West Wales Cup - Two goals by Andrew Kingston helped Hakin United beat Goodwick United in the West Wales Cup on a superb playing surface at Phoenix Park and provide manager Gary Dawes with an extra 42nd birthday present.

In a typically competitive match between these old rivals it was Hakin who made the better start to lead 2-0 after the first quarter but Goodwick pulled back a goal before the interval. It was a similar story after the break as The Vikings went further ahead before Goodwick scored from a penalty - but then were caught at the back as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and paid the inevitable price.

Hakin manager Gary Dawes was quick to praise the opposition when he said: “It was a good cup tie and I am always pleased to get a result here because they are a good side. Before I left the house today my son Joe (10) tipped a 4-2 verdict for us and he got it just right - and our boys deserved to win in the final analysis.”

It left Goodwick disappointed because they also had chances but their manager Bernie Armstrong, who was 52 on Sunday, said afterwards: “Today just wasn’t Goodwick’s day. Adrian Devonald made a blinding save from our sub Lee Burrows at 3-2 and we thought one of their goals was definitely offside but that’s football and now we must focus on improving our league position.” There was no doubting Hakin’s ability to score goals in the opening 25 minutes as Steve Mathias, Mike Cooper, Ashley Bevan and Steve Mathias called the shots in midfield. They had early chances as Paul Jones flicked a nice touch from Justin Harding just wide and a Bevan header from a Mathias corner brought a good save from Carl Woodhouse. The Vikings took the lead after 12 minutes when another Mathias corner was only partially cleared and Kristan Bennett was up from the back and able to volley home from 12 yards for a cracking goal.

At the other end a subtle Steve Blackford cross from the left only needed a touch but no-one in the Goodwick side could react quickly enough - and Goodwick found themselves two goals adrift soon afterwards when a Harding drive was parried by Woodhouse but Kingston followed up well to fire the ball home from 12 yards with a piece of clinical finishing. Goodwick had a clear-cut chance after James Evans had hit the post and the ball rolled along the goal line with Devonald stranded but again no-one was able to get that vital touch - but the home side reduced the deficit when Tom Jones popped up in a goalmouth melee and found the net from close range.

Devonald also made a good save to deny Steve Evans and Darren Devonald had a shot blocked to leave his side still trailing 2-1 at the interval.

Hakin started the second half well and Woodhouse made two good early saves before Steve Mathias added their third goal as he found space on the right and with the Goodwick fans howling for offside he cut in from the by-line, rounded the keeper and a would-be tackler to almost casually slip a left foot shot into the net for a quality finish.

It is to Goodwick’s credit that they still refused to throw in the towel and they reduced the deficit again after a Hakin defender had handled the ball in the box and Tom Jones scored from the spot. It set up a tense finale where there were a few yellow cards for mistimed tackles before Hakin sealed their success as the ball broke nicely in midfield and Justin Harding raced through and unselfishly supplied the scoring pass for a simple Kingston tap-in which ended Goodwick’s hopes and saw Hakin through to Round Four.

There was a minute’s silence before the match in memory of Gary Speed and watching the match was John Gow, the Referees’ Officer for West Wales and former top official whose final game with the whistle was in 1978, when Scotland and Ireland met in the old Home International series at Hampden Park. He was impressed by the refereeing of 21 year old referee Daniel Beckett, who hails from Llanelli and is already officiating Welsh League games.

Goodwick United: Carl Woodhouse, Kieran O’Brien, Wayne O’Sullivan, Anthony Couzens, Steve Blackford, Ryan Thomas, Darren Devonald, Tom Jones, James Evans, James Dean, Steve Evans. Sub: Lee Burrows.

Hakin United: Adrian Devonald, Matthew Broome, Ewan Findlay, Steven Allen, Kristan Bennett, Michael Cooper, Ashley Bevan, Steve Mathias, Andrew Kingston, Paul Jones, Justin Harding. Subs: James Stanmore, Jamie Harding, Kieran Randall.

Referee: Daniel Beckett (Llanelli).