Goodwick United retain the silverware in epic final on the Meadow
PHOTOS:
Goodwick United celebrate winning Senior Cup for second year in a row
Man of the match Rhys Dalling takes on Hakin's Gareth Fawcett
Nicky Woodrow lashed home a brilliant equaliser for the Vikings
Cup final officials James Olyott, Angus Scourfield, Cahrles Davies & Paul Rooney
Runners up Hakin United
Senior Cup Final:
Goodwick United 2 - Hakin United 1
Venue: Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium
Referee: Angus Scourfield.
Assistants: James Olyott & Charles Davies.
Fourth Official: Paul Rooney.
The best two teams in the county produced a superb final where Goodwick United retained the silverware at the expense of ten-man Hakin United at the Conygar Bridge Meadow in front of a big crowd.
It was a tense and exciting affair; Rhys Dalling broke the deadlock before Nicky Woodrow smashed in a brilliant equaliser, but just before the break the Vikings were reduced to ten-men when defender Ewan Findlay received a straight red card.
The Vikings ploughed forward in the second period, but it was Jonny Horgan who finished as Goodwick’s goal scoring hero, when his long range shot cum cross found the back of the net and that sealed victory for the Phoenix Boys.
Bright start by the Phoenix Boys
Goodwick United made the brighter start as Dalling caused all sorts of problems against a static Hakin defence although it was Rob Morgans who came close as early as the second minute but James Manson made a terrific save.
Then a left-wing cross by Johnny Horgan forced Ewan Findlay to slice the ball just over his own bar, a Dalling left-foot volley forced Manson to punch clear and Chris O’Sullivan drove the rebound wide.
Dalling then turned his marker but in switching the ball to his left foot lacked power and Manson again saved the Vikings before Hakin finally got into the action from an in-swinging corner by James Stanmore, but it hooked inches over the bar with James Gwilt under pressure.
Goodwick grab vital first goal but Vikings fight back
But after 25 minutes Goodwick took the lead they deserved when the ubiquitous Dalling fended off a tackle and drove the ball low past a stranded Manson for a quality finish.
Ewan Findlay moved up with the attack to fire in a shot for the Vikings which Gwilt saved and at the other end Manson did well to push another Dalling pile-driver for a corner.
It says much for Hakin’s spirit that they gradually fought back and they levelled matters because of veteran midfielder Steve Mathias’s tackle and distribution which allowed Nicky Woodrow to slam home a shot with such power that Gwilt could only parry it into the net.
Disappointment – and then disaster for Hakin!
The Vikings thought they had taken the lead when Jonty Bennett found the net but he was adjudged offside – and worse was to follow for Hakin when key defender Ewan Findlay was shown the red card in the 39th minute after a slight kerfuffle that was out of keeping with the good spirit in which the game was being played.
It left Hakin with a man short for over half the match yet they started the second period in competitive mode and when Ashley Bevan latched on to a long ball it needed a good save by Gwilt to deny him, and only a goal-saving tackle by Scott Delaney prevented Bevan scoring at the other end.
But then Goodwick regained the lead with a quality strike from Horgan as he picked the ball up on the right edge of the box and rifled home a wicked ball that flew high into the far corner to leave Manson for once stranded.
More chances for both sides
Woodrow had a shot blocked by Gwilt’s feet as the high tempo was maintained before Bevan’s intended drive was well blocked by Goodwick’s Anthony Couzens.
As Hakin tried desperately to get back into the game a wicked Steele free kick went inches wide and after 81 minutes manager Gary Dawes brought on Adam Davies (for Mathias) to increase his strike power.
But although the Vikings were in contention until Angus Scourfield blew the final whistle it was Goodwick United who picked up the coveted trophy for the second year in succession.
Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Steffan Hayes, Wayne O’Sullivan (Captain), Scott Delaney, Anthony Couzens, Adam Raymond, Chris O’Sullivan, Kieran O’Brien, Rob Morgans, Rhys Dalling, Jonny Horgan. Subs: Darren Devonald, Jordan Griffiths, Jac Pepper.
Hakin United: James Manson, Matthew Broome, Ewan Findlay, Gareth Fawcett, Mark Jones, Jonathan Bennett, Ben Steele, Nicky Woodrow (Captain), Ashley Bevan, Steven Mathias, James Stanmore. Subs: Adam Davies, Daniel Armstrong, Ricky Diamond.
