Welsh Veterans Over 40s Cup:

Swansea University 40s 2
Hakin United 40s 3

Hakin United Over 40s made it through to the semi-finals of the Welsh Veteran’s Cup for the third successive year with a fantastic win away to Swansea University Over 40s on Sunday.

The Vikings have also twice been runners-up in their league during that time but didn’t get off to the best start on the morning of the match because five key players, including ace striker Paul Jones, cried off late with injuries sustained the previous day or through work commitments.
 

 Battling performance gets a good start

As a result they were forced to travel with only 12 players, with manager Gary Dawes as their only sub. But they made a bright start as Kristan Bennett and Richard Bland organised the defence well and there were some useful involvement via Gerrard Grey, Richard Perry and Mike Cooper - and led early on with Jonny James heading them in front for his first goal in the Viking Vets’ colours.

And although the home side soon levelled through Mark Thompson, a superb direct free kick from fully 25 metres by Leigh Walters made sure that Hakin restored their lead after Marc Devonald and Matthew Price had earlier been involved in the move.
 

Vital penalties decide the outcome in Vikings’ favour

Swansea struck again after the break to make it 2-2 after Bennett was adjudged to have conceded a penalty and from the following spot kick it was Kieran Davies who beat Jason ‘Bomber’ Morgan in the Vikings goal.

But then Marc Devonald had a shot which was handled on the line, meaning a red card for the home centre back, and man of the match Walters kept his cool to score the winner from the spot.

“It was an amazing performance by the boys against a very tough side,” said Hakin secretary Johnny Lewis. “Because of our unavoidable player shortage some of them had to play longer than we would have liked and Gary (Dawes) had to put in a late eight-minute cameo where he got in a couple of typical block-buster tackles without ever really touching the ball!”

The other three quarter finals between Penydarren and Hannon Old Boys, Ponthir and Nelson Cavaliers, and Trefelin BGC and Treowen Stars were all called off due to the weather - so Hakin will have to wait to know their fellow semi-finalists.

Hakin Over 40s: Jason Morgan, Richard Bland, Kristan Bennett, Adam Collins, Gerard Gray, Marc Devonald, Michael Cooper, Richard Perry, Leigh Walters, Jonny James, Matthew Price. Sub: Gary Dawes.