Introduction
It's that time of the year again where players, fans and officials involved in our beloved local game ready themselves for the most celebrated day of the Pembrokeshire football calendar - the Manderwood Senior Cup Final.
Defending champions Goodwick United take on high-flying Clarbeston Road and are hoping to secure a domestic double. Sitting undefeated at the top of the Division One table with two games remaining, Goodwick have had an excellent campaign which also saw them reach the West Wales Cup Semi-Final.
Clarbeston Road have also enjoyed a fantastic season and sit in third place in the league. They were narrowly defeated in the West Wales Cup by a strong Evans & Williams side and have knocked out Hakin United on their Senior Cup journey.
The match is being played at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium with a 2.30pm kick off time on Saturday 27th April.
Clarbeston Road
Under the leadership of Matt Fox and Matthew Ellis, Clarbeston Road have shown great improvement on a steady season last year to move up to third place in the league and reach the Senior Cup final.
When we spoke to "Foxy" and Matthew last year as part of our 2022-23 Football Annual, they stated "We will certainly be looking to finish higher in the league this season with a cup run improvement being a must", following a disappointing 1st round exit in the last campaign.
They have certainly met and almost definitely surpassed their expectations with the possibility of silverware representing what would be the icing on the cake of an excellent campaign. The addition of Travis Jones in midfield has certainly been one of the reasons behind the team's success and he will need another massive performance in the heart of the pitch to keep Goodwick at bay.
Captain Rheinallt George will know the challenge ahead and will need to ensure a structured defence, strong at set-pieces to keep Goodwick at bay. In last year's final, Monkton struggled in the first half from corner-kicks and balls in to the box which the Phoenix Boys exploited to get off to a blistering start.
The "Farming Army" are currently nine games undefeated with seven victories in that run and reached the final in dramatic style thanks to a hat-trick from teenage substitute Jake Wesley last weekend.
The have wracked up impressive goalscoring numbers in that run, lead by the deadly duo of Ben "Rocky" John and Laurie Haworth. The physicality of "Rocky" has caused problems for many teams this season, most notably Hakin United who Clarby recorded a famous treble of wins over.
Ex-Hakin man Laurie Haworth is well-regarded as one of the best forward players in Pembrokeshire around for a reason and has scored an impressive 11 goals in his last six games, including two hat-tricks. Laurie will be facing off against his younger brother, the talented Will Haworth who is also in fine scoring form himself.
Goodwick United
Under the leadership of Chris O'Sullivan, Nigel Delaney, Lee Morgan and co, Goodwick have shown why they are the best club in the county with their meticulous preparation and high standards they set themselves. They will be relishing the prospect of more silverware and desperate to seal a domestic double.
Last season, Goodwick United defeated Monkton Swifts 5-1 in a one sided final where Rhys Jones was the star of the show scoring four goals including a couple of stunners - a trend he has continued this season with another fantastic goalscoring season from midfield.
Goodwick are skippered by Scott Delaney who always excellently marshals his defence but was also a massive goal threat last year both creating chances from his long balls and causing problems in the box from set pieces.
Goodwick fans will be happy to hear that their side have almost a clean bill of health from their usual First Team Squad, with only Johnny Horgan injured to our knowledge.
Jake Smith and Rhys Jones were notable absentees in their recent West Wales Cup defeat and the duo were badly missed in midfield, but both have been back to top form in the middle of the park recently and will be looking to run the show again in that key area of the pitch.
The Phoenix Boy's midfield three is normally completed by Luke Hayward, who had suffered a knock recently but returned to play in their 4-2 victory over Tenby on Tuesday. Goodwick have a number of potential replacements such as Sion O'Sullivan and Steven Dockerty.
Upfront Goodwick are led by Rhys Dalling who has had another impressive season in front of goal. In last year's final he was instrumental in bringing the wide players into play, with Johnny Horgan and Will Haworth causing havoc. Horgan may be missing this weekend but the 19 years old Dan James is always an exciting player to watch, he was cup tied last year so it will be great to see him dazzling the spectators at the Meadow this time round.
The Match Officials Perspective - from Jonathan Twigg
As with any Club involved in the Senior Cup Final, it is a day to remember also for the match officials. For army veteran Neill Crawshaw he will be welcomed by his fellow whistlers to the now traditional cup final breakfast at the Friars, Haverfordwest, thanks to the hospitality of ‘mine host’ Chris Jenkins.
Neill, Head of Safety at QinetQ began refereeing in 2016, and has already officiated the WWFA u15 final this season, having been involved in the Senior Cup Final last season as an Assistant Referee.
He will be the eighty eighth referee to have the honour of walking out in front of the teams at the Bridge Meadow, since 1945 and will have partner Mel and his wider family in attendance.
Last year’s cup final referee, Sion Jenkins will be on duty as fourth official to support his colleagues, one of which will be fellow teacher and elder brother, Stefan who also assisted him last season at the blue riband event. Rightly respected across West Wales as referees, both having featured in the lower division cup finals in the years they have been officiating, the ‘Boxer Boys’ have the skills and aptitude to make sure the game runs smoothly from the referee’s perspective. Sion has also been appointed to this seasons WWFA Intermediate cup Final at the Swansea.com stadium next month, when he will act as an assistant referee.
Treading the hallowed path for the first time at the Senior Cup Final will be Aberdare born Tudor Walters, who was a rugby player until he was 31. Having moved to Pembrokeshire to work with the County Council as a social worker in the 1990s he switched his attention to the round ball as a player and manager, before turning from poacher to gamekeeper. He will be supported on the day by his wife Babs, but Tudor’s two children will be cheering him on from Australia, where they now live. He will be easily recognisable with his bronzed skin colour having spent several months since January in the outback, refining his fitness in readiness for what will be his first, cup final appearance.
Proceedings start for the whistlers at 11:30am when Pembrokeshire Society Chairman Angus Scourfield will be making a welcoming speech to the assembled throng, which will include representatives of the Pembrokeshire League, West Wales FA Referees committee and long time sponsor Valero, represented by Steve Thornton. The traditional quiz organised by elder statesman of the Society, Sean O’Connor, a man who has played in, managed and officiated in the Senior Cup final is the prelude for the ‘fab four’ to head over to the ground, leaving their soul mates to take on the necessary liquid to ensure they can face the partisan crowd as probably the only neutrals at the showpiece event, of the Pembrokeshire footballing calendar.
Thoughts from the Connect: Pembrokeshire Sports Team
Dan Metcalf
"I have been asked my many to give my score prediction but you don't need me to tell you that Goodwick are favourites, they are undefeated at the top of the table for good reason and anything other than a Goodwick win would be regarded an upset, but you never knew know what can happen in a "one off game".
Last year's final saw a fantastic football display from Goodwick who are a team I always enjoy watching with quality throughout, but it would be great to see a more competitive game with Clarbeston Road also showing the strengths that they have as a team. I want to see a close game with both teams battling hard, making a great spectacle for fans of both clubs and the neutrals that will be in attendance. I have good friends in both camps who I am looking forward to watching. Let's hope it's a cracker of a game!"
James Hemingray
"Goodwick are the current holders of the Senior Cup and will not want to relinquish their grip on the trophy just yet. A win on Saturday would make it a double winning season after their League success.
Clarby have had also an excellent campaign in Division 1, needing just a point in their final two games to confirm a third place finish in the table. Clarby may have lost twice to Goodwick this season but they did knock Hakin out of this year's competition.They also had a good run in the West Wales Cup before narrowly losing to Evans and Williams.
Clarby were beaten 7-1 in their last final appearance in 2018 and they will not want another repeat of that.
I think Clarby will give Goodwick a run for their money but the league Champions should just come out on top."
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