TENBY 1ST XI 6
ST. CLEARS 2
A decent size crowd turned out at the Clicketts on Saturday to witness the top versus bottom clash. Tenby walked away the victorious side, yet clearly made hard work of the three points.
St. Clears are a side that, despite their league position, play some attractive and competitive football and in the opinion of your correspondent were not given enough respect by the home side.
This proved to be costly as after 10 minutes of play Tenby conceded a penalty after some extremely out-of-character defending from a side who had previously only conceded one goal in 270 minutes of play.
Going one goal down set alarm bells ringing in the Tenby camp and they responded with a well-taken goal from in-form play-maker Tony Griffiths.
The home side put the game beyond St. Clears soon after when Riki Morgan made it 2-1.
Gavin Scotcher worked relentlessly up front and soon after the break got his just reward with a goal to add to his impressive tally. Will he reach his objective target of 12 goals, or has Scotcher set his standards a little too high? His team-mates hope not.
The game never really got going and it seemed that the Tenby players were happy to stay in first gear. Mike Lindsay and Phil Catlin were both brought into the action in the final third and did add a little dimension to Tenby's play.
Constant pressure soon resulted in Tenby claiming two goals in quick succession, Morgan and Scotcher being the providers.
Unfortunately, the Seasiders were caught sleeping at the back and conceded yet another penalty, Neil Finlay being the unlucky villain with the young Saints' striker again finishing with style.
In the final moments of the game, some excellent combination football between Morgan and Catlin resulted in the latter finding himself on the score-sheet with a neat finish to round off the game at 6-2.
Another win for the young Tenby side, but they will certainly have to exert more effort and passion when they travel to St. Ishmaels tomorrow (Saturday) if they wish to remain top dogs for the festive period.
Many thanks to ball sponsors Manorbier Bakery.
Anyone wishing to travel to St. Ishmaels tomorrow (Saturday) to show their support should telephone 077977 202283 for details.
Tenby's next home game is against Milford Utd on Saturday, December 29.
MONKTON SWIFTS U13s 0 TENBY U13 9
The Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions sponsored U13s met Monkton in the U13s Cup. The kick-off was delayed to enable the sun to warm the pitch as the temperature hovered in the very low degrees centigrade.
Early Tenby pressure saw David Jones fire over following neat work from Oliver Morgan. Matthew Jones and Jack Lawrence also went close following good work by Matthew Fleming on the right.
A finely judged through ball from Ollie saw Mathew Fleming almost in at the near post, the 'keeper winning the chase.
David Saunders, Ieuan Rowell and Ben Messenger, all comfortable on the ball, held secure at the back, ensuring a steady stream of possession for the Tenby midfield and forwards.
Jack Lawrence nearly forced an opening for Mathew Jones with lovely link play from David Jones, but an offside decision ended Tenby's hopes.
Jamie Robinson and Ashley Murdoch also went close, with Tenby desperately searching for an opening goal.
Finally, Jamie Robinson slammed in Tenby's opening goal, with the Monkton defence napping somewhat.
David Jones, following good work down the right, flicked in Tenby's second - a classic poacher's goal.
Matthew Fleming, not to be outdone, placed the ball past the Monkton 'keeper for Tenby's third and, with their duck broken, a goal festival was promised.
Tenby's passing became slick and David Jones was enjoying a stream of quality balls, with shots just off target.
Monkton battled hard, showing determination in defence, but Tenby's general authority held the Swifts in check.
David Jones rounded off a fairly quiet period with a neat 'tap in' just prior to the half-time whistle to make the score 4-0 to Tenby at the break.
Ashley Prior came on at halftime for David Jones, who was suffering with his Dad's hangover.
Strength on the ball from Jamie Robinson saw him nearly squeeze the ball home with the Monkton defence at full stretch.
A quickly taken free-kick by Oliver saw Ashley Murdoch's lob over the 'keeper just clear the bar. Oliver then hit the bar, with Ashley Prior firing the rebound wide.
Fine work by Mathew Fleming enabled Mathew Jones to open the second half scoring for Tenby.
Monkton's swift response saw Danny Harries in the Tenby goal handling the ball for the first time in the match.
Superb football from Jamie, Jack and Ashley Prior saw the ball skim wide off Mathew Fleming's head.
Then, following excellent work by Jamie, Ashley Prior opened his account with a well-struck shot.
Tenby continued 'plug away', David Saunders remaining resolute on the Tenby left, but then suffering what looked a nasty leg injury. With David only recently back to form following injury, everyone hopes he recovers quickly.
Ashley Prior enjoyed some luck, however, when his miss-hit shot went through the Monkton 'keeper's legs. However, the keeper made amends, pushing wide a fierce drive from Jamie.
With David Saunders off, a 10-man Tenby continued to put pressure on Monkton in every facet of the game, Ben Messenger particularly catching the eye with good distribution.
Mathew Fleming banged one in for David, with all the Tenby side showing determination and good skills.
As Monkton lost some heart, a fine strike from Jack Lawrence made the final score 9-0 to Tenby.
Thanks to Keith McNiff for refereeing from a commanding central position on the field, also to Remi and Vernon for managing the team in Steve's absence.
Tenby team: Danny Harries, Ieuan Rowell, Ben Messenger, Oliver Morgan (capt.), David Saunders, Matthew Fleming, Jack Lawrence, Mathew Jones, Ashley Murdoch, Ashley Prior, David Jones, Jamie Robinson.
TENBY U12s 4
MONKTON 0
The Picnic Basket sponsored Tenby Under 12s met Monkton, knowing that in their last meeting Monkton had got the better of them.
But with the skill and determination of the side, the Tenby team showed their character and went out to make amends.
On a hard pitch Tenby passed the ball well and had several chances before Guto Griffiths put them ahead, although an own goal was claimed. Billy Vaughan had a good shot that was saved and Griffiths was on hand to tuck it away.
Tenby's second came from a penalty which Sam Christopher put hard into the left-hand corner.
Monkton played well and threatened to attack. Aaron Goldsmith was well disciplined in sticking to his task of man-to-man marking, and the rest of the defence, Luke Dedman, Scott Helmich and Joe Scourfield, all worked like Trojans.
Gavin Kinsey and Jordan Lloyd worked tirelessly on the left and right flanks, respectively, while captain Vaughan and Adam John tackled bravely in midfield.
In the second half, Lloyd made the third goal with a superb run on the right after an intelligent pass from Vaughan.
He fought off his defender well to get in a cross which found Griffiths unmarked, making it 3-0 to Tenby.
Vaughan scored Tenby's fourth with a long range shot that gave the 'keeper little chance to get a hand to it.
Richard Jones and Jamie Robins came on as replacements and settled in well. Kurt Smith was the third unused sub, but was a valuable member of the squad.
Thanks to Mike for running the line and all supporters.
Squad: Richard Thomas, Guto Griffiths, Scott Helmich, Aaron Goldsmith, Sam Christopher, Billy Vaughan (capt.), Jordan Lloyd, Gavin Kinsey, Luke Dedman, Adam John, Jot Scourfield, Richard Jones, Jamie Robins, Kurt Smith.
Coach Angela Nicholls would like to wish all the players and supporters a happy Christmas and thanks Martin and Mike for their help.
TENBY U11s 3
SAUNDERSFOOT 0
The game kicked off with possession being evenly contested by both teams. Tenby won two corners on the trot, with Saundersfoot defending both well.
From a Saundersfoot goal-kick, Toby Smith for Tenby collected the ball and from 15 yards struck a powerful low shot into Saundersfoot's goal, away from their 'keeper's out-stretched hand.
Any Saundersfoot attack was dealt with, the presence of Will (the emperor) Hughes, Patrick Roberts and James Hawes being too strong for Joe Kidney and James Criddle.
On one such occasion, Will broke down an attack, carried the ball froward and won a corner. From the resulting kick by Chris Heesom, Patrick fired home from eight yards making it 2-0 to Tenby.
The rest of the first-half was played out with Tenby going close to scoring, with efforts from Keifer Thomson, Ben Edwards and Rhys Winter making the home custodian, Luke Arthur, pull off some fine saves.
There were no changes at half-time and Tenby increased their lead five minutes into the second period when Toby, once again winning the ball in midfield, cut inside one player and shot home from 12 yards.
Saundersfoot kept pressing forward when they could. Joe Kidney again made the Tenby defence work hard, one of his left-foot screamers waking up Tenby's 'keeper, Richard Bridges, who had hardly anything to do all game, but was equal to the challenge.
Tenby changed things around and brought on fresh (but cold) legs. Johnny Lamin came on for Chris Heesom after he took a knock on his knee, and Rob Jones came on for James Howells.
Tenby pressurised Saundersfoot's defence at every chance, with some fine passing between Keifer, Johnny and Chris, who replaced Ben with five minutes to go.
The score stayed at 3-0, with Tenby completing the double over Saundersfoot.
The absence of Jamie Williams was a notable weakness in Saundersfoot's midfield.
Man-of-the-match was Patrick Roberts who showed all-round ability and grabbed a goal as well.
It was a good performance from Tenby leading up to the Christmas break.
Tenby fielded: R. Bridges, W. Hughes, P. Roberts, J. Hawes, R. Winter, T. Smith, K. Thomson, C. Heesom, B. Edwards, J. Lamin, R. Jones.
Many thanks to Tenby Taxis for sponsoring the U11s' new strip, the parents who turn up each week and of course the management, Huw and Mark, who do an excellent job.