Beat the Expert - Week 1 : fixtures for 2nd February 2013
The Expert takes an early lead over that Western Telegraph newspaper boy!
The Expert won 3-2 to take an early lead against Fraser Watson after week one. The teams from Pembrokeshire did not do as well as the pair had expected. Only Goodwick United are placed into the hat for next round of West Wales Intermediate Cup and Johnston's tie with Kilvey Ford was postponed.
"I'm annoyed with myself because I had a gut feeling that Hakin and Merlins Bridge would lose. Never mind I won't make that mistake again.
"That newspaper boy Watson is a bit of a rugby player and also plays football for Solva. He was wise not to back his Solva team against Narberth as they got thrashed 6-0. What player does not have faith in his team-mates? Well that Telegraph sports scribe certainly does not."Fraser fancies his chances after Tansey takes another tumble!
Chris Tansey, the popular former manager of Hakin United and boss at Pembrokeshire League sponsors Manderwood's, went down by a single point as The Expert held on to his narrow lead which he took in the early stages of their four-week tussle.
“I thought that Tansey showed good skills to stay within a point of me but made the mistake of asking some of his minions for advice – and compounded it by trying to get some sense out of Mr Picton!
“But he is a gentleman of sport and I will willingly pay for another 'I Almost Beat the Expert' tee shirt for him to add to his considerable collection – and give him a chance again next season.â€
“I just wish we had full programmes in the past two weeks,†said Chris, “because some of his choices in those games were a little dodgy. Still, I enjoyed the challenge and I am confident that next time he won't be so lucky!â€
Snorts of disgust – hoots of derision
This comment brought a snort of derision from our resident 'Mr Grumpy' but it was nothing compared to the grunt of disgust when we told him that his next challenge was to come from Fraser Watson, the Western Telegraph sports reporter who doubles up as rugby player at Whitland and occasional footballer with Solva, when he is injured.
“What, that young upstart?†hooted The Expert. “Just because he has a damaged hand and couldn't manage rugby he turned out for Solva and grabbed two lucky goals. Nothing was said about the fact that he missed a sitter which would have given him a hat-trick – and it is that lack of real bottle that I will exploit over the next four weeks. I'll 'sporting all-rounder' him, you mark my words. He'll wish he had stuck to a bit of rugby in a month's time!â€
“I'll just give it my best shot,†retorted the 'Ace Reporter' – and I think I can have The Expert eating his words!
We'll soon find out this Saturday.
Remember the format – there is one point for a correct forecast and a bonus point for getting the scoreline correct!â€
FIXTURES & PREDICTIONS:- (Results to appear here on Saturday evening):
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 |
|
 |
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| FIXTURES | Actual Result |
Fraser's predictions |
( |
pts |
) | The Expert's predictions |
( | pts |
) | ||||||||||
| Division One: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Hundleton v St Ishmaels | P |
- |
P |
1 |
- |
3 |
( |
0 |
) | 1 |
- |
3 |
( |
0 |
) | ||||
| Neyland v Monkton Swifts | 1 |
- |
2 |
2 |
- |
2 |
( |
0 |
) | 1 |
- |
3 |
( |
1 |
) | ||||
| Pennar Robins v Tenby | 2 |
- |
4 |
4 |
- |
2 |
( |
0 |
) | 5 |
- |
2 |
( |
0 |
) | ||||
| Solva v Narberth | 0 |
- |
6 |
2 |
- |
3 |
( |
1 |
) | 1 |
- |
3 |
( |
1 |
) | ||||
| West Wales Intermediate Cup - Round 4 : | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bonymaen Colts v Goodwick United | 1 |
- |
2 |
1 |
- |
3 |
( |
1 |
) | 2 |
- |
4 |
( |
1 |
) | ||||
| Johnston v Kilvey Ford | P |
- |
P |
3 |
- |
2 |
( |
0 |
) | 1 |
- |
3 |
( |
0 |
) | ||||
| Merlins Bridge v Giants Grave | 1 |
- |
4 |
2 |
- |
0 |
( |
0 |
) | 4 |
- |
0 |
( |
0 |
) | ||||
| Seaside v Hakin United | 1 |
- |
4 |
3 |
- |
4 |
( |
0 |
) | 2 |
- |
3 |
( |
0 |
) | ||||
this week's total points . . . |
2 |
3 |
|||||||||||||||||
( Points for Week 1 . . . |
2 |
3 |
) | ||||||||||||||||
( Points for Week 2 . . . |
.. |
.. |
) | ||||||||||||||||
( Points for Week 3 . . . |
.. |
.. |
) | ||||||||||||||||
( Points for Week 4 . . . |
.. |
.. |
) | ||||||||||||||||
.. |
.. |
) | |||||||||||||||||
. |
.. |
.. |
) | ||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
TOTAL SCORES SO FAR . . . |
2 |
3 |
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Fraser's Forecasts:
Division One:
Hundleton 1 - St Ishmaels 3
Tish have done well to steer clear of relegation trouble after being promoted last year, and although Hundleton will be battling for points, I expect Tish to edge this one.Neyland 2 - Monkton Swifts 2
The Nomads have struggled lately and before last Saturday I'd have backed Monkton. But they took a hammering at Hakin last week and may be low on confidence themselves. I'll sit on the fence.Pennar Robins 4 - Tenby 2
Both teams are better than their league position suggests, and have games in hand aplenty. Tenby have not played in the league since December 1st and will be ring rusty, so I'll go for a home win.Solva 2 - Narberth 3
I hope I'm wrong! But Narberth have already beaten Solva in league and cup games this season, so I'm afraid they start as favourites.West Wales Intermediate Cup:
Bonymaen Colts 1 - Goodwick United 3
Bonymaen haven't gone brilliantly in their own league this season and are fighting relegation. If Goodwick play like they can I'd back them to win here.
Johnston 3 - Kilvey Fords 2
The visitors are challenging for the Swansea league title and will provide a very stern test. But Johnston have already proved themselves to be a dangerous cup side this season, and with home advantage, I'll back them. Just!Merlins Bridge 2 - Giants Grave 0
As soon as he took the job Bernie Armstrong said he'd love to lead Bridge to the final, and he'll be really targeting this. Giants Grave are going well in the Neath and District Premier, but I think Bridge will have too much for them.Seaside 3 - Hakin United 4
A tough one. Both teams top their respective divisions and have racked up huge goal tallies in doing so. The home side easily beat Milford United earlier in the competition, but have not played together for four weeks. Pembrokeshire bias leans me towards Hakin.