Sport
Clarby on the charge as Fox’s men impress once again
Hakin United 1 – 4 Clarbeston Road
CLARBESTON ROAD got off to a flying start to 2024 with a hard fought victory over top of the table Hakin at a very sticky Obs Ground. Hakin would have been looking to get the victory that would keep them at the top of the table, and would have been looking to avenge the defeat against Clarby earlier in the season in the Senior Cup. Matthew Fox’s team have been impressing all season, the cup win we deemed as a ‘shock’, it would be unfair to label this result a shock, Hakin would have been well aware of the visitors quality before kick off, however were unable to stop them.
Hakin started the brighter without creating anything clear cut but were the team in the ascendancy for the opening exchanges. However it was Clarby who then grew into the game and started to get the ball down and play. It was a route one ball that broke the deadlock. A long kick upfield from Clarby keeper Mansell evaded the Hakin defence, and Laurie Howarth, against his former club, was on hand to cut inside from the left of the box and unleash an unstoppable shot into the top right stanchion of Aldred’s goal. Buoyed by the goal, Clarby were on the front foot and when Ben John, who caused trouble for the Hakin defence all game., was brought down 25 yards from goal, up stepped Matthew “Chicken” Davies and he smashed his effort goal bound through the crowded box and into the roof of the Hakin net for a two nil lead.
Hakin, however, soon got a goal that got them back in it. A free kick down the hosts right was swung to the back post, and with the ball only half headed clear, Jordan Richards was on hand to thump home a side foot volley into the top left corner. This gave Hakin the lift they needed and they began to build pressure looking for the equaliser. Having some joy down the flanks, they then threw a number of good deliveries into the visitors box but the centre half pairing of Tom Withers and Sami Hurton held firm. Shane Walsh continued to probe and press down the Hakin right but it was Clarby defending resolutely looking to hit on the break.
It was the Hakin eagerness to press for an equaliser that opened up the game for Clarby in transition and it was Ben Rocky John who made most of the spaces being left. He picked up the ball wide right of the area, and his run beat a couple of Hakin defenders and he was able to stab the ball past Aldred to restore the 2 goal advantage which Clarby took into the break.
Understandably it was Hakin who came out after the break looking for an early goal. Resolute Clarby defending again meant that they held firm but Hakin were getting the chances and it was Mansell again on hand with a couple of great saves, one for a free kick from 20 yards and another from an acrobatic effort from substitute Ashley Bevan. Travis Jones was working hard in the Clarby midfield to keep Hakin at bay and limit chances to long range efforts.
As the game entered the last 20 minutes, with the next goal vital, it was Clarby that grabbed it. Again it was Ben John who managed to evade the challenges of Jay Power in the Hakin defence, and he was able to finish into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Clarby were then content to sit in and defend and were able to see out the game to take the win. In the final 10 minutes, Clarby rang the changes and 16 year old George Thomas entered the field for his Clarby debut, one I am sure he won’t forget.
Referee John Jenkins blew the whistle for full time and a well earned 4-1 Victory for the visitors. Having beaten Hakin twice this season already, the questions is are Clarby the up and coming challengers for Goodwick. Granted they may not quite be there yet, but the rate they are improving has not gone unnoticed and has impressed many throughout the county.
FISHGUARD will once again play host to the Wales Triathlon this summer, with hundreds of competitors set to descend on the town for the popular sporting event on Sunday, June 15.
Organised by Activity Wales Events, the triathlon includes a two-lap sea swim in Fishguard Bay, followed by a two-lap cycle from Fishguard to St Davids and a four-lap run along the Marine Walk and out onto the breakwater.
In order to facilitate the bike leg on closed roads, several road closures will be in place throughout the day.
Major road closures
The A487 between Goodwick and Mathry will be closed between 9:45am and 3:00pm.
Between Mathry and Croesgoch, the A487 will be closed from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and from Croesgoch to St Davids the closure will run from 10:00am until 2:45pm.
Crossing points will be in operation at Mathry crossroads, Croesgoch crossroads, and the Llangoffan to Granston junction. Diversions will be signposted, with local traffic routed via minor B roads and through Haverfordwest for longer journeys.
Town centre impact
In Fishguard, West Street will be closed between 12:00pm and 6:00pm for the running stage. Residents will still be able to exit side roads, with diversions clearly marked.
Goodwick residents will be able to exit the town via the Tesco roundabout, which will remain open all day.
Care access and course passes
Care workers will be allowed access to visit clients within the closed sections, but must obtain a course pass via their organisation in advance.
On the day, carers using the route must:
- Follow the direction of the race
- Display their pass clearly
- Keep hazard lights on at all times
- Exit the route as soon as safely possible
Further information
The event attracted over 1,000 athletes last year, and organisers anticipate another strong turnout.
More information can be found at: www.walestriathlon.com/athletes/event-info
Road closure details are available at: community.walestriathlon.com
For course pass enquiries, contact: info@activitywalesevents.com
All matches complete as season concludes
THE 2024/25 season of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known as The Friendly League – has now officially concluded, with all clubs completing their outstanding fixtures.
The past few weeks saw the following catch-up matches played:
- Carew 8–2 Llanteg
- St Johns 8–2 Cosheston
- Hundleton 8–2 Reynalton
- Reynalton 9–1 Lamphey
- Cosheston 10–0 Kilgetty
- East Williamston 9–1 Kilgetty
Final League Table (2024/25 Season)
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | S/D | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Williamston | 20 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 313 | 158 |
| 2 | St Johns | 20 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 111 | 122 |
| =3 | Carew | 20 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 105 | 111 |
| =3 | Cosheston | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 77 | 111 |
| 5 | Reynalton | 20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 28 | 104 |
| 6 | Hundleton | 20 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 74 | 97 |
| 7 | Llanteg | 20 | 7 | 1 | 12 | -71 | 92 |
| 8 | St Twynnells | 20 | 8 | 1 | 11 | -97 | 89 |
| 9 | Badgers | 20 | 6 | 1 | 13 | -22 | 82 |
| =10 | Lamphey | 20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | -179 | 67 |
| =10 | Kilgetty | 20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | -262 | 67 |
Congratulations to East Williamston, who finish the season as clear champions with an impressive 158 points and a shot difference of +313.
FORMAL plans to redevelop the grounds of one of the oldest football clubs in Wales – which includes a new 310-seater stand – have been submitted to the council.
Aberystwyth Town Football Club has submitted an application for the redevelopment of its grounds at Park Avenue Stadium, Aberystwyth.
A supporting statement from agent JMS Planning and Development says the proposal seeks “full planning permission for the demolition of the existing main stand and the creation of a new clubhouse, turnstile, changing rooms, business unit and improvements to the existing seated and standing terraces which will include new roof canopies and all associated works”.
The formal application follows an earlier public consultation.
It adds: “Aberystwyth Town Football Club is proudly one of the oldest football clubs in Wales, whereby the club was founded some 140 years ago in 1884. The club is one of the founding members of what is now known as the ‘Cymru Premier’, of which it is only one of two teams to have never been relegated since its inception in 1992.
“The men’s senior team is loyally supported by local community and has seen an increase in attendance over the past couple of years, reaching nearly 6,000 spectators over the year for the men’s team alone. A number of Cymru Premier matches are broadcast live from the ground each season on S4C and streamed online to a worldwide audience. The Football Association of Wales recently confirmed a new structure and strategy to the league with the aim of boosting its commercial profile, competitiveness, and fan interest both nationally and internationally.
“As a Premier European Division, clubs are provided the opportunity to qualify for UEFA competitions and compete across the Continent, whereby it is imperative that facilities and infrastructure across the country are developed to meet UEFA Licensing requirements. Should Aberystwyth Town qualify – or host other clubs’ European matches as has occurred in recent years – the redevelopment of the facilities at Park Avenue will enable Ceredigion to continue to host continental sporting events.”
It says Aberystwyth Town Football Club “is often called ‘home’ by a number of other teams in the region which rely on the club’s facilities and all-weather pitch for the provision of training sessions and matches”.
The scheme itself is the first phase of development, the second relating to residential development.
Of phase 1, it says: “The proposal seeks the construction of a new clubhouse and community facility, a 310-seater stand, replacement turnstile, ticketing office, roofs over existing seated and standing terraces, new primary and secondary changing room facilities, dedicated business/employment unit, with improvements to accessibility throughout the site, including the re-construction of a dedicated disabled viewing platform.”
It adds: “The scheme proposes vast improvements to the accessibility of the site by providing step-free access throughout the whole site, thus promoting an inclusive environment. Similarly, the scheme introduces improvements to a dedicated viewing platform for less-able bodied.”
It goes on to say: “The existing main stand and changing rooms are in a state of deterioration and require significant investment if required to serve the club for years in the future. Hence, modern and fit-for-purpose facilities are proposed to revitalise the site which will enhance the provision of the community facility, encourage the uptake of sports, and in-turn promote the health and well-being of a wide range of social groups in the local and regional area.
“The development also promotes equality and inclusivity for both male and female players and officials, who will benefit from segregated and modern changing facilities, in accordance with the requirements of the Football Association of Wales.”
The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
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