Sport
Dragons deny brave Bluestone in thriller
Bluestone 3 • West Dragons 3 (AET)
West Dragons win 4-2 on penalties
WEST DRAGONS won the inaugural Bluestone Foundation Shield after they beat Bluestone 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a thrilling ninety minutes of football.
The final was played at the Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest, on Friday, September 1, and a good crowd gathered to show their support.
Bluestone made an excellent start to the match and with only two minutes gone they stunned the Dragons as Bradley Hewett broke free and buried his shot into the bottom right corner of the net.
Dragon’s Tony Evans came close to a response for his side but after he cut inside his shot was saved.
With sixteen minutes on the clock the referee adjudged that Bradley Hewett had been pulled down in the area and pointed to the spot. Captain Ian Darbyshire took the spot kick and buried it into the net to double Bluestone’s lead.
Davies could have added a third just moments later but after he rounded the keeper he was met by the Dragons defence who were able to clear the ball.
Daryl Mansbridge had a chance for the Dragons with a free kick on the edge of the box but his shot went over the bar.
Shortly before half time the Dragons pulled a goal back as Jordan Williams ran into the box before Scott Crawford took over and fired the ball into the net.
Early in the second half, the Dragons came agonisingly close to equalising as Crawford’s fierce strike cannoned back off the crossbar.
Bluestone also had former Swansea City player Lee Trundle in their team and he came on with half an hour to go.
Dylan Davies came close for Bluestone as his run ended with him firing the ball just over the bar.
With twelve minutes to go the Dragons equalised from a corner as Crawford poked the ball home at the back post.
However, just five minutes later, Bluestone restored their lead as Trundle controlled the ball well before crossing to the back post for Llew Jones who composed himself after missing his first shot to fire into the roof of the net.
Those celebrations were short lived as Dorian Davies, after seeing his free kick blocked, reacted well to volley the ball into the bottom left corner of the net and make it 3-3.
There was still time for another chance and Trundle showed his trickery before being fouled but his resulting free kick was blocked by the wall.
Referee Paul Rooney called time on a thrilling match meaning penalties would be needed to decide the game.
Both sides scored their first penalties but Ewan Cunningham saw his spot kick saved by Bluestone keeper Chris Lo, only for Darbyshire to see the following kick tipped over the bar by Ben Henton.
Allen scored his next penalty for the Dragons but Henton again saved to give his side the advantage.
After eight penalties the Dragons led 3-2 and it was left to Ashley Prior who buried his effort to seal a first Bluestone Foundation Shield win for West Dragons.
After the match, it was announced that the tournament as a whole had raised over £1000 which will benefit projects within Pembrokeshire.
Bluestone Foundation Chairman Frank Atkins thanked those who attended and everyone who was involved with the tournament, including Ian Darbyshire, who first came up with the idea of the tournament.
For more photos, visit the Herald Sports Facebook page.
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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