It was seven-up in more ways than one for Carew on Saturday after they defeated Prendergast Villa 7 -0 and managed to win their seventh game of the season in the process. The win eased their position in the league to such an extent that they now lie in 10th position in the league; which proves how much they have improved since the start of the season which seems light years ago now. In disposing of the visitors they showed what a good side they can be. Sure, Villa are not one of the better teams in the league, but you can only play what's in front of you and Carew played very well indeed. James Buckle was the man of the moment, scoring four of the goals, three of which came in the first half when he scored twice from the penalty spot to go alongside a score from Haydn Shapcott. He scored Carew's fifth early in the second half, with Shapcott nipping in for another to go alongside one from Nielson Cole. Carew skipper Ian Kerrison said it was a fantastic result. "We played really well. The pitch was in fantastic condition and made it easy to play on. We didn't start too well, but we soon got into our stride and it showed in the end. I'm happy to get the points." It was first against second in Division Two's match of the day as Clarbeston Road entertained Kilgetty. The fact that the game ended in a 3-3 draw speaks volumes for both sides, although Kilgetty manager Andrew Cope admits they let it slip a little. "We should have won it. We were 2-0 up at one stage and then 3-1 up as the game went on. We let them back in due to a couple of defensive lapses at set-pieces and that cost us the points. "We should have closed the game out." Kilgetty led 1-0 at the break following a score by Nick Cope, who somehow managed to shoot the ball from 35 yards into the back of the net, although it was against the wind. This piece of brilliance certainly lifted his team's spirits for the second half, especially with the elements at their backs, and when Mike Scale headed the ball in from a corner, it should have been game over. Clarbie responded with one of their own, before the lead was extended again through Scale, and that's when the lack of organisation at the back began to take its toll. A defensive lapse from a corner resulted in a goal, while the equaliser came in similar circumstances towards the end. Kilgetty had opportunities to win it through Cope, Scale and Geoff Marsh, but neither could find the back of the net and they had to be content with a share of the spoils in a game they should have won. Manorbier United are still languishing in the relegation zone after their 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Camrose. Phil Christopher's men are a better side than they are proving at present which must be a cause for concern to the manager, although they may be saved from going down to Division Three by default. Following St. Davids' withdrawal from the league, it's still unclear whether one or two teams will drop down. If it's just one, St Clears will go down, if it's two, Manorbier had better win some games to make sure. While the collective team performance must be a source of worry for Christopher, one person who is playing consistently well is Mike Ryder, as his two goals almost conjured up a draw at the very least. That they failed to win is more down to a lack of confidence as they certainly played well enough to claim the points, if only they could find some one else to bang in the goals. Pendine's slide on the slippery slope continued on Saturday after they were beaten 3-0 away at Saundersfoot Sports. Despite the result, Gulls maestro Justin Blewitt believes it was an improved performance. "We played a lot better to be honest. The result didn't show it, but we created enough chances to get some goals. We need a striker who can bang them in really." The Sports certainly have the strikers to score goals as Grant Hardy scored twice, with the other goal coming from Phil Jones. Hardy scored the only goal of the first half, while he added another midway through the second to go alongside Jones's last minute effort that really knocked the wind out of the visitors. After 21 attempts, St. Clears finally got that elusive first win, but with only three games left for the season, there is no hope for them now as the drop to the third division looms. Despite knowing they are going to get relegated, the win was celebrated long into the night, with manager Mark Snelling saying it was well deserved. "It's been a long time coming, but it was thoroughly deserved. The wind was a problem for both teams, but we dealt with it better. We know we're going down, but I think we'll definitely see more of an improvement next year. "We've blooded some youngsters in recent games and the future looks bright." No goals came in the first half, but Eddie 'the goal machine' Wiggins got the ball rolling midway through the second. The Saints had plenty of chances to wrap the game up, but only scored again when Steve Trivet managed to sneak one past the 'keeper with about 10 minutes to go. Tenby had an excellent 3-2 win at home against Fishguard Sports. Although they won the game, the Seasiders would have been disappointed not to win by a more comfortable margin as they dominated the game throughout. Steve Williams took control of the match as regular manager Neil Finlay was away for the weekend and he certainly led by example, scoring the first goal. Although the visitors pulled back with two goals of their own, Tenby were always in command and when James Mackay scored twice, there was only going to be one winner. Meanwhile, in Division Three, Lawrenny gave a battling performance at home to Haverfordwest Cricket Club, but they eventually lost out 1-0 in a battle of titanic proportions. The swirling wind made life difficult for both teams and it was always going to be a case of whoever scored first would win the game. Unfortunately for Buckle's boys, the goals came from opposition player Rhys Blain and Lawrenny barely got a sniff of goal thereafter. Narberth's reserves were able to field a strengthened team for their clash away at Milford United and it showed as they won 7-0. The win stands them in good stead for Saturday's semi-final against Merlins Bridge which is to be played at Clarbeston Road. Providing manager Nigel Thomas is able to pick from this many players again, they could be in line for a second successive final appearance at the Bridge Meadow. Thomas is certain to pick Jordan Williams for the clash as his red hot form of 2008 continued with another brace of goals, with both coming in the second half after a first half Ashley Williams hat- trick and a goal by Steve Williamson. For good measure, Ashley scored the last goal close to full-time, with manager Thomas describing the win as "a good performance from a strong team." Elsewhere in the reserve divisions, Carew were unlucky to lose 4-3 away at Prendergast Villa as Barry Evans's men showed what a talented team they can be in scoring the three goals. James Mason, Joe Kidney and Rob Scourfield all got on the score sheet for Carew, while in Reserve Division Two, Tenby lost 3-2 away at Fishguard Sports; Liam Robson and Sam Christopher the men to score for the Seasiders in that one. St. Clears won 5-3 away at Haverfordwest Cricket Club, with Simon Bancroft grabbing all five goals, although the victory was marred a little after Andrew McCabe suffered a bad leg injury following a reckless tackle which resulted in a home team player being sent off. Pendine could only manage to field eight players in their away clash at Hubberston and paid the inevitable price as they lost 19-1. The only bright spot to come out of this demoralising defeat was Jamie Rugg's second half goal. Saundersfoot Sports won 2-0 away at Hundleton, while Kilgetty had a fine 5-0 win at home against Letterston, with Jamie Morgan and Gareth Jones scoring in the first half, while Dean Rossiter, Jamie Morgan and Matthew Smith added to it in the second.
