Clarbie youngsters claim unique treble

10:12am Friday 23rd May 2008

The talented young football players of Clarbeston Road Football Club have really flown the Pembrokeshire footballing flag with distinction as they have completed a momentous treble at under-16 level.

They won the Todaro Pembrokeshire Under-16s League title by beating Carew 6-0 in their last fixture of the season at Clarbeston Road and then won the Pembrokeshire Cup at Monkton, beating Tenby 3-2 after extra time after accounting for Hundleton in the semi-final.

Not content with that deserved double, Clarbie again called on their battling qualities when they won the West Wales Youth Cup beating Llangyfelach, currently second to West End in the Swansea Under-16s League, 4-3 at Stebonheath Llanelli, to complete a unique treble for Steve Brown's boys.

In the Pembrokeshire under-16 final Clarbie lost key midfielder Charles George with strained ankle ligaments during the first half. They were only still in the game at half time following a series of fine saves from keeper Luke Clarke Trevis as Tenby deservedly gained the advantage. Clarbie went into the dressing rooms at half time 2-0 in arrears after fine goals by Darrell Mansbridge and Callum Proctor for Tenby.

After half time it was a different story as Clarbie fought their way back with goals from Greg Brown and a penalty converted by Sean Seymour Davies to make it 2-all at full time. A goal by Steffan Williams in the first period of extra time sealed the win for Clarbie and completed a League and Cup double for the season.

The West Wales final had a similar pattern to the Pembrokeshire final against Tenby and this success followed an 8-0 victory the previous week when they defeated Camford Sports from Llanelli in the semi final, played at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, to set up their big day at Stebonheath.

Clarbie started brightly but within six minutes were a goal down after a defensive mix up let in a cross from the right. Within two minutes Clarbie were back on even terms with a superb headed goal from Steffan Williams.

Despite some promising attacks Clarbie were vulnerable to some pacey attacking moves by Llangyfelach and goalkeeper Luke Clarke Trevis pulled off a number of good saves.

Clarbie were unfortunate to concede a penalty in the 18th minute after Charles George was penalised for a push in the area and this was converted by Llangyfelach and it looked even more gloomy after Llangyfelach scored a third after 25 minutes.

After the break, Clarbie were once more a transformed side, with their superior fitness really making a difference as they surged forward, with Rhys Dalling put them back in the game on 55 minutes with a good strike from the left.

Clarbie then replaced hard working Charles George and Rob Shipton with fresh legs, putting on Michael Jenkins up front and Osian Wyn as sweeper alongside central defender Ollie Burton, allowing captain Sean Seymour Davies to link up in midfield with Greg Brown.

With full backs Kristian Palmer and Kristian Isaacs pushing the game down the flanks, Clarbie went in search of the equaliser and it duly arrived ten minutes from the end with a stunning strike on the run from the edge of the box by Steffan Williams, his 54th goal of the season.

Both teams pressed for the winning goal and the pace of the game started to take its toll with stoppages for cramp on both sides, but with less than five minutes of normal time left, Jack Jones capped a fine performance with a breakaway down the right and a shot that crept under the diving Llangyfelach keeper.

Immediately after Clarbie keeper Luke Clarke Travis, who had performed heroics all night, picked up an injury and was replaced in goal by Osian Wyn, with Josh Bower Rees coming on to help hold the lead.

Despite last-gasp efforts by Llangyfelach and some desperate defending by Clarbie they held on to the lead and when the final whistle blew the large, vocal group of Clarbie followers went wild.