PHOTO:
Pembrokeshire squad line up before the game

 

SB Williams Inter League Competition:

 

Pembrokeshire League 3 - Carmarthenshire League 2

 
A dramatic injury-time winner from substitute Chris Ormond ensured the Pembrokeshire League squad opened their SB Williams Inter League campaign with a win against Carmarthenshire under the floodlights at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium on Wednesday evening.
 
The home side had seemingly thrown away two points when Rob Jones, who put the visitors ahead early on before Pembrokeshire fought back with goals from Scott Delaney and Joe Leahy, headed in a 90th minute leveller.
 
But in the fourth minute of injury time, Ormond struck from close range after a whipped-in free kick from another substitute, Luke Hayward, had prompted a goalmouth scramble.
 

Bright opening before County fall behind

 
To the credit of the Pembrokeshire Football League, admission for spectators was free in an attempt to encourage support for the county side – and the crowd witnessed an entertaining start as both teams created openings.
 
Pembrokeshire should have been ahead just three minutes in when Nathan Greene broke free inside the area and squared for Johnny Horgan – who somehow side footed wide with the goal at his mercy.
 
At the other end Jonathan Fagan teed up midfielder Daniel Hurford, whose turn and half volley on the edge of the area forced home keeper Gary Thomas into a smart save.
 
And with just six minutes on the clock Carmarthenshire led when Hurford, who proved a constant threat on the night, skipped past two defenders and squared for Jones – who slid in to score from eight yards.
 
Chances come and go for Pembs before Delaney levels matters
 
The home side responded as Ashley Williams volleyed wide, before Joe Leahy saw his shot deflect over the bar.
 
From the resultant corner, Scott Delaney met Adam John’s cross, only for his effort to be cleared off the line via the crossbar.
 
Carmarthenshire also continued to threaten and Jones was narrowly wide with a header, before Thomas had to be quickly off his line to deny Fagan.
 
Leahy did go close for Pembrokeshire when his stinging drive was palmed away by visiting keeper Stewart Mahoney, before Thomas was called into action again as he had to be at full stretch to save Nathan Logan’s header from a Hurford cross.
Then seven minutes before half time, Pembrokeshire levelled when John’s deep corner was again met by Delaney – who made no mistake at the back post as he powered a header into the roof of the net.
 

Leahy puts Pembs ahead

 
The second half didn’t start as openly as the first, although after Jones blasted over from just inside the area for Carmarthenshire – Pembrokeshire took the lead on 54 minutes.
Horgan broke clear down the left wing, before floating a perfectly judged cross onto the head of the unmarked Leahy – who made no mistake.
 
At that point Pembrokeshire appeared well on top, although were indebted to skipper Steve Allen as he recovered well to dispossess Logan when the midfielder appeared to be clean through on goal.
 
At the other end, Horgan rifled a 20 yard shot narrowly over, and then after being played in by Williams, was denied by a great sliding tackle from Carmarthenshire centre back Mike Yates.
 
Carms level matters but Ormond strikes late on
 
Substitute Scott Crawford had a chance to seal the win when John, who switched from the right wing to the left during the second period, curled in a cross that the striker headed inches wide.
 
But just when the contest appeared to be petering out, the visitors levelled in the 90th minute when substitute Sean Rogers’ cross from the left found an unmarked Jones, who grabbed his second with a powerful downward header.
 
There was still time for Pembrokeshire to hit back however, and Crawford’s ball across goal was cut out with Hayward set to pounce.
 
And then in the fourth minute of injury time, the lively John cut in from the left and was taken down by Matthew Hurford. Hayward duly curled the free kick into the path of Williams, and after his effort was blocked by Mahoney, a frantic scramble culminated in Ormond stabbing home from six yards to win it.
 
Manager Dawes delighted to start campaign with a win
 
As the centre back was mobbed by team mates, Carmarthenshire’s frustration was compounded when Yates, who had already been booked, was shown a second yellow card by referee David Morgan for seemingly protesting about a foul in the build up to the goal.
 
It meant a winning start to the 2016/17 campaign for Dawes and his assistants, Steve Briers and Ian Baker, with two further clashes against the Swansea League and Neath and District League teams to come.
 
“It’s a win although the performance was a little patchy – which is understandable from a squad that’s not been together long,” Dawes told Pembrokeshire Sport afterwards.
“This standard is a step up from Pembrokeshire League and a few players would have learnt that tonight.
 
“But the boys showed character to come back and beat a good Carmarthenshire side. The three subs who came on all contributed well and we have to be pleased overall.”
 
Dawes also said he was hopeful that injuries to Greene and Delaney, both of whom were forced off in the second half, were not serious.
 
The squad and coaches also issued thanks to the Pembrokeshire Schools Football Association, who supplied the ball boys on the night.
 
Pembrokeshire’s next game is set to be against the Swansea League next month - with the date and venue to be confirmed.

Pembrokeshire: Gary Thomas, Nick Squire, Scott Delaney (Chris Ormond 75), Steve Allen, Henry Durrant, Gethin Roberts, Ashley Williams, Adam John, Nathan Greene (Scott Crawford 59), Johnny Horgan, Joe Leahy (Luke Hayward 71).
Subs not used: Sam Southcott, Kieron Howells.

Carmarthenshire: Stewart Mahoney, Mark Standen, Ashley Thomas (Sean Rogers 60), Mike Yates, Gavin Evans, Daniel Hurford (Owen James 83), Stuart Rees, Nathan Logan, Rob Jones, Jonathan Fagan, Matthew Hurford.

Referee: David Morgan.
Assistants: Phillip Harris and Martin Oliver.
Fourth official: Steve Jones.