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Senior Cup final

 

Woodrow hat-trick secures

cup glory and double for Vikings

 

Hakin United 4 - Haverfordwest County 1

Hakin United lived up to their favourites billing by thrashing Haverfordwest County to lift the Senior Cup and secure the double at a sun drenched Bridge Meadow Stadium.

The Vikings started slowly but by half time they led 3-0. Ashley Bevan opened the scoring and Nicky Woodrow added a quality brace and that basically shattered the Bluebirds’ cup dream. Woodrow completed a personal hat-trick late in the second period to seal cup glory for the Vikings. Substitute Dorian Davies scored a late consolation goal for Haverfordwest County.

Only a few minutes into the tussle and Hakin United goalkeeper Steven Hartley was yellow carded for handling the ball outside the area. Dai Badger could have sent him off, but the referee showed common sense with just a booking.
The Vikings were given an early scare when from the resulting free kick Craig George struck a low drive that was cleared off the line.

The Vikings went close to opening the scoring when Bluebirds’ goalkeeper James Manson pulled off a superb diving save to deny Paul ‘Jonah’ Jones.
But Hakin finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Ashley Bevan drove home from the left side of the box. Two minutes later and Nicky Woodrow cleverly lobbed Manson to give the Vikings a two-goal cushion.

Luke Robinson should have pulled a goal back when the striker was through on goal, but Hartley came quickly off his line and blocked the goal bound effort.
In the 36th minute the Vikings went three up when Woodrow headed home under pressure from Manson, the keeper really should not have come out for the cross that was supplied by James Stanmore.

In the second half the Vikings came close to adding to their tally, Steve Mathias’ long-range shot was palmed away by Manson, Michael Cooper’s final touch let him down in the box and also struck a low drive that came off both posts and unbelievably didn’t enter the net.
Woodrow added a hat trick goal in the 74th minute when the striker delightfully lifted the ball over Manson to put the cup final well and truly beyond the Bluebirds’ grasp despite Davies scoring with a 18 yard pile-driver, in a game that was a credit to both clubs, officials and their supporters.

Haverfordwest County: James Manson; Gethin Roberts; Andrew John; David Rees; Morgan Whittaker; Ricky Watts; Matthew Ellis; David Davies; Luke Robinson; Harry Allen; Craig George. Substitutes: Dorian Davies; Eddie Wiggins; Jonathan Bennett.

Hakin United: Steven Hartley; Leigh Marchant; Mathew Broome; Daniel Hart; Andrew Kingston; Nicky Woodrow; Paul Jones; Michael Cooper (Captain); Ashley Bevan; Steven Mathias; James Stanmore. Substitutes: Jamie Davies; Andrew Mathias; Ryan Wilson.

Referee: Dai Badger.
Assistants: Sean O’Connor &  Jeff Hurton.

Fourth official: Ian Baxter.

 

Photos: Hakin United (top to bottom) celebrate winning Senior Cup.

Hakin skipper Mike Cooper receives cup from Keith Scourfield.

Haverfordwest County line-up before kick off.

Match officials Sean O'Connor, Ian Baxter, Dai Badger & Jeff Hurton.

Pictures by Bill Carne of Pembrokeshiresport.co.uk