Goodwick keep title hopes alive (From Western Telegraph)

Goodwick keep title hopes alive

Football: Pembrokeshire League First Division Narberth 0 Goodwick United 1

Goodwick United kept their slim title hopes alive with a vital win in terrible conditions at Narberth, writes Andrew Penman.

With Monkton, Merlins Bridge and St Ishmaels also winning Sean O'Connor's side stay in fifth position but they have games in hand and if they keep winning they will keep believing they have a chance.

Narberth failed to build on last week's stunning result at the home of the champions and never really got going in the wind, rain and hailstorms.

Despite the Bluebirds having the majority of the possession it was Goodwick who created most of the clear cut chances.

The visitors hit the side netting through Adam Raymond after 10 minutes and Raymond was again denied after 35 by a good save from Huw Davies.

And at the start of the second half, striker Dan Williams fired over from five yards out. It looked as though the Bluebirds had weathered the storm and they enjoyed their best period of pressure around the 70 minute mark.

They forced three corners in quick succession and each untidy scramble could have resulted in a goal but somehow the ball stayed out.

And with Narberth's influential midfielder Richard Nash forced off with an injury, the Phoenix boys sensed the game was theirs for the taking.

Twice in two minutes Williams fired at the keeper when put through one-on-one but it was only a stay of execution.

The unlikely figure of Robert Hughes grabbed the winner with a little over 10 minutes remaining.

The ball was only half cleared by the desperate Narberth back line and the defender gleefully whacked it home from 10 yards.

Narberth: Huw Davies, Dave Lee, James Stephens, Richard Henton, Charlie Smith, Matthew Lloyd, Dai Gillard, Richard Nash, Jamie Bradfield, Raff Barnett, Morgan Preece. Subs: Adi Jones, Paul Phillips, Marc Hughes.

Goodwick Utd: Carl Woodhouse, Martin Griffiths, Robert Hughes, Steve Blackford, Steve Evans, Barry Hayes, Adam Raymond, James Dean, Nigel Delaney, Dan Williams, David Hayes. Subs: Ryan Thomas, Lee Burrows, Alan Davies. Referee: Steve Williams.