Mathias double seals Vikings win (From Western Telegraph)

Mathias double seals Vikings win

Narberth 1 Hakin United 2

Narberths majestic goal scoring spree came to an end on Saturday as they fell to the might of Hakin at home in Jesse Road.

Before this hastily arranged fixture due to the Welsh football international, Narberth had scored 20 goals in three games. More even than their awesome opponents, who over the past few weeks had been letting in more that they would have liked.

Still, they remained unbeaten and werent going to leave Narberth having lost that tag. Manager Chris Tansey was delighted with the result saying: It was a hard fought win in difficult conditions. The team played well with everyone putting the effort in and Im pleased we got a win under our belts.

Hakin were without influential striker Paul Jones who stayed at home due to the imminent arrival of a child into his family, but they still had enough firepower up front with Steve Mathias and Mike Cooper taking over the reigns.

Narberth played against the wind in the first half and did well to keep the score down to 2-0.

Chances were few on the ground for the homeside with the visiting defence of Nigel Armstrong, Kristan Bennett, Karl Rhead and Gerrard Grey all playing well with Bennett in particular proving why he is rated one of the finest defenders in the county with a commanding display especially in the air.

Hakin got the ball rolling after only two minutes as Steve Mathias made amends for missing an even earlier chance as he shot from the edge of the box after the ball ricocheted around the goal area, with Gary Dawes providing the scoring pass.

20 minutes later and Mathias again found himself on the score sheet with an individual effort that began on the half way mark and finished with a powerful left footed shot from the edge of the box.

With their confidence up Hakin made a series of attacks that came to nothing thanks to Steven Poole in the Narberth goal who made a series of fine saves to keep his side in the game.

Narberth in the meantime were forced to shoot from long range as the defence shut them out but they did claw one back with ten minutes to go as a long ball from Poole found its way to Jason Bridges who sped away from the defence to volley the ball home.

Sadly for them that was Narberths only real chance of the second half and victory for Hakin was secured.

Narberth: Steven Poole, Richard Henton, Dave Lee, Phil Scourfield, James Stevens, Marc Hughes, Paul Phillips, Davy Johns, Raff Barnett, Jason Bridges, Steve Davies: Subs; Matthew Johns, Gavin Smith.

Hakin United: Jason Morgan, Nigel Armstrong, Kristan Bennett, Gerrard Grey, Adi Haworth, Gary Dawes, Paul Turner, Paul Chapman, Mike Cooper, Steve Mathias; Subs: Adam La Rosa, Adam Wheeler, Dai Malloy