Pembrokeshire Schools Under 12s team started brightly against their counterparts from Ceredigion last Saturday at Manorbier. Pembs.' forwards Steffan Williams and Stephen Mills pressurised the Ceredigion defence straight from kick-off, with Tom Glover linking up well on the right-hand side of the pitch. Captain Alex Harley, in his new position in midfield, dominated the high ball and worked well with fellow midfielder Greg Brown. It wasn't long before this combination resulted in Pembs.' first goal. Harley won the ball, played it back to centre-back Steffan James, who struck a clean ball through for Williams to latch onto. Williams made no mistake and slotted the ball past the Ceredigion goalkeeper with ease. Pembs. dominated the game for long periods of the first-half, but were almost caught out on several occasions, while trying to increase the lead. Good defending by James and Osian Wyn in the centre and Stephen Pugh and Callum Proctor, left and right-backs respectively, meant that Tom Blaxland had little to do in goal. Rhys Darling created several chances and Mills narrowly missed putting Pembs. further ahead. However, just before half-time Ceredigion had a good spell and managed to equalise against the run of play. The second-half saw Pembs. take the lead almost straight from kick-off. Glover placed a good ball for Daryl Mansbridge to run on to. Mansbridge controlled the ball well, and side-footed it past the 'keeper after beating the last defender. Declan Carroll came on and tackled well and Pembs. had several scoring chances. Blaxland made two vital saves to keep Pembs. ahead and then Harley drilled home a superb free-kick from 30 yards to make the scoreline 3-1 to Pembs. Matthew Richards and Daniel Bryce came on, while Peter Scammell replaced Blaxland in goal. Their contribution to the game shows the strength and depth of the Under 12s squad. Pembs. Schools squad: Tom Blaxland, Daniel Bryce, Steven Mills (Taskers); Matthew Richards, Thomas Glover, Stephen Pugh, Greg Brown (Thomas Picton); Alex Harley, Callum Proctor, Daryl Mansbridge (Greenhill); Steffan Williams, Steffan James, Osian Wyn (Preseli); Rhys Darling (Fishguard); Peter Scammell (Netherwood); Declan Carroll (Pembroke). Pembrokeshire Schools FA would like to thank main sponsor, Phil Owen Electrics, and team sponsors, Oakwood, The Factory Shop and Info Tech Computer Sales.
