2025 Fifth Division Cup Final - Solva 2nds win tight final against St Clears 2nds

2025 Fifth Division Cup final:
 
 

Solva win tight final against Saints thanks to Monty’s last gasp header

Solva 2nds 1 - St Clears 2nds 0

A last-minute header from Monty Lavin secured Fifth Division Cup glory for Solva 2nds as they came through the tightest of finals with St Clears 2nds, writes Fraser Watson.
 
A stagnated affair at The Obs seemed destined for extra time as the clock clicked into the 89th minute before a scramble in the area ended with Lavin nodding home past Saints keeper Ashley Holland.
 
It settled a clash which had seen both sides miss chances, with St Clears nearly going ahead after a minute after Steve Trivett latched onto Paul Langdon’s flick-on but was denied by Solva keeper Adan Phillips.
 
At the other end, Lavin had a low shot pushed away by Holland before Michael Hussey hammered against the bar from close range.
 
In the final seconds of the half St Clears then had a big chance to go into the interval ahead when Cian Rees found space in the area, but from point blank range, volleyed over with his left foot.
 
Early in the second half and Reed was again denied when clean through by the onrushing Phillips, and the Saints threatened again when Leon Steele’s header came back off the bar.
 
As the contest wore on, both sides looked to go direct as they tried to fashion a winner, and it was Solva who did more of the late pressing. Luke Jones poked an effort straight at Holland before Billy Clift, a threat all night out wide, saw his close-range shot blocked.
 
Then, with time running out, Solva substitute Cameron Thomas broke into the area - and after his effort was saved by Holland, Joe Shaw nearly turned in the rebound before the ball deflected into the air and Lavin’s downward header finally broke the deadlock.
 
David Price’s side then came through a frantic final few moments as Steele sent a last-ditch free-kick just wide off the post, before the final whistle signalled jubilant scenes amongst the Sovla players and travelling support as they celebrated a cup win to go with promotion to Division Four.
 
“St Clears that showed up tonight, it was a tough game that could have gone either way,” said Solva manager David Price afterwards. “But the boys dug deep. The experience coming off the bench made a difference, and they are a brilliant group. Job done.
 
This club has had some great teams and come close in cup finals, but in the last few years never been able to get over the line. But with the experience and the youngsters we’ve got this year, we knew we could do something.”
 
Solva 2nds: Adam Phillips, Michael Hussey, Luke Mason (Miles Hughes 70), Mark Evans (Cameron Thomas 57), Andrew Lamb (Gareth Thomas 86), Olly Hall (Joe Shaw 64), Ben Jones, Luke Jones, Billy Clift, Craig Challonder (Oliver Bullimore 51), Monty Lavin. 
 
St Clears 2nds: Ashley Holland, Rob Couzens, Leon Steele, Kieron Jennings (Kyle Cullen 56), Barry Meredith, Cian Rees (Grant Holland 90), Charlie Tatton-Carter, Steve Trivett, Lewis Langdon, Liam Morley-Trivett, Paul Langdon (Joel Evans 66). Subs not used: Jack Jenkins, Kai Chapman.
 
Referee: Dean Driscoll.
 
Assistants: Helmut Reinhardt, James O’Connor.
 
Fourth official: Steve Williams.