An absorbing and full blooded second division cup tie on Saturday (Jan 10) saw New Hedges Saundersfoot return from Phoenix Park, home of Goodwick United with a 2-1 victory over the North County second string to make the quarter final stages writes Jonathan Twigg.
Both sides endeavoured to play the game positively; reluctant to surrender possession, players comfortable on the ball with a brashness to pass and probe whilst also buying into the team mantra to work as one, to regain possession. The Seasiders opened the scoring midway through the first half when Adam Davidson netted, the lead doubled ten minutes into the second period from striker Harvey Drummond who cooly drove his shot beyond advancing goalkeeper Dan Devine.
Star striker Rhys Dalling scored as the game came close to added time to set up and finale fitting of any cup tie, where Hundleton referee Ioan Nevatte had his work cut out to manage the testosterone on show, where he administered 7 cautions alongside using his voice and whistle keep control. Nevatte is still tender in terms of years and experience as a referee, called upon to make decisions with both sides demanding the outcome, something he did with a calm and impartial persona, qualities which are cornerstones for any match official making their way in the game.
The home side lost one of their key frontmen, Kieron Blundell on 8 minutes with an injury not wished upon any player, his replacement Cameron Caroll acquitting himself well, the early exchanges dominated by the Seasiders with young centre halves Jon Mansbridge and Finley Hill managing the undoubted threat of Dalling, who has plied his trade at the highest level in Wales, available for the encounter as he wasn’t cup tied. Full backs Taylor Corkery and Morgan Broomhall equal also in their defensive duties whilst also have the willingness to drive forward to support their midfield, where skipper Tom Mansbridge in the centre of the park was the man of the match, his assured offensive play dovetailing with a stubborn and stern demeanour in the tackle, which belied his slight frame.
Experienced fellow central midfielder Toby Smith was a good foil between the Mansbridge brothers which allowed wide men Adam Carlier and Oran Guile space to utilise their speed, to which the frontmen of Davidson and Drummond reaped the plaudits with the goals, goalkeeper Sam Franklin as a solid last line of defence brought with his experiences of plying his trade with Hakin United, before returning to his home pasture to continue enjoying the game.
If Dalling and his left foot were a threat then equally impressive for the Phoenix outfit was teenage winger Jake Morgan before he gave way to Oliver Benbow on the hour mark and the back four in front of Devine, who commanded his area with aplomb. Teenager Tyler Morris was a terrier without the ball and belied his youthful years to set up the goal for Dalling and the grandstand finish, the full back on the opposite side Tyler Booker giving little away in terms of space and possession, whilst skipper Ifan Mathias conducted his orchestra flawlessly alongside an equally impressive display from his central partner, Sion Collella.
All good sides have an enforcer, Goodwick’s being Kieron Griffiths who won a very high percentage of challenges, picking up a yellow card late on before being replaced by Ioan Evans, teenage frontman Ethan Prestly the second name in the referees black book as the home side rolled along in pursuit of taking the game into extra time.
Saundersfoot’s Broomhall and Hill were issued first half cautions before teenager Corkey and his dad, non-playing substitute Geraint found their names taken alongside star player Mansbridge, who had battled through the game despite suffering from a virus, was withdrawn for Fin Drummond a minute before Dalling scored.
Both sides deserve full credit for the football on display and the efforts for 90+ minutes of a cup classic, that credit afforded also to referee Nevatte who will progress quickly if he continues to develop with each game he officiates. The pitch at Phoenix Park was a credit to the diligent work behind the scenes which occurs at many clubs week in week out but especially undertaken in trying times this week, Saundersfoot heading back to their seaside location content with their performance and place in the hat for the quarter final draw.
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
