Bevan bags first Clarbie cup (From Western Telegraph)

Bevan bags first Clarbie cup

Clarbeston Road 2 Angle 1 Two second half goals by talented young striker Richard Bevan eased Clarbeston Road to their first-ever cup triumph as they came back from a goal deficit at the interval to beat a determined Angle side in a cracker of a Third Division Cup Final, played in terrific spirit, that was a credit to both sides.

Whatever coach Huw Bevan said in the dressing room at half time clearly worked because his son Richard struck within 25 SECONDS of the restart as Daniel Lewis played a ball into the danger zone and Bevan Junior slotted the ball past a helpless Darren Thompson in the Angle goal.

Then he added his second within ten minutes when Roger James swung in a corner on the left and Bevan rose above everybody to plant his header firmly into the top corner for another quality finish.

The most relieved player on the pitch was Clarbie keeper Lee Scott because his first half howler had given Angle the lead after only five minutes when a gentle back pass by Peter Jones somehow slipped under young Scott's boot and crept into the empty Clarbie net.

But he made amends soon after with a splendid low save from Phil Thompson - and showed his worth to the side with a point-blank save in the second period from a Jason Richards' header.

It looked as if the Gods weren't going to smile on Clarbie because at the other end there were headers from Daniel Rees and Bevan that should have produced goals. Bevan also forced a very good save from Darren Thompson after some neat work by Rhys Jones and Mikey Loveridge, with Jones also volleying over the bar.

But all that changed after the break and after forcing their way in front, Clarbie looked quite strong at the back as skipper Daniel Rees was joined by Adi Hurton, Andrew Hartley and Owen Roberts in keeping a tight watch on Thompson and Lee Brockway. Terry Richards came on as sub for Angle to maintain his amazing record of playing in every cup final or promotion decider for the club since 1977 but was the only man to go into Roy Boswell's book for a little jersey tug.

Scott had to punch clear under real pressure from Thompson in the closing stages but that apart there were few real chances for Angle as both sides can take immense credit for their performances. It was always hard and competitive as Clarbeston Road completed the league and cup double but there was no questioning decisions or foul language, and both sets of supporters were also an example to some of the more senior clubs in the county on a day where the final reflected great credit on Pembrokeshire football in general.

Well done both teams and congratulations to Huw Bevan's boys for their first-ever cup final success!