Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League Division One:

Goodwick United 5-0 Herbrandston

AFTER the frustration of having four consecutive league games postponed, Goodwick got their title hopes back on track with a comfortable 5-0 win over Herbie at Phoenix Park tonight.

Striker Jordan Griffiths struck twice in a largely uninspired first half to put Wayne O’Sullivan’s side in control, before Scott Delaney, Lee Hudgell and Kieran O’Brien added further goals to complete a routine win.

Goodwick stay second on goal difference courtesy of Hakin’s 8-0 win in Lamphey – but for Oliver West’s Herbie, time is now running out with them still needing at least a point from their remaining two games to have any chance of avoiding relegation.

The visitors arrived missing several key players and the scale of their task was evident from the start as the home side pressed forward – and sure enough, the first goal came 12 minutes in.

Jonny Horgan’s corner was only partially cleared and after some pinball in the area, Delaney’s header back across goal was nodded in by Griffiths.

But to their credit, rather than cave in Herbie were resolute for the remainder of the half, and chances were few and far between as Goodwick struggled to get any kind of rhythm going forward.

There were moments of danger as Hudgell failed to react quickly enough after away keeper Jack Ackermann missed a Iestyn Evans cross – and moments later the left back himself was denied from close range after a brave block from Herbie centre back Adrian Rees.

It was one of many crucial interventions made by the committed Rees over the 90 minutes, but his side were offering little by way of attack until Scott Reid fashioned a chance seven minutes before the break.

Reid, largely isolated up front in the first half, pounced on a slip by Delaney and carried the ball into the area – before seeing his low angled shot tipped away by home keeper James Gwilt.

But then on the brink of half time, Goodwick took control after Chris O’Sullivan dispossessed Herbie right back Archie McCallum, and then was tripped by Rees as he jinked into the area.

Referee Tom Bevan pointed to the spot – and although Griffiths saw his penalty well saved by Ackermann, the youngster made no mistake with the rebound.

The second half was one then one way traffic as Delaney made it 3-0 two minutes after the re-start, planting a header in from Hudgell’s corner.

The left winger also struck the post with a driven 20 yard shot – but 20 minutes from time, he got his goal after Rhys Dalling’s left foot effort cannoned back off the bar and the ball fell to Hudgell, whose close range effort found the net via a deflection off Sean Williams.

The pressure continued as Griffiths’ whipped cross was inches away from a sliding Kieran O’Brien – and the same duo combined for number five, the substitute tapping in after Griffiths had cut past two defenders and teed him up with a low cross.

Dalling forced Ackermann into a smart save late on before blasting over as Goodwick pushed for a sixth  - but the home side would have been relieved to have got 90 minutes, and three points, under their belts.

Herbie meanwhile, will need players back for the visit of Merlins Bridge on Saturday - with the points adjustments following the folding of the West Dragons set to see them relegated on goal difference unless they can get a result against The Wizards or Hakin in their last two fixtures.

Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Stefan Hayes, Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney, Iestyn Evans, Chris O’Sullivan, Matty Delaney, Lee Hudgell, Rhys Dalling, Jonny Horgan, Jordan Griffiths.

Subs not used: Anthony Couzens, Kieran O’Brien, Steve Dockerty.

Herbrandston: Jack Ackermann, Archie McCallum, Sean Williams, Adrian Rees, Ryan Davies, Scott Findlay, Marc Boswell, Jake Barrett, McCauley Carter, Dylan Hawkridge, Scott Reid.