Swifts shock as Herbie strike surprise win (From Western Telegraph)

Swifts shock as Herbie strike surprise win

The shock of the third round of the Senior Cup came at HERBRANDSTON on Saturday, when the Second Division table-toppers overcame MONKTON SWIFTS 1-0 in a hard-fought physical battle, writes Steve Adams.

A second half strike by Timmy Griffiths offered the home side plenty of optimism for next year should they continue their good form and gain promotion to the top flight, as they again outplayed opposition from the premier division.

The heavy pitch made for tough going and both sides missed plenty of chances in the first half to go into the break level.

After the interval, Jamie Boswell in the middle of Herbie's midfield took control of the game and inspired the home side to victory with Olly West also impressive deputising at the back for Paul Hudd, who was hospitalised with gall stones on Friday.

Third Division HAVERFORDWEST CRICKET CLUB found themselves outplayed by PENNAR ROBINS but won plenty of admirers for they battling performance for the full 90 minutes, despite eventually going down 9-0. Paul Lowe, Steven Allen and Lee Gilpin each picked up two, while Marcus Lyons and Paul Webb both found the net.

Goal of the game though was a Mike Brace header from just inside the box which he powered beyond the keeper and into the far corner. Despite all the goals, much of the acclaim went to Pennar's 17-year-old Jamie Callen who put in an outstanding performance at centre-half to ensure that all the goals went one way.

Division One strugglers PRENDERGAST VILLA picked up a much needed confidence boost with a 4-1 away victory at third division HUNDLETON. The home side performed well despite being 23 places below the guests and Andrew Sweet, Ron Jones and Ben Randall battled hard to ensure the home side were not overpowered by Villa's midfield.

Eventually the inevitable came and the Villa pressure paid off giving them a two-goal lead to take into the break thanks to goals from Steve Brittan and Mathew Coombes.

The gulf in class was further highlighted when second half goals from David Smith and Jason Disley secured a Villa victory before a 60th minute strike from the impressive Sweet offered the home side a little consolation.

The only all Second Division tie of the round saw promotion hopefuls ST DAVIDS come out on top against rivals HUBBERSTON thanks to an early David Price effort.

Jason Joyce launched a long throw into the box and Price managed to get above the visiting defenders to flick the ball into the corner.

Saints had much more of the play, with Hubberston managing to create only a handful of chances on the home goal. St Davids should have increased their lead when a they let a number of excellent chances go begging, including when Chris 'Huggy' Edwards missed a one-on-one with the Hubberston keeper in the second half which he really should have managed to put away.

GOODWICK UNITED put in a strong home performance and in five first half minutes managed to see off First Division rivals CAMROSE 4-0. With 40 minutes gone and the scores level, Goodwick picked up a debatable penalty after John Bailey was brought down in the box and Bernie Armstrong drilled home the spotkick.

Two minutes later and Armstrong was again involved. He crossed and Alan Davies outjumped the Camrose defenders to place a good downward header beyond the keeper and into the back of the net.

On the stroke of half-time, a partially cleared corner fell to Bailey who chipped the ball back into the danger area for Robert Hughes to score. After the break, a cross from Barry Hayes was met by Steve Summers who's left foot strike gave the keeper little chance.

The visitors could never regain a foothold in the game and with Steve Blackford strong at the back and Davies controlling midfield, the home side cruised into the draw for the next round.

SAUNDERSFOOT SPORTS visit to ST ISHMAELS was called off due to poor pitch conditions.