Pre-season news

Reading between the lines of a report recently published, Tenby AFC will have to play out of their skins this season to avoid relegation. This scepticism isn't shared by the coaches and players of the club.

Training for the last six weeks has been sharp, positive and approached by a senior squad of 30 with real enthusiasm.

Fitness advisor Martin Williams has been brought in to get the teams into top shape and the club wishes to express its thanks to him for his valuable time.

Thanks must also go to Rob Davies, of the Lifeboat Tavern, who has pledged his support for the season in providing an after match meal each Saturday and a place for both sides to use as a base.

A number of pre-season games have been played to give all members of the senior squad a chance to 'impress'. A game against Hertfordshire Old Boys saw a victory to start the season with solid performances from Tenby stalwart Peter Horsley, James Webb and Greg Helmich.

A number of 'old boys' have re-joined the Tenby ranks themselves this year. Dylan and Luke Lawrence have slotted in alongside brother Ryan. There are whispers that Dominic Subbiani is to spend the September of his playing days at The Clicketts, while Tony Griffiths hopes to return to full fitness after injury.

One welcome return to the back four is that of veteran Neil Finlay, whose football is like a fine wine, simply maturing with age.

Still yet to be seen on the training park due to work commitments are Steve 'Willy' Williams, Mike Lindsey and Dale Elms. Rumours that Jammy is having another season are rife and should not be ignored.

Tenby seem to have a good mix of experience and enthusiasm this season, while each game is being played with commitment and enjoyment.

The next encounter saw coach Deryn Brace and manager Steve Maytum re-shuffle the formation as Welsh league Milford Utd played hosts.

In a totally committed performance by all involved, Tenby narrowly lost out by two goals to one, with Phil Catlin, Ryan Lawrence, Scott McGoughlin and Finlay being the pick of the bunch, while Wross 'Crazy legs' Lawrence impressed with his own inimitable style.

With two trial games left against Manorbier and Carew before the first league game against Hakin AFC (August 28) positions were still up for grabs.

Players giving good accounts of themselves in both victories were young James Mckay, the ever improving David Meyrick, Guffy and club captain and 'keeper Dewi Davies, who is yet to put a foot wrong as he continues to use all parts of his anatomy to pull off saves of quality.

There is, this year, a real sense of optimism in the camp.

The boot room staff of Stuart Mckay and Peter Thomas offer a wealth of experience to match that of Brace and Maytum, who are sure to keep the team on the right track and choose the best XI for the day.

Tenby know that they must play as well mid-season as they generally do at the start, if they are to finish in a respectable position at the end of the football year.

TENBY 0 HAKIN 6

Some might say the scoreline didn't flatter the performance put in by this Tenby side, but once again Hakin showed why it is they haven't been beaten in the league for such a long time.

On one of the hottest evenings of the summer so far, both teams held nothing back, the pace and the controversy matched the heat.

It was in the 20th minute that Paul Jones was brought down in the area by Neil Finlay and he subsequently netted the resulting penalty.

Tenby battled well, but Jones made the back four work hard and managed to net three more before half-time.

Tenby had chances and Scott McGoughlin looked sharp when introduced in the second-half. It wasn't until late in the half that a free-kick was awarded and while backs were turned, Dawes 'Premiership style' hit the net much to the dismay of 'keeper Davies.

In his first league game of senior football Dominic Subbiani battled well and Deryn Brace tightened up the midfield with Phil Catlin.

This was not to be Tenby's day, but manager Maytum will take the positive points from this match into next week's fixture against Carew.

Match ball sponsor: Wimpy.

Tenby fielded: Dewi Davies (Capt), Dylan Lawrence, Dave Meyrick, Neil Finlay, James McKay, Luke Lawrence, Dominic Subbiani, Phil Catlin, Ryan Lawrence, Jimmy Thomas, Anthony Griffiths, Deryn Brace, Scott McGoughlin, Greg Helmich.