West Wales Cup Round 3: Merlins Bridge 3-0 Monkton Swifts

On the 15 minute mark, Bridge midfielder Ashley Beck lined up to swing a free kick into the area from wide on the left. He struck it well enough, and yet the ball hung in the air momentarily before the strong winds blew it back towards the halfway line. 

It was one of those days.

But a cup clash that for much of the first half was plagued by howling gales at The Racecourse was eventually won comfortably by the hosts, with Joe Leahy's first half goal and a brace from Nathan Greene ensuring a place in the last 16 for The Wizards.

From the outset, it was clear we were getting a contest where the necessity for scrapping and battling would take priority over tiki-taka football. With the wind and slope in his favour, Monkton keeper Michael Murray launched an early kick forward that caused brief panic in the Bride defence before being scrambled clear. The tone was set.

Dylan Jones’ through ball teed up namesake Davies but he could only flick an effort straight at Bridge keeper Ben Henton, who endured a testing first half with clearance kicks difficult in the blustery conditions.

A driven shot from Tom Meiring was also deflected away to safety as The Swifts did the early pressing, but in truth clear chances at either end were few and far between.

Peter Thomas curled a shot over for Bridge from 20 yards, and Leahy’s threaded through ball would have seen Greene through on goal but for a superb sliding tackle by Josh Richards.

But with Matthew D’Ivry’s side set to go in more than happy at 0-0 half time having battled against the elements, Bridge had the bonus of leading as Leahy pounced on a slip by Monkton defender Rhodri Davies and placed a composed finish past Murray into the bottom corner.

In the second half Bridge made their intentions clear from the outset as Leahy twice fired off target from long range, but the visitors did fashion a spell of pressure in which Jones was taken out by Beck on the edge on the area. Chris Richards could only fire the free kick straight into the wall though.

At the other end Murray’s handling had to be spot on as he caught a Jordan Thomas cross virtually on his own line, and then snaffled Greene’s header from a Leahy free kick.

But when the second goal did come midway through the second half, the quality of it defied the spectacle.

Home skipper Chris Ormond headed forcefully out of defence and the loose ball fell to Will Haworth, an increasing threat in the second period, and he made ground down the left before chipping an inch perfect cross for Greene to head back across Murray and into the far corner.

That knocked the stuffing out of Monkton and a one-two between Green and Thomas resulted in the latter shooting over, before the former also cleared the bar from a tight angle.

But with 20 minutes left Greene did make the game safe, going through on the right side of the area and firing a low shots through the legs of Murray.

The keeper prevented further damage with smart saves from Haworth and sub Stephen McNabney, but it was a case of job done for D’Ivry and co as they set up a home tie with Treboeth or Llandarcy in Round 4.

Blowing in the wind:

When the original draw was made I envisaged a thunderous tie between two good footballing sides. It didn’t quite pan out that way.

But in winds like that, not to mention a heavy surface, it was never going to. After the first 20 minutes I thought one goal would probably be enough today, as it happened Bridge got three.

Their threat going forward is obvious but they have solidarity to boot and finished strongly today – and introducing Dai Davies early in the second half was a smart move. On a day when energy and fight counted for a lot the situation was made for him, and it was no coincidence Bridge really got in the ascendancy after he came on.

The Wizards have never won the West Wales Cup and while Matthew D’Ivry and assistant Marcus Taylor won’t be looking too far ahead, I think they are genuine contenders. Against both Penlan and Monkton they have dug deep and found a way to win in less than ideal circumstances – that’s the kind of mental steel you need to go all the way in this competition.

As for Monkton, I originally suspected they would come through today. But after seeing a team sheet minus Ryan Griffiths, James Russell, Shaun Jones and Ben Steele, amongst others, I realised they had a job on their hands.

The Swifts did play some neat football but they didn’t test Ben Henton, in for the unavailable Gary Thomas, nearly enough. It was tough to judge the flight of the ball for both keepers and despite spells of pressure, Monkton never really forced Henton into any meaningful saves. In the first half especially, shoot on sight may have served them better.

But regardless I don’t think Joe Lewis will be panicked. It is now a case of getting players back and going full tilt at both the Senior Cup and the League.

Man of the match: Chris Ormond.

The finishing for all three Bridge goals, not to mention the build up play for the second, was high quality – and Joe Leahy, Nathan Greene, and Will Haworth all laid claims for man of the match in a one sided second half.

But after a lengthy lay off, Bridge skipper Chris Ormond showed few signs of rust. He’s never been shy of the physicality and his industry and organisation was crucial to the home side in what was a tricky first 45 minutes. As a bonus, it was his headed clearance which led to that crucial second goal.

Monkton were missing some key attacking players, but still carried ample threat today but were kept to nil for the first time since losing to Carew on the opening night of the season. That represented a big effort from the Bridge back four, and Ormond was central to it.

Matthew D’Ivry (Bridge player manager): “It was obviously difficult in the winds and it was never going to be a classic today. But we defended well and that is three clean sheets from three in the competition now – that’s the most pleasing aspect.”

Joe Lewis (Monkton manager): “We were very depleted today and it told. But it’s a cup competition and we’ll out it behind us now and concentrate on getting back to the league next week.”

Merlins Bridge: Ben Henton, Jordan Thomas, Richard Hughes, Chris Ormond, Andrew John, Matthew D'Ivry (Dai Davies 60), Ashley Beck, Peter Thomas (Gethin Roberts 77), Will Haworth, Nathan Greene, Joe Leahy (Stephen McNabney 78).

Monkton Swifts: Michael Murray, Rhodri Davies (Gareth Hunt 76), Ben Nicholas, Josh Richards, Tom Meiring, Dylan Jones, Jason Finnegan, Blake James, Tom Powell, Chris Richards, Dylan Davies. Sub not used: Adam Brown.

Referee: Jeff Moore.