Underdogs Clarby cause big upset against stunned holders Goodwick

 

 

Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League –


2024 Senior Cup Final

 
 

Clarbeston Road 3 – Goodwick United 2

 
History makers Clarbeston Road secured an epic victory against stunned favourites Goodwick United at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium in front of a bumper crowd.
 
 
Matthew Davies’ second half far post header from a Laurie Haworth corner earned underdogs a thoroughly deserved win, manager Matthew Fox was over the moon after the final whistle.
 
Clarby Road had previously lost two finals against Merlins Bridge and Hakin respectively, but they put that ghost to bed by beating holders Goodwick United to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.
 
Goodwick came into this final on the back of 4-0 and 5-1 victories against The Road this season, as the  Phoenix Lads came into the clash as firm favourites. However, this game proved more difficult as The Road put in a fine shift to win a thrilling final by the odd-goal in five.
 
The Road got off to a bright start as skipper Rheinallt George scored from close range, back came Goodwick as Scott Delaney equalised with a peach of a header, the Phoenix Lads took the lead as Rhys Dalling lashed home from a set piece, but The Road struck through Jake Booth to level matters at half time. Matthew Davies headed home the winner in the 70th minute to deservedly earn The Road their first Senior Cup victory.
 
Midfielder Luke Hayward’s free kick into the box – was met by James Bryan who side footed against the bar, in the seventh minute Ben John headered across goal for George to volley home from close range.
                                                                                                                       
Goodwick equalised in the 18^th minute as Scott Delaney beautifully headed home from 12 yards from a Kyle Marsh free kick.


The Road came close as the lively John’s goal bound header from Rob Morgans free kick, saw goalkeeper Kyle Marsh tipped over the bar. Minutes later John fired over from the edge of area.
 
Five minutes before the break The Road levelled when the dangerous John made good ground and crossed for Jake Booth to strike a first time shot which Marsh parried and allowed the midfielder to score with the rebound as it stood at 2-2 at half time.
 
The second period was cagey, The Road thoroughly deserved  to regain the lead as Davies’ far post header put Matthew Fox’s team in dream land.
 
There was more drama as Chris O’Sullivan’s men were awarded a penalty in the 80^th minute, up stepped Rhys Jones who struck his effort firmly, but goalkeeper Rhys Mansell read it perfectly as he got down low to his left to pull off an incredible stop, minutes later  Mansell pulled off a superb save to deny Will Haworth’s back header as the keeper acrobatically tipped his goal bound effort over the bar.
 
At the other end Laurie Haworth put in John, but the striker’s heavy touch gave keeper Marsh a comfortable stop.
 
There was massive celebrations from the Clarby Road camp as they celebrated a famous win against the current holders Goodwick United in a thoroughly entertaining tussle.

 

 

Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell, Jake Wood, Joules Ward, Travis Jones, Rheinallt George (Captain), Thomas Withers, Jake Booth, Matthew Davies, Ben John, Rob Morgans, Laurie Haworth.
 
Unused substitutes: Ben Clague, Matthew Ellis, Jake Wesley, Samuel Hutton, Richard Bevan.


Goodwick United: Kyle Marsh, Ben Adams, James Bryan (Nathan Greene 79’), Scott Delaney (Captain), Stefan Hayes (Steven Dockerty 79’), Luke Hayward, Rhys Jones, Jake Smith, Dan James (Johnny Horgan 57’), Will Haworth, Rhys Dalling.
 
Unused substitutes: Sion O’Sullivan, Kyle O’Sullivan.
 
Referee: Neill Crawshaw.
 
Assistants: Stefan Jenkins & Tudor Walters.
 
Fourth Official: Sion Jenkins.