BRIDGEND 3

SOUTH PEMBS. 4

Saturday saw the South Pembrokeshire men's hockey team take on Bridgend in a friendly fixture. South Pembrokeshire were without three regular players due to illness and work commitments. Promoted from the seconds were James Mitchell and James Hutchins at right-half and right-back, respectively. Both newcomers put in good performances and contributed a great deal to a lively game.

It was South Pembrokeshire who opened the scoring, with Jamie Smith putting the ball into the back of the net. However, the build up play started 50 yards down the pitch with Ritchie Belson winning the ball and taking it out of defence.

A second goal was added five minutes later; again it was Jamie Smith who provided the finish, this time from a superb cross by James 'Starsky' Mitchell.

Bridgend came back into the game after the two early goals. They came close to scoring on a number of occasions, but goalkeeper Sean McCarthy was up to the task and denied them any comeback.

A defence splitting run from midfield by the speedy centre-half Robert Woods gave him a sight of goal. Unfortunately, the shot was going slightly wide, but the cheeky 'Mwnci' Kendrick poked it home from close range. The score was 3-0 when the half-time whistle went.

From the re-start it was Bridgend who pushed up an extra 10 yards and dominated the attacking. The South Pembrokeshire defensive line-up of Ritchie Belson, Dave Ferguson, James Hutchin and Simon Mosely were called in to action. Simon 'Smoky' Mosely put in a splendid performance in his usual man marking role, as did Sean Irving in his favoured left-half position.

After a good first-half performance, South Pembrokeshire became complacent and a lapse in concentration allowed Bridgend to get a goal back. This was shortly followed by a second via an error in midfield.

The score was now 3-2, but South Pembrokeshire regained a two-goal advantage when captain Bernie Wheeler slipped a ball to Rob Woods during a short corner routine. Woods swept the ball through a crowd of players beating the opposition's 'keeper, with the ball hitting the back board.

Bridgend added a late consolation goal, but it was not enough to secure a draw. South Pembrokeshire had the victory in this seven-goal thriller.

South Pembrokeshire would like to thank Bridgend for an excellent afternoon of hockey and for providing both umpires.

Team: Sean McCarthy, Ritchie Belson, Dave Ferguson, Simon Mosely, James Hutchins, James Mitchell, Rob Woods, Bernie Wheeler (capt.), Sean Irving, Stephen Kendrick, Jamie Smith.

SOUTH PEMBS. 2nds 3

CARDIFF 0

Both clubs fielded teams with a mixture of youth and experience. From the outset the match looked to be evenly balanced, with all the early play concentrated in the centre of the pitch.

Slowly, South Pembs. showed their advantage in speed over the ground and with the pass. The first goal was scored after sustained pressure when Rob Wood picked up a pass on the 25-yard line, beat one defender and rifled the ball into the goal.

From this point onwards the game was all about when South Pembs. could add to their tally. Sustained attacks and short corner routines either went wide or drew good saves from a Cardiff 'keeper having a busy day. In comparison, Dave Miller, the South Pembs. 'keeper, only had to kick out three times as a result of hopeful long balls played by Cardiff.

It took until 12 minutes from time for South Pembs. to put it safe with a shot by Dave Hanniford from the edge of the D which was still rising when the ball struck the back of the net.

The final goal two minutes from time came from a flowing move. Starting at the back, the ball went down the right with inter-play involving most of the South Pembs. team and this culminated in a sweep finish for centre-half Andy Stear to score.

South Pembs. supplied both umpires, with thanks extended to Keith Edwards and Jane Wheeler.

Team: A. Kendrick, A. Stear, J. Evans, M. Colley, N. Beynon (capt.), H. Hanniford, D. Hanniford, N. Thomas, R. Wood, D. Miller, P. Morris, T. Ferguson.

South Pembs. Hockey Club hold training sessions every Tuesday evening 8-10 pm at Pembroke Leisure Centre's Astroturf pitch. All are welcome to come and try. For further information telephone (01834) 891443.