Cooper's clincher for Vikings

From the archive, first published Wednesday 15th Mar 2006.

Hakin United 1 Haverfordwest County 0

A goal after 61 minutes by Mike Cooper helped Hakin United reach yet another Senior Cup Final at the expense of a Haverfordwest County side which battled hard but created few chances from periods of possession and must now focus on gaining promotion into Pembrokeshire football's top echelon.

Cooper might have had a hat-trick as he had a  seventh-minute header superbly saved by Gary Thomas and also missed the easiest chance of the match after 65 minutes when he fired high, wide and handsome from only six yards in a goalmouth scramble following yet another beautiful ball sent in by Shaun Mills.

Mills might have lost a yard of pace alongside fellow midfielder Gary Dawes but both played key roles along with Nigel Armstrong in keeping their younger colleagues like teenagers Jonathan Bennett, one to watch for the future, keeper Adrian Devonald, Ewan Findlay, Chris Milich and Aaron Owens. Paul Jones made a rare cameo appearance up front but looked rusty while the availability of Adam Collins at left back was a big boost because he helped quell the threat of lone County striker Steve McNabney.

For County, Mickie Williams, Matthew Ellis and Matthew Watters worked hard in their five-man midfield but although they made the better start they still hadn't put Devonald under any pressure in the first half, where Hakin had real chances, mainly from crosses by Mills but also from Bennett's lovely solo run where Thomas was out like a flash to make a good save.

Nigel Armstrong had a cracking downward header cleared off the line by Jason Chapman, who did well in conjunction with Stephen Allen in shackling Jones, while Findlay's low drive was safely pouched by Jones. It left the first half without a goal as Dawes was booked for Hakin and Goring for County.

Collins followed them into Mr Wilson's book soon after the restart and the Vikings began to pressurise at a series of corners and free kicks via Mills' accurate right boot. Thomas did well to tip one onto the bar and over to safety but the deadlock was finally broken as a goalmouth scramble ensued and although Dawes was blocked by Thomas the ball fell loose to Cooper, whose left-foot shot went in, despite valiant efforts from Matthew Ellis to stop it.

Hakin had lots of half chances via Owens, Jones and Cooper but County's defence held out. Jamie Cato came on late and fired a shot over the bar from a corner and although Hakin are still not firing on all cylinders they certainly did enough to set up another final against old rivals Narberth.

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