Charity Football Match:

 

Pembrokeshire Select XI 5 -  Valero Pembroke Refinery XI 0

 
 
A Pembrokeshire Select XI had too much class for Valero Pembroke Refinery XI at the Bridge Meadow with a hat-trick from Jimmy Wilkes ensuring they were comfortable winners on a night where the football was secondary to a much bigger cause.
 
The game was set-up to raise funds for Megan's Starr Foundation, a charity set-up in 2017 to raise awareness of bullying and mental health with the purpose of promoting a more inclusive community. And the cause provided the opportunity for an intriguing fixture as the county team reformed for the first time since the SB Williams Cup was curtailed six years ago due to Covid-19.
 
First-half goals from Wilkes, Ashley Bevan and Rhys Dalling effectively killed the game off by the interval, and the Monkton midfielder then struck twice more to complete his treble and deservedly pick up the man-of-the-match award.




 

Wilkes fires home from 25 yards

 
The clash was just six minutes old when the county side made their extra quality count, and they did so in style as Wilkes unleashed a fierce 25-yard shot which flew past Charlie Malloy and dipped into the net.
 
Dalling nearly doubled the lead moments later as he curled an effort just inches over, but Valero then began to settle as Billy Davies and Liam Parks combined before the latter was off-target with an angled effort.
 

Bevan bangs in off the bar

 
But just before the half-hour mark Chris O'Sullivan's side took firm control as Leon Luby slipped in Hakin team-mate Bevan, and he lashed a left-foot shot which hit the underside the bar and bounced down over the line - with referee David Badger consulting assistant Scott Trayhern before awarding the goal.
 
Valero almost responded immediately as Dylan Davies had a shot tipped onto the bar by Nick Jones, and at the other end Charlie Malloy denied Rhys Jones with a brilliant double save.
 
It was soon 3-0 though as Luby's low cross found Bevan - and although his shot was saved by Malloy - Dalling was on hand to tap in the rebound.
 
Valero fashioned one final chance before the break as Cameron Thomas sped down the left and found Dylan Davies, but his goal-bound shot was smothered by Jones and it was Pembrokeshire who headed for the changing rooms in full control.




 

Malloy makes vital saves – but Sully’s boys build a bigger lead

 
Just seconds after the restart it was almost four as Luke Hayward and Wilkes combined to tee up Bevan, who saw his rising shot well pushed away by Malloy. The keeper was then at his best a minute later to block Jerome Williams' effort from close range.
 
The pressure continued as Dalling dragged a shot wide and Malloy thwarted Jones from a tight angle, and then midway through the half it finally was 4-0. Again, Dalling was involved, playing a through ball for Wilkes who clinically placed a shot high into the net.
 
To Valero's credit, they continued to battle and nearly got the goal their endeavour deserved when sub Ethan Davies surged down the right and cut into the area before Jones sped off his line to block his effort.
 
Fittingly though, it was Wilkes who had the final word when he fired into the bottom corner from 15 yards out, rounding off a clinical night of work from the county side.
 

Steve heaps praise on ‘talented players’

 
Speaking to Pembrokeshire Sport afterwards, Valero Public Affairs manager Stephen Thornton said: "Tonight is about charity and community, and seeing lots of people here enjoying the event.
 
"And there have also been some really good footballers on show. We wanted a really competitive game and for people to be able to see a spectacle and credit to Pembrokeshire for respecting the game and fielding a strong side against us."
 
Pembrokeshire Select XI: Nick Jones, Jake Merry, Ben Steele, Scott Delaney, Jerome Williams, Leon Luby, Rhys Jones, Luke Hayward, Jimmy Wilkes, Rhys Dalling, Ashley Bevan. Subs (all used): Will Haworth, Cameron Brunton, Liam Butland, Josh Wood.
 
Valero Pembroke Refinery Squad squad: Charlie Malloy, Dylan Morgan, Martyn Carroll, Jimmy Walker, Cameron Thomas, Tyler Sheil, Justin Harding, Mark Jones, Rhys Davies, Sol Goodall, Finley Armstrong, Liam Parks, Dylan Davies, Billy Davies, Ethan Davies.
 
 
Referee: David Badger.
Assistants: Neil Crawshaw and Scott Trayhern.
Fourth official: Sion Jenkins.
 
Venue: The Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.