KILGETTY 1 SAUNDERSFOOT SPORTS 3
There was more than local pride at stake in this match between the second sides of Kilgetty and Saundersfoot on Saturday, as both teams went into the game on level points at the top of the Reserve Division Two table. It was the first time these rivals had met this season and Kilgetty, playing at home, must have thought it would be a good opportunity to inflict the first defeat of the campaign on Saundersfoot Sports. However, the scoreline more than flattered the hosts as the visitors raced into a three-nil lead before half-time. Sports' opener came within the first 10 minutes, when winger Ross Gray picked up the ball inside the opposition's half and went on a dazzling run, before rifling the ball into the back of the net. Kilgetty were intent on trying to stamp their authority on the match by taking a physical approach around the pitch. However this proved to be their downfall, as their left-back brought down Sports' striker Paul Evans inside the box for a clear penalty, with the offender quickly being substituted by the Kilgetty management team for his actions. Laurence 'Loz' Rogers saw his spot kick saved well by the Kilgetty 'keeper, but right back Scott Davidson was quick to hammer home the rebound. Gray put Sports three-up before the break, latching on to the ball after a mix-up in the Kilgetty defence and he rounded the 'keeper from a narrow angle. The young winger could easily have claimed a first- half hat-trick, but was unlucky to see a couple of efforts go just over the bar. After the break, the home team's influential midfielder, Dean Rossiter, was desperately trying to get on the ball in the middle of the pitch to try and pull the strings, but he was out fought and out thought by the pairing of captain Ian Morris and Russ Evans, who put in an outstanding display for 90 minutes, breaking play up and setting up the Saundersfoot attacks. It was testament to how well Saundersfoot's back four of Andrew 'Chopper' Hughes, Paul 'Tiny' Thomas, the returning Mike Cornick and Davidson had played, that 'keeper James Caine had nothing to do for the first 70 minutes of the game. Sports created enough chances to notch up a much higher scoreline, with Tom Spencer and substitute Andrew Rowe almost getting on the score sheet, while Gray continued to torment the home side's backline. Richard Haines and Danny Harries came on for Sports towards the end to try and tighten up the match and see out the result as Kilgetty finally began to exert some pressure on the opposition. Having had one ruled out for offside towards the end, Kilgetty managed to pull back a consolation goal with five minutes to go, when Richard Griffiths broke through the Saundersfoot defence to slot home the ball. Saundersfoot's manager Andrew Spencer would have been pleased with his team's attitude on the pitch in a heated match and over the moon with some of the football they played, as they maintained top spot in the division.