Division 1

 

Goodwick United 2 Hakin United 1

Two clinically dispatched penalties from Kyle O'Sullivan proved the difference as Goodwick United laid down an early marker in this season's title race by seeing off current champions Hakin, writes Fraser Watson.

As a spectacle it wasn't 90 minutes that will linger long in the memory - with clear openings few and far between. But the large crowd, bite, and intensity now so synonymous with the fixture was there and it was a win the hosts merited as they edged the midfield battle and never allowed The Vikings to freely attack.

Both sides were missing their most renowned forward in recent years - with Rhys Dalling and Ashley Bevan absent with injury. Indeed, defences were on top early on before Jordan Kilby tested home keeper Nick Jones from 20 yards. At the other end, the lively Will Haworth went agonisingly close as he whipped a deflected shot that crashed back off the bar.

But on 25 minutes the deadlock was broken. The Goodwick trio of Haworth, O'Sullivan, and Danny Hopkin were prominent in getting on the ball and it was Haworth's run and pass into Adam Lawrence that led to the forward being taken out in the area by Kieran King. Hakin players vehemently appealed that Lawrence was offside - and Jake Merry's dissent duly earnt him 10 minutes on the sidelines.

Despite Rory Williams going the right way, O'Sullivan dispatched the penalty confidently into the bottom left corner to leave the Hakin stopper with no chance. The visitors didn't seriously threaten a response until the final seconds of the half as a Mark Jones header forced Jones into a smart diving save.
 

Williams pays the penalty

Scott Davies shook things up at the interval as both Ryan Wilson and Leon Luby came off the bench, with the latter in particular adding an extra dimension down the right flank. However, within minutes of the restart O'Sullivan had the ball on the spot again and this time there were no arguments as the onrushing Williams took out Mason Jones as he bore down on goal.

O'Sullivan's second penalty mirrored his first - and this time Williams went the wrong way as Goodwick seized full control.

The Phoenix Boys looked comfortable until the latter stages when Ben Steele badly misjudged a back-pass across his own goal, only for Hakin sub Liam Parks to miskick his effort from six yards out. Kilby also had a close range effort blocked by Scott Delaney - before Goodwick missed a chance to seal matters as Tom Jago opted for an extra touch and was crowded out in the area.

By the time The Vikings did strike back it was nigh-on too late - but the goal itself was expertly taken. Jay Power's long diagonal ball to the edge of the area was met with a first-time header by Camron Thomas that sailed over the stranded Jones and into the net.

The hosts duly saw out the final moments that followed though, making six points from six and in the meantime, perhaps dispelling any assumptions from neutrals that the title this season is simply Hakin's to lose.

In the Jubilee Cup earlier this month, it was Goodwick who drew first blood over their old rivals for 2026/27. History shows however, that the result of that fixture means little in the campaign to come.

For Matt Fox and his squad, drawing second blood last night would have been far more significant.

Man of the match - Kyle O'Sullivan: It seems simple to go for the two-goal matchwinner, but O'Sullivan produced more than just penalties. He frequently looked to get on the ball and disrupted the visitors in possession. When his side needed him, he stood up to be counted in the middle of the park

Speaking to Pembrokeshire Sport afterwards, he said: "It's a big statement from us. There was a lot of talk around Goodwick United at the start of the season and I think we've shown what we're about. The boys battled hard and I can't fault a single player.

"The boys knew what we had to do tonight. The Jubilee is a great pre-season tournament to win but our main focus was the league games. So we took the momentum from that and beating Milford into this game. Midweek games area big commitment with boys finishing work and all so to pick up six points is brilliant."

Goodwick United: Nick Jones; Jake Wood, Ben Steele, Scott Delaney, Sion O'Sullivan (Cameron Carroll 76), Ben Adams (Jake Booth 82), Danny Hopkin, Kyle O'Sullivan, Will Haworth, Adam Lawrence (Tom Jago 61), Mason Jones.  

Hakin United: Rory Williams, Kieran King, Jay Power, Jake Merry, Mark Jones (Leon Luby HT), Camron Thomas, Craig Nicholson, Cameron Brunton (Liam Parks 56), Jordan Kilby, Mason Dolling, Scott Ferney (Ryan Wilson HT).

Referee: Stefan Jenkins