As two of Pembrokeshire’s finest sides faced off in the West Wales Cup Final at the swansea.com stadium, the sun shone bright ahead of a fantastic evening of football, proudly showcasing our county’s talent.
For Hakin, the match represented a sooner than expected opportunity to right the wrongs of their defeat to Penlan just two years ago, where the Swansea based side came back to break Vikings hearts.
Following that defeat, manager Scott Davies took a year sabbatical before his return to the club, with his comeback rejuvenating the squad with the likes of ex-Haverforwest County men Jack Britton and Ashley Bevan coming back into the fold to play key roles.
His return was not matched with a large scale overhaul but rather a measured improvement of the squad with a few astute additions that have already paid dividends in their success this season. Jordan Kilby, a stalwart in the centre of the pitch who’s tireless running has been vital to their campaign, the experienced head of Craig Nicholson who was key in cup victories over Goodwick United and St Josephs, and of course young forward Liam Parks whose brace against his former club Milford United saw his side lift the Senior Cup.
In contrast, the final represented Tenby’s first ever appearance at this stage in the competition, where they had previously not reached the semi-finals before their impressive victory over Monkton Swifts last month.
There were no signs big match nerves or being overawed by the occasion, as the Seasiders quickly settled into the game, matching up impressively across the pitch with their Hakin counterparts.
Managers Gareth Noot and Dewi Davies have put together an excellent side capable of taking on any team in West Wales, as evident by their place in the final and fourth place domestic finish which saw them secure two draws against Hakin and only narrow one-goal defeats to champions Goodwick.
The standout piece of business in the Seasiders summer was the long anticipated return of Joe Leahy, an instrumental attacking player with West Wales Cup winning pedigree following a 2019 win for Merlins Bridge in the only other all-Pembrokeshire final, beating Carew 3-1.
In a classy tribute to their much loved former player Adam Muskett, who sadly died last summer, the Tenby contingent all donned "Muskett 9" tops during the warm-up period.
With the game starting evenly, Tenby right back Ned Davies showed good enterprise to craft space down the right before over-hitting his cross. Hakin responded with a chance for Ashley Bevan, cutting inside from the right before being blocked by a great tackle from centre back Sam Butler.
The Vikings would then create the first big chance of the game in the 14th minute, with Bevan playing through livewire Liam Parks who attempted to lift the ball over the onrushing Dylan Noot, producing an excellent save to keep the game goalless.
Five minutes later and Tenby responded with a good opportunity of their own, Scott Ferney’s running seeing him find space and get a shot off down the right, parried by goalkeeper Gareth Fawcett into the path of Jacob Hipkiss who could only send the rebound wide.
Ferney’s running was to become a constant theme of the first half, stretching the Hakin defence with smartly timed runs in behind. In the 22nd minute, he beat the onrushing Fawcett to the ball as the ‘keeper quickly scrambled to get back to his net as Ferney found his balance to get a shot off, sailing wide to the relief of the Vikings ‘keeper.
A few minutes later and Hakin responded with a ferocious effort from captain Ryan Wilson, unleashing a superb strike from 25 yards following a great advantage from the referee as Wilson cut into space, his effort beating Noot but bouncing back out off the crossbar.
In the 30th minute it was Tenby who found a decisive breakthrough, with Jerome Williams showing great strength and composure to let the ball roll across him, beating midfielder Britton to find space just inside the Hakin half, played in Ferney who had made another excellent timed run, this time down the left channel.
Ferney opted to hit the ball first time, catching out goalkeeper Fawcett who was left flat footed as the ball trickled into the bottom right corner.
As the second half drew to a close, Tenby may have doubled their lead but for a last ditch tackle to stop Leahy playing in Ferney once again in the 38th minute.
The 43rd minute saw a forced substitution with Ned Davies making way for Charlie Gregory at right back, a big blow for the Seasiders who would come to miss Davies’ industry and physicality down the right.
With the half-time whistle blown and Tenby 1-0 ahead, it was clear something needed to change for Hakin who struggled to get key players Bevan and Luby into the game enough, with Tenby coping well with the Vikings unusually direct approach.
The break saw the introduction of Jordan Kilby for Craig Nicholson and Camron Thomas for Kieran King, with the two substitutions set to provide a greater urgency in moving the ball around the pitch for their team.
Just a minute into the second half and Hakin had come out firing, winning a dangerous free-kick on the left before Kilby volleyed wide following the ball bouncing around in the box.
Moments later, Jake Merry would find himself in space on the right, before whipping in an excellent cross to Ashley Bevan in the centre who timed his leap perfectly to head past Noot and draw the scores level.
In the 53rd minute, Hakin would once again show their strength from the bench, bringing on workhorse Shane Walsh for Liam Parks. The Hakin team looking fresh and rejuvenated, playing with a new lease of life.
Tenby were still able to create chances, with Leahy cutting in and forcing a save from Fawcett with a bending shot that may have been heading in to the top right corner in the 59th minute.
A few minutes later and Leahy played a fantastic ball over the top to Daryl Williams who was unable to bring the ball down in front of him to fashion a chance.
Walsh was then to get a chance at the other end, forcing a great low save from Noot in the Tenby net.
The 67th minute saw Hakin squander a fantastic chance to take the lead, with Bevan in down the right, unselfishly squaring the ball to his on-running captain who couldn’t sort his feet out to connect with the shot for what would have been a certain goal.
But a couple of minutes later Hakin did take the lead, with left back Camron Thomas whipping in a fantastic ball to the back post, where Bevan took the ball down before firing his side in front, basking in the glory with his celebrations in front of the jubilant Vikings fans.
As Tenby went more direct in search of an equaliser, their best chance was to come in the 83rd minute with a long ball headed back across goal by Joe Leahy, only to be hit wide by the outstretched leg of Daryl Williams to the relief of the Hakin defence.
Just a couple of minutes later and Leon Luby was to produce some more magic akin to his St Josephs winner, picking the ball up after an excellent headed interception from the industrious Camron Thomas, before zig-zagging past a couple of defenders and then calmly slotting the ball low past Noot.
With Hakin now having a two goal cushion, victory looked certain for the Vikings before another lapse of judgement from their goalkeeper saw Jerome Williams’ tame low effort trickle into the net.
However, a late comeback was not to be with Hakin showing great experience and know-how to see out the game, Kilby vital in winning and keeping the ball alongside forward Shane Walsh who happily kept the ball in both corners to kill the clock.
With the final whistle blown, the Hakin celebrations saw their players immediately head over to their fans, celebrating with their loved ones who turned up in fantastic numbers to share their glory.
Full credit to both teams for a competitive final, living up to its billing as a close contest as many expected.
For Hakin, the success caps a remarkable season for the team and in particular the returning Davies - with the Vikings lifting only their second West Wales Cup of the 21st century and first in 21 years. With a relatively young squad, fans will be hopeful that this team will continue to go from strength to strength and pick up many more trophies in years to come.
Connect: Pembrokeshire Man of the Match: Ashley Bevan - after struggling to get in to the game in the first half, the veteran forward showed why he’s one of Pembrokeshire’s greatest ever players with two decisive finishes in the second.
Honourable mention: Camron Thomas - for a player who has struggled so much with major injuries, he was key in turning the game around in the second half, not only defensively but in an attacking season, creating two goals for his side. A class act.
Full match photos from Ethan Ellis to follow later today.
Photos from Ethan Ellis and Jonathan Twigg.
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
