Division 1:

Hakin United 7-0 Carew

HAT-tricks for Hakin strike duo Adam Davies and Scott Reid eased Hakin to within a point of league leaders Goodwick United with a game still in hand as they comfortably accounted for Carew at The Obs.

But despite the defeat, it also proved to be a good night for The Rooks, as Herbrandston’s 3-1 home defeat to Tenby ensured that Adam Hughes’ side will again play in Division One next season following their promotion in the 2014/2015 campaign.

Following their 1-1 draw with the West Dragons on Tuesday, The Vikings knew they could ill afford to drop any more points and came out with real intent.

Reid back heeled an effort wide before Carew’s Corey Hill, filling in as goalkeeper despite usually playing outfield, tipped a Craig Robertson header over the bar.

James Stanmore than drove an effort into the side netting, but after weathering the early storm, the visitors began to pose a threat and Shaun Whitfield's header from an Alex Baley corner was well saved by Hakin keeper Steve Hartley.

Iwan Izzard then played Sam Goodwin in on goal, but a sliding Hartley just beat the striker to the through ball.

But 22 minutes in, the home side seized the initiative as Stanmore cut inside Carew right back Sam Lewis on the left touchline, and curled a superb 25-yard angled effort into the far top corner.

Just three minutes later it was 2-0 after Hakin left back Ricky Diamond surged forward and teed up Jonty Bennett – and after his shot was saved by Hill with his legs, Reid tapped home the rebound.

The same player grabbed his second on 28 minutes when he latched onto Davies’ ball over the top, and drove a low left foot shot into the bottom corner.

Reid was then denied a first half treble when Hill blocked his effort at the near post, but eight minutes before half time it was 4-0 as Davies headed in Stanmore’s cross at the back post.

The Rooks then fashioned their best chance of the half seconds before the interval, as a Ceri Brace cross found its way through to Harry Ryan, but the right winger flashed his shot across goal.

Carew went even closer after the break when Izzard turned well in the area before seeing his curling effort hit the inside of the post – but after Reid headed wastefully wide for Hakin, Davies made it five on 52 minutes when he tapped in a Stanmore cross.

To the visitors’ credit, they refused to throw the towel in and Baley stabbed wide from a Goodwin pull back, before Ashley Smith narrowly failed to connect with another Baley corner with the goal at his mercy.

However, it was the home side who finished ruthlessly in the last 15 minutes as Reid squared for Davies to complete his hat trick, and moments later, it was role reversal as Reid grabbed his third from a Davies cross.

Hakin’s attentions will now turn to Narberth away this Saturday while Carew, despite a difficult night, will be more than satisfied to have secured survival in their first campaign back in the top flight of Pembrokeshire football.

Hakin United: Steve Hartley, Mark Jones, Nathan Banner, Michael Cooper, Ricky Diamons, Jonty Bennett, Steve Mathias, James Stanmore, Craig Robertson, Scott Reid, Adam Davies. Sub not used: Nicky Woodrow.

Carew: Corey Hill, Haydn Shapcott, Shaun Whitfield, Tom Grover, Sam Lewis (Joel Reed 78), Ceri Brace, Alex Bayley, Iwaz Izzard, Harry Ryan, Ashley Smith, Sam Goodwin.

Subs not used: Alan Townsend, Rhys Winter.

Referee: Alan Boswell.