2019 Senior Cup Final Snippets by Bill Carne

Great family day

As expected it was a real family day as wives and girlfriends, children, mums and dads flocked to watch from both Carew and Merlins Bridge.

Congratulations to the Management Committee of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League on a superbly-organised day – and didn’t they look smart in their blazers and ties?  Well done also for the quality of the match programme as a fitting memento for players and supporters. We loved the features on the five divisions some 30 years ago and the Senior Cup as well. Respective club chairmen Alan Brindley (Carew) and Dekker Thomas (Merlins Bridge) played in the final against each other 40 years ago, although Alan was with Kilgetty!

Learning experience for a novice executive committee member

There was one exception to the committee’s sartorial splendour, however, who popped in to their half time light refreshments area and was promptly asked to leave because he was dressed in his tee shirts and shorts, unlike the rest. He patiently explained that he was on the committee but it took verification from a member of the press and a senior member before he was allowed to stay. Never mind, buddie, it’s all about a learning process as you join the county’s hierarchy!

Referee Tom has a great day

Congratulations to referee Tom Bevan for the way he controlled play with his usual quiet, calm authority, linking well with assistants Sean O’Connor and Gareth Elliott alongside James Olyott as fourth official after being in the middle last season. Well done to Gareth because he showed his genuine enthusiasm as he stepped in at short notice after Helmut Reinhardt was sadly unavailable.

Previous Successes:

Prior to this tussle, Merlins Bridge had been Senior Cup winners on eight occasions, with Carew having lifted the coveted silverware four times.

Goals Galore in build up to the big day:

In previous rounds Carew scored 16 goals and conceded for from as many matches, with their toughest opponents being Johnston and Pennar Robins – whilst Merlins Bridge scored 21 goals and conceded only three, despite meeting other ‘Big Guns’ in Hakin United and Monkton Swifts.

Top Scorers:

Adam Hawkins undoubtedly topped The Wizards’ goal scoring with eight goals, followed by Nathan Green (4) and a brace apiece from Joe Leahy, Jordan Thomas and Ashley Beck. For The Rooks there were five apiece from Jordan Richards and Scott Ferney, whilst Lloyd Hughes and Shaun Whitfield both found the net twice.

Joe receives the match ball

Congratulations to Joe Leahy on being adjudged ‘Man of the Match’ and, as tradition demands, received the match ball, which as usual was sponsored by Mark White, of Ocky White Travel Ltd. The ball was presented by Chris Tansey of Manderwood, main sponsors of the Pembrokeshire Football League.

 

Ace tipsters in Wayne and Micky

Half of the managers and officials’ predictions were for Carew and the same number for Merlins Bridge – but only two got the score right as well. Goodwick United’s boss Wayne O’Sullivan was spot on as was Micky Phillips, who is always the only member of the county committee courageous enough to have a go. So well done you too – take a bow!

Terrific hosts and a fantastic pitch

Terrific hosts were Haverfordwest County, whose pitch looked in great shape thanks to a great deal of hard work from Kevin, Alan and Ben, with club chairman David Hughes as the overseer who was actually at the club by 8.00am, making sure that all the advertising hoardings were in place.

Food and drink on offer – and the chance to support a great cause

There was food and drink of all sorts and also the chance to sponsor club worker Wyndham Williams on a 300 mile cycle ride to help Prostate Cancer.

Wizard Dai shows true grit

That Merlin’s Bridge midfielder Dai Davies lasted 80+ of the 90 minutes  was good in itself sine he never stopped running – but ten days before he was very ill with a virus infection that had doctors considering the possibility of meningitis or mumps.  But he was determined to play and added to his considerable medal haul in football and cricket.

Hon Sec Brian leads the way

Another nice tradition was followed as both teams and officials were led out onto the pitch by Brian Hawkins, the Hon Sec of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire League, before they were presented to Mrs Rowena Lloyd, the league president, and Mr Chris Tansey, of Manderwood Timber Engineering Ltd, who are great sponsors as Mr Jimmy Yeomans is also involved and in attendance.

Two teams meet again at The Liberty

So now both clubs will start thinking about their next confrontation for The West Wales Cup at The Liberty Stadium – an historic occasion since it is the first time two Pembrokeshire teas have clashed on the big day.

Well done The Rooks

And finally, a word of praise for runners-up Carew, who showed what a classy side they are, on and off the field. Under the guidance of Rob Scourfield and Jeremy Griffiths they have grown in stature over recent seasons and there was no sloping off after the game as they stayed at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium to share a few drinks and a chat with their opponents.