PHOTOS:
Hundleton celebrate winning the silverware
Hundleton skipper Jack Richards receives the cup from League Chairman David Olyott
Cup Final match officials Paul Jackson, Kevin Williams, Kevin Bowen and Sean O' Connor

Hundleton 2 - Prendergast Villa 1

Hundleton came from a goal down to secure the Second Division Cup for the first time in the club’s history against Prendergast Villa in front of a decent crowd on a beautiful spring evening.

Prendergast Villa came to the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium full of confidence and carried the favourites’ tag, as they had thrashed their opponents 5-2 in a league tussle as recently as Saturday. But they definitely didn’t get their own way against a far slicker Hundleton outfit in this pulsating final.

Skipper Daniel Wilks led Villa into their fourth-ever Second Division Cup final; twice they had won previous finals against Milford Athletic at Monkton Lane, and also lost one at the Bridge Meadow against Milford United back in 2009. The Meadow is really proving a bit of bogey place for the Villa outfit.

However, things really didn’t go Villa’s way as Hundleton adapted to the big stage brilliantly, despite going a goal behind through a Wilks’ goal in the 24^th minute. Joe John turned and shot first time inside the box, it rebounded off Hundleton skipper Jack Richards and Wilks pounced.

Scott strikes back

Six minutes later and Hundleton’s lively striker Scott Brunton equalised with a superb low left footed strike from the edge of the box that comfortably beat Peter Blain so the game was finely poised at 1-1 at half time.
Eight minutes after the restart Hundleton deservedly took the lead with a superb goal by Ben Pannell. Goal scorer Brunton curled a free-kick from the right in the box and Pannell, who was unmarked, made no mistake with a textbook header. Minutes later and William Abraham missed with a close-range far-post header.

Defining moment

Pannell’s goal was the defining moment as Villa failed to get back in the game. Brunton spurned a good scoring chance as the ball flew off the outside of his left foot just eight yards out.

Jason Donohoe caused problems down the left side, and Villa stalwart Stephan Atyeo was issued a yellow for deliberately taking out the left-sided flier. Minutes later and Donohoe flashed a low shot across the face of Blain’s goal.

Villa substitute Matthew Davies had a goal-bound shot brilliantly blocked by skipper Richards just inside the box, Jake Davies failed to get his shot away as Hundleton keeper Daniel Griffiths fumbled inside his area.
But Hundleton stayed strong for the remainder as they deservedly won the coveted silverware with referee Kevin Bowen sounding the final whistle.
 

Speedy recovery

There was obvious delight for the large Hundleton contingent which was slightly muted by the fact that talented full back Rhodri Davies sustained breaks to both arms just above the wrists and had to be taken to hospital. Everyone at the match, including PembrokeshireSport.co.uk, will wish him a speedy recovery and return to action with his home-village club.

At the post match presentation Pembrokeshire Football League Secretary Micky Phillips thanked both teams for their commitment in an excellent final played in the true spirit of the game.

League chairman Dave Olyott presented both teams and match officials their medals and handed the Second Division Cup to proud Hundleton skipper Jack Richards amidst wild celebrations.

Hundleton: Daniel Griffiths, Rhodri Davies (Geraint Lewis 55), Lee Murray, Jack Richards (capt), Marc Edwards, Shaun Donohoe, William Abrahams (Lloyd Wilson 67), Ben Pannell, Scott Brunton, Dylan Davies, Jason Donohoe (Marcus Adie 87).

Prendergast Villa: Peter Blain, Stephan Atyeo, Rickie Thomas, Damien Ellis, Simon Gilderdale, Richard Hilling (Matthew Davies 70), Joe George, Dan Wilks (capt) (Giac Malvisi 79), Jake Davies, Joe John, Ben John (Richie Davies 62).

Referee: Kevin Bowen.
Assistants: Sean O’Connor and Kevin Williams.
Fourth official: Paul Jackson.

Runners up Prendergast Villa line-up before kick off