Thomas takes centre stage as Bridge batter Narberth

Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – Division 1

Merlins Bridge 9 – Narberth 1

 

There was no sign of the monsoon conditions of the previous 24 hours at the Pembrokeshire Sports Village on Saturday, but for Merlins Bridge, it rained goals, writes Fraser Watson.
 
They struck nine in a commanding win over Narberth, with skipper Jordan Thomas grabbing four of them as the hosts effectively put the game to bed within the first 25 minutes. Mike Preddy's side kicked off having taken just one point from three home games this season, but if the manager wanted a display to banish doubts about his squad's suitability on their own artificial surface, he got it.
 

Wizards wing it early on

 
It took just six minutes for Thomas to open the scoring, after his header across goal was hooked to safety by Jordan Preece. From the corner that followed, the centre-back rose highest to meet a Nathan Evans corner and find the net.
 
Bridge wingers Samuel Nicholas and Tomos Gwilliam frequently got in behind the away defence in the first half and it was that combination that provided the second goal, with Nicholas scoring after a low cross from his fellow wide-man. Gwilliam was then denied by Iestyn Creese after going clean through - but the away keeper couldn't keep out a low 30-yard drive from Thomas as the one-way traffic continued.
 
It could have been more before the break as Bridge striker Oscar Willington saw his curling effort tipped behind by Creese while Thomas was denied a treble when his chip came back off the bar, with Narberth's Lewis Bansal also heading against his own woodwork.
 
In contrast, Narberth were toothless in attack, and despite having one angled shot saved by Ben Henton striker Steffan Williams was an isolated figure as his side struggled to muster any accuracy in attack.
 

Narberth pay the penalty

 
Any prospect of the tide turning in the second half was dispelled within minutes, as Willington teed up Nicholas inside the area to make it 4-0. Immediately afterwards Willington himself was upended in the area, and after Bansal was given a 10-minute sin bin for disputing the decision, the No.9 made no mistake from the penalty spot.
 
The visitors did respond when Ifan Rees lobbed a ball into the box and it fell to Williams to slot home. But the respite was brief, and after Willington hit the bar an Evans free-kick into the box evaded everyone and found the net.
 
Thomas then grabbed his hat-trick by heading home an Andrew John cross the same player soon added his fourth from another Evans corner. The Wizards weren't quite done there, with Iwan Howells tapping home late on to complete the rout.




 
Man of the match: Jordan Thomas
It's all too easy to go for the man who scored four times, but Thomas was commanding from the off. He regularly brought the ball forward and his range of passing in the first half set up frequent attacks. His finishing wasn't bad for a defender either.
 
Bridge boss Mike Preddy:
"We targeted this fixture and the boys didn't disappoint today. With the weather, it's shown how important this surface is for us to train on this week and we used it to our advantage today. We played some really good football.
"We know on our day we can compete with anybody but we need that consistency. Hopefully the result today can drive us forward."
 
Final word:
Bridge came into this game with doubts over their home form in Division 1, with one draw, two defeats, and 14 goals conceded. Preddy and coach Peter Thomas were left with few complaints about their side's ruthless display though, and while they remain some way off being title contenders, they have enough promising youngsters to suggest a positive future.
 
Narberth, in contrast to their recent form, were poor. They came in off the back of successive league wins that had lifted them out of the bottom two and renewed hope their return to the top flight won't be a short stay. But on a day his side could have gone above Bridge and opened up a real gap between themselves and the danger zone, manager Ryan Williams will know they simply didn't turn up.
 
Merlins Bridge:  Ben Henton, Andrew John, Nick Squire (Dai Davies 56), Jordan Thomas (Captain), Billy Martin, Jamie Palmer, Sam Nicholas, Nathan Evans, Tomos Gwilliam (Daniel Isaac 50), Iwan Howells (Peter Thomas 90), Oscar Willington. 
 
Narberth:  Iestyn Creese, Jordan Preece, Aidan Howitt, Lewis Bansal, Conor Bowen (Captain), Calum O'Connell, Luke Evans (Harri Harries 60), William Phillips, Ifan Rees (Dafydd Wright 82), Jamie Thomas (Ashley Bantock 82), Steffan Williams. 
 
Referee: Sean O'Connor.