Gillard stakes claim for cup final place (From Western Telegraph)

Gillard stakes claim for cup final place

Narberth 2nds 2 Carew 2nds 0 David Gillard gave Ralph Phillips a selection headache ahead of this weekends senior Cup Final after starring for Narberth 2nds in the Reserve Division Cup Final against Carew last week.

Such was his command over the opposition and skill on the ball, his display left many wondering just why he hasnt been involved with the Bluebirds first team over the past season. Surely, after his performance last week, he must stand a chance of making an appearance against Hakin on Saturday.

This game started off at a slow pace. The pitch was very hard which made it difficult to control the ball at times. Long passes ran on too far and high balls just kept on bouncing, thankfully, the match came to life in the second half.

Narberth had the first chance to score after Russell Knox fumbled the ball from a shot by Nigel Davies and from the ensuing corner, Ian Hughes headed over the bar. For Carew, Nielson Cole showed that he is one for the future with a number of in-swinging corners that caused Richard Morgan a few problems in the Narberth goal.

Narberth almost scored when Gillard shot over the bar, but the best chance for the Bluebirds came from the boot of Peter Phillips as he had a one on one with Knox, but the keeper stifled his effort.

Towards the end of the first half, Narberth were starting to take control and Craig Hurst saw his powerful volley skim over the bar, while Adam Ahmed was only denied a goal by a brilliant low, diving save by Knox.

The second half began slowly. Both sides seemed over cautious until Gillard decided to take the match by the scruff of the neck and displayed his skills for all to see. Darting runs were intertwined with deft touches and audacious pieces of skill. From one of these runs, he forced a corner and Ian Hughes leapt high to head Narberth into the lead.

Carl Wainwright almost pulled one back for Carew and so did Robert Scourfield but after that the game belonged to Narberth.

Peter Phillips tried a shot but it flew over the bar, although soon after he beat Scourfield for pace and produced a thunderous left-footed shot that flew into the back of the net.

Scourfield then hit the post as Carew tried valiantly to pull one back but it wasnt to be as Narberth held on for a deserved win that will leave Phillips thinking long and hard about the makeup of his team to face the mighty Hakin this weekend.

Pictured: Narberth skipper Peter Phillips with daughter Sophie after winning the reserve division cup