Eight goal Vikings are six times winners (From Western Telegraph)

Eight goal Vikings are six times winners

Hakin United 8 Pennar Robins 0

Hakin United broke all the records as they completed their sixth successive championship of the James Williams Pembrokeshire League.

The Vikings were already assured of the silverware and this proud new record but they showed their capabilities as they raced into a 2-0 lead against a Pennar Robins outfit which still has aspirations of the runners-up spot.

Then the game flattened out as flowing play was difficult in the tricky wind and it was only when referee Phil Cook awarded a penalty to Hakin for a trip on Paul Jones eight minutes after the interval that the Robins gave up the ghost and conceded another six goals after having Paul Lowe sent off and both keeper Andrew Woods and defender Mike Brace yellow-carded in the same incident.

Paul Jones went on to grab four goals despite still receiving treatment when Postlethwaite tucked home the spot-kick after Lowe had apparently used foul and abusive language at the referee - and league chairman Norman Hanlon was absolutely right when he presented the silverware to Hakin skipper Gary Dawes when he said what a fine side the Vikings are and he wished them well for their two important semi-finals this weekend. It was appropriate that Dawes should pick up the trophy and his wearing Nigel Armstrongs number six shirt back to front for the photographs showed what this record success meant to him since he has captained the side throughout the period.

He was again dominant in midfield as a ball winner and although he still tends to get embroiled in unnecessary debates with officials, as he did in this game, he showed his value throughout, starting with a lovely through ball to Paul Jones which allowed Jonah to blast home his first goal from an oblique angle shortly after Postlethwaite had pulled down a high ball, turned and rocketed a left-foot scorcher past Woods as the Robins defence gave him too much space near the box.

Two goals adrift after 13 minutes left Pennar with a lot to do but with managers Bobby Bell and Jimmy Anderson urging them on from the bottom touchline they had half chances but Ben Goldsmith and Lowes chips were dealt with by Steve Hartley, standing in for Jason Morgan so that he could enjoy a break in Las Vegas!

Hakin had several other chances as Nigel Armstrong and Adam La Rosa set up a header for Postlethwaite which skimmed off his balding pate, Dawes glanced a header over the bar from a Postlethwaite free kick and Jones had a shot blocked by Woods.

Dai Patterson fired over the bar as Pennar started well after the break but then came the penalty which Postlethwaite casually tucked home as he sent Woods the wrong way - and Jones added his second four minutes later as he found space on the right and rasped the ball home.

Hartley made a good save from Patterson after good work by Dean Driscoll and Darren Shaw - but it was the Vikings who added a fifth goal when Postlethwaite put Jones through one-on-one with keeper Woods and although he was pushed wide Jones still had time to pivot, beat a marker and drill the ball home for his hat-trick.

Paul Chapman came on to make it six goals with a left foot shot when he found acres of space behind a deflated Robins defence, Steve Mathias did the same and as so often happens it was Jones who applied the coup de grace with a superb header from a Chapman corner.

In attendance for the county were Mr Hanlon and assistant secretary Mickie Phillips and the Vikings enjoyed their moment of history as they beat Fishguard Sports record which had lasted since 1976 - and few will deny them their place in the record books because they have dominated affairs in the last six years. Manager Chris Tansey said:

Winning the six titles wasnt an aim until the last couple of seasons, when it grew more and more a possibility. It has been hard at times but, make no mistake, the boys deserve it. Like all records it will go one day but it will take a very good side to take it from Hakin United.

They face further challenges this weekend with two huge cup semi-finals. On Saturday they take on West End in the West Wales Intermediate Cup at the neutral venue of Carmarthen and entertain Welsh League First Division side Ammanford at The Observatory on Sunday trying to reach the last two of the West Wales Senior Cup.

Both should be cracking matches and Hakin United are hoping to have plenty of support for Chris Tanseys boys!