West Wales Intermediate Cup Round 2:

 

Goodwick United 9 - Monkton Swifts 0

 
A hat-trick by talented front man Jordan Griffiths helped Goodwick United to a comprehensive victory over a depleted Monkton Swifts team, who never gave up trying and played some neat football, especially in the first half as they had half chances but were shut down well by Scott Delaney’s defence, writes Bill Carne.
 
The Swifts had to make seven changes from the previous week and their cause wasn’t helped when influential player/manager Jimmy Russell departed with two yellow cards towards the end of the first period, and Wayne O’Sullivan’s in-form team was already 4-0 ahead.
 
But they can take some small consolation for the neat touches shown up front by Jake Clarke, Dylan Davies, whilst brothers Josh and Chris Richards battled hard in defence – and 16 year old keeper Taylor Gullam deserves a mention for the saves he made that stopped Goodwick reaching double figures.




 

Early writing on The Swifts’ wall

 
The writing was on the wall from the time they conceded two early corners and from the second, taken by Johnny Horgan it was Luke Hayward who touched the ball home – and Dan James added a second after his first effort was well saved but he was able to nod home the rebound.
 
The Swifts fought hard but found Kyle Marsh and his back four of Sean O’Sullivan, Delaney, Jordan Thomas and Steff Hayes in no mood to gift any goals and The Phoenix park Men added further goals by Rhys Dalling, who touched home a near-post low cross from Griffiths, and then a Griffiths’ strike after Russell had departed, with the Swifts’ players appealing for offside.
 
The second half followed a similar pattern as The Swifts kept plugging away but unable to stop Goodwick raids on their defence which saw Jordan Griffiths complete his hat-trick, plus a second by Dalling and two by substitute Rob Morgans.



 
Manager’s Quotes:
 
Wayne O’Sullivan (Goodwick United:
“We really respect The Swifts as a club and although we were on top soon after the start I kept telling our team to keep focussed and not let them back into the game. I was pleased with our discipline, work-rate and good use of the ball – and we can look forward to the next round now, hopefully with another home draw.”
 
Jimmy Russell (Monkton Swifts):
“We knew we were up against it against a very good team because we were without so many experienced players but I can’t criticise anyone’s efforts since everyone battled hard. Taylor Gullam is only 16 and is going to be a very good keeper and our captain Chris Richards and his brother Josh battled hard at the back, especially after I had my second yellow card.

“I have no complaints about my cards and I thank the players for their support before, during and after the game.”
 
Goodwick United: Kyle Marsh, Steff Hayes, Sean O’Sullivan, Jordan Thomas, Scott. Delaney, Luke Hayward, Rhys Dalling, Keiran O’Brien, Dan James, Jordan Griffiths, Jonathan Horgan. Subs: James Gwilt, Shaun Dockerty, Rob Morgans, Nathan Greene, James Bryan.
Monkton Swifts: Taylor Gullam, Ryan Eynon, Gareth Finnegan, Josh Richards, Jimmy Russell, Chris Richards, Jack Clarke, Dylan Davies, Jimmy Wilkes, Tom Powell Sub: Stuart James.
Referee: Craig Templeton (Who had a good game with his quiet, but firm control.)