TENBY 2 ST ISHMAELS 0

With the return of the colleges and with coach Deryn Brace suspended from a two-match ban dating back to last season, the United went into this match a little apprehensive, as St. Ishmaels are a hard battling side with a number of special players in key positions.

With a large crowd and a bright day, the referee had no hesitation in getting the game underway. Playing the traditional 4-4-2, Tenby attacked from the start using both flanks. Jimmy Thomas and Ryan Lawrence played 'havoc' with their fullbacks and gave some quality ball to Griffiths and McLauchlin. McLauchlin is a tenacious young player who chases tirelessly after all 'lost causes', much to the benefit of his team.

The first goal came against the run of play after the breakdown of a Tish attack. The ball was carried through midfield by Sam Edwards, who pumped it into the left corner, where Lawrence got a cross into the box and amongst the scramble Anthony Griffiths powered his way through the crowd to put the ball into the net.

Tish responded through Dai Proctor and centre forward Davies, but the back four of Meyrick, Finlay, Dylan and Luke Lawrence weren't giving out any change, and 'keeper Dewi Davies was rarely troubled.

Tish may be famous for their never-say-die attitude, but once again it was Tenby who struck. Again the ball was put into the six-yard box and this time who should pop up but 'footballing chef' Jimmy Thomas. The delighted cuisinere left the scene wearing a smile from ear to ear. Ace photographer Matt Thomas was on hand to snap the moment.

Maytum made no changes at half-time and Pete Thomas and Bomber had very few complaints. Sometimes it's difficult to play the football you know you are capable of and you just have to battle out a victory to the end.

To their credit, Tish made the Tenby side play to the final whistle and they came close on numerous occasions, with right-back Dylan Lawrence clearing off the line to save a certain goal.

Very early into the second half Tenby lost the services of 'keeper Davies with a groin injury, something that seems to be spreading through the team.

While reserve 'keeper Ryan Lawrence was forced to pull off a spectacular save from a curling free-kick, Stevie Hanlon and youngster Phil Spindlove entered the game in the final quarter. Hanlon is like a sleeping elephant at the moment. He is a gifted player who when he wakes up this season will cause defences problems.

This was a hard day's night and Tenby should be glad that they struck to the job at hand and grabbed the full three points. The midfield of Mule Edwards and Dom Subbiani were the pick of the day.

Football is flourishing in Tenby at the moment. With the influence of so many junior and women's teams, it looks like it should go from strength to strength.

Watching the Firsts from the sideline this week was Bill Benham, who along with Johnny Elms and others, kept the Seasiders going through the hard times. Everyone enjoyed being part of Bill Benham's Barmy Army.

Match ball sponsor: F. B. Mason.

Tenby fielded: Dewi Davies, Dylan Lawrence, Neil Finlay, Dave Meyrick, Luke Lawrence, Jimmy Thomas, Sam Edwards, Dom Subbiani, Ryan Lawrence, Anthony Griffiths, Scott McLauchlin.

TENBY LADIES 11

NEYLAND LADIES 0

Tenby Ladies started with the sort of urgency needed to win the small Pembrokeshire Ladies League this season, as goal difference has become important due to the narrow margin of points likely to separate the two or three likely contenders.

Nicola Aston, showing blistering speed down the right, cut in twice in the first four minutes to put her team 2-0 in front.

Neyland briefly settled into their game, but were caught out again in the 14th minute when Hazel Sawyer forced the ball in through a crowd of players.

Two minutes later, Neyland were again in further trouble, conceding a penalty for handball, which Sally James coolly converted.

The game was getting closer in terms of midfield possession as Neyland gained some of their lost confidence, and were able to restrict the score by effective use of the offside trap to deny Cally Roberts, Selina Morgan and Carrie Slack, when tight decisions went just against them.

Tenby continued in their methodical way and after half-an-hour Selina Morgan beat an agile Neyland goalkeeper to a low cross to sweep the ball in from close range.

The half ended in similar fashion to the way it had begun, with Nicola Aston completing her hat-trick after a dazzling run, and rounding off a half where Tenby were vastly superior in organisation to their opponents, but given no room by some persistent defenders.

Coming out for the second-half with a 7-0 lead, Tenby soon had ball possession and Selina Morgan put her team further ahead with a long cross-shot from the right, over the clutching hands of the Neyland goalkeeper.

Denise Powell, having switched from goal where she was replaced by player/coach Angela Nicholls, was soon linking up on the left with Anni Nicholls and Hazel Sawyer to test the right side of the Neyland defence, eventually scoring with a long range effort to put the home team 9-0 ahead.

In the middle of the second-half, Tenby were cruising, with attacks being built up in a careful manner through good passing in front of their solid defence, with Tracy Parkes superb at right back, Imelda Rossi rocklike in the middle of the defence, and Sally James putting on a stylish display of turning defensive situations cleverly into attacking moves.

Conscious of the need to get more goals, Tenby crowded the Neyland penalty area for most of the later stages, during which only some finger-tip saves by the Neyland goalkeeper kept the scoreline respectable.

Corners by Nicola Aston were a feature of the closing stages of the game, with Cally Roberts and several other Tenby players coming close, when a bit more strength in finishing would have produced a few more goals.

Carrie Slack put Tenby 10-0 ahead with a long shot and Nicola Aston rounded off the proceedings with her fourth and her team's 11th goal.

The game was played in excellent spirit, in sunny conditions, and was well refereed by Richard Stevens, giving the home spectators a good look at a Tenby team which has won its first two matches in fine style.

Thanks are due to sponsors Huw, Four Seasons (oranges), the Lifeboat Tavern (food) and Tom and Shirley Aston, Sunnybank Guest House, who provided the match ball.

The team is also grateful to Remi Page for running the line.

Tenby team: Denise Powell, Tracy Parkes, Sally James, Imelda Rossi, Angela Nicholls, Nicola Aston, Carrie Slack, Ani Nicholls, Hazell Sawyer, Selina Mrogan, Cally Roberts.