Senior Cup – Semi-Final

 
 

Hakin United 2 – Neyland 0

 
Two unanswered second half goals earned Hakin United a narrow hard-fought victory against Neyland to secure their place in the Senior Cup final.

On paper this was supposed to be a comfortable day at the office for Scott Davies’ Vikings, but it was anything but as to Neyland’s full credit they gave the favourites an uncomfortable 90 minutes in front of a bumper crowd.

There was only two goals between the two teams, at the start of the second half luckless defender Matthew Phillips was credited with an own goal, late in the game Shane Walsh settled the Vikings’ nerves by scoring their second.

In a keenly contested first period it finished goalless, both sides created decent half chances, dangerman Walsh dragged a shot wide for the Vikings, also Jack Britton and Ashley Bevan struck further efforts wide.

The Nomads battled not giving the Vikings any time on the ball, Max Bowman-Davies did well down the right wing which kept Vikings’ defender Leon Luby on his toes.

 

Nomads put Vikings under pressure

Bowman-Davies dragged a close range shot tamely to Sam Franklin, Jay Power cynically brought down Leon Barrett on the edge of the 18-yard box, from the resultant free kick Mike Chandler skied well over the crossbar.

Bevan collied with Hannon from a dangerous Camron Thomas cross from the left, but referee Dai Badger felt the striker had impeded the keeper.

Neyland back four consisting of Matthew Phillips, Mike Chandler, Sean Hannon and Kyle Richards defended resolutely which made life difficult for Bevan, Walsh and Harding.

However, Craig Nicholson, Ryan Wilson and Britton were creating openings with their intricate passing for the Vikings, but Nomads’ midfielders Simon Ellis and Josh Watts were constantly breaking up the play and frustrating their opponents.

 

Phillips scores own goal

Justin Harding was replaced by Garin Gardner at half time, the striker was feeling the affect of a knock, straight from the kick off the Vikings got the vital break through after they put the Nomads defence under pressure and Phillips desperately got the scoring touch into his own net.

At that stage you thought the Vikings would go on and score a hatful, but it never materialised as the Nomads continued to harass and hassle.




 

Walsh settles it with precise finish

In the 89^th minute the Vikings grabbed a defining second when Ryan Wilson set-up Shane Walsh who found the back of the net with a precise finish.

Hakin United will face Kilgetty in the Senior Cup final which will take place on Saturday, 30^th April at the Bridge Meadow Stadium.

On Saturday, 9^th April, Hakin United take on Seven Sisters in the West Wales Intermediate Cup semi-final at Richmond Park, home of Carmarthen Town.

Hakin United: Sam Franklin, Leon Luby (90, Laurie Haworth), Camron Thomas, Jay Power, Jake Merry, Craig Nicholson, Justin Harding (45, Garin Gardner), Jack Britton, Ashley Bevan (Captain) (90, Gareth Fawcett), Ryan Wilson, Shane Walsh.
Substitutes not used: Matthew Broome, Bradley Barrett.

Neyland: Patrick Hannon, Matthew Phillips, Mike Chandler, Kyle Richards, Sean Hannon (Captain), Joshua Watts, Max Bowman-Davies, Simon Ellis, Paul Hannon, Leon Barrett, Aidan Rees.
Substitutes not used: Dylan Rowland, Jacob Payne, Jay Johnstone, Andrew Kemp, Jarred Campbell.

Referee: David Badger.
Assistants: Sean O’Connor & Angus Scourfield.
Fourth Official: Jonathan Twigg.