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Late Jerome Williams Winner Breaks Monkton Swifts Hearts as Tenby Progress to West Wales Final

Williams’ 85th minute strike was the difference between the two sides in an extremely close encounter, ending the Swifts’ impressive winning run.

The game was extremely end to end right from the off, fulfilling many of the pre-match predictions of a tightly contested affair with both sides creating chances throughout the 90 minutes. Whilst the previous three encounters had seen goals galore, the impressive young 'keepers in their respective nets ensured this match was to be decided by the slimmest of margins.

It was the Seasiders who created the first chance of the match. The ball fell to Daryl Williams just five minutes in, however he was unable to steer his headed effort on target as it went behind for a goal kick. 

Just one minute later Tenby goalkeeper Dylan Noot was called into action at the other end. Billy Davis left the Tenby defenders for dead as he dribbled into the box, before finding top scorer Dylan Davies who demanded a strong save from Noot.

With 18 minutes gone it was Monkton's turn to again who created a big chance. The man in form and competition's top goalscorer Dylan Davies once again played through on goal with only the keeper to beat. Despite this, Dylan Noot stood tall again, quick off his line to make the save and maintain the goalless scoreline. 

The chances continued to come for the Swifts, this time following a cross from Billy Davis just two minutes later. The ball fell to Paul Miller ten yards out, but the winger fired his effort over the bar.

Monkton 'keeper Taylor Gullam was called into action for the first time 21 minutes into the match. Scott Ferney unleashed an impressive right footed strike from 20 yards out which looked destined for the bottom right corner, however Gullam pulled off a smart save at full stretch to keep the score at 0-0. 

15 minutes later and Monkton created arguably the best chance of the first half. Jay Kilby delivered a teasing ball into the box which was met by Paul Miller, whose header crashed off the crossbar and behind for a goal kick. 

A few minutes later and Daryl Williams thought he was through on goal after a great cross in from the left by his brother Jerome, left by the clearly offside Tenby forwards, but the linesman flagged having judged Williams to also be ahead of play in a tight call.

Tenby's last good chance of the half came from Captain Dan Storer, who took a toucn before firing over after good work from Ned Davies on the right before crossing the ball in.

With the second half underway it was more of the same with both teams creating chances in an end to end contest.

It was the Monkton goalkeeper Gullam who was called into action just five minutes into the second period, firstly to deny Scott Ferney’s initial effort before preventing Daryl Williams from tucking in the rebound. 

Seven minutes later it was Tenby’s turn to see an effort rebound off the frame of the goal. A deep free-kick  delivered into the box, which was flicked on by Joe Leahy into the path of his strike partner Ferney. The latter’s resulting header crashed off the woodwork and behind for a goal kick. 

With 74 minutes on the clock, Tenby saw their biggest chance of the game saved once again by Gullam. Daryl Williams once again had the chance to fire his side into the final, setting himself inside the box with a couple of touches before getting a shot away. However, his one on one effort saw Gullam stand tall once again and keep his side in the match. A very impressive game from the 20 year old shot stopper.

Although Monkton attempted to push forward and play the game higher in Tenby's half, it was the Seasiders who began ramping up the pressure, eventually finding a breakthrough.

Daryl Williams was once again at the centre of the attack, finding himself with the ball at his feet in the box before showing great composure to lay off a pass to his onrunning brother Jerome Williams, with Tenby’s number 99 firing home from a tight angle into the roof of the net to send his side to the Swansea.com Stadium. 

Monkton rallied for a later equaliser, firing a volley over from a corner just a few minutes later. As the Swifts launched balls forward in search of a goal, Tenby's Dylan Noot showed excellent handling to deal with long balls, taking the pressure off his team.

In Monkton's last ditch efforts to find a goal, a deep free-kick was tipped over the bar by Noot, determined not to be beat. The resulting corner was then cleared off the line by Captain Dan Storer, typifying the resilient performance from him in the middle, working tirelessly and making vital interventions throughout the game.

An agonising defeat for Monkton, who battled extremely hard throughout the extremely end to end Semi-Final. Although the scoreline may have only seen one goal, there was plenty of quality football on display from two excellent outfits who can be proud of their efforts on the pitch.

Tenby will now compete in the all Pembrokeshire final at the Swansea.com Stadium against Hakin United on May 15th, following the Vikings 1-0 victory over St Josephs in another hard-fought victory.

Match photos by Ethan Ellis (EE Films).

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