Goodwick United 3
GOODWICK United produced an excellent display to overcome ten-man Hakin United to lift the Jubilee Cup at the Bridge Meadow.
Goodwick United led two nothing at half time, and despite conceding an early goal after the break, the Phoenix Lads grabbed a late third goal to seal a deserved victory for Nigel Delaney’s men.
It’s always hard to gauge from this traditional opening fixture of the season where the league holders Hakin United who took on Senior Cup holders Goodwick United will end up at the end of the season, but for the many supporters watching this clash they will be expecting both teams to be vying for the title, with the Vikings trying to win their fourth on the trot.
The Phoenix Lads drew first blood, opening the scoring on the 20 minute mark, a well weighted through ball by the impressive Rob Morgans to the ever threatening Jonny Horgan on the left, followed by a hard by-line cross that was parried by Vikings’ keeper James Manson straight into his team-mate Nathan Banner for a fortuitous own goal.
This goal inspired the Phoenix Lads with Rhys Dalling, Horgan and Morgans causing problems for the Vikings defence consisting of Sean Gelona, Daniel Armstrong, Ross Lascelles and Banner.
Manson pulled off a stunning full length save to deny a left-footed curling Horgan effort that had goal written all over it. The Vikings’ best scoring chance of the first half fell to Nicky Woodrow, the striker was put clean through with only James Gwilt to beat, but his shot was blocked by the keeper’s legs.
Ten minutes before half time and Goodwick were awarded a penalty when referee Scourfield spotted handball in the Vikings' area, up stepped Morgans who made no mistake from 12 yards that gave his side a healthy two-goal cushion at half time.
Two minutes after the break and the ball fell kindly to Woodrow inside the box, the striker pounced, lashing the loose ball into the roof of the net that got his side back in the game.
However, midway through the second period and the Vikings were reduced to ten-men when midfielder Jonty Bennett was sent off by referee Angus Scourfield for picking up two yellow cards for cynical fouls.
Horgan missed a sitter when Dalling teed up the left-sided midfielder inside the box, but he embarrassingly blasted his shot high and wide from only ten yards out with the goal at his mercy with only Manson to beat.
However, the Phoenix Lads did finally put the game to bed as Morgans released Horgan and the he ran clear to tuck his effort in the bottom corner and there was no way back for the three times league champions.
Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Steffan Hayes, Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney, Jordan Griffiths, Karl Hedley, Kieran O’Brien, Adam Raymond, Rob Morgans, Rhys Dalling, Jonny Horgan. Subs: Jake Davies, Jac Pepper, Darren Devonald.
Hakin United: James Manson, Sean Gelona, Daniel Armstrong, Ross Lascelles, Nathan Banner, Matthew Broome, Nicky Woodrow, Jonathan Bennett, Ricky Diamond, Steven Mathias, James Stanmore. Subs: Ben Aldred, Stuart McDonald, Daniel Evans.
Referee: Angus Scourfield.
Assistants: Kevin Williams and Gareth Elliott.
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