Proudly powered by Ogi Pro
Goodwick United have taken a firm grasp on the Pembrokeshire Division 1 title after a 4-1 success over closest rival Hakin United on Saturday (Feb 8). The two titans of local football have lifted the prize between them in all but one of the last thirteen seasons (Monkton Swifts 18-19), Chris O’Sullivans Goodwick team now in line for their third successive title triumph holding a four point lead over their rivals, with five games remaining of the 2024/25 season.
The crowd assembled at Phoenix Park, situated off the Pardog below Fishguard had barely settled into their places when man of the match Rhys Dalling played in wideman Wil Haworth who capalised on some lax visiting defending, to rifle in a right foot shot from twelve yards inside the first minute, leaving custodian Gareth Fawcett helpless.
Goodwick played the game in their opponent’s half, turning them like the tide, central players Jake Smith and Luke Hayward firing the cannons for Dalling and Rhys Jones to stream through the Vikings defensive line. Goodwick doubled their lead in the 18th minute when the pair combined seamlessly, Dalling delivering a pin point pass for Jones to bury the ball with his right foot, a just reward for the home sides dominance of the territory and possession.
Hakin wing back Mark Jones had collected a yellow card from referee Steffan Jenkins just after the half hour, as he callously brought down Dalling to stop the red and black tide ebbing forward once more, but a minute later Jonny Horgan’s closing down of the Hakin defence saw goalkeeper Fawcett misplace his clearance to the feet of Dalling who nonchalantly chipped it back over his head from twenty five yards, into an empty net and a 3-0 lead.
Scott Davies Vikings knew they had to hoist the sails quickly in order to plunder anything from the game and Jack Briton raised their spirits as he turned in skipper Ryan Wilsons corner kick with five minutes of the first half to play, home net minder Nick Jones given little chance by the Hakin midfielder.
Jordan Kilby playing alongside Britton in the engine room collected the games second yellow card for a reckless challenge before the half time oranges, forward Liam Parks returning from a period of injury replacing Jack Griffiths at half time, the former Ammanford full back collecting a muscle injury as he and Horgan’s personal battle was a credit to witness in the opening period.
The seafarers from both sides watching the encounter agreed the next goal would decide the outcome, Alfie Stotter replaced by Ben Aldred for Hakin ten minutes into the second half as both sides tussled back and forth mid-ships, for no reward, Dalling also finding himself in the referee’s black book for pulling back Hakin frontman Shane Walsh. Hakin were unable to breakdown the solid defence which consisted of the Delaney brothers, James Bryan and veteran Sean Pemberton, the visitor’s reliance on the long ball easily meandered away, as the Hakin style of ball retention and build up play supressed.
Haworth came to fore with his second goal as he secured the game with 20 minutes to play following excellent work from Horgan on the left wing, which saw the game tempo rise as players discipline and control waned.
Goodwick’s Matty Delaney delayed the restart causing Jenkins to once more pull out his note book, Wilson taking retribution on the full back with a reckless tackle a minute later as the game flowed into the final fifteen minutes. Dalling left the deck to resounding applause to be replaced by Alex Thomas and with five minutes remaining a flashpoint between home skipper Scott Delaney and Ashley Bevans saw the Hakin forward dismissed for violent conduct, Bevans punching his counterpart who was cautioned as they wrestled with each other, Jenkins correctly calling the incident to affirm both his control and understanding of a fixture, which has in previous years has been explosive.
With victory secured the red and black sailors now have Clarbeston Road in their sights from the crow’s nest, at Phoenix Park next week, their victory in last season’s Senior Cup final preventing the north county side from completing a back to back double and an incentive, if they needed one to right that blemish. Hakin will return to their own paddock and host Carew, before the two giants of Pembrokeshire football lock horns in the Senior Cup quarter final at Phoenix Park, a week later.
Goodwick United
Jones N; Delaney M; Bryan; Pemberton; Delaney S (c); Hayward; Jones R; Smith; Dalling (Thomas 82); Haworth; Horgan;
Substitutes (unused)
Dockerty; Cole
Hakin United
Fawcett; Griffiths (Parks 45); Merry; Power; Kilby; Wilson (c); Britton; Bevan; Stotter (Aldred, 54); Walsh; Jones;
Substitute (unused)
Nicholson;
Referee
Steffan Jenkins
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
