Fourth Division Cup final:
Lamphey Seconds 1
Pennar Robins Thirds 0

AN injury time header from player manager John Goodrick sealed Fourth Division Cup glory for Lamphey Seconds last night as they overcame Pennar Robins Thirds at Monkton Lane.

The Stags had dominated the opening 45 minutes but wasted a hatful of chances, but after a far more even second half, the game seemed destined for extra time despite Pennar being reduced to 10 men after Dan Lynch was sent off.

But it was then that Goodrick, who had only been on the field a matter of minutes, made no mistake from close range after being set up by fellow substitute Richard Williams.

In nigh on perfect conditions, it was Lamphey who started with both the slope and the evening sun in their favour and there was early scare for Pennar when keeper Billy Drinkwater’s clearance was volleyed straight back towards goal from half way by Lamphey midfielder Ben Randall – but Drinkwater did well to back pedal and gather safely.

The keeper was called into action again moments later when Lamphey’s Jack Lewis was brought down on the edge of the area by Marcus Blair – but Lewis Haines saw his powerful free kick pushed away to safety.

The pressure continued as Ryan Howells saw his deflected left foot shot flash past the far post, and after Randall’s resultant corner prompted a goalmouth scramble, Lamphey defender Jansen Parsley drove a left foot shot against the foot of the post.

Pennar attacks were few and far between early on but midway through the half they threatened when Jamie Groves lobbed a pass through to striker Marco Valentine, who beat Lamphey keeper Richard Evans to the bouncing ball before the pair collided, but referee Roy Boswell waved away appeals for a penalty.

Moments later Evans inadvertently set up another chance for his side when his long clearance was punched by Drinkwater into the path of Howells, but he fired wide from the edge of the area.

The striker then took an air shot with another shooting chance 15 yards out, before Lamphey skipper Haines surprised everyone with a driven free kick from 40 yards – but Drinkwater again did well to tip his effort inches over.

In the final minutes of the half The Robins did get a foothold and Groves struck a long range shot that was well held by Evans.

Then a long clearance by Drinkwater caused confusion in the Lamphey defence as Stewart Morrison slipped and the ball ran free to Valentine, but he couldn’t get his effort on target.

With the slope in their favour after the break, it was Pennar who threatened first when Williams misjudged a cross and the ball fell to Groves, but his driven shot from a tight angle was deflected away for a corner.

At the other end a Randall free kick was headed straight at Drinkwater by Parsley, before the contest appeared to tighten up somewhat as both sides struggled to break each other down.

Pennar’s Jack Sullivan, his side’s best performer on the night, did flash a 30 yard volley over the bar – but with 18 minutes left, The Robins were reduced to 10 men.

Lynch, who had only been booked minutes earlier, reacted to a strong challenge by shaping a headbutt at a Lamphey player, and although contact was minimal, referee Boswell was left with no choice but to issue a straight red card.

The Stags immediately tried to seize the initiative, and Williams, on as a replacement from Jamie Aries, cut inside and curled a right foot shot that Drinkwater palmed past the post.

But with 10 minutes left, it was The Robins who had great chance to lead when Valentine latched onto a long ball and although his effort was blocked by the onrushing Evans, the ball fell to Craig Butland 25 yards out – but with the keeper stranded he couldn’t keep his effort down.

Valentine had another opening but his touch let him down as he looked to race through on goal –and then in the first minute of injury time, it was The Stags who sealed glory.

Goodrick had only come on five minutes earlier for Jack Lewis, but after Williams made ground down the right edge of the area and floated a cross into the six yard box, the manager was in the perfect position to plant his downward header into the net.

In the two extra minutes that followed, Pennar tried to push everyone forward in search of a leveller but Lamphey held firm for a dramatic win.

Afterwards Micky Phillips, of the Pembrokeshire Football League, thanked Monkton Swifts FC and the officials, before League Chairperson Rowena Lloyd presented both sides their medals, and the trophy to Lamphey captain Haines. 

Lamphey Seconds: Richard Evans, Byron Woodward, Chris Austin, Stewart Morrison, Jansen Parsley, Phillips Horsley, Jack Lewis (John Goodrick 86), Ben Randall, Ryan Howells, Lewis Haines, Jamie Aries (Richard Williams 56).
Subs not used: Patrick McKeown.

Pennar Robins Thirds: Billy Drinkwater, Daniel MaCleod, Kyle Wright, Marco Valentine, Craig Butland, Jamie Groves (Martin Rees 62), Dan Lynch, Joshua Watts, Jack Sullivan, Marcus Blair (Liam Curshaw HT), Max Hunter, 
Subs not used: Martin Rees, Ray Lo.

Referee: Roy Boswell.
Assistants: Sean Jenkins and Craig Templeton.
Fourth official: Dai Badger.