Senior Cup Quarter Final
Hakin United 4 – Merlins Bridge 1
Hakin United grabbed two goals in each half to overcome gritty Merlins Bridge at a wet and windy Obs as they eased themselves in the Senior Cup semi-finals.
The Wizards won the Senior Cup back in 2019, that was the last time the competition was completed, unfortunately Covid has stopped football for the last two seasons.
In this all division one clash it was the visitors who were rather unlucky not to open the scoring as Lee Hudgell venomous strike struck Sam Franklin’s post.
Scott Davies’ Vikings finally broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when they were awarded a penalty as Camron Thomas was taken down inside the Wizards’ box.
Aldred is spot on
Up stepped Ben Aldred who confidently beat James Dickson to put the hosts in control, that’s how it stayed until half time.
Three minutes after the interval the visitors added their second goal of a keenly contested tie, Shane Walsh unselfishly squared the ball to Ashley Bevan who guided the ball into the net.
In the 63rd minute the Vikings brought on Justin ‘Skinny Harding in place of goals scorer Bevan, it proved a masterstroke for the Vikings.
Harding strikes
Harding had only been on the pitch nine minutes before he chipped in the third thanks to a neat Ryan Wilson pass which set up the scoring opportunity.
In the 78th minute the Wizards pulled one back as a mix-up in the Hakin defence allowed Jordan Williams a clean 12-yard strike which beat Franklin.
That goal should have inspired the visitors to mount a fight back, but it was the Vikings who had the final say as Harding struck a late fourth to ensure his side have reached the last four of the competition.
Hakin United beat Carew last week on penalties in the West Wales Intermediate Cup to reach the last eight of the competition, their reward is home draw against Swansea League outfit Penlan which will take place on Saturday, 5th March.
Hakin United: Sam Franklin, Jay Power, Camron Thomas, Mark Jones, Jake Merry, Ben Aldred, Jack Britton, Shane Walsh, Ryan Wilson, Leon Luby, Ashley Bevan. Subs: Justin Harding, Jonathan Bennett, Gareth Fawcett.
Merlins Bridge: James Dickson, Chris Ormond, Andrew John, Richard Hughes, Henry Thomas, Jordan Williams, Ben Davies, Lee Hudgell, Matthew D’Ivry, Will Haworth, Ashley Beck. Subs: Leon Davies, Tom Mezzetta, Peter Thomas, Ryan Doyle, Josh Silk.
Referee: Roy Boswell.