Senior Cup Final:
Clarbeston Road 1
Hakin United ran riot and convincingly defeated Clarbeston Road to claim the Senior Cup for the first time since 2012 in front of a large crowd at a sun-kissed Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
After a tight first period where The Vikings narrowly led 2-1 at half time, but after the break they controlled matters and bagged five further goals without reply and deservedly secure the silverware.
The Vikings scored early goals through Nicky Woodrow and man of the match Ben Fawcett, but The Road hit back with goal scored by Tom Reubens. Ten minutes after the break and Woodrow pounced for his second goal of the afternoon and Welsh Schoolboy and College international Fawcett headed home his second of the game. Ten minutes later and Justin Harding powered a shot into the top corner. Then skipper Woodrow created history by scoring the sixth and achieving his second hat-trick in the final for The Vikings. Jack Wilson then fired the seventh from outside the 18 yard box and complete the scoring.
Hakin United started brightly and took the lead in the seventh minute when striker Woodrow struck a superb volley from the edge of the 18 yard box, the striker took one touch and turned and struck an instinctive shot into the top corner, sending the Vikings’ fans ecstatic.
In the 17th minute The Vikings doubled the lead, right sided midfielder Ben Fawcett, who assisted with the opener, jinked his way past a couple of Clarby defenders inside the box before rifling a rising shot into the roof of the net.
That goal really put Kristan Bennett’s side in control, but full credit to Clarbeston Road they got back in the game in the 23rd minute when Tom Reubens finished clinically from inside the box, this was probably The Road’s first sight at goal.
There were no further goals scored in the first period as Hakin United held onto a slender 2-1 lead at half time.
Ten minutes after the break and The Vikings added an important third goal. Clarby conceded a free kick out on the right hand touchline, Justin Harding floated the ball in the danger area, and Woodrow like all good strikers do got the vital scoring touch.
The third goal really broke The Road’s resistance, and the baking hot weather was really taking its toll on all the players.
The Vikings appealed for a penalty when Adam John collided with Tom Glover inside the box, but referee James Ollyott, who had a cracking game, waved play on.
But a minute later and Kristan Bennett’s Vikings added goal number four when Fawcett nodded home Ryan Wilson’s cross from the left.
As The Road’s heads dropped, Justin Harding made them pay the price when he struck a vicious shot into the top corner from 12 yards for the fifth.
The Vikings added goal number six when Woodrow made no mistake from inside the box, and he was given a standing ovation for his outstanding treble when he was then replaced by Shane Walsh.
It was left to Welsh Schools and Colleges international Jack Wilson, who grabbed the last goal with a superb strike from outside the box.
Shortly after the final whistle Telegraph Sport spoke to delighted Hakin United manager, Kristan Bennett, who said: “Fair play the boys were awesome today. When we scored the third goal that deflated them and our boys just piled on the pressure.”
Clarbeston Road player manager, Matthew Ellis, said: “Hakin were outstanding today, I feel they would have beaten most teams put in front of them. We competed well in the first period, but overall we had an off day.”
Clarbeston Road: Lee Scott, Josh Wood, Tom Glover (75, Matthew Griffiths), Daniel Rees, Llywelyn George, Rheinallt George, Matthew Ellis, Michael Turpin, Matthew Davies (75, Steffan Thomas), Jason Griffiths, Tom Reubens (80, Ieuan Cooke).
Hakin United: Adrian Devonald, Jake Merry, Leigh Marchant (76, Bradley Barrett), Sion Price, Daniel Armstrong, Jonathan Bennett (70, Jack Wilson), Ben Fawcett, Justin Harding, Nicky Woodrow (78, Shane Walsh), Adam John.
Referee: James Olyott.
Assistants: Steve Williams & Gareth Elliott.
Sub not used: Shane Walsh.
Referee: James Olyott.
Assistants: Steve Williams & Gareth Elliott.
Fourth official: Charles Davies.
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