Stanmore hat-trick kills off Athletic hopes

Joe Lennon Memorial Trophy:

Hakin United 3 – Milford Athletic 0

A brilliant second-half hat-trick by James Stanmore clinched the Joe Memorial Trophy against close neighbours Milford Athletic at Marble Hall on Friday evening.

The Vikings did not have things all their own way as the score line suggests. The first period was goalless with the division two outfit defending superbly and frustrating the illustrious division one champions.

Athletic goalkeeper Anthony Bevans pulled of some stunning saves to deny Justin Harding, Steve Mathias and Stanmore.

However, Gary Power came close to opening the scoring at the other end, and a long range shot from Athletic striker Shane Walsh rattled the crossbar.
Stanmore hat-trick kills off Athletic hopes

It was Athletic who really should have opened the scoring five minutes after the break. A superb cross field ball from the middle of the park by Gary Power fell kindly behind the Vikings defence. Walsh found himself in acres of space and hit his 25-yard shot first time that flew wide of James Manson’s goal. Had the striker realised how much time he had he could have taken a touch and picked his spot.

Hat-trick hero

However, with the very next attack the Vikings opened their scoring account. Super-sub Michael Cooper’s diagonal ball fell to Stanmore, the striker jinked past Scott Walters and without hesitation he hit a low shot that beat Bevans at his near post.

This goal relaxed the holders and gave them the confidence to go on and win this trophy for the second year in a row.

Stanmore added a second with a pile-driver of a direct free kick, his right foot effort flying in from 25 yards as keeper Bevans was rooted to the spot.

Stanmore then missed a glorious chance with a far post header, but soon made amends when a defence-splitting ball by Cooper again fell to the man of the match who comfortably placed the ball home to end Athletics’ hopes of winning in their first appearance in a Joe Lennon Memorial Trophy final.

Post match

At the post match presentation Milford United’s manager Phil Marchant thanked sponsors South Hook LNG and everyone who made this tournament a success for the third year running.

Well known sports writer Bill Carne of PembrokeshireSport.co.uk congratulated both teams for producing an entertaining game that he said, “Joe Lennon would have been proud of.”

Referee Dean Boswell had a good game in the middle and he collected his medal alongside brothers Alan and Roy who acted as his assistants alongside fourth official Steven Badham.

Joe Lennon’s grandson Dylan Lennon made the official presentation to both teams and Western Telegraph sports editor Gordon Thomas presented the man of the match award to Hakin United’s hat-trick hero James Stanmore.
Stanmore hat-trick kills off Athletic hopes

Hakin United: James Stanmore; Paul Jenkins; Ewan Findlay; Leigh Broome; Gareth Fawcett; Jonathan Bennett; Justin Harding; Damien Ellis; Steve Allen; Steve Mathias; James Stanmore. Substitutes: Aaron Owens; Michael Cooper; Matthew Broome.

Milford Athletic: Anthony Bevans; John Lydon; Scott Walters; Nathan Beavis; Barry Finn; Jamie Bird; Michael Fuller; Steve Collier; Shane Walsh; Gary Power; Chris Scoble. Substitutes: Jamie Lawrence; Ashley Cleevely; Sam Palmer.

Referee: Dean Boswell.
Assistants: Allan Boswell and Roy Boswell.
Fourth Official: Steve Badham.