Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – Division 2 Cup Final

 
 

Johnston 3 – Monkton Swifts 2nds 2

 
The father and son combination of Scott and Alfie Crawford starred for  Johnston who thoroughly deserved cup victory against Monkton Swifts’ 2nds under lights with a good crowd at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on Wednesday evening.
 
In a pulsating final it was the Tigers who took the lead through an early Craig Bendall header, minutes later Will Davis equalised for the Swifts, but again Johnston regained the lead as Scott Crawford found the back of the net as they led 2-1 at the interval. Midway through the second period Jordan Kilby equalised with a dipping long range effort, but minutes later 16 year old Alfie Stotter latched onto his dad Scott’s clever through ball as he coolly lobbed Jay Kilby to secure the silverware for the Tigers.
 
The Swifts’ second string came into this final as the Division 2 league champions and were hoping for a league and cup double, during the season they had beaten the Tigers twice, with a 4-2 score line both home and away.
 
The Swifts found the back of the net early but it was disallowed for offside as Josh Sture broke clean through and slotted past goalkeeper Anthony Bevans.
 
However, it was the Tigers who opened the scoring as Kieran Blundell’s free kick was curled in invitingly for Craig Bendall who planted his far post header into the back of the net.
 
The Swifts hit back immediately as Will Davies was given far too much in the six yard box as he punished the Tigers with an excellently struck close range finish to level matters.
 
The Tigers regained the lead again as the lively Blundell assisted with an excellent long ball  to Alfie Crawford on the right, the latter cut in beat his defender and unselfishly set-up his father Scott who back heeled from inside the six yard box.
 
Alfie Crawford came close to adding a third as he was teed up by skipper Joey George, but the teenager hurried as he blasted his effort wide, had he showed a bit more composure the youngster might have found the target.
 
Just before half time Blundell struck an 18 yard direct free kick wide as the score read 2-1 to the Tigers at the break.
 
The second half became scrappy as both teams were finding the going hard on the big Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
 
The vastly experienced Ben Steele replaced Josh Sture as the Swifts looked to find an equaliser, but it was the Tigers who came close to adding a third as Alfie Crawford saw his close range effort blocked.
 
The Swifts equalised in the 70^th minute as Jordan Kilby looped a long range shot past Bevans which put his team right back in the game.
 
The Tigers quickly regained the lead as the father and son combination worked their magic again as Scott  cleverly played in Alfie who neatly lobbed the advancing Swifts’ goalkeeper Jay Kilby.
 
At the final whistle there was a big roar from the Tigers fans as the Swifts just came up short. Tigers skipper Joey George received the silverware from Pembrokeshire Football League chairman Mike John.
 
Johnston: Anthony Bevans, Geno Cleal, Marcus Allen, Lewis Boswell (Kieran Walker 70’), Craig Bendall, Kieran Blundell, Thomas Richards (Joshua Knapp 69’), Scott Crawford, Alfie Crawford (William Davies 88’), Joey George (Captain), Steve Allen.
 
Unused substitutes: Josh Farrar, Frazier Stoddart.
 
Monkton Swifts 2nds: Jay Kilby, Alex Lewis, Jordan Kilby, Ryan Hughes, Ben Phillips, Will Davis, Liam Butland (Captain), Josh Sture (Ben Steele 60’), Lee Duignan, Rhys Sture.
 
Unused substitutes: Kieran Walton, Joab Reynolds, Harry Turner, Ashley Waterman.





 
Referee: Stefan Jenkins.
 
Assistants: Keith McNiffe & Ioan Nevatte.
 
Fourth Official: Mark Hicks.