Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – 2023 Senior Cup Final

 
 


 

Goodwick United 5 – Monkton Swifts 1

 
Incredibly Rhys Jones scored four goals to set the tone for Goodwick United who comfortably defeated Monkton Swifts to lift the Senior Cup for the eighth time in their club’s history at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
 
This comprehensive victory earned Goodwick United a thoroughly deserved league and cup double much to the delight of manager Chris O’Sullivan in his first season in charge.
 
Starring for Goodwick was man-of-the-match Rhys Jones,  the midfielder who scored a terrific first half hat-trick, he also added a further goal in the second half with a stunning strike, asking the question as is he the only player to score four goals in a final? Well ironically, in 1981 cup final Monkton beat Goodwick 5-1 and a certain Kenny Lawrence bagged four goals for the Swifts that afternoon.
 
Goodwick beat Monkton twice in the league this season, won 5-0 at Phoenix Park in January and 3-1 at Monkton Lane earlier this month to clinch the title so it was third time lucky again for Chris O’Sullivan’s outfit.
 
Jones scored a stunning first half hat-trick sandwiched between a Scott Delaney header with Declan Carroll scoring for the Swifts who trailed 4-1 at the interval. After the break on fire Jones bagged his fourth of the afternoon with a stunning 25 yard belter, for the fifth as the Swifts’ Chris Jones was issued a late red card.
 
Swifts lost Thomas Powell early with what looked like a hamstring injury, he was replaced by Jason Finnegan.
 
Minutes later Goodwick’s right back Steven Dockerty struck an edge of the are shot over the crossbar.
 
In the ninth minute, The Phoenix lads got off to a good start as Jones struck the opener with a quality left footed finish, the midfielder was set up by Scott Delaney.
 
In the 15^th minute Goodwick doubled the lead, Luke Hayward’s corner was half cleared only for inspirational Jones’ deflected strike crashed into the back of the net.
 
Dominant Goodwick added a third just minutes later as skipper Scott Delaney headed home from close range, from a Haywood cross.
 
Chris Lloyd’s Swifts showed a response as they pulled one back as Ben Steele set-up Declan Carroll who drilled a low effort from just inside the box past James Gwilt.
 
Just before the interval Jonny Horgan’s cross from the left was met with a terrific first time finish by Jones which flew into the net via the post.
 
In the 59^th minute Jones scored a stunning fifth, the midfielder struck a vicious shot from 25 yards out which flew into the top corner despite keeper Tom Gullam getting a hand on it.
 
In the 82^nd minute the Swifts were reduced to ten men as centre back Ross Jones was issued a straight red card for hauling down Nathan Greene.
 
There were no further goals as Goodwick United showed their quality with a terrific performance to lift the cup, as Chris Lloyd’s Swifts can have no complaints at the final whistle with the outcome.
 
Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Steffan Hayes, Ben Adams (75’ Sion O’Sullivan), Steven Dockerty (83’ Kyle Smith), Scott Delaney (Captain), Luke Hayward, Rhys Jones (Kyle O’Sullivan), Jake Smith, Rhys Dalling (54’ Nathan Greene), Jonny Horgan, Will Haworth.
Substitute not used: Dean Hopson.
 
Monkton Swifts: Tom Gullam, Gareth Finnegan, Chris Richards (Captain), Jake Seaton, Rhys Jones, Martyn Carroll, Ben Steele, Thomas Powell (7’ Jason Finnegan – 55’ Paul Miller), Dylan Davies, Declan Carroll, Jamie Wilkes (67’ Blake James).
Substitutes not used: Billy Abrahams, Luke Phillips.




 
Referee: Sion Jenkins.
Assistants: Stefan Jenkins & Neill Crawshaw.
Fourth Official: Keith McNiffe.