Declan Carroll stars for Senior Cup Final bound Monkton Swifts against spirited Kilgetty
Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League –
Senior Cup Semi-Final
Kilgetty 0 - Monkton Swifts 2
Classy Declan Carroll starred for Monkton Swifts as he scored and had an assist which pathed the way to the Senior Cup Final at the expense of spirited Kilgetty at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
The vastly experienced Declan Carroll gave the Swifts an early lead which they held onto at half time, after the break the goal scorer played in Ben Steele who slotted in the vital second.
Last season’s beaten finalists Kilgetty put in a decent performance, but on the night, they just lacked the cutting edge in front of goal, as the Swifts took their chances to reach the final that they last won in 2007 after they defeated Herbrandston 2-1 in extra time.
Declan strikes early
The Swifts got off to a bright start as Dylan Davies struck the underside of Ben Evans’ crossbar, in the fifth minute Declan Carroll broke the deadlock, as the striker beat the offside trap racing clear and confidently slotted in the bottom corner.
Kilgetty settled as they created a few half decent chances, Callum Proctor struck a wicked edge of the area left footed shot over the crossbar, Lloyd Hughes cut in from the right forcing a good save out of young keeper Taylor Gullam.
Just before the interval the Swifts created a decent chance as Carroll released Davies down the right, his cross was met by Steele’s header which flew over the bar also Dylan Davies’ header across the box was met by a weak Jamie Wilkes header straight to Evans.
Shortly after the interval Kilgetty had a goal disallowed when Lloyd Hughes’ corner was met by a firm Richard Cope header which flew into the back of the net, but referee Craig Templeton spotted some pushing in the box so awarded the Swifts a free kick.
Steele bags second
In the 67th minute the Swifts scored a cracking second as Declan Carroll played a superb defence spliting pass through to Steele who raced clear before he cooly slotted past the advancing Evans.
Minutes later Ben Evans palmed away Dylan Davies’ low drive as the Swifts went in search for a third to kill the tie, there were a few chances at both ends, but it was the Swifts who held firm to secure a terrific win.
The Senior Cup Final will take place on Saturday, 29th April where Goodwick United will play Monkton Swifts at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, kick off 2.30pm.
Kilgetty: Ben Evans, Sam Lewis (74’ Richard Tebbutt), Rhys Hewson (87' Ryan Coleman), Oscar Miles (87' Henry Lawrence), Ross Hurst, Owain Coombs, Lloyd Hughes, Callum Proctor, Adam Johns (63’ Kyran Lewis), Josh Bevan (Captain) (45’ Jake Proctor), Richard Cope.
Monkton Swifts: Taylor Gullam, Gareth Finnegan, Chris Richards (Captain) (88' Luke Phillips), Jake Seaton, Ross Jones, Jason Finnegan (40’ Thomas Powell), Ben Steele (68’ Blake James), Dylan Davies, Declan Carroll (85' William Abrahams), Jamie Wilkes (59' Paul Miller), Martyn Carroll.
Referee: Craig Templeton.
Assistants: Gary Lewis & Ioan Nevatte.
Fourth Official: Jonathan Twigg.
