Division One
There was everything to play for in the game between Narberth and Tenby at The Clicketts on Saturday, and both teams delivered. The home side needed a win to get their title hopes back on track after defeat the previous week at the hands of Goodwick, while the visitors are hovering just above the relegation zone. Despite the pressures going into the match and a strong wind playing havoc at times, neither side was prepared to concede to the other and spectators at the ground were treated to a seven-goal spectacular, with the visitors ending up as 4-3 winners. Narberth manager Barry Walters praised his entire team for their commitment, but singled out David Gillard for special mention alongside the defensive qualities of Marc Hughes and Harry Allen, who was making his debut. "Gillard was absolutely outstanding," he said. "When he's on fire, he's a difficult man to stop and he was on fire on Saturday." Indeed he was, utilising his fleet-footed skills to good effect down the left and creating havoc for the home team's defence. He scored three goals in total to help his team to success, but it was the home side that scored first, through a Ryan Lawrence penalty after he was brought down in the box. Stunned by this setback, Narberth responded as a championship chasing side should - with a goal, and Gillard was the man to score it. He latched on to a cross from a loose ball and timed a half-volley to perfection, giving the home 'keeper no chance. Fifteen minutes later and he was at it again with another sweetly struck effort, but that was soon cancelled out by a Lawrence goal after he followed up a free-kick into the box. Narberth scored first after the break through another Gillard special, before Ben Brooks made it three apiece after nudging his way through and a draw was looking the likely result. But Narberth had other ideas and Raff Barnett secured the win after latching on to a Gillard shot, which rebounded off the 'keeper. It's not often that a goal-less draw provides entertainment, but there were plenty of chances created at Carew, where the hosts entertained Merlins Bridge. Carew skipper Daryl John had special praise for front runners Carl Wainwright and James Buckle who ran the visiting defence ragged, but neither could get the ball into the back of the net. The visitors proved dangerous on the break, too, and Carew were indebted to Ian Kerrison for preventing them from scoring. The home custodian proving what a fine 'keeper he is, dealing with the threat of Simon Gilderdale with ease. His life was made a little easier, though, by the sterling defensive work of Martin Scourfield, John, Haydn Shapcott and Neil Morgan - while Paul Bullock maintained his outstanding form all season with yet another solid display. Despite an evenly-matched game, the Bridge had the better chance to score when Gilderdale spooned one over the bar at the end. But the draw was definitely the fairer result. Elsewhere in Division One, it was a sorry afternoon for Kilgetty. The league strugglers went down to a heavy defeat at the hands of Camrose, losing 10-1. Mickey Beynon was the man to grab the consolation goal in a disappointing display. And fellow league strugglers Saundersfoot lost too. They travelled to Neyland and went down 2-0.
Division two
In Division Two, Pendine were forced to field seven of their second team for the game against Haverfordwest County, with the majority of the first deciding that a trip to Edinburgh for the rugby was more worthwhile than a game of soccer. The club subsequently had to cancel their second team fixture, but the selection dilemma may prove to be a blessing in disguise. They only went down 2-1 and with most of the side aged under 20, things are looking good for their future. Lee Lewis praised the entire team for their commitment, but mentioned Steven Jones in midfield, Wayne Evans at left back and Richard James in goal for their outstanding contribution. The game was tied one-all at the break, with Simon Evans scoring for the home team with a header, but the visitors finally pulled clear after the oranges. But only just. There was a cracker of a game at St. Clears, where the home side narrowly went down 4-3 at the hands of Milford United. The homesters pulled clear early on through a Sam Thomas goal, but that was quickly cancelled by a score from the visitors after the St. Clears midfield went to sleep. But then Thomas put them ahead with his second. Sadly for the home team, the visitors refused to lie down and they pulled one back to leave it all square at the break. With St. Clears looking to hold on to their 13-game unbeaten run, they pushed forward at every opportunity and Thomas finished his hat-trick midway through the half. United again clawed one back and with a draw looking likely and the fairest result for all, the visitors had one last throw of the dice and came up trumps, with just one minute to go.
Division Three
In Division Three, Lamphey maintained their unbeaten run thanks to a 1-0 defeat of Lawrenny. Lamphey manager Andrew Skeels was thrilled with the win, saying: "We've got the right balance now. We've been unbeaten in three games and if we continue to play like this it will only get better for the future. In all honesty, we should have scored more." Sean Doyle broke the deadlock, though, with a simple tap-in following a cross in the first half. Lawrenny did have a chance to score late on, but Shaun Allen missed from outside the box and the visitors walked away with the points.
Reserve Division Cup
Carew Seconds are through to the Reserve Division Cup Final. A brilliant display of total football saw them overcome the challenge of Herbrandston in some style. They won 4-0, with goals by Seb Palin, Adam Chandler, Phil Jones and David Lewis. But it wasn't all plain sailing. For the first 10 minutes, Herbie dominated and Carew couldn't get hold of the ball, but once they settled, there was only going to be one winner. Carew 'keeper Matthew Phillips was virtually redundant all afternoon, but he earned his post-match plate of chips with a fine save near the end. Carew manager Jeremy Griffiths was in quite an understated mood when asked to comment on the game, describing it as "Not bad."
Reserve Division One
A brilliant display by Kilgetty Seconds saw them walk away from the Observatory in Hakin with their heads held high. They managed to prise out a one-all draw against the former conquerors of Pembrokeshire football. But the Viking threat is no more, and an instinctive goal by Barry Ormond in the second half gave them a share of the points. It could have been all so different though. In the first half, despite dominating for long periods, it was Hakin who scored first against the run of play. Kilgetty's Andrew Cope said: "We deserved three points the way we played, but are happy to come away with a draw." Narberth seconds gained an excellent win at home against Goodwick United, winning 4-2. But despite the results, not everyone in the Narberth camp was entirely happy, with manager Dilly Scourfield saying: "I'm pleased with the result, but not the performance. It was quite a scrappy game to be honest." Scrappy or not, the result keeps them in the hunt for the league title, although there is still work to be done yet. Goodwick started the better of the sides and took the lead after 15 minutes through a penalty, but then Adi Jones got the first of his three as he got on to the end of a Huw Vaughan cross. From then on, Narberth dominated and a Jones tap-in put them a goal to the good, until the visitors responded with one of their own. But that didn't put the home side off as they continued to break the off-side trap, with Daniel James scoring their third. The game was sewn-up later on in the second half when Jones completed his hat-trick with a well-taken penalty after Adrian Howells was brought down. Despite losing 3-0, the game between Saundersfoot Seconds and their St. Ishmaels counterparts was a relatively close affair. The first goal came from an own goal, while the latter two were the result of defensive blunders. However, a word of praise must go to Sports' players Matthew Baxter and Luke Wallace, who both stood out in the defeat. Tenby Seconds won their relegation battle with Camrose in what was termed a real six-pointer. They edged the result 3-2. Tenby manager Dean Hurlow says it was a vital result: "I don't think we're out of trouble yet. We need a few more results like that, but if we keep playing well, we should be OK." The first 20 minutes belonged to the Seasiders, with Scott Smith scoring twice, but then Camrose came back with a goal from the penalty spot. John Wells then headed one in for Camrose to level matters, but midway through the half, John Badrock hit a 30-yard piledriver into the back of the net. much to the delight of his team-mates.
Reserve Division Two
Finally, in Reserve Division Two, St. Clears went down to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Clarbeston Road. The Saints made a promising start to the game despite creating much, and this failure to generate goals and score them cost in the end as Clarbie netted one in each half.