Sport

Can Youth football follow cricket’s innovation?

Published

9 years ago

July 14, 2017

Full squad: Tenby United Youth team 2016/7

ON JUNE 23, the Ormond Youth cup tie featured four teams in the game at the Recreation Ground in Carew.

The Pembrokeshire County Cricket Club have allowed teams to combine in order for young players to compete in the main youth competition in the County, which started in 1961, when Mr & Mrs George Ormond of Carew Mill presented a cup to stimulate interest in youth cricket. and was won in the first year by Neyland, who defeated Pembroke.

Carew and Saundersfoot combined to form a team and they then hosted a combined team from Cresselly and Lawrenny, as the format of the competition is the entrants are divided into twoequal groups, where the winners and runners up progress to a semi final stage.

Group 1

Carew/Saundersfoot

Cresselly/Lawrenny

Stackpole/Pembroke Dock

Neyland/Herbrandston

Narberth

Group 2

Crymych

Haverfordwest

Hook/Llangwm

Kilgetty

Whitland

This means 15 Clubs have allowed their youth players to compete in the competition

In football, the equivalent competition in Pembrokeshire, is the Wiltshire Cup, which was first played back in the 1946/7 season when Neyland United beat Pembroke Boro.

However, the last time the cup was played for was the 2003/4 season, when Milford United beat Tenby.

With the Pembrokeshire League AGM to be held on Thursday July 6th, a question of how do you reinvigorate youh football in Pembrokeshire should be asked. Youth players at the top of their game can progress to play academy football for Haverfordwest County and possibly play in the Welsh Premier Development (U23) League and in previous years there have been a Welsh U19 League (McWhirter) competition.

There is currently a West Wales Youth League, which has 25 member teams. The only Pembrokeshire side in the League at present are Tenby.

With a tradition steeped in history, the Pembrokeshire League has a prestigious youth cup which hasn’t been competed for in fourteen seasons, despite their best efforts.

Is it time for them to consider an innovative change in the way the competition is organised and entries encouraged from combined teams?

This may prove a stumbling block within the hierarchy of football in Wales, through the West Wales area and full Football Association of Wales Councils, but where there is a will there could be a way. If the Pembrokeshire clubs don’t ask the question of their appointed League Officers then nothing will change and another generation of youth footballers in Pembrokeshire will miss playing in the Wiltshire Cup Final.

What are your thoughts? Contact the Herald with your views either via the Herald Sports Facebook Page or by writing to the Herald Group.

Sport

Haverfordwest County Under-13 girls shine at final FAW festival

Published

2 days ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women and Girls have praised their under-13s after another strong showing at the third and final FAW Festival of the season.

The young Bluebirds travelled to Colliers Park in Wrexham on Saturday (Apr 4), where they once again impressed with their performances.

Club officials said the girls had performed fantastically well throughout the season, adding that everyone at Haverfordwest County was incredibly proud of their efforts.

The squad for the day was Libby O, Ela I, Ines M, Mila E, Scarlett C, Rachel B, Lydia H, Lilly M, Zara E, Leila P and Lillie EJ.

Well done girls.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Friendly League week 22 results

Published

2 days ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

RESULTS from week 22 of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association Friendly League have been confirmed, with Badgers recording a comprehensive 10-0 win over Lamphey and St Twynnells edging past Cosheston 6-4.

An earlier fixture also saw Cosheston claim a 10-0 victory over Reynalton.

Several matches were postponed during the week, including Kilgetty v Carew, Llanteg v St Twynnells and Hundleton v East Williamston.

St Johns had the bye.

Latest results:
Cosheston 4 St Twynnells 6
Badgers 10 Lamphey 0
Cosheston 10 Reynalton 0

League table after week 22:
East Williamston — Played 19, Won 13, Drawn 0, Lost 6, Shot difference 169, Points 126
St Johns — Played 20, Won 12, Drawn 1, Lost 7, Shot difference 132, Points 118
Reynalton — Played 20, Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference 24, Points 99
St Twynnells — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 7, Shot difference 9, Points 99
Carew — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 9, Shot difference -12, Points 98
Hundleton — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 8, Shot difference -7, Points 97
Llanteg — Played 18, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 8, Shot difference -16, Points 95
Badgers — Played 20, Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -104, Points 89
Cosheston — Played 19, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference -39, Points 88
Lamphey — Played 20, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 11, Shot difference -71, Points 80
Kilgetty — Played 19, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -85, Points 73

League officials have reminded clubs that all outstanding matches must be completed by midnight on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Sport

Amman United Youth suffer agonising semi-final defeat

Published

2 days ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

Cup final dream slips away as Newcastle Emlyn battle back to seal 20-19 win in windy Carmarthenshire Cup clash

AMMAN UNITED YOUTH saw their Carmarthenshire Cup final hopes ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday (Apr 4) as Newcastle Emlyn snatched a 20-19 victory in a dramatic semi-final.

Played in difficult, windy conditions, the contest was fiercely competitive throughout, with Amman left to rue a series of handling errors that allowed the visitors back into the game.

Newcastle Emlyn made the stronger start, taking an early 3-0 lead through a penalty and then missing a chance to add to their tally.

Amman responded well and took control of the first half. Captain Ceian Lewis crossed following a well-worked catch-and-drive to put his side 5-3 in front. Toby Slater then produced an excellent touchline conversion in tough conditions to extend the lead to 7-3.

Amman continued to build momentum when Harvey Duncan made a sharp break down the wing to score their second try. Slater was again on target with an impressive conversion in the wind, giving his side a 14-3 lead at the break.

But the game turned soon after the restart. A costly Amman mistake allowed Newcastle Emlyn back into the contest, with the visitors scoring in the corner before adding the conversion to close the gap to 14-10.

Amman appeared to have steadied themselves when Kelston Fairhurst powered over from another catch-and-drive, stretching the lead to 19-10.

However, Newcastle Emlyn refused to give in. Strong forward play brought them another try, and the conversion cut the deficit to just two points at 19-17 as the pressure mounted in the closing stages.

The decisive moment came in the final five minutes when another Amman handling error handed Emlyn a crucial opportunity. The visitors worked their way into range and slotted a late penalty to edge ahead 20-19.

Amman had one final chance to rescue the game and opted for a catch-and-drive from a late penalty, having already found success with that tactic earlier in the match. This time, though, Newcastle Emlyn held firm to deny them and secure their place in the final.

It was a bitter end for Amman United Youth, who had looked in control at half-time, but Newcastle Emlyn showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.