PEMBS. HC 3 PEMBROKE COUNTY HC 3

Pembrokeshire hockey has always been blessed with players of experience to blend with the enthusiasm and youth in the club. Such local legends as Eric Oarsman, Barry Wood, Steve Price, Cyril Jenkins, John Davies, Malcolm A. Major, R. Baker, A. Phillips, A. Miller, J. Greenhalgh, W. Jenkins, M. Passmore, M. Brinscombe, A. Bateman, P. Thomas, O. Berkin, A. Martin, S. Bates, S. Cole, Lowless, Keith Edwards and Brian Lavender, to name a few; all gave their experience to their younger counterparts.

Still playing at first team level are Dave Miller, age 55, in goal, Bernie Wheeler at 52 still running the midfield, and Nigel Thomas at 44 controlling the right defence, while Dave Ferguson (52), Arthur Kendrick (52), Mike Colley (55) and ex-international goalkeeper Brian Minney (56) blend their experience with the youth in the Second XI to continue the tradition of the club in a sport where 14-year-olds and 50-year-olds both take the pitch in competitive competition on a weekly basis.

Following the first derby game defeat 3-1 at home a month ago, County were looking to turn the tables on league leaders Pembs. in this South Wales Division One clash. Pembs. were without captain Bernie Wheeler who, although suffering from illness, was on the sidelines for support.

From the start, County took the game to Pembs. and immediately took control of the midfield. Pembs. just did not seem to be able to get started.

Irving, coming back after a three-week lay-off, was put under pressure from the County forwards, while Stear had a busy afternoon in marking Jenkins.

County had done their homework and by putting their captain Alun Phillips to mark Pembs. danger man Robbie Woods on the right flank and moving Jenkins and Passmore to the forward line, they pinned Pembs. back for much of the first-half.

Several short corners were awarded to County, from which one resulted in a penalty stroke being given when Pembs. 'keeper Miller propelled the ball forward in making the save. However, the penalty stroke attempt was disallowed for an infringement in the execution.

Although Pembs. had their chances and had several short corners of their own, they were unable to penetrate the County defence.

Even when County player Brinscombe found himself yellow-carded for a second offence, Pembs. were unable to capitalise on their one-man advantage for the 10 minutes he was off the field.

Fortunately for Pembs., County were only able to convert one short corner through Passmore to bring the score to 1-0 at half-time. It could have been far worse had there not been some excellent defending by Thomas and Moseley.

The second-half saw a re-arrangement of the Pembs. line-up, with Wheeler now coming on in the midfield and Colley moving back into defence. This seemed to give Pembs. the impetus they needed to start taking the initiative and get back into the game.

Lounds was now able to have a free role in midfield and took the play to County. Fordham and Smith, who had been starved of ball in the first-half, also gave the County defence more to think about, with intelligent running from Fordham putting Smith into some strong positions, only to see several of his attempts at goal go either just over the bar or wide of the upright.

The Pembs. first goal came from a short corner routine which was neatly put away by Fordham. This was immediately cancelled when County had a short corner awarded and Jenkins slotted the ball into the goal.

The defence of Colley, Stear and Moseley were having a hard afternoon keeping the County attack at bay, but with good work from Thomas pushing up the right flank and getting Woods more and more into play, Pembs. found themselves on top of the game for some 15 minutes and were rewarded with several short corners.

County 'keeper Major was in fine form. However, a well-worked short corner routine saw Wheeler's push at a goal neatly flicked over the 'keeper by Smith for Pembs.' second.

A further infringement by Brincombe saw him spoken to by the umpire which could have resulted in a red card. County captain Phillips wisely substituted him, only to see another of his players, Bateman, sent off on a yellow card for persistent verbal abuse towards the umpires.

Pembs.' third came from a free hit when Wheeler found Kendrick lurking at the right-hand post to confidently strike the ball into the net.

With five minutes to go, Pembs. should have 'shut up shop', but instead were naive in their marking when pushing for a fourth. A break from deep within the County half caught the Pembs. left side defence out of position. County drove the ball down the right-wing and found fullback Miller - who had been dispatched upfield -unmarked in the circle, with only goalie Dave Miller in front of him. A sweeping shot saw the ball fly past the 'keeper to draw the teams level 3-3 some three minutes before the end.

A game that should have been won, but one where at half-time Pembs. would have been glad of the draw.

Pembs. HC: D. Miller, S. Moseley, N. Thomas, S. Irving, A. Stear, T. Colley, T. Lounds, R. Woods, S. Kendrick, J. Smith, I. Fordham, C. Rogers, B. Wheeler.

Pembroke County HC: A. Major, R. Baker, A. Phillips, A. Miller, J. Greenhalgh, W. Jenkins, M. Passmore, M. Brincombe, A. Bateman, P. Thomas, O. Berkin, A. Martin, S. Bates, S. Cole.

Umpires: Jane Wheeler and Jo Kerrison.

Match sponsors: Pembroke Patio Designs.