Pembroke County 2 Swansea

University A 1

After the setback of drawing 0-0 away last week, County were at home this weekend against Swansea University A, who arrived with a 16-man squad.

County pushed back, which saw them exploit an attacking opportunity down the left wing which quickly broke down, allowing Swansea to put pressure on Pembroke's defence. Unlike last week, County were able to move the ball around neatly, establishing their passing game. However, Swansea also looked to move the ball around, leading to a 0-0 scoreline going into half-time.

After the break, County increased the pressure on Swansea University and from the right side of the pitch, Jack Pinson gained a short corner. A quick injection to the top of the D to Paul Tough, stopped by Danny Pryke and then moved back to Tough by Paul Thomas, saw Tough slot the ball in the goal.

County extended their lead through another short corner which was fired to the left of the D to Mark Brimacombe, who passed the ball at pace diagonally across the D, connecting with the stick of Ed Clements, who swept the ball into the back of the goal.

Swansea managed to gain a goal back that left a nervous last five minutes for County. However, with Danny Pryke holding the ball up down the right wing and good defensive positional play, County saw the game out with a 2-1 victory.

Team: Andrew Major, Paul Thomas, Paul Jewells, Nicholas Brookes, Jack Pinson, Edward Clements, Mark Brimacombe, Danny Pryke, Sam Young, Paul Tough, Scott Lewis, Gavin Bernard, Dylan Williams and Darren Cole.

Pembroke County 9 Llanishen & Caerphilly 0

On Sunday, Pembroke County Hockey Club hosted Llanishen & Caerphilly Hockey Club; this was a postponed fixture from earlier in the season. This was the second home fixture in as many days for County. A big effort was put in from the club to allow them to put a strong team out for the second time over the weekend. Some players were still recovering from their efforts in the game the day before and nursing small knocks.

County were in good condition compared to their opposition, who not only travelled a long distance to play the game, but were also shorthanded as they had only managed to obtain 10 players.

County started strongly and for once stuck to their game plan and passed the ball fluidly around the opposition, resulting in a well-worked move which led to Danny Pryke slotting home the opener.  

The game and County's passing remained fluid and with some great link-up play, the goals continued to come through Richard Shuttlesworth and Paul Tough, who expertly converted two from short corners and two from open play.  

At the interval County led 6-0, which would have been 6-1 if Andrew Major hadn't pulled off a great save after the defence was breached against the run of play.  

During the second half, as the County players grew hungry for goals, Mark Brimacombe made a great solo run and chipped the 'keeper, only to see his effort helped over line by Scott Lewis.

The increasingly frustrated visiting team began to drag County's game down to their level and physicality, making the game bitty and not much of a spectacle for the spectators. The umpires also grew tired of the constant stick tackles and over-physical play, with Scott Lewis being the unfortunate player with an over-exuberant challenge, which resulted in him sitting out 10 minutes in the sin bin.  

With County down to 10 men, Paul Jewell led the team from the back, marshalling the play and ensuring the defence was not breached, with the help Nick Brookes and Paul Thomas ,who were on fine form throughout the weekend.  

When County's team was restored to 11 men, captain Mark Brimacombe enforced their game plan, resulting in a further two goals, which came from good passing moves from the midfield linking with the forwards, with Ed Clements and Sammy Young each slotting home.

It was an awesome effort from the whole team, on a tough weekend, with special thanks to Darren Cole for kitting out and manning the sideline as a super emergency sub, even though he only had one good foot.

The South Hook LNG man-of-the-match was Paul Jewell.

Team: Mark Brimacombe (capt.), Andrew Major (GK), Nicholas Brookes, Paul Thomas, Paul Jewell, Richard Shuttlesworth, Edward Clements, Danny Pryke, Sam Young, Paul Tough, Scott Lewis, Darren Cole.