Crymych battle bravely in high-scoring clash with leaders
West Wales Intermediate Cup – Semi-Final: Hakin United 1–0
A THUNDEROUS strike deep into stoppage time from Leon Luby sent Hakin United back to the West Wales Cup final — and back to the Swansea.com Stadium — just two years after their last appearance.
The semi-final at Stebonheath Park had been a cagey, hard-fought affair, with both sides struggling to break the deadlock. But with the game heading for penalties, substitute Luby produced a moment of magic to settle it.
Collecting a pass from Liam Parks on the left flank, Luby beat his marker, cut inside and unleashed a curling right-footed effort that soared past Jack Williams and into the far corner. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Hakin players and fans alike.
The dramatic win sets up an all-Pembrokeshire final — the first since 2019 — with Monkton Swifts or Tenby United waiting in the wings.
Cagey contest, flashes of brilliance
The match was high on tension but low on clear-cut chances, especially early on. Hakin, fresh from lifting the Senior Cup, nearly struck within 90 seconds as Parks capitalised on a defensive lapse, only to see his shot well saved by Williams.
St Joseph's danger man, Kyle Copp — who has racked up 40 league goals this season — almost broke the deadlock with a spectacular 30-yard lob that forced Gareth Fawcett to tip over. Copp then turned provider, threading a perfect ball through to Rikki Hayden, but again Fawcett was alert and made the block.
Ryan Wilson had two golden chances for Hakin, the best coming just before half-time, but Williams stood firm to deny him on both occasions.
Tactical tweaks, late drama
Copp continued to be a menace after the break, weaving past defenders and narrowly missing the target. But it was Hakin boss Scott Davies who changed the course of the game with a trio of substitutions. Camron Thomas, Ashley Bevan and, crucially, Luby added energy and purpose to the Vikings' attack.
Bevan thought he'd given Hakin the lead with a header from Thomas' pinpoint delivery — only for the linesman's flag to deny him. Parks then saw another effort spectacularly saved by Williams as the match swung from end to end.
St Joseph's had a goal ruled out for offside and Bevan missed a one-on-one chance in the dying minutes. It looked like extra-time was inevitable.
But in the 93rd minute, Luby had other ideas.
Resolute to the end
Even after the goal, Hakin had to dig deep. A late St Joseph's corner caused chaos in the box, but Jake Merry threw his body on the line to make a crucial block and preserve the clean sheet.
Now, Hakin United are just one win away from glory — and from ending a 20-year wait since their last West Wales Cup triumph in 2004.
Hakin United:
Fawcett, Merry, Power, Aldred, King (Thomas 51), Nicholson (Jones 72), Wilson (Bevan 56), Britton, Parks, Kilby, Walsh (Luby 61).
Unused: Devonald.
St Joseph's:
Williams, Lloyd-Evans, J. Evans (Morgan 94), R. Jones, Symmons (Price 94), Frost (Pelosi 63), Brown (A. Jones 77), Kerr, Owen, Hayden (Griffiths 79), Copp.
Officials:
Referee – Ben Williams
Assistants – Martin Oliver & Adam Bray
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal eye record transfer deal as Nico Williams update given
Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad this summer and new sporting director Andrea Berta will be a busy man, with a new striker top of the Gunners' shopping list Arsenal are set for a huge summer in the transfer market, having finished second in the Premier League for the third season in a row, and co-chairman Josh Kroenke has said the club are ready to back Mikel Arteta. "We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season," Kroenke said. "We're delighted we have our sporting director, Andrea [Berta], who will play an important role in this. "He is part of a unified and strong team, supported by the board, who are crystal clear on exactly what we need to do and the way in which we want to do it. The right way. The Arsenal way." A deal for midfielder Martin Zubimendi is expected to be wrapped up soon, but Arsenal's most pressing target is a new striker. With all that in mind, Mirror Football brings you some of the latest news and rumours from the Emirates... Record transfer deal Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a move for 17-year-old Greece international Konstantinos Karetsas. According to reports in Greece, via the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Arsenal are in talks with Genk over a deal for the midfielder. It is claimed that an agreement is 'very close', with an overall package worth £38m on the table. The deal would see Karetsas remain at Genk on loan for the 2025-26 campaign and would be a record fee for a Greek player, breaking the record set by Kostas Manolas when he joined Napoli from Roma for £30m in 2019. Williams update Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriarte has shared an update on Nico Williams' future, with Arsenal keen on signing the winger. "I believe we have a winning and interesting project for everyone, and Nico is part of that project, just like many other players," Uriarte told Spanish outlet El Correo. "The project becomes easier if we keep our players - and I believe Nico and the rest of the squad have a very exciting year ahead." Williams currently has a release clause worth around £50m in his contract, which runs until 2027, but reports have claimed that Bilbao are attempting to persuade him to sign a new deal. Tavares exit Nuno Tavares has completed a permanent move to Lazio after spending last season on loan at the Serie A side. Tavares joined Arsenal from Benfica for £8m back in 2021, but failed to become a regular starter as he made just 28 appearances across all competitions. He was shipped out on loan to Lazio last summer, where he made 30 appearances in all competitions. And Lazio have now paid Arsenal £6m, which could rise to £7.5m, to make the move permanent. In a statement, Arsenal said: "Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Nuno for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal issued clear Nico Williams transfer demand in middle of Spain vs France
Nico Williams starred for Spain as they edged France 5-4 in a thrilling Nations League semi-final, with Arsenal fans making their feelings regarding the winger clear Arsenal fans have urged their club to sign Nico Williams this summer after the winger starred in Spain's sensational defeat of France in the Nations League semi-finals. La Roja claimed a thrilling 5-4 win over Les Bleus in Stuttgart to set up a clash with Portugal in Sunday's final. Williams opened the scoring for the Euro 2024 champions midway through the first-half. Lamine Yamal found space on the right before finding Mikel Oyarzabal in the area. The midfielder managed to pick out Williams, who smashed his shot high into the net. That opened the floodgates, with Yamal himself scoring twice, while Arsenal's Mikel Merino and Barcelona star Pedri each notched a goal apiece. While Merino scored, it was Williams who caught the eye of Gunners supporters. The winger has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to boost his options in attack. The Premier League side are struggling to stump up the hefty fee Athletic Bilbao are demanding though. But Gunners fans have now urged club chiefs to find any way possible to bring Williams to the club. One said: " Arsenal get me Nico Williams." Another added: "Arsenal please do all you can to trigger Nico Williams release clause before he signs that new contract. Too good a player." A third wrote: "Nico Williams is so good man he's running this game right now chance after chance so direct. I need Nico Williams at Arsenal." A fourth said: "Nico Williams is NEEDED at Arsenal asap." A fifth added: "The more I watch Nico Williams the more I think Arsenal should pay his wages." While a sixth concluded: "Arsenal need to active Nico Williams release clause tonight, this is the perfect LW for this current Arsenal system." Williams enjoyed a fine night in Stuttgart, adding to his goal by delivering the assist for Pedri's goal. That put Spain four goals up, with manager Luis de la Fuente making a raft of changes. But that allowed France back into the game and they came roaring back. First Kylian Mbappe slotted in a penalty, before Rayan Chekri produced a wonder strike after Yamal's second goal. An own-goal from Daniel Vivian made the game even closer before Randal Kolo Muani headed in in the fourth minute of injury time. Spain were ultimately indebted to keeper Unai Simon, who pulled off a series of impressive saves. Spain survived late pressure from France to secure the winner, sending them into the final where they will face Portugal. La Roja are looking to win the competition for the second successive campaign, having previously lifted the trophy in 2023. The Nations League had a fallow year while Euro 2024 was played, with Spain also winning that tournament. They will take on bitter rivals Portugal in Munich after they defeated hosts Germany in the other semi-final.
Belfast Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
My hard work is now paying off and can help Lisburn enjoy a special season, says Neil Whitworth
The 31-year-old tops the batting averages with his 328 runs coming at exactly 82, while he has also taken 15 wickets with his off-spin. He's proven very much a finisher, scoring four half centuries in his last five innings — three of them unbeaten. The Durham-born all-rounder has cited the confidence gained from a pre-season Ulster Grasshoppers tour, plus hard work in the nets for his prolific form. 'I've been working very hard over the winter on my batting with Uel Graham and a bit with Mark Adair as well,' said Whitworth. 'That coupled with the trip to South Africa definitely helped as well with my confidence. It was an experience of a lifetime for me, really brilliant and so much fun on and off the field. It was superbly organised with brilliant people. 'I just try to be consistent in the No.4 position and read the game as I see it. I'm very fortunate in that there are a number of power hitters in the ranks that take the pressure off. Having the likes of Nigel Jones, James Hunter and Ross Adair lets me play my own game.' It's been a great time for Sunderland fan Whitworth, who is in his second season as captain and enjoying leading a side packed with internationals. 'I think it's important that everyone knows their role in the team. The good thing for me in having so many high-profile players in there is that you're never short of anyone to turn to for advice. 'Nigel Jones in particular has so much experience over here and has such a high stature in the game, and of course Faiz Fazal our overseas professional.' The one gap in Lisburn's honours CV is the Irish Senior Cup, although the Wallace Park side did taste success in the All-Ireland T20 competition last season. 'That T20 win will stand us in good stead. We have a home draw against fellow NCU opposition CSNI to look forward to. We had a very tough game against them earlier in the season so it will be a hard test without a doubt.' Lisburn will be without their trio of Irish internationals for the weekend, but Whitworth isn't angry at their absence — indeed far from it. 'We should embrace the fact that the club has three internationals and celebrate it. It's just one of those things and we have a good deal of depth and quality in our squad to cope with it,' he said. Lisburn have never been a club to rest on their laurels, always looking for the next signing to build for the future. 'That's the structure of the club, where we have some very important key heads behind the scenes,' added Whitworth, who lives close to Wallace Park. 'They are all very future focused on where they want to be, and that's very beneficial to have.' There's a feeling 2025 could be a really special season for Lisburn, and Whitworth agrees. 'It potentially could be. We have got a very strong squad and there's not much Irish international cricket this summer so we have got plenty to look forward to,' he said. Other northern sides in action on Sunday are CIYMS — who entertain Railway Union — while Instonians travel to Pembroke. Flying the flag for the north west are Coleraine, who take on five-time winners North County, while Donemana travel to two-time winners Merrion. Tomorrow's Premiership action has leaders Lisburn hosting North Down, while Instonians will look to keep the pressure on as they visit troubled Muckamore. Templepatrick entertain Cliftonville Academy with both sides desperate for points, while CIYMS are home to Woodvale and Waringstown face CSNI, knowing even at this early stage a win is vital for their Premiership title ambitions.
