Joe Lennon Memorial Cup final:

Hakin United 4 - Herbrandston 1

The Joe Lennon Cup remains with the club for whom he did so much after Hakin United came through a tough opening few minutes to see off Herbrandston on Friday.

After trailing early on, The Vikings prevailed 4-1 to seal the pre-season silverware for the ninth successive time, on an occasion again played in front of a big crowd at The Obs.




The same ground had hosted the semi-finals during the week and Scott Davies' side saw off Milford United 5-1 - while Herbrandston, under new boss Stuart MacDonald, beat Milford Athletic 5-0.

The hosts were forced into making several changes for the final due to their FAW Trophy clash the following day, and sure enough underdogs Herbie took the game to them early on - going in front when Callum Stannett headed in Scott Reid's corner.

Hakin responded but Dan Evans had a goal ruled out for offside before Herbie keeper Owain Thomas made a superb double save to keep it at 1-0.

But then Luke Hart levelled with a precise 15-year shot with his left foot, which found the net via the inside of the post, before Ryan Wilson jinked past three defenders and fired in to put Hakin in front.

Moments later Wilson turned provided, floating a corner to the back post for Bradley Barrett to head home.

Both teams had penalty shouts turned down before half time but then early in the second half, after Thomas twice more thwarted Hakin with good saves, James Trueman made the game safe when he struck from close range following good work by Wilson.

 

Lennon lauded in post-match presentations

After the game it was Daisy Picton who spoke warmly about the late Lennon and thanked Marty Jones, who officiated all three games during the week. He then presented the silverware to Wilson - who also received the man of the match award courtesy of adjudicator Fraser Watson.

And tournament organiser Jonny 'Bap' Lewis hailed a successful evening: "You can see the size of the crowd tonight and it's also good to see so many youngsters as Joe was all about kids playing football and bringing them through.

"It's fantastic to have the four clubs so keen to take part again. He may have coached Hakin but Joe supported the whole of Pembrokeshire football."

And Lewis also welcomed the presence of a big crowd again.

"It's been heart-breaking to have no spectators at football and we've got people here tonight who have not seen each other for a long time. It's great to have everyone back."

Lennon, whose coaching work at The Obs was instrumental in their unprecedented era of success during the late 1990s, died aged 60 in late 2010 after a prolonged illness.


The first tournament in his name had a fairytale ending in 2011 when his son Joff struck the winning penalty in the shoot-out to hand glory to Milford United, which remains the only time the trophy has not been won by The Vikings.

Hakin United: Sam Franklin, Mark Jones, Jonty Bennett, Ewan Findlay, Adam Collins, Luke Hart, Shane Walsh, Ryan Wilson, Jonathan Fawcett, Bradley Barrett, Dan Evans. Subs: Allistair Robertson, Findlay Armstrong, James Trueman.

Herbrandston: Owen Thomas, Sam Houston, Leigh Marchant, Max Howells, Adrian Rees, Mark Gelona, Leigh Galdo, Callum Stannett, Ashton Plunkett, Scott Reid, Josh Smart. Subs: Jake Barrett, Celyn Owens, Tom Richardson.