Manderwood Pembrokeshire League Division One:

Goodwick United 4-0 Narberth

TWO goals from Jonny Horgan helped Goodwick United remain in touch at the top of the table as they comfortably beat Narberth 4-0 at Phoenix Park yesterday (Saturday).

By contrary, The Bluebirds now find themselves deep in relegation danger, sitting a point above the bottom two but having played four more games than Pennar Robins, the side immediately below them.

In difficult conditions for both sides at Phoenix Park, it was Nigel Delaney’s team who threatened first when winger Karl Hedley drove towards the area and struck a powerful shot that Narberth keeper Ben Vetura Mesquita pushed onto the crossbar.

Steve Dockerty then failed to make a proper connection with his effort after latching onto Adam Raymond’s flick on – but it was Narberth who then went perilously close to the lead when Macauley Connor pounced on some sloppy Goodwick defending, and curled a shot that home keeper Casey Walters tipped inches wide of the post.

However, 19 minutes in it was Horgan that put The Phoenix Boys in the ascendancy, breaking down the left edge of the area and firing a shot across Vetura Mesquita and into the bottom corner.

Chances for the remainder of the half were few and far between, with Narberth’s Karl Jones controlling an Adam Frearson free kick inside the area before being crowded out as he turned to shoot.

At the other end, Goodwick right back Steffan Hayes cut in from the flank but his left foot effort drifted wide of the far post.

But a minute before the break, the reigning champions doubled their lead when Dockerty’s cross from the right was met by Raymond, who found the net with a looping header.

Early in the second half, Raymond came close to a second from Horgan’s low cross, but couldn’t get his shot away from six yards under pressure from Frearson.

Horgan then fired high and wide from a tight angle, but on 53 minutes, he did score again in fortuitous circumstances, when his floated free kick into the area was fumbled into his own net by Vetura Mesquita.

The keeper did partly make amends when he tipped over Scott Delaney’s close range header from a Raymond free kick over, before Narberth’s John Marson did well to clear off his own line after Tony Evans’ free kick evaded everyone else in the area.

But on 73 minutes, another set piece led to Goodwick’s fourth goal, as Raymond’s mishit free kick was deflected into the path of Evans, who made no mistake against his former club.

For The Bluebirds, the lively Harry Ryan looked most likely to create something in the second half, but their only effort of note on goal came when Connor’s long range shot was well held by Walters late on.

The Phoenix Boys, who now lie second in Division One on goal difference although have played more games than the sides around them, will now turn their attention to Wednesday night’s Senior Cup final against Clarbeston Road at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Goodwick United: Casey Walters, Steffan Hayes, Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney, Anthony Couzens (Charlie Davies 60), Karl Hedley, Llyr Tobin (Tony Evans 60), Matthew Delaney, Steve Dockerty, Adam Raymond, Jonny Horgan (Ben John 60).

Narberth: Ben Vetura Mesquita, Jordan Howell (Ben Stevens 61), Jordan Thomas, John Marson, Marc Hughes, Karl Jones, Adam Frearson, Davie Johns (Phillip Scourfield 78), Jordan Madeira, Harry Ryan, Macauley Connor.

Sub not used: Nigel Thomas.

Referee: Gavin Southcott.

  • Elsewhere in Division One, the shock result of the afternoon saw previously unbeaten Hakin United lose 0-1 at home against Pennar Robins, as Sean Meaney scored the only goal. Merlins Bridge won 3-2 at home against Carew. Steven McNabney, Matthew D’Ivry and Joe Leahy scored for The Wizards, and Scott Ferney and Ian Derbyshire netted for the visitors. Monkton Swifts piled misery on rock bottom Johnston, winning 13-0 as Ben Adams scored an incredible eight times, plus goals from Martin Carroll (2), Jason Finnegan, Luke Probert and Thomas Doyle. Milford United gained a crucial 2-3 win at Angle. Chris Richards scored a brace for the homesters, but Dany Raicu (2) and Liam Parr moved The Robins further away from relegation danger. Tenby drew 5-5 with Lamphey at The Clicketts, Sam Christopher scored all five goals for The Seasiders, and The Stags secured a point with goals scored by Josh Dearsley (2), Josh Sture, Mikey Davis, and Danno Kitts.
  • In the West Wales Intermediate Cup fourth round, Neyland narrowly lost 3-4 at home to Swansea League Division Two outfit CRC Rangers. Geraint Rees, Joe Charlton and Justin Harding scored for The Nomads, but the visitors sealed victory with goals from Tom Blackburn 2, Josh Hodgson and Gareth Phillips. West Dragons however, will now be Pembrokeshire’s sole representatives in the quarter finals, winning 1-3 at Neath Premier leaders Cwm Wanderers. The Dragons trailed 1-0 at half time, but sealed victory with  goals by Scott Crawford, Nick Squire and Lee Palmer.