Pembrokeshire Schools Football Association held pre-season friendly matches for three age groups at Tenby AFC ground, on Sunday, August 28, against Caerphilly Schools.

Matches between the two Associations were played at Under 10s, Under 11s and Under 12s levels as a forerunner to official matches later in the season. Matches in the past have shown that Caerphilly Schools would be very strong opposition.

Under 10s

This was the first time Pembrokeshire Schools had fielded an Under 10s squad and the first time the players had met together. Caerphilly were a very strong side and Pembs. battled well. There were some good individual performances and the squad will improve overtime as they get to know each other.

Team: Charlie Craig, Ollie Broadhurst, Ben Gale, Joe Gale, Ethan Priestly, Bradley Thomas, Rhys Swarbrooke, Opal Rayner, Teilo Griffiths, Mali-Ann John, Carter O’Leary Ellis, Ashton O’Riordan, William Hughes.

Under 11s

Pembrokeshire fielded three balanced squads against two Caerphilly Tom Yeoman teams. All three sides played very well with some excellent team play between the boys. This was a very promising start for the Pembs. side and the quality of football on show surprised the visitors.

Team: Iori Badham, Dewi Bowen, Taine Brace, Dylan Duffy, Ethan Hall, Ieuan Irvine, Max James, Dan John, Harri John, Dylan Kidd, Jack Nicholls (Golden Grove), Jack Nicholas, Rudy Poole, Toby Price, Kyle Rossiter, Evan Rutherford, Ramon Siso-Rees, Robbie Sly, Lucas Thomas, Morgan Williams, Seth Woodhouse, Kieran Fox, Iwan Duffy.

Thanks to Gavin Nicholas for helping out on the day.

Under 12s

Pembrokeshire 5 Caerphilly 6: Due to the demand by Pembrokeshire parents Pembrokeshire Schools will now field an Under 12s side in the Welsh Schools’ Inter Association Competition.

This friendly match represented a very high level of Under 12s football from both sides. The Pembs. side, consisting of many players who were in last year’s succesful Tom Yeoman Squad, showed their footballing ability as well as determination. Even though they went behind, they fought back bravely to make the final score very close. This squad was well run by coaches Jonny Sutton and Adrian Blundell, who were very pleased with the boys’ attitude and professionalism.

Team: Ryan Sinnott, Tyler Sutton, Taylor Hornsby, Callum O’Riordan, Leon Davies, Kyle Kenniford, Dan James, Owain Davies, Kieran Blundell, Noah Davidson, Macs Page, Rocco Hibbert-Braithwite, Josh Silk, George Walters, Josh Smyth, Ollie Tagle, Toby Davies.

All matches were played in a friendly and sporting manner with many skilful players in both teams performing in front of a large groups of parents and spectators. The Under 10s continued bravely during some heavy rain, on a day which was generally fine, on good pitches kindly loaned by Tenby AFC who made all their facilities available.