Sport
Woodrow and Harding doubles send Hakin through to Senior Cup final
HAKIN United will play Clarbeston Road in the final of the Senior Cup as they withstood a second half fightback from Carew to win their Semi-final 4-2 on Tuesday night (Mar 6).
Goals from Justin Harding and Nicky Woodrow had given the Vikings a 3-0 half time lead but Carew hit back in the second half through Ian Derbyshire and Alex Bayley to make it 3-2.
The Rooks poured forward looking for an equaliser but it wasn’t to be as Woodrow scored his second of the night to make it 4-2 and all but seal their passage into the final.
Despite the recent weather, the game was played on an excellent Bridge Meadow surface and a good crowd gathered to watch.
The first real chance of the game fell to Hakin after seven minutes when a cross from the right from Jack Wilson was glanced wide by the head of Nicky Woodrow.
Wilson then ran in from the wing before firing a strong shot towards goal which Carew keeper Tom Davies did well to tip over the bar.
Two minutes later Alex Bayley ran towards the goal but his drive was always going over the bar.
With twenty minutes gone, the ball broke kindly for Sam Christopher but his cross flashed across the face of goal before being kicked out for a corner.
The opening goal of the game came after 25 minutes as Wilson played the ball into the box for Justin Harding who turned well to fire the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
Carew again came close to scoring but another cross from Christopher was also cleared with players coming in.
Just after the half hour, Hakin doubled their lead as Carew failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Harding who shot on the turn into the roof of the net from six yards out to make it 2-0.
Carew would have hoped to see the half out with no more goals but Hakin had other ideas and Harding turned provider as his cross flew over the Carew defenders to Woodrow at the back post and he fired the ball back into the bottom right corner.
Shortly before the break, Carew were given a free kick in a dangerous position but Jack Christopher sent the ball just over the bar.
On the stroke of half time Wilson played in Harding once more but this time Carew keeper Davies made a good save to tip the ball over.
The Rooks had a mountain to climb in the second half but they started well and were rewarded thirteen minutes in as Jack Christopher headed the ball towards goal and Ian Derbyshire was on hand to knock the ball home to give his side a way back into the match.
Soon after they pulled a second goal back as an initial shot was saved by Hakin keeper Adrian Devonald but he parried the ball into the path of Alex Bayley who tapped the ball home to make it 3-2.
The Rooks poured forward looking for an equaliser and Iwan Izzard’s cross just had too much on it as it went out before anyone could get a touch.
However, with just over ten minutes to go, Hakin broke from their own half and Harding squared the ball into the box for Woodrow who rounded the keeper to tap into the empty net for 4-2.
Carew had a late chance to pull a goal back but Jack Christopher headed wide from a corner and Hakin saw out the last few minutes to book a first Senior Cup final appearance since 2016.
They will play Clarbeston Road in the final after they beat Merlins Bridge 2-1 in the other semi-final.
The final will again be played at the Bridge Meadow on Saturday, April 21.
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.
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.
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