SOUTH PEMBS. 6

SWANSEA BAY 0

This weekend saw the visit of Swansea Bay who, under the leadership of ex-senior Welsh international and current veteran international Gary Cope, were sure to be no pushovers. South Pembs. were without regulars Lounds, Fordham and Irving.

South Pembs. started the game at a rapid pace. The Swansea defence was put to the sword right from the off. Versatile midfielder/attacker Mwnei Kendrick surged down the right wing on numerous occasions, providing plenty of ammunition for the striking duo of Jamie Smith and John 'Crwt' Moore. On a different day the home side could have been up by several goals after the first 10 minutes. The Swansea defence would not crack easily and some of the defending was valiant to say the least.

Midway through the first-half the game had to be halted temporarily due to severe weather conditions. At one stage it was hard to see further than five yards in front due to rather large hailstones.

The break in the game allowed captain Bernie Wheeler to drill his troops and South Pembs. came out again with all cylinders firing. Within a minute, the deadlock as broken. Another mazy run down the right by Kendrick and a slip pass back to Wheeler gave the captain time to spot Moore inside the circle. The ball lifted up off a Swansea stick, but the umpire played good advantage, which allowed Moore the time to direct the ball downwards, and into the goal.

The second was soon to follow when Huw Hannaford slotted into an open goal after some good defensive work by Rob Woods in central midfield. He intercepted the ball and found Smith on the edge of the circle. Smith cleverly drew in the 'keeper before picking out Hannaford who made no mistake from six yards.

The Swansea attack rarely threatened and the well-established central defensive pairing of Simon Moseley and Andy Stear ensured that there were no loose pickings from the Swansea youngsters up front. There were few opportunities for the Swansea wide men as Nigel Thomas and Chris Rogers refused to allow them to settle on the ball. Rogers, Ferguson and Hannaford all interchanged positions down the left hand side throughout the game and must be credited by the fact that the balance within the team was never really affected.

Kendrick added a third goal before the interval and South Pembs. were good for their lead.

The second period began just as frantically as the first ended. Attack after attack with little reward. Finally, the score sheet changed. Jamie Smith unlocked the stubborn Swansea rearguard to set up Kendrick for his second. Smith then turned goal-scorer with a spectacular lob over the Swansea 'keeper.

There was nothing Swansea could do, but their never-say-die approach saw Gary Cope waltz his way past Woods and Wheeler to set up a Swansea youngster on the edge of the circle. His shot surprised everyone with its ferocity and South Pembs. 'keeper Dave Miller had to be alert to ensure that the ball didn't dip under the bar.

South Pembs. were determined to have the final say. A simple one-two between Moore and Smith allowed the former to strike at goal. The 'keeper pulled off a great save, but was unable to stop Hannaford from slotting in the rebound and claiming his second of the match.

The game was played in great spirit. Swansea offered a good blend of experience and youth and their time will surely come. South Pembs. would like to thank the opposition and their umpire for the way in which the game was played and as always would like to thank Jane Wheeler for giving up her afternoon in order to offer her umpiring services.

The team remains confident and sits happily at the top of South Wales Division One.

South Pembs. 1st XI are away to UW Cardiff next weekend.

Team: D. Miller, S. Moseley, N. Thomas, C. Rogers, A. Stear, B. Wheeler, R. Woods, H. Hannaford, S. Kendrick, J. Smith, J. Moore, D. Ferguson.

Umpire: J. Wheeler. Match sponsor: Dawn 'till Dusk Golf Club, Rosemarket.

SOUTH PEMBS. 2

UW LAMPETER 0

A single goal in each half for South Pembs. was enough to ensure a victory over UW Lampeter at Pembroke Leisure Centre on Sunday.

South Pembs. dominated play in both halves, but goals proved elusive, with a flurry of short corners failing to reap dividends. McCarthy hit the backboard from a deflection off the 'keeper only to find that a penalty stroke had been awarded for an infringement.

John Crutt stepped up to take the stroke, but was denied a goal by a fine save from the Lampeter goalkeeper.

Persistence paid off and McCarthy eventually put a goal into the net for South Pembs.

There were further efforts by Lewis and Crutt and umpire Bernie Wheeler awarded a second penalty stroke. Dave Ferguson saw his effort again saved by the Lampeter 'keeper, which meant South Pembs. went in to half-time just one goal up.

Lampeter were always likely to hit the home side on the break and fine defensive work from Arthur Kendrick and Sean Irving made sure the South Pembs. goal was not troubled with goalie Jason Kenniford not called upon in the entire first-half.

The second-half was very much a repeat performance of the first, with South Pembs. making the entire running.

With several short corner chances being squandered, it was a shot from Tom Ferguson from the edge of the circle that saw the ball spin around the 'keeper to give South Pembs. the two-goal advantage they deserved.

With South Pembs. reduced to 10 men when Andy Stear was yellow carded for deliberate use of the back of the stick in clearing off the top of his circle, Lampeter found some form and in the last 10 minutes put pressure on the home goal. However, they were unable to make this pressure tell and the game ended 2-0 to South Pembs.

Team: J. Kenniford, A. Kendrick, D. Ferguson, T. Ferguson, P. Lewis, S. Irving, S. McCarthy (capt.), P. Morris, N. Beynon, A. Stear, J. Evans.

Umpire: B. Wheeler. Match sponsor: The Chicken Coup, Pembroke Dock.