Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League –
2023 Third Division Cup Final

 
 


 

Lawrenny 1 – Camrose 2

 
Camrose won the Third Division Cup Final at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd of partisan supporters who enjoyed the fast and furious nature of a narrow win over a battling Lawrenny side who certainly deserve every credit for their part in a performance by both teams that was a credit to third division football in the Manderwood Pembrokeshire League.
 
And Cam came good as extra time was a distinct possibility with 92 minutes played and players from both sides going down like flies with cramp on the wide open spaces of the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
 
But then Cam sub Dan Llewellyn played a diagonal ball to Connor Planner and his cross was nodded on to the bar by a Lawrenny defender and fell perfectly for Scott Chalmers to touch home – and then had to be replaced because of cramp!
 
It was a body blow for Lawrenny and although they battled hard thereafter there was to be no fairy-tale comeback.




 

First half played at 100 miles an hour

 
Camrose had started as favourites after beating Lawrenny twice in the league but the first quarter showed what was to come as play took place at a high pace and there were plenty of big tackles thrown in for good measure.
 
Lawrenny had the first clear chance as left back Paul Hodge hoisted in a cross and Scott Davies had a shot blocked before Scott Gorman toe-poked the rebound narrowly wide.

At the other end Joe Haworth fired just over from 25 yards before Cam took the lead after 31 minutes when Jordan Raymond’s inch-perfect pass was beautifully headed past Dan Harries by Scott Chalmers.
 
But in the third minute of time added on by referee Gary Lewis Lawrenny drew level when Owen Jones lobbed a hopeful ball into the Cam box and in the ensuing melee Sam Davies was perfectly placed to touch home from close range to set the teams level, which was just about right on the balance of play.
 

Another battle after the break

 
Cam started the second half well with Chalmers and the outstanding Haworth having half chances and James Durbridge heading over at the other end as he ventured up for a corner before Sam Davies took a nice touch out left and his curved shot went inches wide of the Cam far post.
 
Camrose had another chance but Chalmers headed wide and sub Llewellyn’s first touch flew across an open goal but no Cam player could get the vital touch.
 
With both teams having used all their bench players extra time loomed when Camrose grabbed the winner and left Lawrenny understandably dejected after such a valiant effort – and skipper Jack Bevan was joined by sub Kristian Speake, who has made a recovery from horrific injuries to defy the odds and play again, in receiving the silverware from league secretary Ian Baker.




 
Lawrenny: Dan Harries, Edward Merriman, Paul Hodge, Owen James, James Durbridge, Euan Laidlaw (27’ Ryan Morton), Matthew Kidney (73’ Joe Kidney), Matthew Lewis (Captain), Jordan Gorman, Sam Davies (88’ Owain Smith).
Substitutes not used: Kye Bradbury, Rhys Jenkins.
 
Camrose: Charlie Hughes, Finnlay Thompson (60’ Liam Bradley), Paul Jenkins, Connor Planner, Jack Bevan (Captain), Joe Haworth, Rhys Morgan (70’ Daniel Llewellyn), Harry Jones (80’ Kristian Speake), Scott Chalmers, Jordan Williams, Jordan Raymond (90’ Lawrence Hancock).
Substitute not used: Martyn Tweedie.
 

 

Referee: Gary Lewis.
Assistants: Sean O’ Connor & Rhys Novatte.
Fourth Official: Neill Crawshaw.