Parkes strike secures date for dream final (From Western Telegraph)

Parkes strike secures date for dream final

Goodwick United 1 St Ishmaels 2

Is it better to lose out in a semi-final or a final? With the latter, at least you can lay claim to having got there, soaking in the atmosphere and having the chance to display your talents in front of a large crowd. In the former, well, you had a chance to get there and you didn't, it's a simple as that.

Now is not the time to ask any Goodwick players what they think as they are out of the cup, having been beaten by a St Ishmaels side that was tenacious, gutsy and diligent.

With Hakin United having basically booked their place in the final before the season had begun, the romantics among Pembrokeshire's football fraternity would have hoped that Tish would be the team to play them. Now the romantics have their wish.

Robbie Thomas' lads have already beaten Hakin in a final once this season having won the James Williams cup quite comfortably at Narberth. Can they do it again? Following this showing against Goodwick, why not?

From the start they were as committed as ever, you could sense how much the game meant to them and their energetic brand of football was on show right from the first shrill of the whistle.

A classy run by Goodwick defender Steve Blackford apart, the opening exchanges all belonged to Tish as they bombarded the Goodwick defence with a series of early corners all of which came to nothing, but the intent was there and you could sense a goal coming.

It came courtesy of Adam Davies who showed that he is now probably the best striker in the county. From a quickly taken throw-in, he turned sharply with his back to goal, took the ball passed a couple of defenders and unleashed a thunderous shot which flew into the back of the net.

Boosted by this goal, the pressure continued. Steve Parkes went close on a number of occasions after he was put through by his team mates but was either foiled by Darren Turner or his shots went wide, but with around five minutes to go before half time, he was confronted with a one on one with Turner he made no mistake as he lifted the ball over the desperate 'keeper's arms.

So complete was Tish's performance in the first half that Martin Waterman's missed penalty went virtually unnoticed.

At the other end, Jon Pawlett warmed up for his busy time in the second half with a couple of good saves, one of which was a real gem, when forced to stretch long from a looping shot by Steve Evans.

Following the break and with Goodwick playing with the wind, Sean O'Connor's men began to assert themselves more. Alan Davies shot inches wide while Dai Hayes was unlucky not to score with a brilliant shot that was equally brilliantly saved by Pawlett.

They got one back courtesy of a trademark header by Bernie Armstrong but try as they might the second just wouldn't come. They crossed the ball in from both flanks, tried shooting from in front of goal, indeed, they tried just about everything but Pawlett was up to the task.

Tish too had their chances to score but Mark and Adam Davies' shots were well saved by Turner.

As the clock ticked down, Goodwick tried frantically to net an equaliser but it wasn't to be as 'Tish hung on for victory and a final against Hakin awaits.