Fishguard still searching for form (From Western Telegraph)

Fishguard still searching for form

Fishguard 2 Carew 3

Fishguards St Marys field is not the easiest of places to play even on a good day let alone in pouring rain and the heavy winds that were witnessed on Saturday.

Therefore it is a credit to both sides that they managed to score five goals between them.

Even at this early stage of the season this was a must win game for both sides. Before this game Fishguard had a record of six played with one victory, two draws and a three defeats, while Carew had lost two, drawn one and won one.

In short neither side had set the league on fire. Fishguard played up the slope and against the wind in the first half and found the going tough against a stubborn Carew defence where Barry Evans and Paul Bullock excelled.

The home side also had to deal with the threat of talented striker Tim Hicks who was available to play due to his League of Wales match for Carmarthen being called off.

He caused numerous problems for the home side with his blistering pace and sharp skills and went close to putting Carew in the lead on a number of occasions but home custodian Darren Turner stood firm.

It was Fishguard who took the lead thanks to the efforts of Clive Marshallsay who scored with a diving header from a Ben Jones throw. Carew equalised just before half time as Shapcott slammed one home. Up against the wind in the second half and Carew started to play better football.

They scored after only five minutes when Gerald Hicks' shot was deflected in and skipper Richard Bullock made it 3-1 when a shot from 18 yards found the bottom corner of the net after a move down the right caught the home side napping.

Fishguard came back to put pressure on the defence and went close on a number of occasions but were denied by Ian Kerrison who once again played well in goal, but he couldnt cope with a Rob Hughes free kick which was headed in by Paul Walsh with about five minutes to go.

Sensing a draw was on the horizon, Fishguard continued to attack and even in the dying moments had their chances to score but they had a shot cleared off the line.

A draw would have probably been the best result but Carew wont be complaining as they now move into a mid-table position while Fishguard now lie just four places off the bottom.

Fishguard: Darren Turner, Mike Harries, Russell Watkins, Jamie Morgan, Rob Hughes, Steven Rowe, Steven Evans, Paul Walsh, Ben Jones, Clive Marshallsay, Mike Williams; Subs: Ricardo Chozas, Neil A Hearne, Steve Jones.

Carew: Ian Kerrison, Barry Evans, Jeremy Morris, Stuart Prosser, Paul Bullock, Richard Bullock, Gerald Hicks, Haydn Shapcott, Tommy Wright, Tim Hicks, Ross Helmich; Subs: Nielson Cole, Brian Hall, Huw Brock.