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Over 700 spectators gathered at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday (7th March 2025) night to watch Hakin confirm their place in the Pembrokeshire Football Senior Cup Final with a 4-1 victory over Pennar Robins.
The early inroads came from the twelve times senior cup winners Hakin, front men Liam Parks and Shane Walsh close and on six minutes, Ben Aldred struck a twenty yard free kick which Pennar goalkeeper Rory Williams tipped onto his bar. Skipper Connor Willis got caught in possession which allowed his opposite number Ryan Wilson to stride into the penalty area, his thunderous drive drew another smart save from Williams, the cumulative corners coming to nothing as Williams again commanded his box.
The Robins were off the pace for the first quarter of an hour, Cameron Brunton creating a half chance, his left foot drive not troubling Gareth Fawcett's goal, Hakin content to transition from defensive quickly to turn Willis and his fellow defenders, Nicholas Willis, Ross Jones and Sam Southcott, referee Neill Crawshaw allowing the play to flow as he interacted positively with the players, his whistle a clear signal as to who was in control, to the 700 spectators present.
An Aldred free kick in the second quarter found Williams well set again, the custodian a shining example to his side as the midfield battle ground was won by Wilson, Jack Britton, Jordan Kilby and Leon Luby. The territory and possession produced the opening goal just after the half hour, Wilson teeing up experienced journeyman Shane Walsh, who cut in from the right and his turn of pace allowed him space to beat Williams with a curling fifteen yard left foot skimmer, Kieran Smith collecting the games first yellow card two minutes later as Crawshaw's patience for the Robins foul tackles broke.
An equaliser came as Ben Adams struck home from eight yards after Brunton outstripped the defence following a peach of a cross field pass from Luke Phillips, allowing his teammate to put in a pin point cross, the goal giving Pennar a period in the game which saw both sides probing, without success. Crawshaw showed his experience and empathy as an experienced and appreciated match official, as he allowed the game to develop once again until his shrill whistle signalled half time.
The second half began in the same way as the first and three minutes in an own goal off centre half Southcott restored the Vikings lead, his attempted clearance from a Kieran King cross, leaving Williams stranded, Luby striking an effort over two minutes later.
Jay Power was a tower of strength at the back for Hakin, teenager Henry Mayhew joining fellow full back King showing maturity beyond their years as man of the match Aldred composure shone through to marshal a period which allowed the Vikings to stay on the front foot. Dan James and Tom Grimwood's endeavour to change the direction of the game brought little success, Luby making space on the hour, his pass across goal fell behind Liam Parks, a better placement would have given the frontman a clear opportunity, to extend the lead, Williams again taking plaudits for his efforts in the Pennar goal to keep his side in the game.
The games first changes came from Pennar manager Craig Butland on 65 minutes, Southcott replaced by Sean Edmundson which saw Ross Jones drop back to accommodate the attacking midfielder's arrival, but it was Luby who drew another save from Williams as the game entered its final quarter.
Brunton became the second name in the referee's book for a late challenge on Mayhew on 70 minutes, the full back on the end of some rash challenges which irked his manager Scott Davies, Williams rushing to the edge of his box to save at the feet of an advancing Parks from another Luby through ball.
With fifteen minutes to play former Ammanford defender Jack Griffiths stepped into the anchor midfield role as he replaced Parks, Walsh running the middle channel with assurance.
In a double substitution with five minutes of normal time remaining, in a last roll of the dice from Butland, James was replaced by Jack Jones and Smith gave way for Callum Willis, Walsh skilfully drawing a foul on the edge of the Robins box, Aldred rifling a strike worthy of putting his side into the Pembrokeshire League showpiece event for the first time in three years.
In the 90th minute, Pennar's Luke Phillips was shown a straight red card for offensive language directed at the referee, an incident that most of the crowd missed.
King had a chance again saved by the excellent Williams as the game entered 4 minutes of added time, Pennar giving a cameo to Liam Williams who replaced Nicky Willis and Grimwood made way for Noah Davison, the exuberant Vikings giving Mason Dolling an opportunity to play for Wilson, the teenager having an immediate impact as he set up Walsh to make the final score 4-1.
Hakin will face either local rivals Milford United or current cup holders Clarbeston Road in the final, with their semi-final set to take place on 14th March (Friday, also at Ogi Bridge Meadow).
Hakin United: Gareth Fawcett; Henry Mayhew; Kieran King; Ben Aldred; Jay Power; Leon Luby; Jack Britton; Liam Parks (Jack Griffiths, 77); Jordan Kilby; Ryan Wilson © (Mason Dollin, 91); Shane Walsh
Unused substitutes: Mason Dolling; Alfie Stotter; Adrian Devonald; Daniel Williams: Mark Jones
Pennar Robins: Rory Williams; Nicholas Willis (Liam Williams, 90); Luke Phillips; Sam Southcott (Sean Edmundson, 66); Ross Jones; Connor Willis ©; Dan James (Jack Jones, 85); Kieran Smith (Callum Willis, 85); Ben Adams; Tom Grimwood (Noah Davison, 90); Cameron Brunton
Referee: Neill Crawshaw (Rosemarket)
Assistant Referees: Barry Evans & Ioan Nevatte
4th Official: Richard Gwyther
Match photos by MW10 Sports Photography
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