Manderwood Pembrokeshire League Division 2: Merlins Bridge 2nds 3-1 Hakin United 2nds 

The battle of the best two second team sides in Pembrokeshire football went the way of Merlins Bridge as they beat Hakin at The Racecourse.

The majority of Division 2 clubs were in West Wales Cup action, and the Wizards took full advantage to move fourth in the table, just two points off leaders Fishguard.

With a howling wind behind them in the first half, the home side duly penned the champions back, but away keeper James Manson and his defence were defiant in keeping The Vikings in it.

But in the 40th minute Bridge finally led through Simon Morgan’s clinical left foot finish.

With the elements behind them, it was Hakin who applied the pressure straight after the break with Adrian Devonald and sub Dan Evans having good chances, but like Manson, Bridge keeper Ben Henton was in inspired form.

And midway through the half it was The Wizards who struck, with Ben Davies scoring from close range after a quickly taken throw in caught the Hakin defence napping.

The 2-0 lead didn’t last long though as Alex Greenish floated in a free kick that evaded everyone, including Henton, and found the net.

That set up a frantic finish where Bridge had to defend a series of corners, but with time running out, the home side had a chance to break and were clinical as Leon Pemberthy finished off a slick counter attack to seal the win.

The result leaves both Bridge and Hakin on 16 points, but having played two games more than both Johnston and Fishguard on 18.

Merlins Bridge 2nds: Ben Henton, Joe Haworth, Paul Thomas, Simon Morgan, Dan Williams, Jamie Palmer, Dai Davies, Leon Pemberthy, Stephen Mcnabney, Ben Davies, Rory Blake. Subs Peter Thomas, Matthew Morrisey, Kai Roberts.

Hakin United 2nds: James Manson, Paul Thompson, Ewan Findlay, Alex Greenish, Ali Robertson, Jay Power, Dean Fulton, Louis Thompson, Steve Mathias, Brad Barrett, Adrian Devonald. Subs. James Williams, Andrew Kingston, Dan Evans.