Third Division Cup final:

Broad Haven 1–0 Kilgetty

A SECOND half header from striker Chris Phillips saw Broad Haven retain the Third Division Cup as they edged out Kilgetty on a perfect night for football at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

After keeper Jon Jones had kept Broad Haven in the contest with three superb saves, Phillips nodded home on 62 minutes from Huw Llewellyn’s left footed in-swinging corner - for what proved to be the game’s only goal.

And yet it was Kilgetty who had dominated the early going, with Mike Beynon going clean through on goal before seeing his low shot brilliantly tipped around the post by Jones.

Moments later the keeper denied the striker again, after good work by Chris Frearson set up Beynon on the right edge of the area, but his clever chip was tipped onto the bar by a back peddling Jones.

Richard Tebbutt was next to threaten for Kilgetty, but he was halted by a brilliantly timed tackle by Broad Haven defender Tom Merry as he charged into the area.

The pressure continued as Henry Lawrence flashed a low shot across the face of goal – before at the other end, Broad Haven fashioned their first real opening when Jack Johnston miscued his left footed effort from 12 yards out.

And then Phillips, who had been largely isolated as his side’s lone striker in the first half hour, was put clean through by Johnston, but his low effort was too close to Kilgetty keeper Christian Phillips.

But in the closing stages of the half, the cup holders found themselves back under pressure as Rhys Hewson made ground down the left, before seeing his angled effort float over Jones but frustratingly cannon back off the bar.

And right on half time, Lawrence pounced on a misplaced pass by Broad Haven full back Dean Jones, but then could only drag his shot well wide.

Just after the break Kilgetty went close again as a Ross Hurst free kick was flicked on by Josh Bevan into the path of Brett Evans – but his fierce volley was well beaten away by Jones.

But Broad Haven then appeared to shore things up and began to assert some pressure themselves, and Phillips teed up Llewellyn on the edge of the box, but he could only fire tamely over.

Moments later Spencer Le Petit struck a dipping free kick from fully 30 yards that keeper Phillips did well to tip over the bar.

But from the resultant corner, Llewellyn’s whipped delivery found Phillips, who planted his header into the net from eight yards out.

Kilgetty tried to press for a leveller in the closing stages and their best chance came when a Frearson corner fell to full back Craig Nelson, but he could only volley straight at Jones.

And although Kilgetty substitute Jordan Gorman turned sharply and volleyed just wide from outside the area, the Broad Haven defence closed out the final minutes relatively comfortably to claim the silverware for the second successive season.

Afterwards Rowena Lloyd, Chairperson of the Pembrokeshire Football League, presented the trophy to Broad Haven captain Peter Thomas to spark big celebrations amongst the players and coaches.

However, for both sides involved, the season us far from over as they meet again next Wednesday in a potentially critical league game.

Should Kilgetty beat Pennar Robins 2nds on Monday, they will be crowned champions, but regardless of that result, Broad Haven will have to beat them again in midweek to guarantee joining them in being promoted to Division Two next season.

Broad Haven: Jon Jones, Dean Jones, Tom Merry, Archie Thomas, Peter Thomas, Jordan Wood (Ian Harvey 69), Huw Llewellyn, Spencer Le Petit, Chris Phillips, Ian Davies (Owen Grey 82), Jack Johnston (Shane Howells 90).

Kilgetty: Christian Phillips, Craig Nelson, Brett Evans, Morgan Slate (Max James 88), Ross Hurst, Chris Frearson, Henry Lawrence, Richard Tebbutt (Jake Proctor 76), Mike Beynon (Jordan Gorman 59), Josh Bevan, Rhys Hewson.

Referee: Gareth Elliott.

Assistants: Sean O’Connor and Dan Rees.

Fourth official: Chris Stapleton.