Sport
10-man Ferry stun Bluebirds
HAVERFORDWEST County were beaten 3-2 by 10-man Briton Ferry Llansawel this evening (Feb 2) as a goal from Scott Tomlinson sealed victory in an entertaining game at the Bridge Meadow.
A good crowd gathered to watch the game but they saw the Bluebirds make a slow start and the visitors could have been ahead in the third minute.
Steve Hughes cut inside the defender but saw his shot blocked only for the ball to then be fizzed across goal for Tyler Brock who saw his shot saved by County keeper Conah McFenton.
From the resulting corner Gareth Jones rose highest to head into the top left corner to give his side a deserved lead.
Dan Williams was a constant threat for the Bluebirds and he saw a shot go over soon after as the home side started to get back into the game.
Declan Carroll and Williams once more went close before Steffan Williams headed down for Kristian Speake but his shot hit the side netting.
With twenty minutes gone the Bluebirds were rewarded when a free kick from Matthew Broome found Captain Sean Pemberton who headed in unmarked to level the scores.
Dan Williams then ran into the box before cutting back for namesake Steffan but his shot flew over the bar.
Seven minutes before half time, Dan again crossed for Steffan but his shot was saved well by the Briton Ferry keeper.
The visitors weathered the Bluebirds’ storm and it remained 1-1 when the half time whistle went.
Early in the second half, Dan Williams again went close after being put through in what was a good chance for the home side.
They were made to pay for that miss as Briton Ferry launched an attack which saw Tyler Brock cut inside and shoot low under McFenton to put the visitors back into the lead.
On the hour mark, Briton Ferry’s Brock got in the way of a quick free kick and, having already been booked, the referee pulled out a second yellow followed by a red, and Brock was sent for an early bath.
Broome then saw the resultant free kick tipped over the bar by Ferry keeper Luke Probert.
Two minutes later the Bluebirds were level again in spectacular fashion as a cross into the box found Dan Williams, who had beat the offside trap, and he got on the end of it to wonderfully lob the ball into the net.
However, any thoughts the Bluebirds had of going on to win the game were dealt a blow just two minutes later as a ball into the box saw Scott Tomlinson also beat the offside trap and head the ball past McFenton to give Briton Ferry the lead for a third time.
McFenton was then lucky as his clearance was charged down by a Briton Ferry player but the ball deflected to a Blue shirt.
Kristian Speake went close again as his deflected shot from the edge of the box was well tipped round the post by the keeper.
Joe Leahy saw a late shot blocked as the Bluebirds piled on the pressure looking for a late equaliser that never came.
The Ferry were content to keep the ball in the corner and after a lengthy injury time the referee brought an end to the match.
Defeat for the Bluebirds is just their second of the season and means they missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Welsh League Division 1 table.
The Bluebirds are next in action on Saturday, February 10, when they travel to Cambrian and Clydach.
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.
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.
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