an emphatic 7-1 in favor of New Hedges Saundersfoot, underlining their superiority throughout the match.
New Hedges Saundersfoot emerged as deserved victors, clinching the silverware and adding a significant achievement to their season. Their comprehensive victory in the cup final will undoubtedly be celebrated by players and fans alike. Despite falling short of promotion in their league campaign, this triumph will serve as a testament to their talent and resilience on the field.
In conclusion, the Division Four Cup Final witnessed a commendable display of skill and determination from both teams. Congratulations to New Hedges Saundersfoot for their outstanding performance and well-deserved victory in the final.
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.
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