John Bailey Cup Final:
Clarbeston Road 2 - Llechryd 1
Venue: Phoenix Park, Goodwick
Referee: Jonathan Twigg
Fletcher Picton was the toast of his Clarbeston Road team-mates as the talented young sporting all-rounder’s second half strike gave his team victory in a hard-fought final against a Llechryd side that also played some really good football in an entertaining final where both teams used rolling subs to off-set the heat problems, a system sensibly operated by referee Jonathan Twigg.
Picton’s winner came from his ability to be in the right place at the right time after Steff Williams had gone close but the ball rebounded on the left side and Picton was perfectly placed to tuck the ball past Osian Williams, who had made several excellent saves during the game.
It also came at the perfect time because Llechryd had dominated the ten minutes before that and had just levelled matters as their reward.
Quiet opening – but Kinsella breaks the deadlock with a stunner
The opening exchanges were quiet as the teams probed for weaknesses but found none as Llechryd skipper Ben Davies and George Hicks kept a tight rein on Clarbie front man Ban ‘Rocky’ John and at the other end the George brothers; Reinallt and Charlie, did the same with Liam James.
It took 22 minutes for the first real action as Hicks moved up for a corner but drove over the bar – and Clarbie left back Jules Ward’s run down the left and lovely cross just evaded the head of Ben John.
But after 27 minutes John was involved on the right as he found a little space and his inside pass found midfielder Niall Kinsella 25 yards out and he almost casually side-footed the ball past the despairing dive of Osian Williams, via the keeper’s right upright.
Steff Davies posed a threat for Llechryd wide on the left as he linked well with full back Josh Grota but their efforts came to nothing as Owen Wilton’s low shot was saved by Mansell so the score remained 1-0 to Clarbie at the interval.
Llechryd’s passing pays off – but Picton strikes back
Llechryd made the brighter start to the second half and Mansell made a good save from Liam James, who was again involved soon afterwards as an excellent diagonal pass by Steff Davies gave him the room on the right to fire the ball past Mansell and into the top far corner.
It was no more than Llechryd deserved but Clarbie bounced back within minutes and a good build-up involving Archie Thomas, Alfie Barnett and Steff Williams saw Picton on hand to find the net.
There was no shortage of action in the final quarter as the players defied the heat, with a Kinsella pile-driving free kick from 30 yards forcing Williams into a finger-tip save, and another shortly afterwards from a Picton corner which Charlie George headed towards the same top corner.
But it was anything but one-sided as James, Davies and Everton all went close for Llechryd – but the final whistle brought victory for Clarbeston Road that was just about deserved on the play between two sides intent on playing good football.
Clarbie skipper Reinallt George was presented with the John Bailey Memorial Cup by was presented with the trophy by Brian Thomas, the chairman of Goodwick United FC, who thanked both teams, semi-final losers Fishguard Sports and his own team for their support, plus referees Barry Evans, Sean O’Connor and Jonathan Twigg for officiating three quality games of football during the week – and everyone who donated money for the Portfield SAC charity in Haverfordwest in the games.Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell: Sam Wharton; Charlie George; Reinallt George; Jules Ward: Matthew Davies; Niall Kinsella; Alfie Barnett; Archie Thomas; Fletcher Picton: Ben John.
Subs: Matthew Griffiths; Stef Williams; Richard Bevan; Steve Morris; Josh Wood.
Manager: Matthew Fox.
Llechryd: Osian Williams: Sam Hall; George Hicks; Ben Davies; Josh Grota: Owen Wilton; Tomos Toft; Jac James; Jac Everton; Steff Davies: Liam James.
Subs: Corey Davies; Jack Blackford; Ricky Woods; Dylan Davies.
Manager: John Curran.
