John Bailey Memorial Cup Final:

Goodwick United 1-1 Clarbeston Road 1 (Goodwick United won 4-2 on penalties)

James Gwilt was once again the toast of his Goodwick United colleagues as his penalty-saving exploits saw them gain the John Bailey Memorial Trophy at the expense of a gritty Clarbeston Road side which was minus several key players but played with real grit.

Both teams had enjoyed good wins earlier in the week as host club Goodwick beat near neighbours 5-2 after trailing early on whilst Clarbie comfortably accounted for Prendergast Villa by 5-1.

Goodwick also found themselves a goal adrift again in this tussle after 71 minutes when sub Tom Reubens benefitted from a ball headed over the top by Martin Tweedie, perhaps the best player for Clarbie on the night, and cleverly toe-poked it over the advancing Gwilt to find the net.

But Goodwick responded soon afterwards when Lee Hudgell picked up a ball 25 yards out and hit a low shot which looked innocuous enough but slipped under the body of Clarbie keeper Lee Scott for the equaliser.

The first half had been a disjointed affair as neither side was able to get on top but for Goodwick there was a powerful left foot-volley from Jordan Griffiths which flashed wide and centre half Iestyn Evans made a strong tackle near half way and mover forward before hitting a long-range shot which Scott did well to parry.

At the other end Clarbie applied pressure via a series of corners but Evans and Anthony Couzens covered well, and Josh Wood created space well but slipped as he tried to beat the last line of defence.

It was a similar story in the third quarter as Clarbie sub Reubens hit the outside of the post and then found the net but was recalled by referee Bernie Armstrong, who had a good game, for a foul on Gwilt in the build-up.

Rhys Dalling joined the fray for Goodwick and thought he had put his side ahead from a Johnny Horgan cross but was ruled offside and although Steve Dockerty, Karl Hedley and Griffiths probed strongly the home side was unable to turn late pressure into goals.

That set up the penalty shoot-out and Goodwick were immediately favourites, thanks to Gwilt’s acrobat ability to keep the ball out of the net – and so it proved!

Penalty details:

1. Clarbie player manager Matthew Ellis fired low to his left but Gwilt flung himself wide to smother the ball. 0-0

2. Adam Raymond almost casually sent Lee Scott the wrong way. 1-0

3. Mike Turpin blasted the ball to Gwilt’s left and was relieved when the keeper could only push it into the top corner. 1-1

4. Lee Hudgell, another very experienced spot-kick taker, also sent Scott the wrong way. 2-1

5. Dan Rees, as solid as ever, beat Gwilt to his right, although the keeper might well have saved on this occasion! 2-2

6. Jordan Griffiths drilled the ball home for Goodwick – a well taken penalty. 3-2

7. Gwilt saves a shot by Clarbie sub Steve Morris. Still 3-2!

8. Rhys Dalling knows he only has to score to take the silverware – and does it with ease! 4-2

Club captain Adam Raymond received the trophy from Goodwick United chairman Brian Morris, who thanked everyone involved, and said that all proceeds from the three games would go to Portfield School in Haverfordwest, a fitting conclusion to this popular competition held in memory of a real young character who always gave 100% for the club.

Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Steff Hayes, Anthony Couzens, Iestyn Evans, Llyr Tobin, Steve Dockerty, Karl Hedley, Adam Raymond (Capt), Lee Hudgell, Johnny Horgan, Jordan Griffiths. Subs: Rhys Dalling, Wayne O’Sullivan, Steve Blackford.

Clarbeston Road: Lee Scott, Gregg Jackson, Dan Rees, Tom Glover, Matthew Griffiths, Mike Turpin, Matthew Ellis, Ieuan Cook, Josh Wood, Martin Tweedie, Steff Thomas. Subs: Miles Morgan, Tom Reubens, Steve Morris.

Referee: Bernie Armstrong.

Assistants: Darren John (Goodwick United) & Steve Glover (Clarbeston Road).