Lamphey gain deserved win (From Western Telegraph)

Lamphey gain deserved win

Third Division Cup Semi-Final:

Lamphey 3 Haverfordwest Cricket Club 1

Lamphey became the first football team to gain entry into this year's finals as they beat Haverfordwest Cricket Club in this Third Division Cup Semi-Fin al under the floodlights at the Bridge Meadow Stadium, two goals by David Evans in the last quarter sealing a deserved victory for Andrew Skeels' side.

On such a wide pitch, both sides deserved credit for trying to play good football, with Tony Skyrme also having a good game as referee, his sympathetic control resulting in no cards being issued as the game flowed from end to end. In the final analysis the greater fitness of Lamphey told as young players like my man of the match, Ben Randall and Jamie O'Sullivan finally told, with Lee Pitman controlling matters in midfield and Mark Davies in command at the back.

The Cricketers are renowned as a team which enjoys its football and with veteran players like Tudor Walters, Steve James, Neil Crawford, Jeff Rossiter, Steve and Andrew Phillips in their side alongside John Ryan, Dai and Chris Davies they never gave up trying, despite conceding an early goal when they failed to clear Dai Stanley's corner and midfield dynamo Rob Mathias drilled the ball past Phil Narbett from close range.

But Dai Davies levelled matters within two minutes when he received the ball in midfield, looked up from 25 yards and drilled the ball past a surprised Gareth Nicholas. It was a quality finish from a quality player.

Davies also had another effort from the same range which flew over the top whilst at the other end Dai Stanley set up a chance for Ben Randall and David Evans blazed over the bar. Evans also thought he had scored but was recalle d for offside - and the scores were still tied at the break as a neat flick-on by Steve James gave the Cricket Club striker a half chance which he couldn't control.

Lamphey started the second half in commanding style but Dai Stanley volleyed over and had a close-range toe poke well saved by Narbett. Tudor Walters ha d the best chance for the cricketers but watched his left foot shot drift wide of the near post.

Lamphey finally broke the deadlock after 74 minutes when David Evans broke through and fired a low shot into the corner of the net -and Evans made sure of a final place for Lamphey when he added his second right on time as the Cricket Club pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Lamphey: Gareth Nicholas: Lee Evans; Mark Davies; Neil Griffiths; James Parsley: Ben Randall; Rob Mathias; Lee Pitman; Jamie O'Sullivan: Dai Stanley; David Evans. Subs: Steve Vale; Royston Workman; Peter McGilloway.

Haverfordwest Cricket Club: Phil Narbett: Steve Davies; Andrew Phillips; Chris Davies; Jeff Rossiter: John Ryan; Steve James; Dai Davies; Tudor Walters: Neil Crawford; Steve Phillips. Subs: David Loosmore; Jonathan Tooze; Matthew Vaughan.

Venue: Bridge Meadow Stadium Referee: Tony Skyrme Assistant Referees: Alan Thomas and Ray Williams