Hakin United 3
Merlins Bridge 2

Josh Youds’ powerful header 12 minutes from full time earned holders Hakin United a thrilling victory over arch-rivals Merlins Bridge at St Mary’s tonight (Tuesday 8th) night.

This game was a titanic tussle as league champions Merlins Bridge twice took the lead, but The Vikings admirably refused to throw in the towel and miraculously clawed their way back to seal victory.

Dai Davies opened the scoring for the Wizards on 25 minutes; the new signing unleashed a low drive from outside the box past Vikings stand-in keeper Leigh Broome.

But less than two minutes later the Vikings equalised when lively striker Justin Harding reacted quickest in the box to score.

Ten minutes after half-time and Davies added his second goal of the game, this time drilling home low and hard from inside the box.

But once again the Vikings levelled matters quickly as Harding calmly side-footed past Gary Thomas.

The Vikings finished the stronger and after a string of corners, the Wizards finally cracked, as defender Youds scored the winner with a powerful header.

Hakin United will now face Cardigan League outfit New Quay, who beat Fishguard Sports 3-2 on Monday night in the final, which will take place this Friday, August 10th at St Mary’s Ground and kick off is at 6.15pm.

Wizards’ manager Matthew Price said: “We played well tonight. I’m disappointed that we did not defend our lead, twice we let our concentration slip and we got punished.”

Hakin United boss Gary Dawes said: “There is never an easy game against the Bridge. We understandably looked ring rusty, but we showed terrific spirit to come from behind twice and still beat them.”
 

Hakin United: Leigh Broome, Kieran Rendall, Steve Allen, Josh Youds, James Stanmore, Steve Mathias, Paul Jenkins, Ashley Bevan, Paul Jones, Justin Harding, Adam Alnott. Subs: Paul Howard, Kristan Bennett.

Merlins Bridge: Gary Thomas, Jonathan Sable, Simon Thomas, Simon Gilderdale, Paul Thomas, Dai Davies, Jamie Gilderdale, Matthew Watters, Stephen McNabney; Matthew Price, Bradley Barrett. Sub: Matthew Field.