Season 1979-80

Structure –Four leagues of comprising of First (14) Second (14), Third (14) and Fourth (16) divisions

Division 1 - Merlins Bridge, Monkton Swifts, , Carew, Goodwick United, Fishguard Sports, Milford Athletic, Milford United, Narberth, Hakin United, , Johnston, New Hedges/ (P), Angle (P)

Division 2 - MHPC (R), (R), RAF , , St Clears, County, Merlins Bridge II, Monkton Swifts II, Goodwick United II, Fishguard Sports II, Milford Athletic II, Pennar Robins, Kilgetty II (P), Newcastle Emlyn (P)

Division 3 - Camrose (R), P & EE Pendine (R), Steynton United, Pembroke Boro, Narberth II, RAF Brawdy II, Hakin United II, Solva II, Carew II, Johnston II, United, New Hedges/Saundersfoot II, (P), St Clears II (P)

Division 4 - Clarbeston Road (R), Camrose II, Neyland II, Steynton United II, Manorbier United II, , , St Ishmaels II, Angle II, Pennar Robins II, Pembroke Power Station, Kilgetty III (New), Letterston II (New), RNAD Milford (New), (New), Withybush (New)

First Division

The early season pace setters were last season’s champions Merlins Bridge and Goodwick United who at the end of October both remained unbeaten with Johnston and Hakin United also both being in contention.

Goodwick United had inflicted upon Johnston their only defeat with a 4-1 home success thanks to a Keith Swales hat-trick and one from Pat Pearce. Charlie Edwards replied for the visitors. Hakin’s only defeat had been home against Johnston where two Martin Davies goals had given the visitors victory.

However November turned out to be a critical month for Hakin United. On the first Saturday of the month they suffered a narrow defeat away to the Bridge when a last minute Brian Cutler goal saw the home team record a narrow 4-3 success. Tally John, Robert Taylor and a Dave Dickinson penalty had put the Bridge three nil up only for Andrew Robertson, Keith Johnson and a Donald Forrest penalty to draw the scores level. Cutler, who was only home from Scotland for the weekend, had started on the bench and had only come on when the Bridge were three up. However his last minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Then on the last Saturday of the month Hakin welcomed Goodwick United to the Obs only to suffer a further damaging defeat. Adi John and Stewart Wilson had seen the away side go into a two nil lead only for John Kinsella to pull one back for the Vikings. On the same day the Bridge dropped only their second point of the season when they were held 0-0 at Johnston.

Johnston maintained their championship hopes three weeks later with a further 0-0 draw this time against Goodwick United. However too many draws were proving to be their downfall and although they sat in second position at the end of December they had played far more games than their rivals.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Goodwick United 13 10 2 1 28 9 19 22 2 Johnston 15 8 6 1 34 18 16 22 3 Merlins Bridge 10 8 2 0 25 4 21 18 4 Hakin United 11 7 1 3 31 21 10 15 5 Monkton Swifts 14 7 1 6 25 20 5 15 6 Carew 15 7 1 7 34 30 4 15 7 Kilgetty 15 6 3 6 27 23 4 15 8 Narberth 13 5 3 5 19 28 -9 13 9 Milford United 13 4 3 6 20 14 6 11 10 Milford Athletic 14 5 1 8 26 33 -7 11 11 N Hedges/Saundersfoot 14 3 5 6 19 28 -9 11 12 Fishguard Sports 13 4 2 7 32 33 -1 10 13 Solva 13 2 2 9 19 43 -24 6 14 Angle 15 2 0 13 20 55 -35 4

On the first Saturday of the new year and with their main challengers in senior cup action Goodwick suffered a shock one nil home defeat to nearest rivals Fishguard Sports. The Sports who were third from bottom at the time won thanks to a Paul Richards goal. A week later the Sports were at it again holding Johnston to a one all draw with David Evans netting for the Sports after Charlie Edwards had given the visitors the lead.

The Bridge finally lost their unbeaten tag on 19/1/80 when they lost two one away to Monkton Swifts. Micky Davies had given the Bridge the lead only for Peter Hughes to equalise and then Roy Davies hit the winner.

A week later Johnston’s championship hopes were dealt a major blow when the lost one nil at home to mid table Milford United, with Colin Fawcett netting the all important goal However they bounced back on the 8/3/80 with a crucial one nil win at the Bridge with right back Steven Thorpe being the unlikely match winner. This left the Bridge 14 points behind Johnston with nine games in hand, but more importantly nine points behind Goodwick with only four games in hand.

Goodwick then suffered a slight wobble with back to back draws against Solva 3-3 (two for Brian Morris and one for Dai Hughes with Lyn Rees (2) and Taffy Walsh scoring for Solva) and Kilgetty 2-2 (Dai Hughes and John Leahy/ John Stenson and Paul Hancock). Thus at the end of March the top of the table was as follows:

Pos Top P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Johnston 25 16 7 2 61 28 33 39 2 Goodwick United 19 13 4 2 43 17 26 30 3 Merlins Bridge 17 12 3 2 42 13 29 27

The Bridge were then held 1-1 in a midweek fixture against Milford United and then in a critical fixture on 5/4//80 Goodwick beat the Bridge 2-1. Dekker Thomas had given the defending champions a one nil lead before Brian Morris and Adi John gave the homesters a crucial win.

It looked to be Goodwick’s title but they let the Bridge back into the title race with a 3-3 draw at bottom of the table Angle. Two goals from Jeff Wilson and one from Brian Morris were matched by goals from Norman Cook, Ron Watkins and Hayden Phillips. They followed this up with another draw 2-2 at Carew.

Thus with two games to go and with a match against each other the sides lay level on points with Bridge having a much better goal difference. Both sides won their penultimate games, the Bridge 4-1 at home to Carew and Goodwick 3-0 away to Monkton Swift leaving a winner take all clash on 23/4/80. The match was decided by a solitary own goal scored by the unfortunate Brian Morris in the 20 th minute when he lobbed his own goal keeper from ten yards to give the Bridge the one nil win.

Thus the Bridge retained their title though they had been pushed all the way by Johnston and Goodwick United who finished in joint second place having identical goal difference.

At the other end of the table at the end of February it was looking like a four horse race to avoid the drop with the bottom 4 being as follows:

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 11 Solva 19 5 3 11 35 58 -23 13 12 Milford Athletic 18 5 1 12 31 49 -18 11 13 New Hedges/Saundersfoot 17 3 5 9 21 39 -18 11 14 Angle 19 3 0 16 27 71 -44 6

On the first Saturday in March Angle gave themselves some hope of avoiding the drop with a 5-2 win at Milford Athletic, thanks to four goals from Dai John and one from Hayden Phillips. Mike Hawkridge and Terry Frank replied for the Athletic. However the week after they lost 5-4 away to New Hedges/Saundersfoot and after this set back they lost their next three games (including two games against Merlins Bridge) and were relegated before the end of March.

At the end of the March Milford Athletic gave themselves some hope of avoiding the drop when they beat Narberth 3-1 at home thanks to two Brian Mathias goals and an own goal by Paul Webb. Webb also had the unusual distinction of also scoring at the other end when he netted a penalty for Narberth.

However a week later New Hedges/Saundersfoot recorded a crucial four nil win at Fishguard Sports so that when the two sides met at Saundersfoot on 16/4/80 the Athletic had to win to retain any hope of staying up. The game ended one all with Neil Webb scoring for the seasiders and Freddy Garton for the Athletic. Thus the Athletic were relegated to division two after a six year spell in the top division.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Merlins Bridge 26 19 4 3 67 21 46 42 2 Johnston 26 16 8 2 62 29 33 40 3 Goodwick United 26 17 6 3 58 25 33 40 4 Carew 26 12 4 10 57 47 10 28 5 Fishguard Sports 26 11 5 10 61 53 8 27 6 Milford United 26 10 7 9 39 34 5 27 7 Kilgetty 26 10 6 10 47 44 3 26 8 Monkton Swifts 26 11 4 11 39 38 1 26 9 Hakin United 26 10 2 14 54 58 -4 22 10 Solva 26 9 4 13 48 66 -18 22 11 Narberth 26 7 8 11 35 56 -21 22 12 NHedges/Saundersfoot 26 5 7 14 35 57 -22 17 13 Milford Athletic 26 6 3 17 40 64 -24 15 14 Angle 26 4 2 20 43 93 -50 10

Some of the leading scorers during the season were: Martin Davies (18) (Johnston) Norman James (17) (Kilgetty) Brian Cutler (16) (Merlins Bridge) Dai Sefton (15) (Carew) Mike Delaney (15) (Goodwick United) (Figures taken from a report on the West Guardian Cup winner).

Second Division

The second division started off very tightly with no team boasting an unbeaten record at the end of September. St Clears led the way having taken the last unbeaten record when they beat RAF Brawdy 3-2 with goals from David Pick, Graham Rees and Neil Godden with Dennis Maddocks and Andy Robinson netting for the airmen. St Clears themselves had lost earlier in the month when they lost 4-2 at Neyland thanks to three goals from Dennis Riley and one from Tommy Power.

Indeed this was the only defeat the Saints were to suffer in their first 11 games, winning the other ten. Up until the end of the year they only dropped a further two points following a 1-1 draw away at Milford Athletic II and a 3-3 draw at home to Fishguard Sports II. In this latter game Carl Milne and Carwyn Morris (2) scored for the Sports with David Pick, Ray Williams and Neil Godden scoring for the Saints.

Their biggest win of the season to date was 13-1 against Kilgetty II on 27/10/79, when their opponents started the game with nine men and ended it with only seven after injuries to Mark Greenhalgh and Steve Lewis! Anthony Morgan, Neil Godden, and Malcolm Revell all scored hat-tricks with Graham Rees (2) Paul Wyatt and Ray Williams completing the scoring. Phillip Ridgeway netted the lone Kilgetty goal.

The top of the table at the end of the year looked as follows:

1 St Clears 15 12 2 1 76 22 54 26 2 MHPC 15 8 3 4 57 27 30 19 3 Kilgetty II 17 9 0 8 29 54 -25 18 4 Newcastle Emlyn 13 8 1 4 31 20 11 17 5 St Ishmaels 15 6 4 5 32 28 4 16 6 Pennar Robins 14 5 6 3 29 26 3 16 7 Milford Athletic II 15 6 4 5 26 24 2 16

The Saints did not suffer a further defeat until April and in the meantime recorded a crucial win over fellow promotion hopefuls Newcastle Emlyn 2-1. Dai Pick and Paul Wyatt scored the goals for the visitors with Dai John scoring for the Cardiganshire side.

Promotion was achieved following a 4-1 away success at Pennar Robins, with the championship being sown up a few days later following a 4-1 home success against St Ishmaels with Dai Pick, Anthony Howells, Graham Rees and Ray Williams netting for the home team.

The runners up spot was eventually decided when Newcastle Emlyn picked up three points in their last two games with a 1-0 home win against Monkton Swifts II and a draw against MHPC.

Spare a thought at the other end of the table for Haverfordwest County who lost all 26 games and ended up with a minus goal difference of 105! On five occasions they lost by the odd goal, with the nearest they came to gaining appoint was when the led Kilgetty II two nil at half time only to concede three second half goals. Their heaviest defeat came at the hands of Neyland 13-1 where Jeff Button with four goals led the scoring for the home team.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 St Clears 26 21 2 3 119 38 81 44 2 Newcastle Emlyn 26 17 3 6 64 33 31 37 3 RAF Brawdy 26 17 1 8 92 48 44 35 4 MHPC 26 13 6 7 87 53 34 32 5 St Ishmaels 26 11 6 9 56 46 10 28 6 Neyland 26 11 4 11 73 66 7 26 7 Merlins Bridge II 26 11 4 11 68 60 8 26 8 Monkton Swifts II 26 11 4 11 62 53 9 26 9 Kilgetty II 26 11 3 12 42 85 -43 25 10 Milford Athletic II 26 8 6 12 40 46 -6 22 11 Pennar Robins 26 7 8 11 38 54 -16 22 12 Fishguard Sports II 26 8 6 12 45 65 -20 22 13 Goodwick United II 26 7 5 14 40 74 -34 19 14 Haverfordwest County 26 0 0 26 23 128 -105 0

Third Division

There was no surprise in Division three where last year’s division four champions Letterston, who had a 100 percent record in the previous season, continued on their march up the league. At the end of December they had only dropped two points and only three other teams were able to keep in touch

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Letterston 14 12 2 0 60 25 35 26 2 Steynton United 15 10 4 1 44 21 23 24 3 Manorbier United 14 9 3 2 54 24 30 21 4 Johnston II 14 7 4 3 34 26 8 18

Letterston dropped their first points since returning to the league on 8/9/79 when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Steynton United. Billy Robb scored the home goal with Mike Barrett equalising for the visitors. The only other point they dropped in was following a 3-3 draw away against Camrose on 6/10/79 when Billy Robb was again on the score sheet, with two goals from Ken Harries. Alan Thomas (two) and Roger Mathias netted the home goals. Their two biggest wins came in back to back wins 9-1 at home to Carew II on 27/10/79 (Billy Robb 4, Will Nicholas 2, Ken Harries 2 and John Luke) and a week later a 9-2 victory away at Narberth (Billy Robb 2, Will Nicholas 2, Ken Harries 4 and Stuart Griffiths).

The start of the new year saw Johnston II fall off the pace suffering back to back home defeats, firstly a surprising 3-2 defeat to lowly St Clears II (19/1) and then 3-1 to Letterston when Lyn Lewis netted a hat-trick for the visitors with Chris Walters replying for Johnston. However their hopes were briefly renewed following a 3-1 home win against third placed Manorbier on 9/2, with two Glen Murray goals and one from Gwyn Griffiths cancelling out a Kiki Lewis goal. A five nil hammering away to Letterston (Lyn Lewis 2, Ken Harries 2, Billy Robb) on 15/3 ended any realistic hopes of promotion.

With Letterston remaining unbeaten the real battle was for the runners up spot between Steynton United and Manorbier United. They met in back to back fixtures in March with Steynton winning 2-1 at Manorbier on 8/3, and then the following weekend Manorbier gained revenge with a 3-2 win at Steynton. Kiki Lewis, Lee Harries and John Izzard netted for the visitors with Jimmy Harding and Robert Turner scoring for Steynton.

Thus at the 15 th March the top of the table was as follows:

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Letterston 21 19 2 0 92 33 59 40 2 Manorbier United 22 14 4 4 76 37 39 32 3 Steynton United 22 13 6 3 58 32 26 32 4 Johnston II 21 11 4 6 60 44 16 26

A week later the top two met at Manorbier with Mike Lewis scoring for the home team and Lyn Lewis for Letterston, the 1-1 draw assuring Letterston of the championship and promotion to division two. On the same day Steynton United moved back into second place by beating St Clears 3-1 (Mike Morris 2, Jimmy Harding), and then in the first of the midweek fixtures they recorded a crucial 3-0 home win against Letterston (Letterston’s first league defeat since their return to the league). Manorbier won the same night 5-2 away to Hakin United.

On the following Saturday Steynton dropped a point following a 2-2 draw away to St Clears whilst Manorbier beat RAF Brawdy II 4-1 at home. Thus with one game to go the clubs were level on points with Manorbier having the better goal average.

Manorbier travelled to bottom of the table Solva II and were surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw. However Steynton lost 2-1 at home to local rivals Johnston II, thus giving the other promotion spot to Manorbier.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Letterston 26 19 6 1 98 42 56 44 2 Manorbier United 26 16 6 4 86 41 45 38 3 Steynton United 26 15 7 4 67 37 30 37 4 Carew II 26 15 5 6 74 54 20 35 5 Johnston II 26 15 4 7 72 49 23 34 6 P & EE Pendine 26 9 5 12 62 71 -9 23 7 Pembroke Boro 26 9 4 13 74 67 7 22 8 Camrose 26 8 6 12 52 65 -13 22 9 St Clears II 26 8 5 13 57 79 -22 21 10 Hakin United II 26 8 4 14 51 63 -12 20 11 RAF Brawdy II 26 7 6 13 62 85 -23 20 12 Narberth II 26 8 4 14 45 71 -26 20 13 New Hedges/Saundersfoot II 26 7 3 16 52 79 -27 17 14 Solva II 26 1 9 16 34 83 -49 11

Division Four

The early season pace setters in division four were Llawhaden who up to the turn of the year remained unbeaten having won 14 of their 16 games. Their biggest win had been an 11-0 beating of Angle II on 6/10/79 when their scorers were Vernon Warder with five, two for Nigel Thomas and one each for Griffiths, Keith Thompson, Nigel Channeller and an own goal.

Their nearest challengers were Steynton United II and RNAD Milford who had met each other on the 22/9 when the RNAD won 2-1 thanks to goals from Peter Hughes and C Hart. Steven Devonald replied for Steynton.

The top of the table at the end of December was as follows:

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Llawhaden 16 14 2 0 82 19 63 30 2 Steynton United II 18 12 1 5 59 30 29 25 3 RNAD Milford 16 11 2 3 43 24 19 24 4 Cosheston 17 10 2 5 50 29 21 22 5 Neyland II 18 10 2 6 57 42 15 22

On the 5/1 Steynton avenged their earlier defeat to RNAD with a similar 2-1 score- line. Goal scorers this time were Derek Evans and an own goal with a Derek Nicholas penalty replying for the Depot.

The following week Llawhaden spectacularly lost their unbeaten record with a 6-1 home defeat at home to an improving Cosheston side. No details appeared in the local press.

RNAD suffered a second consecutive defeat when they lost 4-1 at St Ishmaels and suddenly the race for promotion was wide open.

On the 16/2 Llawhaden lost at home 2-1 to lowly St Florence (two Paul Griffiths goals) and in the process lost top spot to Steynton although they did have four games in hand over their championship rivals. On the 8/3 they regained top spot following a 4-0 victory over Withybush and on 22/3 they faced a crucial game against Steynton which they won 5-2 thanks to goals from Nigel Thomas (3) and Richard Thomas (2). Robert Dennison and David Collins replied for Steynton.

Thus going into the last month of the season the top of the table was as follows with Llawhaden looking certain to be champions but the other promotion place up for grabs:

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Llawhaden 25 21 2 2 114 32 82 44 2 Steynton United II 28 18 3 7 97 49 48 39 3 RNAD Milford 25 17 3 5 65 34 31 37 4 Cosheston 28 16 4 8 74 41 33 36 5 Clarbeston Road 25 16 2 7 92 46 46 34 6 Neyland II 26 15 3 8 85 60 25 33

RNAD’s promotion hopes suffered a setback when they lost at home to promotion rivals Clarbeston Road 2-0, and also 3-1 away to Manorbier United II.

Neyland’s faint hopes were virtually extinguished on 5/4 following a 3-2 home defeat to Llawhaden who as a result were assured of winning the division. Nigel Thomas (two) and Gary Rees scored for the visitors.

On the 12/4 both Steynton United II (1-2 at Kilgetty) and RNAD (0-2 at Llawhaden) both lost and with Clarbeston Road beating Neyland 3-0 it was they who joined Llawhaden in division three for next season. Clarby’s success had been gained by winning 12 of their last 13 games with their only defeat being a midweek 1-3 defeat against local rivals Llawhaden.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Llawhaden 30 24 3 3 127 42 85 51 2 Clarbeston Road 30 21 2 7 110 54 56 44 3 Steynton United II 30 19 3 8 101 52 49 41 4 RNAD Milford 30 18 4 8 69 43 26 40 5 Cosheston 30 17 5 8 82 42 40 39 6 Neyland II 30 17 3 10 94 66 28 37 7 Manorbier United II 30 15 3 12 85 76 9 33 8 Letterston II 30 15 1 14 77 81 -4 31 9 St Ishmaels II 30 11 6 13 58 63 -5 28 10 St Florence 30 12 1 17 91 101 -10 25 11 Camrose II 30 8 9 13 50 62 -12 25 12 Pennar Robins II 30 8 7 15 57 79 -22 23 13 Kilgetty III 30 9 3 18 51 116 -65 21 14 Withybush 30 6 4 20 55 84 -29 16 15 Angle II 30 6 4 20 35 99 -64 16 16 Pembroke Power Station 30 3 4 23 33 115 -82 10

Senior Cup

The first round of the senior threw up three all first division ties with two of them going against the formbook with fifth placed Carew falling 4-1 at home to New Hedges/ Saundersfoot. Johnny Griffiths had given the homesters a one nil half time lead, but second half goals from Gary McNeilly, Neil Webb, Richard Eastlake and Viv John gave the seasiders a surprise victory. More surprisingly, third placed Goodwick lost 4-2 at home to eleventh place Milford United. Colin Fawcett (2), Andrew Burgoyne and Peter Price scored for the Robins with Pat Pearce (penalty) and Jeff Wilson scoring for the homesters. The other all first division tie saw Johnston progress after beating Fishguard Sports 1-0 in a replay, thanks to a Martin Davies goal.

The second round saw two first division sides go out against lower league opposition. Milford Athletic lost 3-0 at home to top of the table second division side St Clears (Fred Steels, Dai Pick, Anthony Howells). Solva lost 3-2 to third division Pembroke Boro, despite leading 2-1 at half time thanks to goals from RV Jones and Bobby Price, with Carl Eddison replying for the Boro. Second half goals from Jackie Jenkins and Chris Rule saw the Boro progress to the quarter finals. The tie of the round saw Hakin United, fourth in the division play third placed Merlins Bridge. The first game ended 1-1 with Andrew Robertson scoring for Hakin and Dave Dickenson replying. However in the replay four goals from Brian Cutler and one from Dekker Thomas saw the Bridge through comfortably 5-1.

Their reward was a quarter final tie against bottom of the table Angle and although the first game ended 3-3, the replay resulted in an eight nil victory to the Bridge, with Brian Cutler (3), Dekker Thomas, Chris Walters, Mike Davies, Dave Dickenson and Mario Rabaiotti completing the scoring. St Clears continued with their giant killing run with a 4-2 victory over Johnston thanks to goals from Anthony Howells, Malcolm Revell, Neil Godden and Kevin Goldsby cancelling out goals from Martin Davies and Charlie Edwards. Pembroke Boro crashed out 4-0 at Narberth, whilst the other tie saw Monkton Swifts beat Kilgetty. This meant that only one of the top seven in the first division made the semis.

In the semis there was no surprise when the Bridge overcame Monkton Swifts thanks to goals from Dekker Thomas and Mario Rabaiotti. However in the other semi St Clears upset the odds by beating Narberth 2-1. Narberth had led with 10 minutes to go thanks to a Peter Hughes header, but then an own goal by Johnny Warlow let the Saints back into the game. Then in the very last minute Ray Williams struck the winner resulting in the Saints being the first second division team to make the final since 1950 when second division HMS Harrier upset all the odds by beating first division champions Milford United 1-0 at the Bridge Meadow.

Sadly despite this tremendous achievement they were thrashed 5-0 in the final by the Bridge with two each for Micky Ellis and Brian Cutler and one for Dekker Thomas, who opened the scoring in the 53 rd minute, after the first half had remained scoreless. This was the Bridge’s third cup final win in a row.

Senior Cup First Round 01/12/1979 Carew 1 New Hedges/Saundersfoot 4 01/12/1979 Clarbeston Road 1 Narberth 2 01/12/1979 Fishguard Sports 1 Johnston 1 01/12/1979 Goodwick United 2 Milford United 4 01/12/1979 Hakin United 5 Haverfordwest County 0 01/12/1979 Kilgetty 3 MHPC 1 01/12/1979 Letterston 10 Cosheston 0 01/12/1979 Manorbier United 2 Angle 3 01/12/1979 Merlins Bridge 12 Withybush 0 01/12/1979 Milford Athletic 2 Newcastle Emlyn 0 01/12/1979 Monkton Swifts 4 St Ishmaels 0 01/12/1979 Neyland 5 Steynton United 2 01/12/1979 P & EE Pendine 0 RAF Brawdy 8 01/12/1979 Pembroke Boro 2 Camrose 0 01/12/1979 RNAD Milford 1 Solva 4 01/12/1979 St Clears 3 Pennar Robins 1 First Round – replay 08/12/1979 Johnston 1 Fishguard Sports 0

Second Round 29/12/1979 Hakin United 1 Merlins Bridge 1 05/01/1980 Angle 2 New Hedges/Saundersfoot 2 05/01/1980 Johnston 2 RAF Brawdy 0 05/01/1980 Letterston 1 Monkton Swifts 4 05/01/1980 Milford Athletic 0 St Clears 3 05/01/1980 Narberth 2 Milford United 0 05/01/1980 Neyland 1 Kilgetty 3 05/01/1980 Solva 2 Pembroke Boro 3 Second Round - replays 12/01/1980 Merlins Bridge 5 Hakin United 1 12/01/1980 New Hedges/Saundersfoot 1 Angle 2

Third Round 02/02/1980 Angle 3 Merlins Bridge 3 02/02/1980 Monkton Swifts 3 Kilgetty 1 02/02/1980 Narberth 4 Pembroke Boro 0 02/02/1980 St Clears 4 Johnston 2 Third Round – replay 16/02/1980 Merlins Bridge 8 Angle 0

Semi-Finals 01/03/1980 St Clears 2 Narberth 1 at London Road 01/03/1980 Merlins Bridge 2 Monkton Swifts 0 at Kilgetty

Final 19/04/1980 St Clears 0 Merlins Bridge 5 at Marble Hall

Second Division Cup

The second division cup resulted in no surprises with the top two sides in the league meeting each other in the final when league runners up Newcastle Emlyn inflicted on St Clears only their fourth defeat in the season with a 2-1 victory. Goals from Mike Davies and Graham Hicks proved to be enough to cancel out a Dai Pick strike for the Saints.

The tie of the competition was the semi-final match-up between MHPC and Newcastle Emlyn which was only settled after a third replay. The first two games had ended in 1-1 draws, before the third game ended in a classic 4-4 draw. The tie was eventually settled with NE running out 4-2 winners.

Second Division Cup First Round 05/01/1980 Haverfordwest County 0 Monkton Swifts II 6 Tie awarded to Haverfordwest 19/01/1980 Fishguard Sports II 2 Pennar Robins 0 19/01/1980 Kilgetty II 1 Goodwick United II 1 19/01/1980 Merlins Bridge II 3 RAF Brawdy 0 19/01/1980 St Clears 1 Neyland 0 26/01/1990 Newcastle Emlyn 1 Milford Athletic II 1 First Round - replay 26/01/1990 Goodwick United II 3 Kilgetty II 4 16/02/1980 Milford Athletic II 0 Newcastle Emlyn 6

Second Round 09/02/1980 Haverfordwest County 2 Fishguard Sports II 3 09/02/1980 Kilgetty II 1 MHPC 2 09/02/1980 Merlins Bridge II 2 St Clears 2 St Ishmaels 1 Newcastle Emlyn 2

Semi-Finals 15/03/1980 MHPC 1 Newcastle Emlyn 1 at Fishguard 15/03/1980 St Clears 1 Fishguard Sports II 0 at RAF Brawdy Semi-Finals - replay 22/03/1980 MHPC 1 Newcastle Emlyn 1 at Fishguard 27/03/1980? MHPC 4 Newcastle Emlyn 4 At 03/04/1980? MHPC 2 Newcastle Emlyn 4 At

Final 09/04/1980 St Clears 1 Newcastle Emlyn 2 at Kilgetty

Third Division Cup

The third division cup saw Letterston achieve the league and cup double for the second season when they beat New Hedges/Saundersfoot II in the final although no details are available of the final.

New Hedges, who had finished second from bottom in the league and were thus due to be relegated, had made it to the final thanks mainly to a kind draw when they only played teams who were also in the bottom half of the league. Their second round win against Camrose was probably the hardest match they played on the way to the final, when they won 2-1 thanks to goals from Jeremy Shute and Alan Brindley.

Letterston’s toughest game on route to the final involved them in beating Johnston 2-1 in the first round thanks to two Billy Robb goals. Gwyn Griffiths replied for the visitors.

Third Division Cup First Round 19/01/1980 New Hedges/Saundersfoot II 5 Solva II 0 26/01/1990 Carew II 5 Manorbier United 1 26/01/1990 Hakin United II 3 Pembroke Boro 1 26/01/1990 Letterston 2 Johnston II 1 26/01/1990 Narberth II 0 St Clears II 2 26/01/1990 Steynton United 5 RAF Brawdy II 3

Second Round 09/02/1980 Hakin United II 2 Carew II 1 09/02/1980 Letterston 7 St Clears II 1 09/02/1980 New Hedges/Saundersfoot II 2 Camrose 1 16/02/1980 P & EE Pendine 5 Steynton United 3

Semi-Finals 08/03/1980 P & EE Pendine 1 Letterston 3 at Steynton 08/03/1980 New Hedges/Saundersfoot II 3 Hakin United II 1 at Withybush

Final 17/04/1980 Letterston New Hedges/Saundersfoot II at London Road

Fourth Division Cup

The fourth division cup saw the league champions Llawhaden reach the final where they lost 2-1 to St Ishmaels II, who had finished ninth in the league. No details appeared in the local press of the final.

St Ishmaels had made it to the final following a remarkable 6-4 extra time victory over Kilgetty III in the semi-final. Glyn Griffiths (2), Phillip Griffiths (2) Dai Thomas and Billy Palmer netted the Tish goals though the Kilgetty scorers did not appear in the local press. They had also scored six in the previous round where hat-tricks from Glyn Griffiths and Alan Proctor had seen them overcome St Florence 6-1.

Llawhaden’s most impressive win on the way to the final was a 4-0 away win against Cosheston in a first round replay after the first game had ended 2-2. Martin Rees (2), Richard Thomas and Norman Mason scored the goals that saw Llawhaden through, although it had taken a last minute John O’Connell goal in the first game to keep them in the competition after Peter Guerreiro and Peter Harris had given Cosh a 2-1 lead. Richard Thomas scored the other home goal.

Fourth Division Cup First Round 02/02/1980 Kilgetty III 1 Withybush 0 09/02/1980 Pembroke Power Station 1 St Florence 9 02/02/1980 Steynton United II 1 St Ishmaels II 2 02/02/1980 Llawhaden 2 Cosheston 2 02/02/1980 Pennar Robins II 7 Manorbier United II 1 02/02/1980 Camrose II 4 Angle II 2 09/02/1980 Clarbeston Road 0 RNAD Milford 0 16/02/1980 Letterston II 2 Neyland II 4 First Round - replays 09/02/1980 Cosheston 0 Llawhaden 4 16/02/1980 RNAD Milford 4 Clarbeston Road 0

Second Round 23/02/1980 Camrose II 2 RNAD Milford 1 23/02/1980 St Ishmaels II 6 St Florence 1 23/02/1980 Pennar Robins II 0 Llawhaden 2 23/02/1980 Kilgetty III 2 Neyland II 0

Semi-Finals 15/03/1980 Kilgetty III 4 St Ishmaels II 6 at Letterston 15/03/1980 Llawhaden 2 Camrose II 0 at St Ishmaels

Final 10/04/1980 St Ishmaels II 2 Llawhaden 1

WWFA Intermediate Cup

Townhill/Mayhill were the scourge of the clubs knocking three first division sides out. In the first round they accounted for Johnston 6-0 in a replay after the first game had ended 3-3. Tony Algieri with two goals and one from Charlie Edwards, who also missed a penalty, had seen the sides go to a replay. In the third round it was Hakin United at the end of a 4-0 home defeat, and then Goodwick United the last surviving Pembrokeshire club, were beaten 1-0 in the fourth round. Goodwick had made it this far by comfortably beating Portmead Colts 6-0 in the third round with goals from Geoff Wilson (2), Stewart Wilson, Adi John, Dai Hughes and a Pat Pierce penalty.

Note that Merlins Bridge were able to enter two teams with both sides being knocked out in the second round by a 5-2 scoreline.

The final was eventually won by Bonymaen Colts who beat West End in the final.

WWFA Intermediate Cup First Round 15/09/1979 Cosheston 3 Cwm Wanderers 4 15/09/1979 Goodwick United 2 Cable Rangers B 1 15/09/1979 Johnston 3 Townhill/Mayhill 3 15/09/1979 Kilgetty 7 Pennar Robins 1 15/09/1979 Milford Athletic 2 Precelli LV 1 15/09/1979 Merlins Bridge B 1 Swansea Gas 0 15/09/1979 Narberth 3 Pembrey 1 15/09/1979 RAF Brawdy 2 Suburbs 1 15/09/1979 St Josephs A 13 Haverfordwest County 0 15/09/1979 Ragged School A 2 Fishguard Sports 1 15/09/1979 Swansea Boys Club 1 Monkton Swifts 0 15/09/1979 Mumbles Rangers 2 Hakin United 3 15/09/1979 Penclawdd 0 Merlins Bridge A 3 15/09/1979 Skewen Ath 1 Solva 2 15/09/1979 St Ishmaels 1 Ammanford Athletic 3 22/09/1979 Carew 1 Caerbryn 0 First Round - Replays 22/09/1979 Townhill/Mayhill 6 Johnston 0

Second Round 20/10/1979 Merlins Bridge A 2 Ragged School A 5 20/10/1979 Bryndeg United 2 Milford Athletic 1 20/10/1979 Carew 3 Leyland 4 20/10/1979 Goodwick United 5 Royal Exchange 2 20/10/1979 Hakin United 5 Borough United 0 20/10/1979 Kilgetty 5 Merlins Bridge B 2 20/10/1979 Manorbier United 3 Murton Rovers 1 20/10/1979 Narberth 1 Bishopston 4 20/10/1979 RAF Brawdy 3 Trimsaran 3 Second Round - Replay 27/10/1979 Trimsaran 1 RAF Brawdy 0

Third Round 17/11/1979 Goodwick United 6 Portmead Colts 0 17/11/1979 Manorbier United 2 Waunarlwydd 5 17/11/1979 Ferry Wanderers 5 Kilgetty 3 17/11/1979 Hakin United 0 Townhill/Mayhill 4

Fourth Round 23/02/1980 Townhill/Mayhill 1 Goodwick United 0

Roll of Honour

Division 1 Champions – Merlins Bridge Division 1 runners-up – Goodwick United & Johnston Relegated from Division 1 – Milford Athletic & Angle Division 2 Champions – St Clears Division 2 runners-up – Newcastle Emlyn Relegated from Division 2 – Milford Athletic II & Haverfordwest County. Should have been Goodwick United II, but because Milford Athletic firsts were relegated from division one, their seconds, despite finishing tenth, were automatically relegated to division three. Division 3 Champions – Letterston Division 3 runners-up – Manorbier United Relegated from Division 3 – New Hedges/Saundersfoot II & Solva II Division 4 Champions – Llawhaden Division 4 runners-up – Clarbeston Road Senior Cup winners – Merlins Bridge Senior Cup runners up – St Clears 2nd Division Cup winners – Newcastle Emlyn 2nd Division Cup runners-up – St Clears 3rd Division Cup winners – Letterston 3rd Division Cup runners-up – New Hedges/Saundersfoot II 4th Division Cup winners – St Ishmaels II 4th Division Cup runners-up – Llawhaden

Officers of the League

President: Mr TH Arran Chairman: Mr JE Thomas, Haverfordwest Vice Chairman: Mr A Eagles, Saundersfoot Secretary: Mr EV Oliver, Haverfordwest Assistant Secretary: Mr H Inkle, New Hedges Treasurer: Capt. AJ Shears, Senior Cup Final referee: Mr CD Williams

Results Grid

Division 1 Ang Car FS GU HU Joh Kil MB MA MU MS Nar NH Sol Angle 1-2 0-9 3-3 2-3 0-4 0-5 1-3 2-1 1-5 3-1 1-1 0-3 3-6 Carew 2-1 4-2 2-2 2-0 0-2 2-1 0-4 7-1 1-3 0-0 7-3 1-0 4-2 Fishguard Sports 5-4 3-1 1-5 3-0 1-1 2-5 0-2 1-3 4-2 1-1 2-3 0-4 2-1 Goodwick United 6-3 2-0 0-1 3-1 4-1 2-2 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-0 3-1 3-0 3-0 Hakin United 5-2 0-0 2-3 1-2 0-2 3-1 2-5 4-2 2-2 2-1 2-0 6-1 0-2 Johnston 2-1 2-2 1-1 0-0 3-2 4-1 0-0 5-1 0-1 3-2 1-1 5-2 4-4 Kilgetty 1-2 2-0 1-2 0-1 4-3 1-5 1-1 2-1 1-0 2-1 0-0 1-1 3-1 Merlins Bridge 6-1 4-1 2-1 1-0 4-3 0-1 1-0 1-0 5-1 2-0 3-1 4-0 2-2 Milford Athletic 2-5 1-5 2-7 2-0 2-3 0-1 3-2 0-2 0-3 0-1 3-1 3-3 6-0 Milford United 4-1 2-1 1-1 0-0 2-1 0-1 1-3 1-1 2-1 2-2 1-2 0-0 2-0 Monkton Swifts 4-1 5-1 2-1 0-3 3-1 1-2 3-3 2-1 2-1 0-1 3-0 1-0 2-1 Narberth 3-0 3-0 2-1 0-1 2-4 1-5 1-1 0-8 1-1 1-1 2-1 1-1 0-2 NH/Saundersfoot 5-4 0-5 2-2 0-4 0-1 2-2 2-4 1-2 1-1 1-0 0-1 2-3 4-1 Solva 2-1 1-7 2-5 3-3 5-3 1-5 2-0 0-2 1-2 2-1 3-0 2-2 2-0

Division 2 FS GU HC KI MB MHP MA MS NE Ney PR RB SC SI Fishguard Sports II 2-2 3-1 1-3 2-2 3-2 1-1 1-1 2-1 1-2 0-1 1-0 1-9 1-0 Goodwick United II 3-1 5-0 1-4 1-1 5-4 1-2 1-3 3-0 5-1 0-0 1-7 1-0 0-3 Haverfordwest Co 0-4 2-3 2-3 0-7 2-3 0-1 2-6 1-4 2-6 1-3 1-3 2-6 0-4 Kilgetty II 3-2 2-2 4-2 1-0 0-10 3-2 2-1 0-1 0-7 1-1 0-3 1-13 2-1 Merlins Bridge II 2-4 7-0 6-0 4-3 0-4 5-1 1-2 1-1 2-1 3-0 4-3 1-7 3-1 MHPC 3-2 8-0 6-0 2-2 6-1 3-2 4-2 2-2 3-4 3-3 4-1 0-3 3-2 Milford Athletic II 3-0 5-0 3-0 5-1 1-0 1-1 1-0 0-1 1-2 1-1 0-2 1-1 0-1 Monkton Swifts II 4-0 2-2 6-1 1-2 2-0 5-2 3-1 1-3 1-5 4-1 1-4 4-2 1-1 Newcastle Emlyn 3-1 7-1 2-1 3-0 2-3 2-2 3-1 1-0 4-3 2-0 3-2 1-2 3-1 Neyland 1-4 3-0 13-1 2-3 3-3 1-4 3-1 1-1 0-4 3-1 0-6 4-2 0-5 Pennar Robins 2-2 2-1 5-1 5-0 0-3 1-2 1-1 2-0 0-4 1-1 0-4 1-4 2-2 RAF Brawdy 9-3 1-0 8-1 8-1 5-3 3-1 3-1 4-7 3-2 5-3 1-2 1-4 2-0 St Clears 3-3 5-1 10-0 3-0 6-3 3-2 8-2 4-0 3-1 4-2 7-3 3-2 4-1 St Ishmaels 4-0 2-1 4-0 3-1 4-3 3-3 2-2 5-4 0-4 2-2 3-0 2-2 0-3

Division 3 Cam Ca HA J Let MU N NH P&E PB RB So SC SU Camrose 2-0 2-1 2-4 3-3 5-2 4-4 0-3 2-3 2-4 5-2 0-0 1-1 1-1 Carew II 4-1 5-0 1-1 2-2 0-5 4-0 4-1 6-0 2-8 8-1 2-1 5-1 4-0 Hakin United II 1-3 2-2 0-0 2-4 2-5 3-0 6-0 2-1 0-2 3-3 1-0 4-1 0-3 Johnston II 3-0 0-1 4-1 1-3 3-1 1-0 1-0 5-2 3-5 6-2 1-1 2-3 3-3 Letterston 4-2 9-1 3-2 5-0 5-4 1-1 3-0 3-1 3-1 6-2 8-1 5-1 1-1 Manorbier United 4-0 2-2 3-1 5-2 1-1 7-2 3-2 4-1 3-3 4-1 6-0 5-0 1-2 Narberth II 2-1 0-6 2-1 1-4 2-9 0-0 4-2 0-3 0-1 1-0 4-0 7-0 1-2 NH/Saundersfoot II 2-4 2-3 0-3 3-9 2-2 1-2 3-2 3-1 2-3 1-4 4-4 4-0 1-2 P & EE Pendine 6-3 2-3 4-2 2-1 2-3 2-4 2-2 2-5 6-1 5-3 2-1 2-2 3-4 Pembroke Boro 3-4 1-5 3-5 2-3 0-2 1-3 6-1 1-3 2-2 10-1 2-2 2-5 2-2 RAF Brawdy II 1-1 5-0 3-5 0-1 3-4 3-3 2-4 7-3 2-3 2-1 5-4 1-1 4-2 Solva II 3-0 1-1 1-1 1-5 0-4 0-0 1-3 2-2 4-4 1-8 1-2 1-5 0-4 St Clears II 1-3 1-3 5-0 4-7 4-5 0-6 3-1 2-3 4-1 3-1 1-1 6-4 2-2 Steynton United 3-1 6-0 4-3 1-2 3-0 2-3 5-1 5-0 0-0 2-1 2-2 3-0 3-1

C C M P P R S S Division 4 A a CR o K L Ll a N P R M F SI U W 4- 0- 4- 0- 2- 2- 0- 3- 0- 2- 0- 0- 1- Angle II 3 0-3 0 1-7 5 3 5 6 1 1 7 1 3 1 1 0- 2- 3- 1- 1- 1- 7- 0- 2- 1- 2- 0- Camrose II 0-0 2-0 2 6-0 4 3 3 0 0 2 3 1 1 2 2 Clarbeston 4- 1- 6- 1- 4- 3- 4- 7- 2- 5- 3- 3- 5- Road 4-1 2 0 3-1 1 3 5 0 2 0 3 1 1 2 1 2- 6- 2- 1- 2- 3- 5- 1- 0- 0- 4- 3- Cosheston 6-0 3 3-1 6-0 2 2 0 4 0 1 1 2 0 5 1 2- 2- 1- 4- 4- 0- 2- 2- 1- 4- 2- 2- 0- Kilgetty III 1-1 4 3-4 5 5 8 3 2 3 1 3 7 1 1 9 3- 0- 3- 5- 0- 4- 5- 1- 5- 3- 2- 2- Letterston II 3-1 1 0-6 2 0-1 1 2 5 1 2 3 2 1 5 1 11- 3- 1- 2- 3- 9- 6- 2- 2- 1- 7- 5- 4- Llawhaden 0 0 3-3 6 9-0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 2 2 0 Manor bier 1- 2- 6- 1- 5- 3- 3- 3- 4- 5- 4- 3- United II 6-1 1 0-3 3 1-2 1 7 2 0 1 1 6 1 2 2 3- 1- 5- 2- 2- 4- 5- 2- 7- 4- 1- 5- Neyland II 2-0 0 3-3 0 9-0 3 3 5 4 1 3 4 1 0 2 2- 0- 2- 1- 2- 1- 1- 3- 1- 0- 0- 0- 4- Pembroke PS 0-6 2 11 3 0-0 4 5 2 5 5 8 6 2 3 1 2- 1- 2- 2- 2- 5- 1- 0- 0- 2- 1- 7- Pennar Robins II 3-1 2 2-6 1 4-2 2 4 2 1 1 1 6 2 4 0 3- 1- 2- 0- 3- 2- 2- 2- 2- 1- 1- 4- RNAD Milford 2-0 0 0-2 3 1-1 1 4 0 2 1 0 2 2 2 1 6- 4- 5- 2- 1- 0- 6- 0- 4- 4- 1- 7- St Florence 1-2 1 4-6 2 1-2 3 8 4 6 1 4 5 2 5 3 1- 1- 0- 0- 6- 2- 5- 0- 4- 3- 2- 2- St Ishmaels II 4-0 1 3-1 8 4-0 7 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 2 2 Steynton United 2- 4- 13- 3- 2- 3- 3- 8- 0- 1- 5- 2- 2- II 8-1 1 6-2 2 0 0 4 3 1 0 1 2 4 1 1 1- 0- 2- 1- 5- 2- 3- 0- 0- 7- 2- 1- Withybush 1-2 1 2-4 1 1-5 3 3 4 4 2 0 2 0 1 3

Merlins Bridge Division 1 Champions

August 25 1979

Kilgetty 1 Merlins Bridge 1

August 29 1979

Merlins Bridge 1 Milford Athletic 0

September 22 1979

Merlins Bridge 2 Monkton Swifts 0

Chris Walters

Dekker Thomas

September 29 1979

Fishguard Sports 0 Merlins Bridge 2

Chris Walters (2)

October 13 1979

Carew 0 Merlins Bridge 4

Chris Walters (3)

Mickey Davies

October 27 1979

Narberth 0 Merlins Bridge 8

Roy Fairhurst

Chris Walters (2)

David Dickenson (2 - 1 pen)

Macky Bowen

Dekker Thomas

November 03 1979

Merlins Bridge 4 Hakin United 3 Robert Taylor Keith Johnston David Dickenson (pen) Andrew Robertson Terry (Tally) John Donald Forrest (pen)

Brian Cutler

November 10 1979

Solva 0 Merlins Bridge 2

November 24 1979

Johnston 0 Merlins Bridge 0

December 08 1979

Merlins Bridge 1 Kilgetty 0

Chris Walters

January 19 1980

Monkton Swifts 2 Merlins Bridge 1 Peter Hughes Mickey Davies Roy Davies

February 23 1980

Merlins Bridge 2 Solva 2 Brian Cutler Taffy Walsh Dekker Thomas Robert (RV) Jones

March 08 1980

Merlins Bridge 0 Johnston 1

Steven Thorpe

March 15 1980

Angle 1 Merlins Bridge 3 Lyn Smith Brian Cutler (2) Micky Ellis

March 22 1980

Merlins Bridge 2 Fishguard Sports 1 David Dickenson (pen) Barry Starmore Dekker Thomas

March 26 1980

Merlins Bridge 3 Narberth 1

March 29 1980

Merlins Bridge 6 Angle 1

Brian Cutler (3)

Mario Rabaiotti

Derek Roberts

March 31 1980

Milford United 1 Merlins Bridge 1 Peter Price Macky Bowen

April 02 1980

Merlins BBridgeridge 5 Milford United 1 Brian Cutler (3) Dapper Barrett Mario Rabaiotti Derek Roberts

April 05 1980

Goodwick United 2 Merlins Bridge 1 Brian Morris Dekker Thomas Adi John

April 09 1980

Milford AthletiAthleticccc 0 Merlins Bridge 2

April 10 1980

New Hedges/Saundersfoot 1 Merlins Bridge 2

David Dickenson (2)

April 12 1980

Hakin United 2 Merlins Bridge 5

April 16 1980

Merlins Bridge 4 New Hedges/Saundersfoot 0

Dekker Thomas (2)

Brian Cutler (2)

April 21 1980

Merlins Bridge 4 Carew 1

April 23 1980

Merlins Bridge 1 Goodwick United 0

Brian Morris (og)