Devonald stars in Vikings win (From Western Telegraph)

Devonald stars in Vikings win

Hakin Utd 3 Monkton Swifts 1

If Monkton had played the whole game as well as they did for the final ten minutes of this clash, the result could have been so much different. Instead they will have to reflect on what could have been as Hakin once again came away with the win.

That isn't to say that Hakin didn't deserve the victory, as on a reflection of the game as a whole, they were much the better side, but Monkton certainly deserve credit for the way they battled on until the Fat Lady finally sang her final note of the day.

With a bitterly cold wind and less than perfect light, this game was never going to set the world on fire and sometimes it was very hard not to glance over to the neighbouring rugby field and watch the epic clash between Milford and the Quins which turned out to be a classic, but the football did have it's moments.

Some of these moments were provided by Marc Devonald of Hakin and the young Gideon Hochim of the Swifts.

Devonald has been a revelation for the Vikings this season and has proved to be a canny signing by their manager Chris Tansey. Only last week he scored a wonder goal against Goodwick and this week he came close to scoring a couple more. Alas the goals went to other players but at least he can console himself in the knowledge that he created plenty of opportunities and marshalled the centre of midfield magnificently. He is certainly a player of great flair and vision.

Hochim on the other hand has a wonderful future ahead of him. Watching him on Saturday it was hard to believe he is only 16-years-old. He has incredible ball control, possesses wonderful balance and quick feet and despite his inexperience at this level, he has plenty of guts, which is always needed while playing at the Obs.

The game started quite evenly with nobody gaining the ascendancy until after ten minutes when Hakin started to take control. The first real chance fell to Leighton Edwards who was denied a goal by the impressive Gareth Kenniford who saved well following a free-kick by Jason Morgan.

Brian Probert could have put the visitors ahead but shot agonisingly over the bar while at the other end, Kristan Bennett did the same. One thing was evident from the start however and that was the fact that Hakin caused some problems with their crosses and this is how the first goal came about.

A free-kick in by Adam Wheeler fell perfectly into the box and Bennett was on hand to glance the ball home. This goal certainly inspired Hakin as for the next ten minutes or so they were well on top.

Paul Jones did magnificently in the box to beat a couple of players and unleashed a ferocious shot from point blank range but was denied by the brilliance of Kenniford while soon after and Edwards did the same, only to suffer from the same result.

However it wasn't long before a goal was coming and the second was scored by Nigel Armstrong, again from a free-kick and again he had space in the box to easily head the ball home.

The second half began with Hakin well on top and they soon went 3-0 up when Armstrong added his second but instead of the predicted glut of goal, Monkton dug deep and battled on much to their credit. Part of the reason for this can go down to defender Mark Powell who came on at the interval and marshalled the defence superbly as he nullified the threat of Jones and generally organised those in front of him.

The Swifts finally reduced the deficit with a goal by Probert after a free-kick by Barry Dilworth and suddenly we had a game on our hands.

Dilworth was denied a Swifts second after he was deemed off-side, while Paul Lacey made Morgan stretch high to save a certain goal.

For all their efforts as the game went on however, Hakin's defence held firm and they in the end they deserved their win although the Swifts can take heart out of their performance.