A glorious evening at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium played host to the Division Two Cup Final, with an official attendance of 719 turning out to witness Johnston take on Hakin United 2nds.
On paper, the Vikings arrived with confidence having taken both league meetings against the Tigers, though Johnston boasted their strongest team of the season including experienced west Wales cup winners in Scott Murray, Luke Hayward and Steven Mills.
As it turned out, this was not to be Johnston's night. From the first whistle, Hakin set about their opponents with relentless energy and organisation, playing with a high press that made life uncomfortable for Johnston at every turn. Their dynamic front three - Mason Dolling and Callum Stannett particularly imposing - combined pace with real physical presence, and it was they who would prove the difference.
The warning signs came early. In the first minute, Hayden Dimond beat the offside trap but couldn't bring the ball under control. Hakin deservedly drew first blood on 13 minutes. Dimond picking the ball up in the middle after his team comfortably defended a deep free-kick, before releasing Mason Dolling down the right, who showed excellent control to beat his man before finishing past the keeper, hot off a man of the match performance for the First Team against Goodwick United.
Johnston hit back almost immediately. Craig Bendall played a deep ball forward, and Alfie Crawford showed quick thinking to knock the ball beyond Josh Lewis and poke home before the keeper could react. At 1–1 with 15 minutes played, a contest appeared to be in the making.
It wasn't. Johnston were their own worst enemies as the half wore on, and Hakin punished every mistake. A corner on 23 minutes resulted in a handball by Craig Bendall - tellingly, there were no complaints from him or those around him - and Reggie Armstrong stepped up to coolly convert the penalty to his right, the keeper going the wrong way, just as he had done in their recent league meeting. Then on 34 minutes, Lewis Boswell played a risky short ball across the edge of his own box that was intercepted by Stannett, who produced a composed finish to make it 3–1. Johnston had gifted all three goals and were fortunate the scoreline wasn't heavier before the break.
Ryan Doyle was forced to go off injured just before half time, replaced by Callum Rees, and the second half began much as the first had ended. Lewis Llewellin added a fourth with a deflected effort that left the keeper helpless, and despite Scott Murray coming on for Bendall and bringing a more measured, passing approach to the Johnston midfield, the damage had been done.
Hakin made their own changes, with Evan Rutherford - another influential youngster who has impressed throughout the season - introduced to keep the energy levels high. Josh Lewis grew in confidence as the half progressed, making a fine save to deny Josh Knapp who attempted to take the ball round him on 73 minutes.
Johnston threw on their final three substitutes simultaneously on 76 minutes - Geno Cleal, Charlie Hughes and Jack Bevan - and the game opened up in the closing stages as the Tigers threw the kitchen sink at their opponents. Hakin delivered a devastating blow to make it five with Jake John, who only turned 16 recently and has already made an impression at first-team level this season, came on and showed maturity beyond his years - taking on his man, rounding the keeper and slotting home composedly on 88 minutes to put the tie to bed.
Johnston did find some reward late on. A handball in the area gave Luke Hayward the chance to convert from the spot on 91 minutes, and Charlie Hughes bundled home a second from a corner two minutes later to make it 5–3. Josh Knapp also rattled the bar in between - but ultimately it was too little, too late after giving themselves an early mountain to climb.
The final whistle confirmed what had been apparent for most of the evening: there was only one winner in this game. Hakin's young side played with a maturity, physicality and tactical discipline that belied their ages, and they thoroughly deserved their cup. Several of their players will surely be pushing for more senior involvement next season — none more so than the man of the match, Mason Dolling, who was outstanding from first to last. A bright future awaits this group.
Man of the Match: Mason Dolling (Hakin United 2nds)
Officials: Referee — Mark Hicks | Assistant Referees — Angus Scourfield & Daniel James | Fourth Official — Neill Crawford
Match photos from Ethan Ellis
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
