WWFA Intermediate Cup - Third Round
Gors Inn v Tenby
Match postponed
Narberth 3 Ragged School 3
A late goal scored by Kift for the visitors pushed this cup match into extra-time, during which the referee abandoned the game following a serious injury to a Ragged School player. Narberth had the edge for most of the match and opened the scoring after seven minutes with a goal created by Morgan Preece. After a dazzling run, Preece crossed the ball to David Gillard, who slipped the ball to Raff Barnett to score. The visitors equalised 10 minutes later, but the Bluebirds regained the lead with a terrific goal by David Gillard. The Bluebirds' striker ran on to a through ball from Wayne Howells and beat three defenders before scoring. Early in the second half, Dickson scored for the Swansea League team. Both teams continued to attack wherever possible and created a number of chances, before Marc Hughes positioned himself well at the far post to score from a corner. In the lead once more, the Bluebirds looked comfortable, but a breakaway goal by Kift gave Ragged School a breather and the match went into extra-time. Unfortunately, the injury to one of the Ragged School players held up play until an ambulance arrived and poor light resulted in the play coming to an end and the teams will do battle again at Jesse Road tomorrow. It was a good all-round team performance by the Bluebirds. David Gillard was on the top of his game, especially in the first half, Grant James and Raff Barnett had key roles in midfield and Richard Henton was sound at the back. Unfortunately for Narberth, Raff Barnett and Grant James picked up injuries and may have to miss the replay.
Division One
Carew 2 Hakin United 5
Manager Gerald Hicks was forced to adopt a three- five-two formation against top-of-the-table Hakin United. The young Vikings team displayed some excellent passing and took the lead after 10 minutes when a swift counter-attack resulted in a cross from the right which was driven home from 12 yards by Steve Mathias, despite 'keeper Ian Kerrison's vain attempt to save it. Hakin continued to be on top and scored two further goals before half-time when striker Jonathan Fawcett was allowed too much time and space and buried each chance with two cool finishes. It was soon four-nil straight after half-time when Aaron Owens scored with a powerful shot. The Rooks kept going and were rewarded when a handball resulted in a penalty being awarded. Carl Wainwright made no mistake and moments later made it four two with his second goal when he fired home after a long ball over the top caught out the visiting defence. However, the Vikings' three-goal cushion was soon restored when Gary Dawes bundled the ball home from a corner with 15 minutes to go. Carl Wainwright blazed over and Kristan Bennett hit the bar for Hakin in the final few moments, but there were no more goals by either team and Carew could have little complaints with the result after being outplayed by the vibrant Vikings. It is back to the drawing board for manager Hicks, and the worrying aspect for Carew is that apart from Ian Kerrison in goal and Richard Bullock (who hustled and bustled up front), the performances of the other Rooks can only be described as below par.
Division Two
Kilgetty 4 Solva 4
This result and the performance generally will have given the Kilgetty team management and players a big boost for the remainder of the league campaign. Nick Cope put Kilgetty in front after 20 minutes when he ran onto a long ball over the top. As Cope received the ball, the Solva 'keeper came out and Cope's shot hit the 'keeper to fly into the air. The talented teenager followed up and volleyed the ball home from the side of the Solva 'keeper. The visitors fought back with a run down the left by Nathan Davies, who broke two tackles before equalising for the visitors . At the start of the second half, the Solva team were on top. After five minutes, a header by Will Chant from a corner put the visitors in the lead and Nathan Davies extended the lead with a stunning free-kick scored from 25 yards. It was now Kilgetty's turn to come back into the match, which turned out to be a ding-dong struggle. Jack Bevan nipped in quickly when a corner was taken and got a foot on the ball to score and then a well-placed volley by Nick Cope, following a clever chip by Barry Ormond, resulted in the scores drawing level again. With ten minutes of the match remaining, Nathan Davies claimed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, but with just five minutes left, a free-kick taken by Geoff Marsh was flicked on by Craig Hurst and Anthony Bevan equalised with yet another volley. The closing stages were very exciting. Kilgetty broke away and Nick Cope squared the ball to Craig Hurst. Although the shot by Hurst was blocked, the ball broke loose to Barry Ormond, whose shot was cleared from the line. From the subsequent corner, Solva broke away and a superb sliding tackle by Geoff Marsh saved a certain goal. For Kilgetty, there were good performances by Tony Hill at right back, together with Geoff Marsh and Jack Bevan in midfield. Commenting after the match, manager Andrew Cope said: "This was an excellent performance by the Kilgetty players. It could be argued that we deserved three points for the pressure we put Solva under, especially in the second half. However, upon reflection, we were happy to settle for a draw and hope to keep the momentum going over the next few weeks to start moving up the table." Prendergast v St. Clears
Match postponed
Haverfordwest County 1 Saundersfoot Sports 6
Saundersfoot Sports had an unexpected win against division two leaders Haverfordwest County. On a day when everything clicked for the Saundersfoot team, the visitors dominated possession and converted chances into goals. Tom Davies opened the scoring after picking up a cross from Darren Umanee. The visitors increased the lead with a goal by Jamie Morgan, who was the recipient of a precision cross by Tom Davies. Haverfordwest clawed a goal back when the ball was deflected into the back of the net from a Saundersfoot player, but Sports soon re- established their two-goal lead when Danny Caine scored with a header from a corner. Shortly before the interval, Danny Caine picked up his second goal after beating two defenders in the box. Although Sports could not keep up the rate of scoring, the visitors were on top throughout the second half. Danny Caine completed a fine hat-trick from a free-kick and with six minutes of the match remaining, Duane Rossiter made it six for the visitors. It was a top quality all-round team performance by Saundersfoot, who have games in hand on the division two leaders and on this form are capable of challenging for promotion.
Division Three
Lamphey 2 Manorbier United 5
Manorbier travelled the short distance to Lamphey for this local derby, having previously beaten them twice this season, but were not taking their opposition for granted because of their recent improvement in form. Indeed, this match was to prove a close encounter until the final stages. It was the home team who started the more lively outfit and within 10 minutes a fine header by Wemyss from a corner gave Lamphey the lead. Manorbier responded with some lovely passing moves and equalised midway through the first half with a superb left-foot strike from Sam Reeve. More passing and movement enabled the visitors to take the lead when a pitch-long move saw Paul Maytum give Josh Hawkes the chance to make it two-one at the break. Lamphey responded well in the second half and drew level following a move down the right-hand side. The ball was crossed to Neil Griffiths, who scored from close range with a simple tap-in. Lamphey then had a player dismissed for a two- footed challenge. However, Lamphey deserved credit for putting up such a strong defensive resistance until the last 10 minutes. The resistance was broken when continued Manorbier pressure on goal was finally rewarded when 'Mr Dependable' Paul Maytum struck the ball past the 'keeper from 10 yards. A penalty led to captain Ben Hall scoring the fourth goal for Manorbier and Mike Ryder came on as substitute to score in injury time with a well-taken goal. For the visitors, Adam Thorne and Rob Vincent dazzled in midfield and Mike Brown commanded his goal with great authority.
Broad Haven v Lawrenny
Match postponed
Reserve Cup First Round
Lawrenny 4 St. Clears 3
This exciting cup tie was played at a tremendous pace, produced seven goals and the result was in doubt until the final whistle. Lawrenny opened the scoring with a penalty by Barry Phillips after half-an-hour when Rhys Jenkins was brought down in the box. The Lawrenny lead was extended with a left-footed shot by John Beff from the edge of the box when the Saints failed to clear a corner and Ed Merriman set up the attacking opportunity for Beff. In the second half, the Saints fought back with a goal by Anthony Howells from a corner, but then had a player red-carded. For a short time, Lawrenny were able to take advantage of the extra player and following good work by Tom Lewis, Rhys Jenkins scored the third goal for Lawrenny and Paul Brooks outpaced the covering defence on the left, to score with a left- footed shot. Facing a deficit of three goals, the Saints came back strongly in the least quarter-of-an-hour. A quite brilliant goal by the experienced Bernie Lewis from a free-kick reduced the deficit and then Lewis positioned himself cleverly on the far post and was unmarked to finish off a breakaway movement for the Saints. In the last few minutes, Lawrenny were forced to defend desperately to hold on to the lead, but managed to book a place in the next round of the competition. For the Saints, there were good performances by Bernie Lewis in midfield and Anthony Howells at fullback. Some of the younger players did well for Lawrenny, with striker Rhys Jenkins causing problems for the St. Clears defence, Tom Lewis was composed in midfield and Ed Merriman a steadying influence at the back.
Pendine v Merlins Bridge
Match postponed
Saundersfoot Sports 3 Johnston 8
Although Johnston are struggling at the foot of Reserve Division One, the visitors found their touch in this match against Saundersfoot, who have kept in touch with the Reserve Division Two leaders this season. Andrew Spencer netted twice for Sports, supplemented by a goal from Luke Wallace. Unfortunately for the home team, it was not enough. Martin James scored a hat-trick for the visitors, Brett James found the back of the net on two occasions and the other goals came from Phil Bevan, Darren Skelhorn and Gavin Preece. Tenby 2 Carew 4
The re arranged cup tie, due to last week's snow, was to be as fiercely contested as always between the local rivals, and the spectators were not to be disappointed. As the teams faced up, it was Tenby who shocked the visitors in the first minute when a through ball split the Carew defence. The pace of the home team's strike force left 'keeper Matthew Phillips picking himself from the mud and the ball from the net, after Jamie Robinson opened the scoring. The first time Carew touched the ball was at the restart. Shortly after the kick-off, Tenby's influential Paul Evans was injured after an accidental clash with Russell Knox. His departure resulted in Tenby missing his experience. Within a minute of play restarting, Carew were awarded a free-kick just outside the Tenby box. The ball was laid off by Barry Evans and drilled into the net by Wayne Cannon. Shortly after the restart, some quick interplay between Scourfield, Roberts and Cannon resulted in a fine finish by Lee Watkins for Carew. It was a remarkable opening 15 minutes and it was not over yet. Again the pace of the Tenby strikers ripped a hole in the Carew defence for Dean Evans to slot home the equaliser. The remainder of the first half was equally frantic, with sharp exchanges of play, but no further goals. At half-time, the two teams huddled in their respective groups to discuss how to break the deadlock in the second half. One thing was for sure, if the second half was played in the same spirit as the first, the spectators would continue to be entertained. From the restart, a series of hard challenges saw the encounter continue with neither Carew nor Tenby prepared to roll over and throw in the towel. The difference between the two teams was that man Wayne 'Tommy' Cannon, whose individual skill skipping past the home team's defence saw him net a further two delightfully taken goals, and his much-deserved hat-trick. Not for one moment did Tenby think the tie was beyond them, and they were unlucky on a number of occasions not to have brought the scores closer. Lewis Hurlow pulled off some excellent saves to prevent Carew scoring any more goals. Tenby can take heart from the game, and if they can replicate that form in the league, it is only a matter of time before they rise back to division one. Undoubtedly the man of the match, Wayne Cannon went home with the Champagne!
Reserve Division One
Hakin United v Kilgetty
Match postponed
Reserve Division Two
Manorbier United 3 Prendergast Villa 7
Manorbier entertained Prendergast, who they had beaten the previous week in the Reserve Cup. However, the visitors were to exact revenge on the home side in an emphatic manner. Manorbier battled for periods in this match, but conceded seven goals. For the home side, Richard Scott scored first after coming on as substitute, Ade Atwell scored the second with a fine solo run, and the influential Simon Bolton scored a deserved third with a superb strike.