Senior Cup Semi-Final:

 
 

Carew 2 - Kilgetty 4

 
Referee: Roy Boswell, who had a good game with his quiet, but firm control.
Assistants: Neill Crawshay & James Olyott.
Fourth Official: Steve Williams.
Venue: Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest.
 
Kilgetty reached their first Senior Cup Final in 43 years as they shrugged off their title of underdogs to show why they are hot favourites to gain promotion from division two as they deservedly beat a Carew side sitting comfortably in third place in the top echelon but unable to fend off the strong challenge from Robbie ‘Boxer’ Beynon’s eager side.
 
And the game was decided in five minutes of madness from the 76^th to the 80^th minutes as the teams were locked at 1-apiece and with the prospect of extra time a possibility – when Kilgetty grabbed three goals in quick succession and Carew responded immediately but any hopes of a late comeback were thwarted by yeoman work at the back by Ben Evans and his back four.
 
Quiet first half ends all square
 
To be honest, the first half didn’t quite live up to expectations on the wide open spaces of The Bridge Meadow Stadium as both teams forsook their normal smooth-passing game and opted for long balls down the middle which didn’t bring long periods of pressure from either side.
 
But Carew eventually took the lead after 15 minutes when midfielders Iwan Izzard and Max Brindley were involved in the build-up and striker Adam Muskett showed his ability to find the net with a low drive from near the penalty spot that found the far corner.
 
Kilgetty refused to buckle however as Rhys Hewson, Callum Proctor and Richard Cope caught the eye – and Lloyd Hughes used his wicked left boot to good effect as he swung in a corner from the right that flew past the Carew defence and keeper James Harries into the far top corner.
 
Carew had a series of corners which ended with skipper Sean Whitfield firing over the bar and at the other end a route one ball down the middle saw Kilgetty front man Henry Lawrence only just fail to get enough headed contact – and a second Hughes’ corner only just missed flying into the net before it was scrambled clear as the interval came with the teams still locked in a tense draw.



 

Carew miss a golden chance – Kilgetty grab three goals in four minutes!

 
Both sides had half chances in the third quarter, none more so then when a superb left-flank cross by Carew’s Morgan Scourfield was somehow scrambled clear by Owain Coombs and then Adam Muskett rattled the cross bar when he found space on the six-yard line when a goal looked absolutely on the cards in a good period for The Rooks.
 
It looked as if we might need extra time but all that changed from the 76^th minute when Kilgetty were awarded a free kick for a clumsy tackle just outside the box and perfectly placed for Hughes’ power – and h didn’t disappoint the Kilgetty fans as he smashed it into the far corner.
 
But the drama didn’t end there because 16 year old Oscar Miles, on a substitute, was perfectly placed a minute later after Hughes had done well to get behind a defender and in the goalmouth melee the teenager headed home with calm assurance.
 
Just 60 seconds later and the game was all over bar the shouting in another goalmouth scramble and when the ball bobbled about precariously near the Carew goal Miles back-heeled it home from two yards – and suddenly it was 4-1 to the underdogs!
 
Carew deserve credit for the fact that they replied immediately when a Phillips’ cross was headed past Evans and they pressed forward in a final desperate attempt to claw their way back, bring on fresh legs and going close when James Hinchliffe headed inches wide but it was Kilgetty’s night and even the most ardent Carew fan would surely say it was no more than they deserved.
 
Quotes:
Robbie ‘Boxer’ Beynon (Kilgetty manager):
“Of course we are over the moon to reach the final because our main target this season is to get back into Division One, which we are on target for as the boys have played consistently well. Getting to the Senior Cup Final after all this time is the icing on our cake and we will give 100% to winning it and it will be a great day out for our brilliant supporters.”     
 
A Carew midfielder:
“To be honest this was the worst we’ve played all season and gave the ball away too often when we should have been playing it along the ground instead of using the long ball. It is very disappointing but that’s football and now we have to get on doing our best in the league – but I wish Kilgetty the best of luck in the final because they were the better team on the night!”
 
 
Carew: James Harries, Shaun Whitfield (Captain), Zac Rowell, Gary Lewis, Max Brindley, Iwan Izzard, Adam Muskett, Spencer Williams, Curtis Hurlow (77, Sam Christopher), Morgan Scourfield (80, James Hinchliffe), Sonny Phillips.
Substitutes not used: Archie Smith, Scott Richards.
Managers: Robert Scourfield & Jeremy Griffiths
 
Kilgetty: Ben Evans, Tom Baker (59, Oscar Miles), Jake Proctor, Rhys Hewson, Sam Lewis, Owain Coombs, Lloyd Hughes, Callum Proctor (71, Ross Hurst), Henry Lawrence (86, Richard Tebbutt), Josh Bevan (Captain) (81, Oliver Griffiths), Richard Cope.
Substitute not used: Carl Gwyther.
Managers: Robbie ‘Boxer’ Beynon & Kristian Phillips
 
Goal scorers
Carew: Adam Muskett 15 & 80 mins.
Kilgetty: Lloyd Hughes 25 & 76 mins; Oscar Miles 77 & 79 mins.