Sport
New year, new goals: Goodwick’s treble quest, Hakin’s focus, and a rugby title race
WITH the beginning of a New Year it gives everyone a opportunity to set new goals and targets for the year. Rugby and Football teams are halfway through their seasons while cricket clubs will be starting indoor nets and starting preparation for the summer months.
We start with turning our attention to football and we have to start with Goodwick United who have finally been beaten and are out of the FAW Amatuer Trophy. However they are firm favourites for the league title, as well as senior cup and will take some beating in the West Wales Cup competition too. The treble is surely quietly in their thoughts and is not an unrealistic goal for the men from Pheonix Park having only lost one game all season.
Hakin United’s focus will be solely on the league having been knocked out of the senior cup and the West Wales Cup. However Goodwick beat the Vikings 5-1 to knock them out of the West Wales Cup, this result speaks volumes and Goodwick are firm favourites for the title. Despite impressing teams such as Clarbeston Road and Merlins Bridge are too far adrift to mount any serious title charge. Neyland, Kilgetty, Carew and Fishguard Sports occupy the four bottom places of the table and it looks like being two of those four who’ll experience relegation. All four clubs are more than capable of picking up results against anyone and this is going to be an intriguing battle as the weeks progress.
In the second division Monkton Swifts Reserves and Herbrandston are locked into a intriguing battle for the league title, while Merlins Bridge Reserves are just behind but have played more games than the top two. At the opposite end of the table Cosheston unfortunately look destined for relegation having only picked up one point to date from ten games. Carew Reserves, St Clears and Broad Haven will all have relegation fears, however I tip Broad Haven to have enough to steer themselves clear. Another intriguing battle where I’m sure all clubs involved will be battling for every point available.
Turning our attentions to the oval shaped ball and our county’s rugby clubs. Narberth sit at the top of the Championship and have been outstanding to date and faultless, if they continue that form they will be lifting the Championship Trophy come the end of the season, in what would be a brilliant achievement. In the second division Tenby have only lost the one game all season and will be targeting the league title and promotion. On the basis of what we’ve seen since September this is a definite possibility. In the same division Fishguard look unlikely to push for promotion despite some impressive results. Milford Haven sit third from bottom and will be hoping for a few wins in January to ease any relegation fears.
In the third division the main story is Haverfordwest’s title push, they are currently third behind Aberaeron and Cardigan, they do however have two games in hand over both. Every game is vital for the Blues now with bonus points very helpful too. St Davids and Neyland are much improved and the Saints especially are in excellent form of late.
Sport
Devonald’s hat-trick secures St Ishmaels’ dominant win over Herbrandston
Herbrandston 0 – St Ishmaels 6
BRENNAN DEVONALD delivered a masterclass as St Ishmaels thrashed Herbrandston 6-0, with the skipper leading from the front and scoring a stunning hat-trick. The comprehensive victory propels St Ishmaels to eighth in the league table, while Herbrandston remain rooted to the bottom without a single point.
The visitors asserted their dominance from the outset. Devonald opened the scoring in the 9th minute, latching onto a pinpoint assist from Owen Lawrence. He doubled their lead just before halftime in the 40th minute, again set up by Lawrence, giving St Ishmaels a comfortable cushion at the break.
St Ishmaels maintained their momentum in the second half, adding four more goals to cap off a stellar team performance. Adam Kingsbeer’s clever play set up Ieuan Hawkins for the third, before Tom Williams capitalised on another opportunity to make it 4-0. Devonald sealed his hat-trick in the 85th minute with an expertly taken goal, and Joel Mills added the finishing touch in the dying moments, courtesy of an assist from Sol Goodall.
Team line-ups
Herbrandston: Adrian Rees, Oliver Robinson, Ethan Chalker, Scott Findlay, Dean John (Captain), Harley Barrett, Gedion Hockin, Leon Whatling, Scott Gillespie, Cian Davenport. Subs: Leo Duncan, Jacob James, Nico Cockrell.
St Ishmaels: Owen Thomas, Sol Goodall, Owen Lawrence, Finley Armstrong, Brennan Devonald (Captain), Adam Kingsbeer, Ieuan Hawkins, Joel Mills, Tom Williams, Daniel Coe, Nathan Thomas. Subs: Max Howells, Tyler Sheil.
Sport
Dominant wins for Pembrokeshire sides in West Wales Intermediate Cup round 3
Goodwick United 7-0 Carew
Goodwick United put on a commanding performance with a 7-0 triumph over Carew. The home side proved too powerful for their opponents, with Rhys Dalling and Rhys Jones each bagging two goals. Matty Delaney, Will Haworth, and Daniel Bryce also got their names on the scoresheet. As one of Pembrokeshire’s top teams, Goodwick will aim to build on this dominant win as they progress to the next round.
Hakin United 13-0 Clydach Sports
Hakin United were in ruthless form as they dispatched Clydach Sports 13-0. Jack Britton led the charge with an impressive five-goal haul, while Liam Parks netted a hat-trick. Jack Griffiths, Jay Kilby, Kieran King, Justin Harding, and Mason Dolling all contributed to the comprehensive scoreline. Hakin, one of the premier teams in Pembrokeshire, will be keen to continue their pursuit of the cup after this emphatic victory.
Merlins Bridge 7-3 Treboeth United
Merlins Bridge secured a thrilling 7-3 victory over Treboeth United in an exciting encounter. Nathan Evans was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick, while Tom Jago, Jason Griffiths, Hayden Dimond, and Ashton Plunkett all found the back of the net. Treboeth’s Liam Manning, Cori Jones, and Matthew Colley fought valiantly but could not prevent the home side from taking the win. Merlins Bridge will be pleased with their attacking display and will look to build on this result.
Monkton Swifts 5-4 Clarbeston Road
In a dramatic local derby, Monkton Swifts edged out Clarbeston Road 5-4 in a high-scoring affair. Dylan Davies was the standout performer with four goals, and Liam Butland added another. Clarbeston Road fought hard with goals from Laurie Haworth, Matthew Davies, Greg Brown, and Ben John, but it was the Swifts who held on to secure the victory. Monkton will be happy to progress after such a closely contested match.
Neyland 1-2 Cwm Wanderers
Neyland were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Cwm Wanderers in a closely contested match. Ben Gale scored for Neyland, but goals from Joseff Shaw and Corey Raven-Sayce gave the visitors the edge. Despite a valiant effort from Neyland, Cwm Wanderers held firm to secure the win and advance to the next round.
Plough Colts 0-2 Pennar Robins
Pennar Robins comfortably saw off Plough Colts 2-0, with Kieran Smith and Jamie Wilkes scoring the goals. Pennar demonstrated their class and will look to carry this momentum forward into the next round.
Tenby 2-0 Blaen-y-Maes
Tenby continued their fine form with a 2-0 victory over Blaen-y-Maes. Sam Butler and Scott Ferney were on target for Tenby, who have been one of the most impressive sides this season. This win further cements Tenby’s status as one of the top contenders in the competition.
Analysis:
Pembrokeshire’s leading teams, Goodwick United and Hakin United, demonstrated their superiority with commanding wins, while Tenby showed their credentials with a solid 2-0 victory. With such dominant performances, Goodwick and Hakin are likely to be among the favourites to claim the title, with Tenby also emerging as a serious contender in this year’s West Wales Intermediate Cup.
Sport
Thrills and dominance: Narberth shine in 6-1 victory
Broad Haven 4-4 Solva
In an exhilarating, high-scoring encounter, Broad Haven played out a 4-4 draw with Solva. Marco Valentine netted twice for Broad Haven, with Owen Sheppard and Shane Howells also getting on the scoresheet. Solva responded through Josh Bland, who scored a hat-trick, and Lucas Price, ensuring the points were shared in this thrilling clash.
Camrose 1-3 Fishguard Sports
Fishguard Sports claimed a 3-1 victory over Camrose, with a clinical display of attacking play. Andrew John scored the only goal for Camrose, but Fishguard’s offensive strength proved overwhelming. Anthony Couzens, Luke Thomas, and Ieuan Llewellyn all found the net to guide their side to victory.
Carew II 0-2 Hakin United II
Hakin United II earned a solid 2-0 win over Carew II. Rowan Dixon and Tom Edmonds were the scorers for the visitors, with Carew struggling to break down Hakin’s defense. It was a well-executed performance that saw Hakin advance with all three points.
Johnston P-P Merlins Bridge II
The match between Johnston and Merlins Bridge II was postponed, with no further details available at the time of writing.
Lawrenny 1-6 Narberth
Narberth cruised to a commanding 6-1 victory over Lawrenny. Owen James scored the lone goal for Lawrenny, but Narberth’s attacking prowess was on full display as Steffan Williams scored twice, and Ashley Williams, Chris Brown, Conor Bowen, and Ryan Williams each found the back of the net in a comprehensive win.
Analysis:
The 14th December 2024 fixtures saw a blend of thrilling draws and dominant victories. Broad Haven and Solva shared the spoils in an action-packed 4-4 draw, while Fishguard Sports, Hakin United II, and Narberth all secured convincing wins. Narberth’s 6-1 triumph over Lawrenny was the standout result of the day, highlighting their attacking firepower.
-
Top News3 days ago
Pembrokeshire man jailed after repeatedly punching pregnant wife
-
Top News2 days ago
Police investigate dogs seen persistently chasing sheep on Pembrokeshire airfield
-
Entertainment6 days ago
Reef’s 30th Anniversary Tour hits Tenby in 2025
-
News6 days ago
Thai mother’s harrowing 999 call: “I felt like a robot, I felt twisted, I killed my son”
-
News3 days ago
Dyfed-Powys Police launches attempted murder investigation
-
Health7 days ago
As many as 100,000 people in Wales could have Long Covid
-
Crime7 days ago
Seventeen deaths at Parc Prison: Calls for action after MP inquiry
-
Community6 days ago
Man, 83, dies in property fire near Llanybydder