Goodwick will win - but I won't mind Clarby Road proving me wrong by Gordon Thomas
2024 Senior Cup Final Preview
This Saturday is the Senior Cup final between holders Goodwick United, who will take on Clarbeston Road at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, kick off is at 2.30pm.
The Senior Cup Final is without a shadow of a doubt the biggest event of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League’s season – it’s rightly classed as the biggest day out for both teams, supporters and officials.
This year sees eight - time winners Goodwick United take on the mighty small village outfit of Clarbeston Road.
Obviously Goodwick are the clear red-hot favourites to lift the silverware again but can underdogs Clarbeston Road cause a massive upset by winning it for the first time in the club’s history?
Clarby Road have appeared in two previous finals and have lost on both occasions against Merlins Bridge and Hakin United, but will this be third time lucky for manager Matthew Fox’s Clarbeston Road outfit?
Goodwick United manager Chris O’Sullivan and his back-room staff of Nigel Delaney and Lee Morgan are meticulous with preparation.
To be fair they’ve won the Division One title at a canter this season and they have an extremely strong squad and will be going out all guns blazing to achieve the double for a second successive year. Vastly experienced skipper Scott Delaney is a solid central defender who always marshals his defence confidently.
A match winner in central midfield is dead ball specialist Rhys Jones, who has just returned from injury, he incredibly netted four goals in last year’s final against Monkton Swifts.
Up front is the dangerous Rhys Dalling with the equally deadly Will Haworth who have both bagged a shed load of goals. The Pheonix Park outfit have quality all over the park and it goes without saying they will take some stopping.
However, Clarby Road boss Matthew Fox will know he has his work cut out to win this titanic clash, but he knows only too well he has the players who can change a game in an instant.
One to watch is Laurie Haworth (brother of opposite number Will) who has scored a lot of goals lately, up front is the big strong striker Ben John, who is good in the air and can score with either foot. Former Goodwick player Rob Morgans is an intelligent player who is good at creating space for others. Teenage sensation Jake Wesley came off the bench to claim a stunning hat-trick in the dramatic semi-final win against Carew.
It should be a cracking game, but honestly my prediction is victory for Goodwick United – but in a way I wouldn’t mind if Clarby Road proved me wrong.
Goodwick will win – but I won’t mind Clarby Road proving me wrong