Throughout his footballing career, Narberth stalwart Wayne Howells has been described as many things, although it's doubtful he's been called complacent. He's a belligerent, uncompromising footballer who gives his all on the field; a player who many youngsters look up to; a player who is well respected throughout the county. So when he warns against complacency ahead of this weekend's Pembrokeshire Senior Cup Final against Hakin United, it's advisable that his team-mates take notice. Saturday's game will be Howells's third appearance in this showpiece event and he will be hoping for a positive result against the Vikings, especially as the last time he played at the Bridge Meadow, his team came off second best. That match was against the all-conquering Hakin United team which dominated the local football scene throughout the '90s and early years of the new millennium and Howells admits that the Bluebirds didn't really stand a chance of winning that game. The same could be said of his first appearance in a final against Merlins Bridge over 10 years ago. At the time, they were the kings of Pembrokeshire football and Narberth weren't really given a hope of winning. But win they did as the Jesse Road outfit battled hard for the 90 minutes of the contest. "We were the underdogs for that game, but we played well that day and deserved to get the win," he said. "Hakin aren't the force they used to be and many people are predicting a win for us, but I still feel it's a 50/50 game. I'm certainty not writing them off." Both sides will field a mixture of youth and experience, with 34-year-old Howells and 39-year- old defender Charlie Smith providing it for the Bluebirds, while Kristan Bennet, Michael Cooper and Gary Dawes will lead the way for their opponents. Both teams play with an attacking intent and Howells believes that the team which negates this better will come out on top: "The defence holds the key. Both teams play attacking football and the team that defends the best will win the game. If we play like we did against Monkton in the last round, we should do ok." Narberth were well on top in that game, leading 3 -1 at one stage, before the league champions stormed back to 3-2 and had an equalising goal disallowed with just minutes to go. Perhaps Barry Walters's men became complacent as the game went on and they should have learned from that experience. If they are to get anything from the game, then they will have to play for the full 90 minutes. They've certainly got the players to do it. Their defence is strong and the midfield quartet of Howells, Morgan Preece, Richard Nash and Raff Barnett is a match for any side If the league position is anything to go by, then they should be victorious, although they finished just one place above the Vikings in the final standings. At times throughout the campaign they have played with real purpose and no little skill and at others, they've let themselves down with some inconsistent performances. Win or lose, though, one thing is for sure, they're out to have a great day out, with Howells admitting he's looking forward to getting revenge for their 2002 defeat against Gary Dawes' team: "In years gone past we knew it was going to be tough against them, but I feel that we certainly have got a chance. "At the end of the day, though, it's all about a good day out and it's nice for some to get there. Charlie Smith is 39 and he's playing in his first one." At 39, it could be his first and final appearance in the Blue Riband event. Let's hope he has one to remember.
