WWFA Intermediate Cup - first round

Tumble United 5 Saundersfoot Sports 0

Saundersfoot did well in the first half and kept their goal intact until five minutes before the interval when the Carmarthenshire league leaders took the lead through a penalty. Tumble United were a good young side, playing quality football, and they got on top to dominate the game in the second half to add four more goals. For the visitors, Steve Ruff in goal kept the goals down, Russell Evans was solid at centre back and Ian Morris creative in midfield.

Division One

Carew 1 Merlins Bridge 2

After last week's excellent result against Goodwick United, there was every chance that Carew might take that form forward at home to a young Merlins Bridge team. However, the first half was a rather lacklustre affair, with neither team dominating and Carew's front two of Seb Palin and Jamie Roberts finding life difficult against the resolute Bridge defence. The breakthrough for the visitors came on 13 minutes and some sloppy play in the Carew defence allowed Darren Williams to give the visitors the lead. In the second half, Carew started to show a little more determination. The positional switch of Jamie Roberts, moving back to midfield and Richard Bullock going up front started to have some effect. Unfortunately, although Bullock often won the ball, support was lacking. The midfield players, Jamie Roberts, Shaun Genola and Lee Watkins, were stopping the Bridge mounting any real threat and it came against the run of play when the visitors scored from a free- kick, with a header by Peter Thomas giving Carew 'keeper Ian Kerrison no chance as the ball looped over his head. Veteran player/manager Gerald Hicks came on as a substitute for skipper Paul Bullock and he galvanised his team into action after initiating some slick passing movements. Daryl John started to dictate things at the back for Carew and Richard Bullock worked tirelessly up front, but it was three minutes before the final whistle before Carew pulled a goal back. Substitute Neil Gregory came very close following an excellent run down the left, but Gregory got his name on the score-sheet shortly afterwards. A thunderous volley by Richard Bullock struck the bar and bounced back kindly for Gregory to find the back of the net from 12 yards. Despite trying until the end, Carew were unable to make any further impact on the game. One fact which tells a story is that Carew have used 28 players to-date in their first team this season, whereas the success story last year was built around stability in team selection. It is clear that manager Gerald Hicks will need more commitment and consistency from his players for the remainder of the season.

Narberth 7 Herbrandston 1

Narberth outplayed the visitors Herbrandston completely in this game and built up a lead of five goals before the interval. Unfortunately, after just five minutes, defender James Stephens broke both bones in his shin when he was tackled in an incident, which clearly upset the players. Play was held up for half-an-hour for the ambulance to arrive and the unlucky Stephens is likely to be out of action for the rest of the season. Immediately the game restarted, the Bluebirds made an impact. David Gillard was released after a great run by Richard Nash and he hit a curling shot from 18 yards into the top corner of the net. He followed up with a similar goal and then Richard Nash extended the lead after Morgan Preece ran down the left and cut inside before slipping the ball to Nash. After 30 minutes, the Bluebirds were four goals up when David Gillard scored with a header from a corner to complete a fine hat-trick and shortly before the interval, Richard Nash increased the lead when he was the beneficiary of a defence-splitting run by David Gillard. Understandably, Narberth lost some of the momentum during the second half and Herbie struck back with a goal by Edward Smith, who took advantage of a defensive error. In the last quarter-of-an-hour Narberth scored twice again. Morgan Preece netted from a goalmouth scramble and Richard Nash completed the scoring and his hat-trick, after he was played through by David Gillard. Although Herbrandston are a physical side, Narberth concentrated on playing football and had their just rewards by scoring seven goals. David Gillard had a superb game, especially in the first half, Grant James maintained the form he has shown all season in midfield and Jason Jones did a good job in deputising for Huw Davies in goal. Division One

Tenby 2 St. Ishmaels 2

Tish took the lead after 15 minutes when Jon Roden was on hand to pick up a rebound after Tenby 'keeper Mark Reed had pulled off a terrific save. Within five minutes, the Seasiders had levelled the scores when Ryan Lawrence scored from a goalmouth scramble after the ball had been headed on by Jack Christopher. Fifteen minutes later, Jack Christopher put Tenby in front. He was put through by Mark James and beat the Tish 'keeper with a looping shot. The visitors fought back and just before half-time equalised through Jon Roden, who picked up his second goal of the match with a long-range shot, which was the goal of the match. The second half was a very balanced affair, with both teams striving unsuccessfully for the winner. With 10 minutes left, Jack Christopher hit the crossbar with a header after the chance was set up by substitute Sonny Phillips, who gave an impressive display as soon as he came on the field. This was a good result for Tenby against a team who are in second place in Division One. Assistant manager Stuart Adams said: "The players were most impressive today and matched St. Ishmaels in every department. Hopefully we can build on this performance in future weeks." Substitute Scott Smith played well, as did another substitute, Steve Williams, when he came on for the injured Simon Cole as part of the club's 'youth policy'. Williams used his experience to settle the game down up front.

Division Two

Kilgetty 2 Pendine 3

Kilgetty started strongly and were leading by two goals after 20 minutes. The first came when Andrew Simms finished off a nice passing movement with an angled shot. The second goal was scored by Darren Rossiter who chipped the Pendine 'keeper after receiving a diagonal ball from Andrew Simms. At this stage, Kilgetty were on top, but the Seagulls fought to get back into the game. Striker Lee Waters reduced the deficit with a cracking goal. Julian Blewitt started the move on the right and knocked the ball back to Lee Waters who hit a curling left-footed shot inside the far post. Kilgetty continued to attack wherever possible and Darren Rossiter came close to scoring. However, the Seagulls retrieved the ball and broke away for Lee Waters to level the scores before half- time. The second half was a fairly even affair, but with 15 minutes of the match remaining, Robbie Waters clinched the game for the visitors with a shot from 12 yards. Kilgetty attempted to retrieve a point and a good move involving Barry Ormond and Nicky Cope almost ended in a goal. For Kilgetty, Darren Rossiter and Ollie Griffiths played well in midfield, as did Jack Bevan at the back. For the Seagulls, Adam Clapperton was solid in goal, while Lee Waters and his brother Robbie were a dangerous duo up front. Solva 4 St Clears 0

Solva picked up their fourth win in six games against a plucky St Clears team who were unable to score in reply. Luke Jones had two of the goals for Solva, with the other goals being scored by Richard Bland and Steve John.

Division Three

Lawrenny 1 Clarbeston Road 1

This mid-table encounter ended in a draw, although Lawrenny played really well and should have won if chances had been taken. Kim Harland gave Lawrenny the lead after 25 minutes when he finished off a good interpassing movement down the right by shooting across the Clarbie 'keeper into the top corner. Within five minutes, the visitors had equalised when Mike Bevan scored with a left-footed half-volley from a free-kick. Lawrenny continued to create chances, with James Buckle and Stefan Jenkins going close. In the second half, Lawrenny dominated the game, but could not score. Part of this was due to the performance of the Clarbie 'keeper, who was quite brilliant on the day, pulling off saves from James Buckle, Steve Lewis, Andrew Thomas and Kim Harland. For Lawrenny, James Buckle had an excellent game playing just behind the front two. Andrew Thomas and Robert Williams controlled things in midfield and teenager Ben Cole was a steady influence at the back.

Manorbier United 4 Broad Haven 1

Division Three leaders Manorbier United dominated the first half and created numerous chances, but unfortunately strikers Paul Maytum and James Hall were unable to get the ball into the back of the net. At times they were unlucky and with the territorial advantage that Manorbier had it was surprising that no goals were scored before the interval. In the circumstances, it was surprising that the visitors should take the lead in the second half when Tom Baker scored. Broad Haven continued to play well for the next 15 minutes, but United came back with a vengeance. Rob Vincent levelled the scores to finish off a wonderful move down the right which Vincent put away with a left-footed drive. Another excellent Manorbier move down the right initiated by Adam Thorne resulted in the visitors being pressurised into conceding an own goal. In the lead for the first time, Manorbier were rampant. James Hall added the third and Paul Maytum scored the last goal, which was his 10th of the season, when he followed up to score from a rebound after Rob Izzard had taken the penalty. Striker Josh Hawkes had an excellent game for Manorbier and Sam Reeve held the ball well in midfield. Reserve Division One

Goodwick United 5 Kilgetty 0

Kilgetty played some promising football for the first 20 minutes, although the players found it a little difficult to cope with the new formation. Goodwick were a very good young side, with talented players in midfield, and took advantage of some uncertainty in the Kilgetty defence to build up a lead of three goals at the interval. In the second half, Kilgetty reverted to a four-four- two formation. The players were more comfortable and initially in the second half there was little to choose between the two teams. A penalty awarded against Kilgetty made it more difficult for the visitors to get back into the game and when the Goodwick team took advantage of some poor discipline to pick up their fifth goal, it was all over bar the shouting. Joe Williams played well for Kilgetty in midfield and later moved back to centre half where he was very dependable. Rob Hughes scored twice for United and the other goals were scored by Darren John, Richard Morgan and Steve Lewis.

Merlins Bridge 0 Narberth 0

A final scoreline of nil-nil sounds rather dull and drab, but this was an excellent game between two evenly matched teams. The Bluebirds created more chances, which if they had been taken would have given the visitors three points. In the second half, Daniel James, Nigel Williams and Chris O'Connell each had long-range shots which skimmed the bar. Towards the closing stages of the match, Adi Jones was put away, but the goal attempt was sliced. This was a good team effort by Narberth, which resulted in Merlins Bridge dropping a point for the first time this season. James Morgan had an excellent game in goal in his first game after returning to the Narberth club.

St. Ishmaels 2 Carew 0

Carew were below par in this match and Tish scored twice in the first 20 minutes. Greg Murdoch picked up the first goal when he latched on to a defensive error. Murdoch also picked up the second goal with a powerful left-footed shot following a good move down the right. Although Carew came into the game more as the match progressed, the visitors were unable to create any clear-cut chances in the first half. Both teams defended solidly in the second half and no more goals were scored. Carew did change the formation with 20 minutes of the match remaining, with Rob Whitfield moving up front, where his pace caused one or two problems for the Tish defence. Whitfield had a good all-round game, whether in midfield or up front, and Ian Sefton also impressed in midfield. Reserve Division Two

HundLEton 0 Tenby 6

Everyone played well for Tenby in this match in a good all-round team performance. The visitors were two goals up by the interval, with both being scored by David Jones. In the second half, Ashley Prior increased the lead, substitute Simon Ferrier, with his first touch, picked up the fourth and the last two were scored by David Jones to finish off a great afternoon for the Tenby striker. Lewis Hurlow, back from injury, played well in goal, the back four were solid, Stuart Maclaren had a well-balanced game in midfield and centre back Peter Horsley was nominated the players' player of the match.

Pendine 1 Lawrenny 0

Lawrenny played well in the first half. Mike Howe found space in midfield and along with Barry Phillips created a number of chances. Howe himself hit the bar and the Seagulls' 'keeper pulled off a good save to prevent Barry Phillips from scoring. Despite creating numerous chances, the visitors were unable to score. In the second half, the Seagulls packed more players into the midfield area and snuffed out the Lawrenny creative ability. The turning point came after 25 minutes when Stephen Thomas was brought down in the box following a good run up the left touchline. Thomas took the penalty himself to give the Seagulls the lead. No more goals were scored and Lawrenny were left to rue spurned opportunities to score in the first half. For the Seagulls, Craig Davies played well in the centre of midfield and also when he dropped back later in the match to the centre-half position. In addition, towards the end of the game, he came close to scoring with a long-range effort. For Lawrenny, Mike Howe played well in midfield, particularly in the first half, while 16-year-old striker Paul Brooks created problems for the Pendine defence in his first senior game for the Lawrenny club.

Saundersfoot Sports 3 Neyland 4

A slow start by Saundersfoot resulted in Neyland building up a lead of three goals before Rhys Hunt clawed one back just before the interval. In the second half, Sports got into the game. After five minutes, Rhys Hunt picked up the second goal of the match to reduce the deficit, but Neyland struck back with another goal to re-establish a lead of two goals. A penalty by Duane Rossiter just before the final whistle gave Saundersfoot their third goal of the match. Shane Phillips netted twice for the visitors, supplemented by goals from Joe Durant and Colin Evean Commenting, manager Andrew Spencer said: "Although we were slow starting off, the boys played really well today to recover from being three-nil down. "The performance was a vast improvement. We came back towards the end of the first half and got on top for a lot of the second half against a Neyland team who lie in second place in the table. "We're getting there slowly and with this sort of display we have something to build on." Rhys Hunt worked hard up front, Mike Cornick and Danny Brace were effective at the back and Danny Harries pulled off some good saves in goal.

St. Clears 2 Manorbier United 0

St. Clears started well and created a number of chances, with both Mel Lewis and Simon Bancroft getting close to scoring. The visitors looked dangerous on the break, but with 10 minutes of the first half remaining Mel Lewis fed Simon Bancroft, who put the Saints in front. The second half was more of a scrappy affair, with three players being red-carded. St Clears made sure of the points with a second goal by Simon Bancroft. The Manorbier players were disappointed with their performance, although Adi Atwell gave one hundred per cent in the middle of the defence. For St Clears, Liam Fitzpatrick played well at right- back, while his father Alan and Alec Weston formed a strong partnership in midfield.