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Fourth Division Cup Final

 

Tom’s solitary strike earns

Johnston league and cup double

 

Johnston 2nds 1 – Carew 2nds 0

Tom Richards’ superb solitary second half goal earned Johnston 2nds a narrow cup victory over Carew 2nds at Monkton Lane.
At the final whistle there was cause for double celebration for Johnston 2nds, who have deservedly completed the league and cup double, much to the delight of their supporters. This entertaining cup tussle could have gone either way with both teams creating plenty of scoring chances.

Richards strikes

The only goal of the final came in the 56th minute when Johnston striker Richards struck with a superb effort. A well flighted cross by Liam Boswell from the left fell invitingly for Richards who fended off a tackler and fired a wicked shot into the top right hand corner.
Definitely staking a claim for the man of the match was Steve James, the veteran Johnston goalkeeper pulling off a string of stunning saves to deny frustrated Carew from finding the back of the net.

Superb penalty save

The first half was goalless despite both sides creating a host of chances. In the 24th minute Johnston were awarded a penalty when referee Jonathan Twigg spotted a handball in the box. But Carew goalkeeper Matthew Phillips pulled off a brilliant save at full stretch to deny skipper Mark Sture from opening the scoring.
A minute later and Sture nearly redeemed himself when he struck a direct free kick inches over the bar.
On 27 minutes and Tigers keeper James acrobatically pushed a powerful Johnny Lammin shot over the crossbar. Tom Richards struck a low drive wide and Ceri Brace squandered a good chance, the diminutive striker pulling his shot wide.
Eleven minutes after the break and Richards grabbed a stunning winner before keeper James rolled back the years as he made late brilliant saves to deny Carew’s James Hinchliffe, Tom Richards, Ceri Brace and Johnny Lammin.

Johnston 2nds: Steve James; Nigel Davies; Steve James (Jnr); Tom Sinton; Mark Sture; William Boswell; Francis Allen; Andrew Murray; Tom Richards; Adrian Moore. Substitutes: Liam Sheehan; Nicky Davies; Ben Locke.
Carew 2nds: Matthew Phillips; Ewan Neale; Sion Jenkins; Gareth Brown; Jonny Lammin; Lee Watkins; Ceri Brace; Jake Davies; Tom Richards; James Hinchliffe; Alex Bailey. Substitutes: Rhys Davies; Blayne Wherrett; Jamie Lewis.
Referee: Jonathan Twigg.
Assistants: Chris Stapleton & Colin Newbury.

Fourth official: Gareth Elliott.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTOS: Top to bottom.
Thrilled cup winners Johnston 2nds.
Gritty runners-up Carew 2nds.
Match officials Chris Stapleton, Jonathan Twigg, Colin Newberry & Gareth Elliott.
Johnston skipper Mark Sture and league chairman Colin Williams.
Man of the match, Steve James Snr.
Winning manager Steve James Jnr with chairman Colin Williams.

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures by Bill Carne of Pembrokeshiresport.co.uk