Sport
Team of the week: Lawrenny AFC
LAWRENNY first XI are a senior football team currently playing in the Division 3 of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League.
They play on the Lawrenny Sports and Social Club ground, which they share with the cricket club.
The club first played in the league in 1985, with a second team being entered three years later in 1988. The firsts play in red and black striped shirts and black shorts and the seconds plays in yellow and black striped shirts and black shorts.
Their most recent silverware success was last season when they won the Division 3 Cup, which was very rewarding after the ‘heartache’ of losing it in 2005 by a single goal to Pembroke United. Two seasons after gaining promotion to the Division 2 they won the Division 2 Cup in 2000 beating Saundersfoot Sports Club.
They have had very limited league success with only two league titles to their name, the Division 5 title in the 1985/1986 season and the Division 3 title in the 1997/1998 season. They also finished runner up in Division 4 in the 1987/88 season. They also completed the double in the 1985/1986 when they won the Division 5 cup final against St Clears. The club would like to thank their sponsors who give so much every season.
Player profiles
Jamie Lewis is another ex-Carew youth player. He is best used as a right back but is also a great back-up as goalkeeper. He is an excellent striker of the dead ball, setting up a number of goals with his pinpoint crosses from corners and free kicks and us.
After playing junior football for Carew, Tom Lewis joined Lawrenny to play senior football. After starting out in the Seconds he moved up to the Firsts last season and has cemented his place in the First XI. Another quick player with a good engine.
Phil Cole was the youngest first team captain in recent history at the age of 19. He is one of a number of players that has great pace. One of the most experienced players at the club. Although he is a recognised centre midfield he has played at sweeper.
Ed Merriman joined the club as a 16 year old and made his debut as a striker in the seconds coming on against Letterston with the game 1 – 1 and missing an open goal. Since then he was moved into defence and has improved every year to become an important part of the team.
Chris Beff joined Lawrenny after playing junior football for Carew and Narberth. He started out as a forward but has impressed since being moved into defence and has nailed down his place in the 1st XI with some impressive performances.
Jon ‘Beefy’ Beff has played for Lawrenny for the past six seasons despite only being 21. He was the captain last year and still picks the team this year. He has scored a number of important goals this year including winners in the two games against Fishguard.
Matt Lewis signed for the Lawrenny at the start of the 2010/11 season joining brother Jamie and cousins Tom and Dean at the club. He is very composed on the ball and has good pace and a good touch. He is very effective on the wings but is also equally at home in midfield.
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.
-
News5 days ago
Police and air ambulances at ‘serious incident’ at West Wales school
-
Business3 days ago
Largest Welsh port appoints communications and marketing director
-
Crime5 days ago
Pembrokeshire pensioner accused of 17 sexual offences against children
-
Crime4 days ago
All three school stabbing victims discharged from hospital, police confirm
-
Community6 days ago
County Hall to offer space for community banking
-
Sport7 days ago
Swifts eyes on double.
-
Community3 days ago
Suspected explosive device found on west Wales beach
-
News1 day ago
‘Honest’ caravan site owner ran site ‘under the radar’ for 20 years