Tempers Boil in top table clash

Goodwick United came within a whisker of taking Hakins two year unbeaten home crown on Saturday in an ill-tempered encounter at the Obs.

They were in fact the last team to win there and but for a disallowed goal in the second half and a Paul Jones winner with only minutes to go, they would have walked away with the points.

This fixture is always a hard fought affair and with Hakin wanting revenge for their Eddie Merry final defeat at the hands of the North Pembrokeshire outfit at the start of the season, the usual aggression sometimes overstepped the mark and that can be said for both sides.

Hard tackles were sometimes met with a bit of pushing and shoving but it wasnt until half time that it turned into uncontrolled warfare.

With both sides entering the changing rooms, with the scores level, a fight broke out between opposing players, which resulted in visiting striker Kevin Bowen requiring Ambulance treatment for a badly cut eye. It was an unnecessary and unsavoury incident that was thankfully brought under control after a few minutes and it remains to be seen whether the league committees that run West Wales football will bring any action against the sides.

Away from the nonsense the standard of soccer on display was high. Both sides possess some of the most skillful players in the county and the spectators watching on Saturday were treated to a display of football that was really high class.

Goodwick made the biggest impression early on and they dominated proceedings by running Hakin ragged. They moved the ball around at pace and spread it wide to trouble the Hakin defence and therefore denied home skipper Gary Dawes any room or possession, to dominate proceedings in the centre of midfield.

After creating a number of chances Goodwick finally got onto the score sheet when Kevin Bowen latched onto a John Bailey free-kick that sailed over the Hakin defence and he was composed enough to slot the ball passed Jason Morgan.

Steve Mathias almost pulled one back immediately for Hakin with a long range effort but it was the visitors who were creating all the moves and the goal definitely encouraged them to attack more, with Steve Summers having a powerful header well saved by Morgan.

It looked as though Goodwick would go into the interval with a lead but Hakin had the better of the final ten minutes or so with Paul Jones showing his class with a neat turn and volley that just skimmed over the bar and Mathias going close again.

The equaliser finally came with a few minutes to go as Nigel Armstrong found himself unmarked from a corner and he had enough time to choose his spot and slam the ball home.

Then came the fireworks in the changing room but thankfully the game wasnt abandoned because the second half produced the best football of the match.

Hakin started the second half in a more confident manner and used the slope and slight wind to their advantage. They were the ones playing the football and Goodwick had no answer to this slick, attractive soccer.

Kristan Bennett had the first opportunity to score but his header went wide and then Mike Cooper also had a chance but he shot just over the bar. They finally grasped the lead when Steve Mathias took it upon himself to beat a few players and dance his way through the defence to score a great solo effort.

With confidence up Hakin attacked at will and plenty of chances were created. Unfortunately for them they came to nothing and it was Goodwick who scored next when, against the run of play Steve Summers helped in a cross by John Bailey that totally stunned the home side.

Suddenly they were back in the game and tempers started to boil again. Mathias was lucky not to receive his marching orders following a reckless challenge on Dai Hayes and then Summers had a goal disallowed for offside, which was very harsh indeed.

With time running out and a draw looking increasingly likely Hakin pulled one out of the hat as Paul Chapman crossed the ball in and who else but Paul Jones was on hand to score.

It wasnt a spectacular goal but it was an important one, which helps Hakin keep their lead at the top of the table with their unbeaten tag still intact.