Pembs fall to late loss

SWANSEA Senior League have emerged as favourites to capture the SB Williams InterLeague Cup following a 3-1 win in midweek against Pembrokeshire League at Bridge Meadow in Haverfordwest.

In gaining revenge for a 3-1 defeat at home to Pembrokeshire in September, Swansea climbed to the top of the table courtesy of a superior goal difference to their opponents.

For the first 40 minutes there was nothing to choose between the two teams, and all the goals were scored in the second half.

It was Pembrokeshire who landed the first telling blow, taking the lead in the 52nd minute through a header by Joe Leahy. The Merlins Bridge man was handed the simplest of tasks when left unmarked from a cross by Matthew D’Ivry.

At this point Swansea were left with a mountain to climb, but they were up to the challenge and battled back to win it in the last 10 minutes.

The visitors were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty in the 81st minute, referee Ben Williams pointing to the spot for a trip on Elliot Smith. Although the penalty attempt was saved by keeper James Gwilt, in position to tap home the rebound was Chris Fisher.

Less than a couple of minutes later Swansea were ahead for the first time, a cross from right-back Declan Banfield being turned into his own net by substitute Adam Hawkins.

With time running out the hosts were left in desperate need of an equaliser, but it was Swansea who delivered the killer blow when substitute Luke Gear scored a third goal to secure the points.

And with both teams left to play Carmarthenshire away in their last games, that last goal could prove decisive. Level on points in the table, Swansea go into the last round of fixtures with a plus four goal difference as against plus one.