The Rome Windows sponsored 1st XI played host to Clarbeston Road on Saturday. With overhead conditions sunny, and with sticky patches through the middle of the pitch, playing the ball wide would be a priority for the Saundersfoot management.
The 4-4-2 formation, so successful in the last couple of weeks, was tried again, with manager Phil Jones slotting in at left back, Paul Thomas moving to right back and the same pairing of skipper Simon Brace and Peter Rattenbury in the middle.
Playing up the slope in front of a large crowd, Saundersfoot soon got into their rhythm and a ball into the box by striker Paul Evans found Robbie Beynon who turned and shot past the Clarby 'keeper into the corner of the net.
It was not many more minutes before it was 2-0, with Paul Evans ending a solo run in from the left, rounding the 'keeper and slotting home.
Evans was also involved in the third goal as his cross from the byline found Russell Evans on hand to tap in from close range.
Saundersfoot kept pressing the Clarbeston Road team now that they had a three-nil advantage, with Craig Reardon having a quiet game in goal.
Saundersfoot went into the interval with another goal coming from Paul Evans when he again rounded the 'keeper to tap in his second of the match.
At half-time the management pairing of Jones and Johnny Watkins made sure the Saundersfoot team would keep the pressure on the Clarbeston Road team as they now had the advantage of the slope, and it wasn't very long into the second half before Phil Jones found Russell Evans in the box, and he neatly put away his second of the match.
Saundersfoot could not press home their five-nil advantage, so all three subs soon entered the fray, with Jones resting his weary old legs to give Andy 'Sunday' Williams his first run out in the 1st XI this season, and Paul Evans and Darren Umanee making way for youngsters Robbie Vincent and John Greer.
Saundersfoot were soon on the attack looking for more goals and it was new boy Robbie Vincent who scored their sixth and final goal, when after good work down the right flank by Steve Davies linking up with midfielder Steve Ruff, an opening was created in the box which Vincent tucked away for his first senior goal.
This weekend, Saundersfoot take on Swansea side West End at the George V playing fields, and with several players back after injury and a few knocking on the door from the 2nd XI, selection might be an interesting feature.
SECOND XI
The SSSC sponsored 2nd XI travelled to Narberth on Saturday hoping to gain something from a match which was played on a good pitch and in glorious sunshine.
Narberth started the best, playing a passing game from the back involving the midfield and using the pace of the front two to penetrate the Saundersfoot defence.
With 20 minutes gone, Saundersfoot started to match the Narberth side expertly down the left-hand side with Luke Askew and Mo Kershaw; also on the right, Martin Kinsey started to link up with Douglas-Law. The two Jones brothers in the centre of midfield also started to get forward more and after 30 minutes it paid off with a goal.
A long ball from sweeper Johnny Beynon found striker Barry Phillips 30 yards out. Outpacing the defender, he was through on goal, only for his shot to be well saved by the 'keeper, but Sam Reeves was on hard to slot home the rebound.
Minutes later, Saundersfoot had a second good chance on goal, but this time Phillips shot high over the bar after a good through ball from Dobbin Jones.
Narberth equalised just before half-time following slack marking from a corner.
The second half saw Saundersfoot go to sleep for 30 minutes during which time Narberth found the net on three occasions, and it would have been more but for 'keeper Lance Creese, who was in outstanding form all afternoon.
The last 15 minutes saw two Saundersfoot subs come on, namely Callen and Broadhurst for Dougles-law and Luke Askew. These fresh legs gave Saundersfoot a lift and they were soon on the attack again, with striking pair of Reeves and Phillips again missing chances.
With Saundersfoot pressing, centre half Mike Cornick pushed forward and soon the visitors had pulled another goal back. Again Sam Reeves found the back of the net after a fine solo run.
All in all, it was a good team performance from Saundersfoot, but against a strong Narberth side, more luck was needed to gain any points.
There's no game this weekend, but manager 'Spanner' Spencer must be looking for some points in the future if the team continues to play this well.
UNDER 13s
On Saturday, the Under 13s travelled to Solva without any points this season and without a game for three weeks.
The first half saw Saundersfoot struggle to come to terms with a spirited Solva outfit, who, with a fast forward line, outpaced the visiting back four on many occasions.
After 20 minutes, Saundersfoot were three-nil down, and with Solva concentrating play down the middle, the visitors needed to get the ball wide.
This paid off and after some good inter-play between Scott Davidson and James Phillips, Rhys Jenkins found himself some space on the edge of the box and his shot from an acute angle found the roof of the net to bring the score back to 3-1.
With only a few minutes left of the first half, Saundersfoot were caught napping and the Solva right back ran through to score a lovely individual goal, giving Tom Spencer no chance with his shot.
Changes had to be made for the second half. James Phillips moved back to the middle of defence, with Daniel Williams sweeping, flanked by Grant Howells and Carl Amos.
Saundersfoot started the second half with much more determination, and better distribution to both flanks gave the two front men of Rhys Jenkins and Simon Stanford more room to get wide.
After five minutes play, this paid off when right mid-fielder Mathew Watkins found Rhys Jenkins in the box and he had time to slot the ball past the advancing 'keeper.
Within a few minutes, Jenkins completed his hat-trick with a solo effort after a long ball by Jamie Nicholas.
Saundersfoot now pressed forward looking for an equaliser, leaving 'keeper Tom Spencer to enjoy a much quieter time.
The game started going from end to end, but the middle two of Phillips and Williams broke down the Solva attacks.
With Saundersfoot now getting on the ball quicker and looking for the through ball more often, the constant pressure paid off when a ball from Scott Davidson found Simon Stanford one-on-one with the keeper, but his shot just trickled past the post.
Minutes later, it was a different story as the same player made no mistake, striking a low shot past the advancing 'keeper - and running the length of the field to celebrate with his customary slide!
The next five minutes saw both sides looking for the winner and Thomas Spencer was pressed into action for the first time in the second half.
With Saundersfoot looking more likely to score, they piled on the pressure, with the midfield two of Tom Jones and Jamie Nicholas working hard to contrive some openings in the Solva defences.
This soon happened, with the ball arriving in the Solva box at the feet of Jenkins who evaded two or three tackles before slotting home his fourth goal of the game.
With just minutes to go, it was Jamie Nicholas who ran through a now tired Solva defence to seal a win for Saundersfoot 6-4.
Praise must go to the Saundersfoot team for all their hard work in the second half and for coming back from 4-1 down to score five in the second half.
There were three outstanding performances: Tom Spencer for his saves in the first half; Rhys Jenkins for his match winning goals up front; and Jamie Nicholas for his tireless work in midfield.
Well done lads for all the hard work - from Feb.
COACHING AWARDS
On Sunday, five Saundersfoot members were awarded their FAW goalkeeper coaching awards. Held at Tenby, all five have obtained their leaders and first aid badges and this award now completes all necessary qualifications needed in Pembrokeshire football.
The five were managers Johnny Watkins, Chris Jenkins and Barry Phillips, along with youngsters Craig Reardon and Dave Reardon. Congratulations to all.
Note to all members: On Wednesdays, training for all junior sections and ladies will be held at Carew Aerodrome Shed between 6 and 7 pm, and seniors will be at Tenby Leisure Centre between 7 and 8 pm.