Yet another three points slid away from Kilgetty's grasp as a young Solva team proved the stronger of the two teams on this cold and dank winter afternoon. In a game which lacked the finer passing skills, and not one to impress the purist, it was the strength and determination which gave them the edge in a fairly nondescript encounter. One spectator was heard to murmur "bland" and "uninspiring", while the cheers from the top line of spectators were reduced to a whisper, especially after the first goal, scored by Solva.
In all fairness, Kilgetty started with great energy and for the first 15 minutes took the game to Solva, 'keeping them penned in their own half. Unfortunately, Paul Mansbridge found himself in an offside position and Michael Scale's free-kick was headed out for a corner.
Ollie Griffiths covered a lot of ground trying to salvage better possession and Jamie Morgan made some strong runs down the left flank. But this was a team lacking confidence and certainly lacking an understanding of each other's position and movement. The attacks lacked precision and accurate passing, petering out on the edge of the box.
This is not surprising, considering that there were four changes from the previous week. Manager Wallace Howells, now seemingly on his own, must have been tearing his hair out at having to improvise his team due to late withdrawals. Richie Griffiths and Stuart Walley were drafted in to replace the injured Bobbie Bevan and last week's sweeper Curly Watts, while in midfield Paul Mansbridge came back in place of Dean Rossiter and up front Ollie Griffiths slotted into his normal position. The constant changes and absence of first team players in training cannot help to develop a recognised pattern of play or a fitness level to maintain control of a game.
Richie Griffiths and Stuart Walley swapped roles part way through the first half but still managed to maintain a solid barrier. Richie effected many clearances with his head and both left and right foot, standing strong in defence.
As the first half wore on Solva gained in confidence and possession but, like Kilgetty, never seriously threatened the goal.
The first goal, when it came, was converted from a corner on the left. The ball was curled into the near post and just seemed to slide off a head past Christian, who got a hand to it, but not enough to divert it behind.
The start of the second half saw Kilgetty again on the attack with a couple of promising moves. Ollie Griffiths's tenacity earned him a corner, which Kilgetty could not convert. In another move, Ceri Stone was involved in a rare one-two passing sequence, enabling Ollie to fire off a shot, wide of target.
At the other end, facing two breakaway forwards, Christian denied Solva another goal, diving low to claim the ball. This was followed two minutes later with a similar save.
Solva, however, were more determined and won more possession in midfield, breaking quickly and keeping Kilgetty in their own half. The tenacity and controlled determination of Jamie Bessant, at right back, kept them in contention. His partner on the left, Andrew Prout, had a solid game, but suffered from a knee in the back and was substituted midway through the half, replaced by Alan Williams.
Shortly after this, a rather innocuous push in the back gave Solva their second goal from the penalty spot.
The half continued with a number of missed opportunities on both sides. Jamie Morgan's shot on goal was wide of the post, while at the other end, Christian parried a shot to give Solva a corner. A Solva cross from the left was headed wide, while a poor pass in midfield gave Solva another opportunity, which brought Christian into action again.
A Kilgetty free-kick from the centre circle was headed clear for Michael Scale to dolly into the 'keeper's hands. From another free-kick, Darren Rossiter's cross was headed goalward by Ceri Stone, only to be cleared off the line. Stuart Walley's resulting shot sailed over the cross bar.
Timmy Scale replaced Jamie Morgan in the attack and worked hard to maintain possession.
Kilgetty's goal, when it came, was the result of a quickly taken free-kick. Richie Griffiths found Paul Mansbridge in space on the right and his cross allowed Michael Scale to glance it into the net with his head.
For the remainder of the 90 minutes Kilgetty fought hard to find the equaliser, but were dealt a cruel blow when the Solva left winger found himself in space and placed an innocuous shot wide of the advancing Christian into the net.
This was compounded when, what looked like a good goal from the keeper's fumble was disallowed.
Geoff Marsh came on for Ceri Stone and won his team a penalty when he was taken out by the Solva centre half. Richie Griffiths stepped up to convert the opportunity and pull the score back to 3-2 .
Time ran out and prevented Kilgetty from finding the equaliser and the point they are desperate for.
Team: C. Phillips, A. Prout, S. Walley, R. Griffiths, J. Bessant, P. Mansbridge, M. Scale, D. Rossiter, C. Stone, O. Griffiths, J. Morgan. Subs - T. Scale, A. Williams, G. Marsh.