PHOTOS:
Goodwick United parade with the Jubilee Cup
League Chairman Dave Olyott presents Jubilee Cup to Goodwick United captain Wayne O’Sullivan
Match officials Kevin Williams, Angus Scourfield and Gareth Elliott
Jonny Horgan is closely marked by Ross Lascelles

 
 

Goodwick United 3 – Hakin United 1

 
There was no denying Goodwick United who played superbly to defeat champions Hakin United to deservedly collect the Jubilee Cup on Wednesday night.

This has been a brilliant start for Nigel Delaney and assistant Chris O’Sullivan’s Goodwick United outfit before the season gets underway, the Phoenix Lads having already bagged the Eddie Merry Memorial and John Bailey Memorial pre-season tournaments before they comfortably overcame Hakin United at the Conygar Bridge Meadow to pick up the Jubilee Cup, making it a hat-trick of cup victories

An own goal by Vikings' defender Nathan Banner and a well-taken penalty by Rob Morgans gave The Phoenix Lads a two-goal cushion at half time. Nicky Woodrow pulled a goal back shortly after the interval, but the Vikings blotted their copy book when Jonty Bennett was sent off for a second bookable offence, and down to ten men from there it was always going to be an uphill struggle for the champions. Man of the match Jonny Horgan drilled home a late goal to earn his team a thoroughly deserved victory.

Tasty curtain raiser

This traditional curtain raiser played between last season's league winners Hakin United and Senior Cup holders Goodwick United served up a tasty opening game of the season which well handled by referee Angus Scourfield.

The Phoenix Lads opened the scoring on 20 minutes, a cleverly weighted through ball by the impressive Rob Morgans to the ever-threatening Jonny Horgan on the left, followed by a hard by-line cross that was parried by Vikings’ keeper James Manson straight into his team-mate Nathan Banner for an own goal.

This goal inspired the Phoenix Lads with Rhys Dalling, Horgan and Morgans causing problems for the Vikings' defence.

Stunning save

Manson pulled off a stunning full-length save to deny a left-footed curling Horgan effort that had goal written all over it. The Vikings’ best scoring chance of the first half fell to Nicky Woodrow, when the striker was put clean through with only James Gwilt to beat, but his shot was blocked by the keeper’s legs.

Goodwick added a second goal ten minutes before the break, as a handball in the box saw Morgans step up and coolly place his effort from 12 yards in the bottom right hand corner.

Minutes after half time saw the Vikings reduce the deficit as the ball fell kindly to Woodrow inside the box before the striker pounced, lashing the loose ball into the roof of the net to get his side back in the game.

Midway through the second period the Vikings were reduced to ten-men after Jonty Bennett was sent off by referee Angus Scourfield for picking up two yellow cards for cynical fouls.

Horgan missed a sitter when Dalling set-up the left-sided midfielder inside the box, but he embarrassingly blasted his shot high and wide from only ten yards out with the goal at his mercy, with only Manson to beat.

Horgan's late strike

However, the Phoenix Lads did finally put the game to bed as Morgans released Horgan and  he ran clear to tuck his effort in the bottom corner and there was no way back for the three-times league champions.

Goodwick United will go to The Obs next month where they will face Hakin United in the FAW Trophy first round, after last season the Vikings cruelly lost 4-3 at home against Holywell Town at the quarter final stage.

Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Steffan Hayes, Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney, Jordan Griffiths, Karl Hedley, Kieran O’Brien, Adam Raymond, Rob Morgans, Rhys Dalling, Jonny Horgan. Subs: Jake Davies, Jac Pepper, Darren Devonald.

Hakin United: James Manson, Sean Gelona, Daniel Armstrong, Ross Lascelles, Nathan Banner, Matthew Broome, Nicky Woodrow, Jonathan Bennett, Ricky Diamond, Steven Mathias, James Stanmore. Subs: Ben Aldred, Stuart McDonald, Daniel Evans.

Referee: Angus Scourfield.
Assistants: Kevin Williams and Gareth Elliott.