Who needs what?:

Right, here goes.

After Hakin’s humdinger with Merlins Bridge, a game The Vikings won 4-3 thanks to an injury time winner from Shane Walsh, they lead Goodwick by six points going into the double header tonight and Monday.

Their goal difference (+101) is also 12 better than that of the Phoenix Boys (+89) – but if Kristan Bennett’s men avoid defeat in either of the two games, they will be champions without that coming into play.

Assessing Goodwick’s chances, is where it gets a tad complicated.

First and foremost, they must win both games. If they manage to do so with an aggregate of six goals (ie 3-0 and 4-1), that will bring the sides level on goal difference as Wayne O’Sullivan’s men will gain six and Hakin will lose six (which equals 12 incidentally). But even then, Hakin will be champions on goals scored, having found the net 13 more times already over the course of the season.

So, the only way Goodwick can win the title is if they win both games with an aggregate of plus seven (IE 4-0 and 3-0, or 6-0 and 2-1).

Hope you can make sense of that…….

Bevan’s boys on the line:

Like when the two met in that title decider in 2015/16, the Pembrokeshire Football League have decided to provide two extra officials to run the line.

Tom Bevan is in the middle, with Angus Scourfield and Dai Badger his assistants. Given the experience of that trio, it appears Mr Hawkins is taking no chances.

I imagine the decision will again divide opinion and I can see both sides. Teams involved in dodgy decisions from opposition linesman during the 2017/18 season may feel aggrieved they haven’t been afforded the same privilege.

 But on the other hand, it’s common sense. With so much at stake and a large crowd inevitable, the last thing you want is uproar over perceived bias.

Bevan of course, won’t be remotely fazed by the occasion having handled numerous games at a higher level already. But one thing he doesn’t mess about with is dissent – and given we can expect an intense 90 minutes with tempers fraying, both sets of players will do well to speak (shout) wisely.

Here we go again:

Fair to say these teams know each other pretty well by now.

Including Jubilee Cup, FAW Trophy, West Wales Cup and league matches, this will be the 12th time they have met since the start of the 2015/16 campaign.

Goodwick have won six of those 11 games (one albeit via a penalty shoot-out), Hakin three, with two draws.

But one stat the Phoenix Boys have to re-write tonight and Monday, is that in all those meetings the biggest margin between the sides has been two goals.

And no, I don’t have a record of the red card count.

Fighting fatigue:

Less than three days ago at the Liberty Stadium, Goodwick were of course crowned West Wales Intermediate Cup champions by beating Penlan Club 1-0 in a game they finished with 10 men.

To say the least it would have been energy sapping, and I’m fairly certain they didn’t celebrate afterwards with rounds of squash on Wind Street.

So having just 72 hours to recover physically and mentally for a game of this magnitude isn’t ideal – but when I spoke to Goodwick player-coach Chris O’Sullivan on Tuesday he said they wouldn’t be offering any excuses if they don’t perform (admittedly Sully hadn’t been to bed and was slurring at the time but I’d like to think he’d say the same thing sober).

On a serious note though, that attitude is exactly what the Phoenix Boys need. If you go into any game with ready-made excuses, then psychologically, you’ve already lost the battle.

And let’s not forget, Hakin have hardly had their feet up themselves lately.

That win over Bridge last Thursday was their seventh match in 14 days, and how both they and The Wizards were able to keep up that pace for 90 odd minutes was beyond me.

Forget fatigue, both sides will be going hell for leather tonight.

Not in our back yard:

Anyone with a remote interest in local football won’t need reminding that in the finale to the 2015/16 season at The Obs, Goodwick won the title with a 1-1 draw in the most highly anticipated Division One match in recent history.

Yes, Hakin swiftly regained the trophy the following season, but make no mistake, that night will be etched in the memories of their players and supporters. And it will still hurt badly.

This is payback time. Forget The Obs on Monday, Bennett and co will want this done tonight at Phoenix Park. On the contrary, that’s a scenario the home side will be desperate to avoid.

But whatever the result, the silverware is not on show tonight. That will be presented to the eventual champions at Hakin on Monday.

Stick or twist?:

How each side approaches tonight will be fascinating. Both have tasted success in recent years – and yet their styles contrast vastly.

Goodwick go about things in a professional manner. They have other sides watched, are meticulous with their tactics and game plans, and know how to manage a big occasion. That’s why they have two West Wales Cup wins in three years.

Furthermore, unsurprisingly with the O’Sullivan brothers at the helm, they don’t lack for fitness. On Monday night they finished the stronger with 10 men, and made just one enforced change in the 90 minutes.

Hakin are a different kettle of fish all together. They go out to play football, and attack with a pace and precision that no other Pembrokeshire side can match. And when they click going forward, as they did in this season’s Senior Cup final, they are nigh on impossible to stop.

And like Goodwick, they can perform from the first minute to last. It’s no coincidence that they regularly rack up late winners.

But tonight the onus is on the Phoenix Boys to go for it. Their first priority will be the win, but realistically a slender one-goal success is not enough.

I can only see Hakin playing one way and if Goodwick do pour forward, that may suit skipper Nicky Woodrow and co. Where The Vikings may have a conundrum is if they are trailing by one or two goals late on – do they attack and try and claw it back? Or not risk further damage to their goal difference? I think I know the answer.

Regardless, both defences could be in for a bumpy ride.

Team news:

Speaking of defences, both teams could be disrupted at the back.

Goodwick left back Iestyn Evans cruelly missed the final at the Liberty after pulling out in the warm up, and his replacement, Llyr Tobin, is suspended after his late red card. (Chris) O’Sullivan I’d assume is also out after being forced off with what appeared a nasty knee injury, replaced by Matty Delaney.

The latter is likely to start tonight, and Anthony Couzens may fill the void at left back.

Given their need for goals, and with Rhys Dalling still abroad, the displays of Monday’s match winner Lee Hudgell, Jonny Horgan and Jordan Griffiths could be critical. That trio gives them pace going forward and can get at Hakin back four that may also be missing key personnel.

Centre back Daniel Armstrong is currently out with a shoulder injury and against Bridge, both Bradley Barrett and Sion Price limped off early. Winger Adam John meanwhile, is still suspended.

But Hakin have a strong second team (Division Two champions) to call on and Bennett will have options if Barrett and Price have not recovered – with Jake Merry one likely to come in. Ben Steele, who would walk into the front line of most Division One sides, is currently being deployed at right back and should slot in there again this evening.

Midfielders and Welsh Schoolboy internationals Jack Wilson and Ben Fawcett are in outstanding form and as always, the movement of Harding and Woodrow up front will cause the hosts trouble.

And given the need for composure and cool heads, I suspect Craig Nicholson may come back into the starting XI in midfield.

Also, Jonty Bennett had a big game at centre back for The Vikings at The Racecourse, and they’ll need another one from him here.

An exciting climax:

Hakin are obviously in the driving seat, and like most, I don’t expect them to lose both games by the deficit Goodwick need to win back the title.

But regardless, both teams have my admiration for the way they have finished the season.

On March 29th, Goodwick drew 1-1 with Bridge and Hakin lost 5-4 to Carew – since then, The Phoenix Boys have won seven consecutive league games and Hakin 12.

No matter what level you play that, to keep the desire and ruthlessness going in that manner when games are coming thick and fast is a great effort, and as a result, we have a finale that will again captivate Pembrokeshire football fans.

A lot has been said about the demise of certain aspects of the game in our county, and there will be more from me to come on what I believe needs looking at.

But for now, let’s enjoy that fact that two high quality teams are taking the title race down to the wire in the latest chapter of a pretty epic rivalry.