Pembrokeshire football takes center stage tomorrow evening as Tenby and Hakin United clash in an all-county West Wales Cup Final at the swansea.com Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:15pm.
Two Pembrokeshire sides will battle for West Wales' most prestigious trophy, guaranteeing the silverware returns to the county.
Hakin's Redemption Journey
Hakin United enter the final with painful memories of their last appearance at this stage, having suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Penlan several seasons ago. We spoke to Jack Britton previously about how that game has seen Davies reshape his tactical approach.
"When we lost against Penlan in the final, maybe we went in with too much confidence," midfielder Jack Britton revealed following their semi-final victory over St Josephs. "We'd beaten them 4-0 in pre-season and had been playing great all year."
That defeat has fostered a more pragmatic approach from Davies, whose tactical flexibility has been crucial to Hakin's cup run this season. Already securing the Senior Cup with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Milford United, the Vikings are eyeing a remarkable cup double.
Davies' willingness to adapt his tactics based on opposition has been a key factor in Hakin's success. Against St Josephs in the semi-final, he opted for a more balanced approach, starting defensive midfielder Craig Nicholson while keeping attacking talents Ashley Bevan and Leon Luby in reserve.
"What the team have learned to do when playing the bigger teams is adapt to each game," Britton explained. "When people play Hakin, they think there's an arrogance where we believe we can beat any team, but when we play bigger sides, Scott has learned to change things."
This tactical flexibility will be crucial against a Tenby side that has demonstrated their own attacking prowess throughout the competition.
Hakin's cup success this season has been built on a blend of defensive solidity and match-winning attacking talent. Liam Parks, who netted both goals in their Senior Cup triumph over Milford, has proved his match-winning credentials in his first season at the Vikings, along with Leon Luby who struck a spectacular winner to seal his side's spot in this final, while at the other end of the pitch goalkeeper Gareth Fawcett has bounced back from difficult moments to establish himself as a reliable last line of defense, making a number of important stops in the last round. Hakin's Shane Walsh will provide tireless running in the final third, allowing his fellower attackers to flourish when needed.
Tenby's Historic Campaign
For Tenby, this represents their first-ever West Wales Cup Final appearance, having never previously reached the semi-final stage before their victory over Monkton Swifts. Their path to the final has been equally impressive, overcoming multiple Pembrokeshire opponents including Pennar Robins and Merlins Bridge before a tense 1-0 semi-final victory over Monkton.
Jerome Williams emerged as the hero in that semi-final, scoring the decisive goal in the 85th minute to break Monkton's hearts and send the Seasiders to Swansea. Goalkeeper Dylan Noot also proved crucial with several outstanding saves, maintaining his composure in the dying moments to preserve Tenby's advantage.
For Tenby, the attacking partnership of Scott Ferney and Joe Leahy has proven particularly potent. Ferney has notched 17 Division One goals this season, supplemented by five in the West Wales Cup. Leahy, a previous West Wales Cup winner with Merlins Bridge, brings valuable experience to the occasion alongside his five goals in this competition.
Tenby's full back combination of Ned Davies and Sam Butler will have to strike the perfect balance between defence and attack.
The Williams brothers, Daryl and Jerome, add further attacking quality, with Jerome's composure in front of goal evident in his semi-final winner.
Tenby will look to captain Dan Storer to lead by example in the middle of the park, with his tireless performance and vital goal-line clearance in the semi-final typifying his commitment to the cause.
Historic Occasion
Whatever the outcome, tomorrow's final represents a significant moment for Pembrokeshire football. For Hakin, victory would mark their first West Wales Cup triumph in a couple of decades, while Tenby aim to create history in their debut final appearance.
With an expected bumper crowd making the journey to the swansea.com Stadium, the stage is set for what should be a fantastic clash between two of the county's footballing powerhouses.
The Connect: Pembrokeshire Sports team will provide comprehensive coverage of the final, with full match reports, photos and reaction to follow.
