Manderwood Pembrokeshire League Division One:

Merlins Bridge 3–4 Hakin United

Clashes between Merlins Bridge and Hakin United are rarely dull, and this was no exception.

After 92 minutes, with the game having already produced six goals, a red card, and numerous missed chances, it was The Vikings that won it in dramatic fashion as substitute Shane Walsh went clean through and fired past Bridge keeper Gary Thomas – who didn’t deserve four goals against his name after a heroic second half display.

It means that Hakin lead second placed Goodwick United by six points going into the ‘double header’ between the two on May 17th (Phoenix Park) and 21st (The Obs) – but critically, the Phoenix Boys will have to win both of those clashes and also rack up a six goal aggregate score to take the title.

Both sides went into tonight at the tail end of a frantic fixture period, but there was little sign of lethargy in an explosive first five minutes.

It was The Vikings who led when right back Ben Steele cut past Chris Ormond and floated a cross to the back post, were Jack Wilson planted a header into the far corner.

But within the seconds The Wizards were level, as Hakin keeper Adrian Devonald failed to hold Nathan Greene’s angled shot, and Will Haworth was on hand to bury the rebound.

And after Hakin skipper Nicky Woodrow headed over from Wilson’s free kick, it was the home side who led 15 minutes in when Leigh Marchant’s under-hit back pass left Devonald in trouble, and it was Greene who successfully challenged the keeper before getting to his feet and slotting home.

The striker then could have added another as he rose highest at the back post to meet Luke Hayward’s deep free kick – but this time Devonald prevailed by keeping out the downward header from point blank range.

The Vikings were then disrupted at the back as both Sion Price and Bradley Barrett being forced off with injuries, but at the other end they began to turn the screw, with Justin Harding volleying just wide before Thomas was questionably penalised for picking up an Ormond back pass.

It presented Hakin with an indirect free kick from six yards, but Steele’s blasted effort was deflected over as Bridge defenders flung themselves in the way.

Seconds before the break and The Wizards survived another scare as Woodrow’s header was tipped away by Thomas, meaning the onus was all on Kristan Bennett’s men to come out firing after the break.

But it was Bridge who threatened first as Leahy played a one-two with Greene and went through on goal, only to be denied by the outstretched leg of Devonald.

It proved critical as then came a frenzied period of Hakin pressure with both Wilson and fellow Welsh schoolboy international Ben Fawcett outstanding as The Vikings attacked with intensity – and it was of little surprise when the two combined to level matters, with Facwett turning in from close range.

However, just as the stage seemed set for Hakin to push for a winner, it was The Wizards who went back in front as Haworth rifled a left foot volley towards goal that struck Jonty Bennett and left Devonald wrong footed as the ball trickled into the corner.

The Vikings almost equalised in identical fashion as Fawcett’s effort rebounded off Bridge defender Curtis Hicks and went inches wide, but there was still 25 minutes left on the clock when Kristan Bennett’s men did draw level again – as Steele’s free kick from the left touchline was knocked back across goal by Fawcett, and volleyed in by Wilson.

And then came another talking point.

Unsurprisingly with these two old rivals, tempers were frayed throughout and home centre back Ormond, already booked for dissent in the first half, was shown what appeared a straight red card by referee Tom Bevan for the same offence after a flare up between players in the Bridge area.

Yet it was The Wizards who fashioned the next big chance as Hayward, who was his side’s stand out performer on the night, whipped in a dangerous cross that Greene headed wide at the back post.

Nathan Thomas’ men continued to look threatening on the break, but inevitably given their one-man advantage and need for a win, it was Hakin who dominated the chances late on.

Both Harding and Woodrow were denied by Thomas, who also did brilliantly to stick out a leg and block Facwett’s driven effort form 10 yards – before producing an even better save from the midfielder as he tipped his powerful close range shot onto the bar.

And when Thomas was finally beaten by Facwett’s header, it was the bar again that rescued Bridge and seemingly secured them a point.

But there was still time for one final twist when Walsh, thrown on for Harding late on, managed to beat Bridge right back Andrew John to Woodrow’s ball forward  - and bore down on goal before placing a low shot across Thomas and into the far corner.

It sparked wild celebrations amongst the Hakin players, and manager Bennett was full of praise for his side as they moved to the brink of back to back Division One titles.

“It’s obviously not over yet but tonight was massive for us,” he said.

“The boys were unbelievable the way they kept going. We were 2-1 and then 3-2 down, and but we stuck to our beliefs and kept attacking. I’m delighted.”

Merlins Bridge: Gary Thomas, Andrew John, Chris Ormond, Curtis Hicks, Joey George, Nathan Thomas, Joe Leahy, Luke Hayward, Ashley Beck, Will Haworth, Nathan Greene.

Subs not used: Arron Devine, Leon Pemberthy, Ben Davies.

Hakin United: Adrian Devonald, Ben Steele, Bradley Barrett (Craig Nicholson 38), Sion Price (Jake Merry 23), Leigh Marchant, Jonty Bennett, Ben Fawcett, Ryan Wilson, Jack Wilson, Nicky Woodrow, Justin Harding (Shane Walsh 87).

Referee: Tom Bevan.