SOUTH CEREDIGION SCHOOLS U12s 2
PEMBS. SCHOOLS U12s 4
Pembrokeshire Schools Under 12s recorded an historic win in this age group against South Ceredigion Schools with a hard-earned 4-2 win away.
Showing an early pattern of good passing and movement, Pembs. came close as Jay Brockway brought the best out of the home goalkeeper.
Pembs. had much of the play for the first 15 minutes, with wingers Josh Bevan and Henry Durrant stretching a square South Ceredigion defence to make gaps for Joe Allen to play dangerous through passes, or to run on himself to cause havoc in the home defence.
At the other end, Ethan Hawkins and Gary Power, at right and left back respectively, challenged well and helped set up several attacks.
Pembs. opened the score after the ball was laid back to Joe Allen who fired in a low 20-yard shot, and then they were quickly 2-0 ahead when good passing by Adam Gethin and Joe Allen put Daniel Richards through on his own to find the net.
Ceredigion were still reeling when interplay between Josh Bevan and Joe Allen saw Joe score with a spectacular scissors kick for the 'goal of the game'.
South Ceredigion broke quickly after this and Richard Reed made a couple of safe catches, and was relieved to see a free-kick hit the Pembs. crossbar as his team came under pressure.
South Ceredigion were quickly into the game in the second-half and looked likely to close the three-goal gap when Pembs. seemed sluggish compared with their first-half performance.
An early South Ceredigion goal was a warning sign for the visitors, but the Pembs. team made plenty of attacking opportunities, only to take a touch too many, or be thwarted by an agile home goalkeeper.
South Ceredigion made the score 3-2 to put doubts in the visitors' minds that a draw might be a possibility.
However, after some goal line clearances and good saves from Richard Reed, Pembs. edged back into the game to see Josh Bevan restore his side's control with a strong high shot which gave his team a well-deserved 4-2 win.
Joe Kidney and Matthew Whitfield gave energetic second-half displays after coming on as substitutes, to support some sound play in central defence by Tim Bowen and Andrew Kingston.
Coach Angela Nicholls was pleased with the overall squad performance and the side now look forward to their next match in December against Swansea Schools.
Pembs. Schools U12s squad: Richard Reed, Adam Gethin (Ysgol Dewi Sant); Ethan Hawkins, Andrew Kingston, Gary Power (Milford Haven); Joe Allen (Ysgol Preseli); Henry Durrant, Daniel Richards, Jay Brockway (STP); Joe Kidney, Matthew Whitfield, Josh Bevan, capt. (Greenhill); Tim Bowen (Pembroke).