The Christmas spirit was in the air on Saturday afternoon when Kilgetty doled out the second of their Christmas gifts. Following the official turning on of the Kilgetty lights, this young team had presented Lawrenny with their three points through a lacklustre second half performance conceding the result by seven goals to one. Last Saturday they provided St. Davids with their gift-wrapped result.
However, all is not doom and gloom as this reinforced outfit brought some warmth and cheer to the hardy band of supporters who never fail to travel long distances to offer vocal support and are now seen to be offering up prayers for the first win of the season.
Despite the biting cold air of the North Pembrokeshire plateau on a wintry afternoon, Kilgetty played the first half with a determined spirit and improved organisation. The team changes from the previous week saw Curly Watts return to the back line, Dean Rossiter and Jamie Morgan brought into midfield and Ceri Stone moved to the front line to try to retain much needed possession in areas that would lead to goals, which have been sadly lacking this season.
The ploy seemed to be successful as they attacked the St. David's goal repeatedly in the opening exchanges. Within the first five minutes Dean Rossiter saw his fierce, low drive rebound off the left upright, as did Adam Thorn with his effort from a Dean Rossiter cross. Both Darren Rossiter and Ceri Stone were thwarted when the first effort sailed over the bar and the other was blocked.
Although Kilgetty fought hard and retained most of the possession, the warning signs of the St. David's strength and ability were evident as they broke with pace and commitment up the slope of this narrow, but well grassed pitch. One such attack forced a corner and the resulting cross was headed narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.
The gentle slope and wind advantage apart, Kilgetty's success and spirit was very much due to the presence of Dean Rossiter in the heart of midfield. His strength, commitment and undoubted skill brought a renewed vigour to the Kilgetty attack and was an example to all. He won possession, prompted and inspired all around him with his simple passing and allowed Bobby Bevan to concentrate on defending and organising his back line. He was involved in a good move down the right-hand side with some simple interpassing with Darren, Ceri and Adam Thorn, which, unfortunately, Adam failed to convert.
The first goal, when it came, was a good one as Darren Rossiter's excellent free-kick was parried by the 'keeper to Jamie Morgan, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
The second came shortly afterwards when Michael Scale hammered home a left-footed volley past the diving goalkeeper.
There was more to come as Michael Scale crossed from the left to find Ceri Stone and Adam Thorn in the box. A little one-two allowed Ceri to side-foot the ball past the 'keeper.
It was a rewarding yet somewhat stormy first half, which resulted in four bookings, two from each side. The tackling was robust to say the least and as a result of one skirmish Bobby Bevan was seen to be hampered by a pulled hamstring. This meant he had to withdraw from the second half.
Duane Rossiter was brought on in his place and Ceri Stone moved to the centre of defence. This, however, changed the strength and organisation of the defence and left Adam and Duane as the lone attacking force. The St. David's attacking ploy was very simple - throw the ball into Kilgetty's penalty area and attack it with superior aerial power.
This is what they did to great effect with numerous long throws and corners, creating chaos as Christian and his defenders scrambled to clear the ball.
Their first goal came from a long throw-in from the right. The resulting melee in the goalmouth ended up with a St. David's head putting the ball into the net.
The second came from a deflected shot from a St. David's player on the edge of the box after a scrambled clearance, while a moment of indecision by Darren Rossiter gave possession away just inside the opposition's half which led to the equaliser. A quick pass through the centre provided a break for the big centre forward. His shot was parried left by Christian, but not wide enough to clear the box and the resulting tap-in was easy.
By this time the result seemed inevitable as St. David's increased their drive to ensure victory and this they did with two more goals - one from a corner and one from a throw-in.
It was a disappointing result after an excellent first half performance and should be a lesson to the team that they have the ability and just need to keep working at their game and follow the example shown by Dean in midfield and Bobby Bevan in defence.
Team: C. Phillips, J. Bessant, L. Watts, R. Bevan, A. Prout, Darren Rossiter, Dean Rossiter, J. Morgan, A. Thorn, C. Stone, M. Scale. Subs - Duane Rossiter, G. Prince.