Hakin United extended their lead at the top of the Division One table with hard earned 1-0 victory of local rivals St Ishmaels, Camron Thomas scoring the winner 8 minutes into the second half. It was the icing on the cake for Thomas in a man of the match performance in which he was faultless, in his execution of defensive duties alongside his sides offensive play, qualities which would allow him to play at a higher level if the pull of the Viking sail was lowered in the future, for the 24 year old.
Hakin were kept at bay in the first period as the visiting Mice side defended their nest with a well organised and crunchy defensive performance, led by central midfielder Nathan Thomas whose sixth sense saw him in the hinterland of danger, breaking up attacks where Hakin frontman Ashley Bevan and left winger Cameron Brunton were the fulcrum, home net minder Owen Thomas untroubled as Sol Goodall, Finley Armstrong, former Viking Brennan Devonald and Adam Kingsbeer were tenacious in their endeavours alongside Thomas.
Referee Mark Hicks pulled a yellow card out on the half hour mark for Bevan whose late tackle on wideman Ethan Davies may well have drawn a different colour in a different game, Hicks well positioned, as he was all game and clear in his deliberations that the yellow card was suffice.
Chances were limited, home custodian Rory Williams a spectator for long periods as Jake Merry and Jay Power snuffed out the threat of lonesome striker Aaron Hallam, whose hold up play allowed Tom Williams and Tyler Sheil opportunities to make ground without success, home centre midfielder Jack Griffiths policing the crucial contact areas with a strong demeanour, his calmness to then make a simple pass to for full back Kieran King, Britton and Thomas, to orchestrate the attack forward, in doing so releasing Brunton and Leon Luby, on the opposite side, Bevans unable to shake the shackles of Devonald.
Hakin came out for the second period with purpose and a structure to play the game higher up the field, Thomas goal came 7 minutes after the restart after Luby, Brunton and Beva all had half chances as the ball flayed around in the penalty box, the finish itself a clinical and composed strike beyond Thomas and defenders on the goal line, sending the home support on the ‘Slab’ delirious.
With the game tempo having raised a fathom or two, a key moment came just 3 minutes after the goal, Hicks again with a clear view from a place of authority, dismissed Thomas who made a fine save from the on running Brunton, alas for the young shot stopper he was a yard outside his penalty area, veteran substitute goalkeeper Jonathan Pawlett called upon as Davies was sacrificed by manager Graham Ninnis.
Hicks again was strong in his interpretations of the laws, waving away the visitors claim for a hand ball against Merry shortly after, the home dugout called into action has the manager Scott Davies replaced the excellent Matthew Broome with Craig Nicholson, who without hesitation controlled the defensive midfield area to pick up the second ball, Daniel Coe replaced full back Owen Lawrie as Ninnis side tried to force their way back into the game, Hicks waving away the Tish appeals for another penalty minutes later when Hallam and Power came together, the centre half standing his ground in the challenge, the pair having had a battle royal for dominance all game, with nothing asked for given.
Joe Davies was the final roll of the dice from Ninnis as he replaced Tom Williams for the final 10 minutes, Griffiths experience as a former Ammanford Welsh league player, combined with Nicholson and Merry ensured the Vikings stemmed the tide, chances restricted from outside of the penalty area leaving Williams’ goal untroubled.
At the other end Luby struck the side netting when there were opportunities to play in Bevans and Britton, King having an opportunity late in the game to double the score when he arrived unmarked at the back post from a Brunton corner, his snap volley from 8 yards not troubling Pawlett.
Both sides will reflect on the result, Hakin with the knowledge that a potential banana skin had flowed their way and the victory saw an extension of their lead, the chasing pack of Goodwick United, Monkton Swifts, Clarbeston Road and Tenby all taking points off each other.
St Ishmaels will take pride in their disappointment at not taking any points as reward for their contribution to the game, particularly their first half performance where the team ethic and organisation allowed them to curtail the home sides play.
On today's showing Ninnis side didn’t offer quite enough to take a share of the points, albeit they may feel the rub of the green didn’t go their way. Football is a game which lives on decisions and in fairness to referee Hicks he was consistent and impartial in his decision making, his use of advantage a hallmark which helped enhance the large crowd’s enjoyment, on a surface which was a credit to the time and effort put in by the Rutherford, duo of Lance and Claire.
