PHOTOS:
Winners Goodwick United
Runners-Up Merlins Bridge
Anthony Couzens takes control at the back for Goodwick
James Gwilt saves the Bridge's final penalty

Goodwick United 3 Merlins Bridge 3
(Goodwick United won 4-2 on penalties)

 
Venue: St Mary’s Field, Fishguard
Referee: Kevin Bowen
Assistants: Andrew Hopkin and Kevin Williams
 
Goodwick United skipper James Gwilt was the toast of his team mates as he made two key saves in a penalty shoot out against Merlins Bridge that earned them the Eddie Merry Cup for 2014.
 

The teams had provided entertaining football galore as the lead changed hands before they were still locked together at 3-3 after 90 minutes – and referee Kevin Bowen took play to the spot-kick challenge.
 

Early chances missed at both ends

 
Gwilt then brought off two excellent saves as the Wizards failed to match the accuracy of the Phoenix Park Boys, as they scored all four they had to take from Ryan Howells, Johnny Horgan, Rhys Dalling and Rob Morgans so that a fifth penalty wasn’t needed before Gwilt received the superb trophy from Fishguard Sports’ official Nigel Davies.
 
Play had been fast and furious from the start as Rhys Dalling had an early chance for Goodwick which he put over the bar and Steve McNabney had a low drive saved by Gwilt at the other end.
 

Three goals in quick succession

 
But a goal was bound to come and it was the Wizards who scored it after Jordan Raymond had made ground on the right and his low cross allowed McNabney to flash a shot which looked to be going wide before Nathan Greene popped up to slam the ball into the top corner.
 
Merlins Bridge had a period of pressure which was dealt with by Anthony Couzens and Scott Delaney and Goodwick showed their attacking capability with two goals in as many minutes, the first coming when Rhys Dalling found space and drilled his low shot past a helpless Dan Birch.

Then Goodwick snatched lead almost from the kick off when a Bridge error saw the ball fly to the left and Johnny Horgan showed superb composure as he volleyed home from fully 25 yards.
 

Fortunes ebb and flow

 
As fortunes ebbed and flowed the Wizards pulled back level when Peter Thomas levelled matters from the spot after referee Bowen had spotted a hand-ball in the box.
 
Then Steve McNabney added a Bridge third goal and Daniel Bryce hit the bar as they sought a fourth goal. But it wasn’t to be and Rob Morgans equalised from a cracking free kick just outside the area before becoming one of the successful penalty takers that saw new Goodwick United boss Nigel Delaney secure his first silverware and leave the Wizards to rue their late misses.

 Goodwick United:
James Gwilt; Karl Headley; Darren Devonald; Anthony Couzens; Scott Delaney; Lewis Banks; Rhys Dalling; Llyr Tobin; Rob Morgans; Steven Evans; Johnny Horgan. Subs: Ryan Howells; Jack Pepper; Nigel Delaney.

Merlins Bridge:
Dan Birch; Walter Lovell; Andrew John; Peter Thomas; Scott Crawford; Gethin Roberts; Jordan Raymond; Daniel Bryce; Steve McNabney; Nathan Greene; Simon Thomas. Subs: Chris Morris; Haydn Westcott.