HAKIN UNITED 2-6 JOHNSTON

JOHNSTON won the 30th annual Eddie Merry Memorial Cup with a comfortable victory over Hakin United.

Just like their semi final with hosts Fishguard Sports, the Vikings chose to field a second string side, and the Tigers took full advantage as they scored six times.

Russell Murray’s men threatened early on when Joe John just failed to capitalise on a mistake by Vikings keeper Jason Rickard, before the stopper made a good save from Steven Dockerty.

But the Tigers took the lead 13 minutes in when John drove a low shot home following good build up play from Luke Hayward, Tom Wilks, and James Skudder.

Jamie Davies fired wide with Hakin’s first real sight of goal before at the other end John went clean through only to see his shot tipped round the post by Rickard.

But Dockerty did double the advantage when he scored directly from an inswinging corner.

And after Skudder saw his shot tipped over the bar by Rickard, he combined with Dockerty to set up John who bagged his second, and Johnston’s third, after 35 minutes.

At that point the game appeared over but to Hakin’s credit, they battled back well before half time.

Tigers skipper Chris Ormond was adjudged to have blocked a Davies cross with his hand, and Ryan Lewis made no mistake from the spot.

And then moments after Aaron Owens crashed a free kick against the bar, Davies tapped in from close range after Johnston keeper Martin Langdon had blocked a Josh Youds shot.

Owens then nearly levelled matters after the break when another dipping free kick sailed just over.

But on 55 minutes the Tigers took command again when Skudder was brought down in the box, and after Hayward saw his spot kick tipped onto the post by Rickard, Wilks followed up the rebound to score.

Dockerty and John then both went close before the latter completed a hat trick, robbing a now injured Rickard of possession and tapping home following a weak backpass by Michael Cooper.

With 15 minutes left, Skudder won a second Johnston penalty, the third in the game awarded by referee Sean O’Connor, and Langdon came out of his goal to fire into the top corner and make it 6-2.

After the game, Fishguard AFC chairman Owen Duggan thanked everyone involved in the tournament and announced the three games had raised £1600 for charity. He then presented the cup to winning captain Chris Ormond.

The same sides will now meet in the Jubilee Bowl, played traditionally between the league winners and Senior Cup winners, at Monkton Lane on Thursday.

Hakin United: Jason Rickard, Aaron Bowles, Paul Jenkins, Ian Aldred, George Phillips, Ryan Wilson, James Trueman, Andrew Armstrong, Jamie Davies, Aaron Owens, Josh Youds. Subs: Paul Jones, Michael Cooper, Paul Howard.

Johnston: Martin Langdon, Chris Ormond, Andrew John, Sion Price, Ewan Cunningham, Scott Murray, Steven Dockerty, Luke Hayward, Tom Wilks, Joe John, James Skudder. Subs: Steve Mills, Mark Jones, Ryan Doyle.

Referee: Sean O’ Connor.
Assistants: Tom Bevan and Andrew Hopkin.