Narberth slipped up in their quest to maintain pole position in Division One of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire League after letting go of a two-goal lead away at Tenby.
The Bluebirds travelled to the Seaside town knowing they were up against a young yet talented team, but would have been confident of beating them, given their promising start to the season.
If the first half was anything to go by, then the points would have been theirs, especially considering the home team had a player sent-off for a late challenge in the box after just 20 minutes. With Richie Adams converting the penalty in addition to Justin Blewitt's earlier score, Narberth were 2-0 up with a quarter of the match gone and playing the rest of the game against 10 men.
Whether this disadvantage played into Tenby's hands remains to be seen, but they pulled one back before the break through Phil Catlin and he added another in the second half with 15 minutes to go to secure the draw.
Narberth manager Nigel Thomas knows his team blew a gilt-edged chance to win, yet had praise for the opposition.
"There is no doubt we should have won it. They did play well and you have to give them credit, but we should have won that game. They will be happier than us with the result."
It was a sentiment shared by opposing manager, Mike Lewis.
"I'm happy under the circumstance. We created quite a bit and had three or four cleared off the line. Even at 2-0 down I felt we could have got something from the game and we did. It just wasn't the three points."
One manager who certainly wasn't happy was Kilgetty boss, Norman James. After witnessing his team win their first game of the season last week, he then witnessed his team put four past Solva, yet conceded six through powder-puff defence.
"It's unbelievable really," he said. "To score that many goals away from home and lose is frustrating, but our defence wasn't as tight as it should have been and that cost us."
Kilgetty let three slip into the net in each half yet came back well in the second as Geoff Marsh scored twice alongside goals from Mike Beynon and Adam John.
One pleasing aspect for Kilgetty was knowing that influential midfielder Grant James played his first game back from injury in the second team. His return will surely bolster the fragile defence and attacking options for the Kingsmoor outfit should he play next week.
In Division Two, Pendine had an afternoon to forget at St. Ishmaels after they lost 8-0, although there was better news for St. Clears after they entertained Milford United and won a close encounter 3-2.
United are a tough nut to crack and can boast a number of former Hakin United stars in their ranks, although this didn't deter the Saints from playing their usual free-flowing game.
Eddie Wiggins was at it again as he scored one of the goals to go alongside other scores from Andy McCabe and Gareth Griffiths.
Saundersfoot Sports travelled to Johnston and came up against a determined home team that fully lived up to their Tigers nickname.
The visitors were 1-0 down at the break, but recovered through a Tom Barker score to draw level, before he put them ahead 20 minutes later.
With 15 to go, the home side pulled one back and, as a draw looked likely, they sneaked the winner with a free-kick in the dying minutes.
Stalwart midfielder Daryl John said it was a bitter pill to swallow.
"It's disappointing. Danny Caine was sent-off for a late challenge, but we battled hard when he went, without reward. We could have snuck it, but they are a good side and we can be proud of the way we played."
Carew earned their second victory of the season with a comprehensive performance against Letterston.
Despite being 1-0 down at the interval, the home side recovered to score twice in the second. The first from a Richard Bullock shot, the second via a superb effort by Ian Sefton.
Speaking of the win, Paul Bullock says they improved as the game went on.
"We were awful to start, but pulled it back. It was a much better display than in recent weeks. Sam Goodwin was effective up front, while Martin Scourfield made a real difference at the back. Things are looking good."
Further down the league in Division Three, Narberth player manager Mark O'Sullivan had his goal-scoring boots on again after he scored a hat-trick, although there was discombobulation concerning the third as it may have been an own goal, still he tried to claim it and the official results show that it stands.
It means the sharp shooter has now scored eight goals in two games following his five last week, with Fishguard Sports the opponents this time around.
Despite the 5-2 win, Narberth were only 2-1 up at the break as O'Sullivan scored them both. His third came soon after the interval, with Adrian Howells adding the fourth after the Sports pulled one back.
Another goal by the visitors made it 4-3, before Jason Jones put the game beyond doubt with the fifth late in the second half.
"We had a few players out from last week, so it was a solid performance," said O'Sullivan. "Jake Harden was superb in midfield and fully deserved his man of the match award. He was everywhere all afternoon."
Manorbier's game away at Hakin Seconds was postponed because they couldn't raise a side, while Lawrenny won a seven-goal thriller at home against Goodwick's second team.
In a ding dong battle, the home side were thankful to goals by Joe Kidney, Sam Davies, Owen James and a piece of generosity by the visitors that resulted in an own goal for their win, which was their second of the season.
Carew Seconds went down 3-1 away at Milford United in Division Four, while Saundersfoot's reserves were dealt the same fate as their firsts after they lost 4-3 at home against Johnston. Chris Milward scored twice for the home team, with Peter Rattenbury adding the other, but it wasn't enough against the visitors.
St. Florence had a whopping 7-0 win at home against St. Ishmaels, with Scott Smith and Ashley Smith both securing hat-tricks, Colin Bately scoring the other.
Tenby Seconds won 6-0 at home against their counterparts from Prendergast Villa as Jordan Richards scored twice alongside a brace by Marcus Lyons and solitary goals by Curtis Hurlow and James Howes.
Elsewhere, Kilgetty Seconds won 2-1 at home against their Lamphey counterparts in Division Five, with Grant James netting twice to complement Duane Rossiter's score, while the game between Pendine and St. Clears' reserves was postponed because the Seagulls couldn't raise a side.
Meanwhile, Lawrenny Seconds travelled to Letterston and lost 4-2, despite a goal apiece by Jack Goodman and Dean Morris.




