Palmer wonder strike secures Hubberston win (From Western Telegraph)

Palmer wonder strike secures Hubberston win

Hubberston 2 Templeton 1

A large crowd descended on Monkton Lane last Thursday to witness an enthralling Third Division Cup final in which Hubberston took the spoils. It capped a good season for the Milford Haven based side as they also earned promotion into Division Two and proves that this area is a definite hot bed of football in the county.

Right from the start both sides were intent on playing attacking football and went at each other with gusto. There was nothing dirty about the game but the tackles were hard and fair as neither side wanted to give the other an early advantage.

Templeton were playing with the slope in the first half on the immaculate looking pitch and they were the ones who had the first opportunities to score. An excellent move involving the talented and skilful Morgan Preece to Jamie Howitt led to the latter shooting over the bar which was unlucky as the move warranted a goal.

Hubberston came back to pressurise Templeton and forced a cross in from the right which Jason Roberts was unable to convert as the ball bounced around the box.

This move obviously gave Hubberston the confidence to be positive and they had another chance when Nathan Watts forced Templeton to scramble the ball clear.

Howitt then headed the ball over the bar for Templeton which again was unlucky and it was only a matter of time before a goal was scored.

It looked as though Templetons Matthew Lewis would get the opener after he shot just wide following a neat one two move with Howitt but it was Hubberston who got the ball rolling with a great strike by Greg McIntosh.

Hubberston went on the attack and it looked as though Templeton had done enough to clear but the ball only went as far as the big midfielder who struck the ball hard from distance and watched with delight as it totally perplexed Templeton keeper Jason Oatley and sailed into the back of the net.

Soon after and Hubberstons Jason Thomas tried something similar from around the same spot but was aghast to see his shot bounce off the cross bar. It was a definite let off for Templeton who lost their composure after the first score.

With half-time looming Templeton sought frantically for the equaliser and it came with minutes to go as Howitt latched on to a cross by Rufus Steele, beat a defender closing in for the tackle and scored his 34th goal of the season.

Hubberston started the second half as they ended the first with a series of long shots at goal. They werent just speculative shots but were well controlled and powerful with McIntosh only being denied a second by a great save by Oatley.

Morgan Preece was only denied Templetons second by a good save by Jason Richard but then out of nothing, Hubberston scored.

The ball was being passed around harmlessly in midfield but then found its way to Anthony Palmer who unleashed a thunderous shot that flew into the back of the net.

Templeton regrouped and fought hard to try and gain the equaliser. Howitt was unlucky not to get his second, while substitute David Lewis just couldnt get enough power into his shot and his attempt was saved. They threw everything at Hubberston in a vain attempt to score but unfortunately for them it came to nothing and the silverware went back with Hubberston.