Senior Cup semi final: Monkton Swifts 0-3 Merlins Bridge

It will be Merlins Bridge v Carew in the 2018/19 Senior Cup final after the Wizards turned in a convincing display to beat Monkton Swifts at the Bridge Meadow last night.

Matthew D’Ivry’s side flew out the blocks and despite missing early chances, goals from Adam Hawkins and Laurie Haworth had them in control at the break. Nathan Greene then made the tie safe in the second half and bad night for Monkton was compounded when Josh Richards saw red late on.

Back in January the Swifts had won 5-1 at The Racecourse (after losing 3-0 at the same venue in the West Wales Cup) in a game where they went 2-0 up and then picked their opponents off at will on the break. But last night they were never allowed to get in the ascendancy.

Conditions weren’t easy for either side with the ball skidding around on a soaking surface, but within a minute Bridge threatened and it took a super last ditch tackle from Shaun Jones to stop Greene going through on goal – before Haworth’s follow up shot was saved by Michael Murray.

Hawkins then forced a good save out of the keeper with a low drive and the chances kept coming as Jordan Thomas blasted an angled shot against the post, before Greene turned well from a Dai Davies pass but then shot wastefully wide from close range.

Monkton meanwhile were struggling to get going in attack as Dylan Davies and James Russell both tried their luck from long range, and when the latter did find space in the area a heavy touch meant the chance went begging.

But Bridge stayed in the ascendancy as Monkton skipper Jones was booked for wiping out Joe Leahy, and then 38 minutes in came the opener.

And it was the influential Haworth who created it as he skipped past Davies on the left and pulled back a pass for Hawkins – who fired high into the net with his left foot.

A minute before the break the lead was doubled as Leahy and Ashley Beck combined to play in Haworth, and he kept his cool to deftly flick the ball past the onrushing Murray.

There was still time for Greene to twice head narrowly wide before half time and in truth, the interval couldn’t have come sooner for the Swifts.

Joe Lewis’ side did fashion an second early half chance though after Davies was fouled by D’Ivry on the edge of the area, but Ben Steele could only drive the free kick into the wall.

Monkton did try to up the ante but rarely threatened. Both Hawkins and Davies were booked for Bridge and Russell’s looping header was comfortably caught by Gary Thomas - and when the next big opportunity came it was the Wizards who wasted it.

Greene went clean through on goal but lost his balance at the crucial moment and could only scuff his shot wide.

The influential Haworth was joined by younger brother Will and the two nearly combined to score but the substitute was thwarted by a last ditch block from Richards.

But with nine minutes left the tie was settled. Again (Laurie) Haworth was the instigator as he cut inside Ben Nicholas and threaded a pass through to Greene, and this time the striker made no mistake as he buried a low shot home.

And then came a moment of madness from Richards as he was shown red by referee Angus Scourfield for foul and abusive language and reacted by throwing the ball at linesman Craig Templeton, meaning an unnecessary suspension for Lewis to deal with in the title run in.

Both Beck and Greene then missed from point blank range late on but by then the game was done, and Divry’s side will head into their West Wales Cup semi final with Hakin at the same venue next Tuesday still chasing three trophies.

And they'll go into it with confidence after an impressive display at both ends. Aside from the chances and the goals, the manager and assistant Marcus Taylor would have been delighted with the defence and keeper Thomas didn't have a serious save to make over the 90 minutes.

As for Monkton, their season is far from over. They have four tough league games left against Bridge again, Hakin, Carew, and Goodwick – and wins in three of them will be enough to secure the league title. That should be motivation enough to pick themselves up from a deflating night.

Man of the match – Laurie Haworth:

Haworth created two goals and scored one, which accurately reflects a classy display. In a frenzied first half his quality and composure on the ball was telling, and he revelled late on when the Bridge had more space on the break.

It was a terrific team display from the Wizards but if there was a stand out performer, it was him.

Matthew D’Ivry (Merlins Bridge player manager): “We showed what we can do when we apply ourselves.

“We spoke beforehand about not wanting to be chasing the game against them and I was really pleased with the chances we created.

“It’s the Hakin game next week now and when you look at the results we’ve had Monkton (in the league) is our only real blip so we go in with confidence. I think this side is a bit different from the last couple of years in that we are winning the type of big games we were drawing or losing before.

“Apart from Peter Thomas (injured) we had everyone available to pick from tonight which was nice even if it meant some tough choices. Hopefully there are no serious injuries and we have a full squad to pick from again.”

Joe Lewis (Monkton Swifts manager): “To be honest I didn’t think we got into the game at all tonight.

“The first goal was always going to be important and we ended up chasing them. It was disappointing for us but take nothing away from Bridge, they deserved to win for their performance.

“But we’re still going for the league title and I know that we can play better than that.”

  • Prior to the game, a minute's silence was held for Denzil 'Tally' John, the former Merlins Bridge player who sadly died this week. His funeral is this Saturday, March 23rd, 1pm at Narberth Crematorium.

Monkton Swifts: Michael Murray, Ben Nicholas, Jake Seaton, Shaun Jones, Blake James, Paul Miller (Ryan Griffiths 60), Thomas Powell (Josh Richards 72), Chris Richards, Ben Steele, James Russell, Dylan Davies. Subs not used: Daniel Scourfield.

Merlins Bridge: Gary Thomas, Matthew D’Ivry (Richard Hughes 85), Chris Ormond, Andrew John, Jordan Thomas, Ashley Beck, Dai Davies, Laurie Haworth, Adam Hawkins (Will Haworth 68), Joe Leahy (Gethin Thomas 85), Nathan Greene.

Referee: Angus Scourfield.

Assistants: Gareth Elliott and Craig Templeton.