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Eddie Merry Cup Final:

Vikings slam 12 past struggling Sports

Fishguard Sports 0 Hakin United 12

Referee: Sean O’Connor   

Assistants: Kevin Bowen & Mark Cole

Venue: St Mary’s Field, Fishguard

Hakin United were worthy winners of the Eddie Merry Memorial Cup Final as they took on a gritty Fishguard Sports side playing on their home pitch but finding it hard to compete against the higher skill levels of Gary Dawes’ League and Senior Cup-winning side of last season.

The Sports played in the final because Tenby were disappointingly unable to field a team for the semi-final, whilst The Vikings showed the strength of their squad with a 3-1 success over Cardiganshire League champions New Quay.

Sports battle hard

The Vikings were unable to break down a spirited Sports’ defence in the opening 20 minutes but once Paul Jones had given them the lead with a clever little overhead kick it was only a matter of time as they established a 4-0 interval lead and were able to score almost at will afterwards as Ashley Bevan and sub Jonty Bennett scored hat-tricks.

The Sports did have a great shot from Jamie Vaughan which Adrian Devonald pushed around his right hand post but for much of the match they were on the back foot as the Vikings used the skills of Steve Mathias, Ashley Bevan and Jamie Harding to create a host of chances. Andrew Kingston netted with a good header and Bevan scored before the break as Ricky Bowen and Steve James used their experience to marshal the home defence.

Flood gates open

But the flood gates opened in the second period and as well as three apiece for Bevan and sub Jonty Bennett there were other goals by Mathias, plus Jamie and Justin Harding to complete the scoring as referee Sean O’Connor sensibly called an early halt.

The presentation ceremony was undertaken by Fishguard Sports’ stalwart Colin George, with Howard ‘Hoss’ Davies, who had reffed most of the previous finals, as guest of honour to present the medals to both teams and officials – and the Eddie Merry Trophy to Hakin skipper Ewan Findlay.

Fishguard Sports: Dave Williams: Nigel Wilmot; Steve James; Steve Jones; Blaire John; Ricky Bowen; Nigel Badland; Nathan Hunt; Jamie Vaughan; Johnny Williams; Arwel Thomas. Subs: Liam Barrett; Sion Jones; Nathan Morris.

Hakin United: Adrian Devonald; Kieran Randall; Andrew Kingston; Scott Davies; Ewan Findlay; Paul Jones; Ryan Wilson; Ashley Bevan; Steve Mathias; Jamie Harding. Subs: Jonty Bennett; Justin Harding, Tristan Carlson.