Division 1 leaders Goodwick United were the visitors to the Athletic Ground yesterday looking to stretch their unbeaten 12 game run to 13. In a well contested contest Goodwick took the lead against the run of play 10 minutes before the break when a fluke deflection of the back of their centre forward looped beyond the efforts of keeper Patrick Hannon and a defender on the line into the top corner. Hannon then made a point blank save to keep the scoreline down to 1 at the break, these being the only 2 efforts on target the leaders created in the first 45 mins. Most of the Nomads 1st half efforts had been shots from distance, although Paul Hannon should have been awarded a free kick when the Goodwick centre half obstructed him first then threw an elbow at him, but the referee claimed not to have seen the infringement. At the interval the Radio Pembrokeshire and Western Telegraph pundits must have been rubbing their hands over their expert prediction for United to win, however none had predicted the Nomads spirit would be as bouyant in the second half. Nathan Warlow, Wayne Parry and Adam La Rosa playing in the middle of the park for Neyland then took control of the game, United could not compete and dropped further and further back as tackle after tackle was won by the midfield trio. 10 minutes after the break a whipped deep cross was flicked on by Paul Hannon and Joe Charlton arrived at the backpost unmarked to slot the ball home from 6 yards, 1-1 and now game on. The Nomads piled on the pressure Wayne Parry flicked a cross over the Persil white kitted Goodwick keeper the ball was over the line and Joe Charltons momentum in attacking the ball had carried him into the net when the ball hit him on the head, but the linesman had flagged for offside! The referee disallowed the goal against the protests of the crowd and players alike. However the referee trumped that decision 10 minutes later when Nathan Warlow's drive from 20 yards rocketed into the net with the keeper flapping, the ref again disallowing the effort for a Nomad backing in to a Goodwick player, when the defender had both arms around the Nomad and was pulling him back, it was a clench more suited to strictly come dancing than a football field.

After 80 minutes Paul Hannon slotted the ball home from close range after some smart build up play, again the linesman flagged, but the referee overuled him and gave the goal. Goodwick piled forward for the last 10 minutes playing 6 up front, but everyone in a black and white shirt stood firm and wave after wave of attack was quashed, Patrick Hannon in goal was again called on to turn a goal bound effort over the bar in injury time.The Goodwick keeper even came forward for the corner to no avail. As the final whistle went complaints that the pitch needed improving were made by the losers, the Nomads however were happy with it as home advantage obviously counted.

Neyland Team -

Patrick Hannon, Jarred Campbell, Sean Hannon, Andrew Kemp, Jeremy Charles, Shane Phillips, Adam La Rosa, Nathan Warlow, Joe Charlton, Wayne Parry, Paul Hannon.

Subs- Craig Power, Steven Peterson, Gideon Hockim.

Pembroke Boro 1 (3) v Neyland 2 (4)

Another tight game at The Boro saw Neyland 2nds emerge victorious and move into the semi finals of the 5th Division cup. This was the 4th meeting between the 2 sides this season and Neyland saved their 1st win for the most crucial game.

The game started at a frenetic pace with lots of balls being pinged about but no real chances created. The first real chance of the game resulted in the opening goal for Neyland. Craig Power won the ball for Neyland and played it wide to Skino. SKino played the ball back into the danger zone and Power, who'd kept on running (for a change) was bundled over in the box for a stone-wall penalty. Shane Phillips stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way for a one nil lead.

Neyland were playing some good football now and creating chances but again the Pembroke Boro keeper pulled off some great saves. One excellant move saw Shane apply the finish to anther Skino cross yet somehow the keeper managed to divert the ball away. Another saw the keeper pull off 2 saves from Antonio in a matter of seconds.

Although Neyland were attacking, the defensive quartet of Andrew Smith, Nick Kooman, Stephen Peterson and Lee Phillips were always on their guard to the quick Pembroke Boro strikers.

At haltime the scores remained 0-1 and Neyland were 45 minutes from the cup semis.

Pembroke Boro started the 2nd half well and were pressing hard for their goal but the central defenders repelled everything thrown at them and produced outstanding tackles, blocks and headers to keep the ball away from Marlon's Goal and keep him from really having a save to make.

Half an hour from the end and Boro got an equaliser, albeit a flukey one. The ball was played into the box and it looked like Neyland had cleared the danger when it struck a Boro players knee and looped up and over Marlon and into the net. 1 all and all to play for!!!!

For the next 5-10 minutes Neylands head dropped slightly and again Boro applied the pressure but Kooman and Peterson defended superbly. With 15 minutes to go Neyland got the 2nd goal. The ball was played into the box and a amongst the scramble Power, who had just been patched up by the best medical man in the business, controlled the ball and delayed his shot before lifting over the keeper from close range. In scoring the goal his groin gave up on him and he was subbed off to be replaced by Sam Edwards.

With time running out for Boro they really started to throw everything at Neyland but for all the ball they had Marlon only had to pull off 2 saves of note. One save going off to his right where he had Jeff panicking when he fumbled it and the other a brave bloke where he came out and smoothered the ball at the feet of the dangerous No.9

The game ended 1-2 and the young Neyland were delighted to progress to the semis where they will play the winners of Hundleton v Lamphey

Team

Marlon Hutchings
Andrew Smith
Nick Kooman
Stephen Peterson
Lee Phillips
Paul Davies (Skino)
Antonio Ciati
Craig Power
Joe Howell
Patrick Bellerby
Shane Phillips

Subs - Sam Edwards, Gareth Quirk, Ashley Hutchings

Man of the Match - Nicky Kooman (closely followed by Stephen Peterson) Outstanding at the back in keeping the Boro No.9 quiet