HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY O TENBY AFC 3

While everyone has been enjoying the recent Indian Summer, the inclement weather returned last weekend and with it Tenby AFC's return to form. It was one of the most blustery days of the year so far and one in which it was difficult to play any form of sport.

With a 1 pm kick-off due to the international games, the early start seemed to suit the Seasiders. With the return of 'keeper and club captain Dewi Davies, the first right thing he did was to win the toss and select to play against the wind.

Tenby started eagerly, like they had at the beginning of the season, not letting any County player have a second to dwell on the ball. It is with this hunger to receive possession that the United seem to perform at their best. Tenby had included the services of dual registration player Ricky Morgan, while Haverfordwest, without any Welsh League games, included a number of stars.

Playing against the wind, the only option was to keep the ball on the floor and Tenby made their battlers Subbiani, Griffiths and Lawrence work hard, while the footballing talents out wide gave great service to Lukey Lawrence and Morgan up front.

Morgan was a handful and the County back four found it a nightmare to mark both him and the Lawrence pairing.

Morgan finally broke through and with a neat one-on-one with the keeper he slid the ball cleverly into the open net.

Haverfordwest attacked in vain, but left-back Greg Helmich and the evergreen Finlay held them at bay like Welsh guardsmen at Rourkes Drift.

All the action came via the first half. It was with a tackle won on the halfway line that the Tenby right-back splayed the ball forward to winger Jimmy Thomas to centre to Lukey Lawrence, who this week finished his opportunity like a mercenary.

Tenby kept the game tight and there was no doubt that they wanted to hold on to a clean sheet. As coach Brace pointed out, the side's goal difference isn't the greatest in the league.

Well Tenby managed one more and that came again from Morgan, who seems no stranger to finding the net. This time he individually took it past two of the County defenders and with a neat one-two with Ryan Lawrence, he finished his work.

He might have had his hat-trick had the dramatic miss from strike partner Ryan been centered to the lonely figure in front of goal screaming for the ball.

The half-time chat felt better than the previous week's. Maytum felt that the wind would play little advantage and that the side must push on with caution.

The second half was pretty eventful. Haverfordwest saw more of the play and came close on a number of occasions.

Referee Steve Williams let play flow and managed both sides well, something which was recognised.

Once again Ricky Morgan came close, only this time to hit the post, unfortunately with his head.

Tony Griffiths was a welcome return to the team and his calming influence enabled the United to settle once on top. Stevie Hanlon worked hard, cleverly evading his opposite numbers and the changing man looked to be returning to form. News of Meyrick's 'How to improve your game' video being released this week was good news for everyone involved.

Tenby play host to Monkton AFC this weekend and in order to stay in contention must get a win under their belts. The squad looks healthy and with Mule Edwards, coach Deryn Brace and Scott McLauchlin and Morgan available to play, it looks like a return to a rota system, something which all players find difficult to accept.

Team fielded: Dewi Davies, Dylan Lawrence, Dave Meyrick, Neil Finlay, Greg Helmich, Jimmy Thomas, Anthony Griffiths, Dom Subbiani, Ryan Lawrence, Luke Lawrence, Ricky Morgan, Dominic Lamb, Deryn Brace, Steve Hanlon.

GOODWICK LADIES 3 TENBY LADIES 1

Tenby started well against Goodwick in heavy rain, and their more compact style of play gave them plenty of control in the first half when defending up the hill, and against a strong wind.

When Goodwick did shoot, captain Denise Powell in goal looked in good form for the visitors, and some of her clearances produced the only through passes for the Tenby strikers, Cally Roberts, Hazel Sawyer and Michaela Bevan.

Tenby seemed unable to produce their usual threat down the wings, and the Goodwick wide players, when on the break, gave Tracey Parks and Angela Nicholls plenty to think about at fullback. Sally James and Imelda Rossi were also kept busy in the visitors defence.

Goodwick's superiority in heading the ball in the middle of defence restricted any Tenby play to ground passing and, strangely for them, their usual efforts to produce some midfield possession were not there.

The lack of goals in the first half, when Nicola Aston and Carrie Slack were playing well, should have encouraged Tenby to open up for the second half, when a good result looked there for the taking, and after five minutes they went ahead from a good move rounded off with a fine shot from Michaela Bevan.

Tenby were now looking in control at 1-0, but a lack of concentration, commitment and running power was soon to enter their game, and Alys Deason ran through to score with a shot which slipped into the net under Denise Powell.

This looked no more than a temporary setback, but Tenby began to hold the ball too long and indecisive play around the penalty area allowed Goodwick to go further ahead with a long high shot.

Even playing down the slope Tenby could not lift their game, or take up the challenge, and the substitutes introduced by Goodwick outran several sets of tired legs in the Tenby midfield.

However, in the last 15 minutes, Tenby forced corner after corner, and Michaela Bevan came close again with a good header at the far post, but the Goodwick defence was crowded in their own goal for long periods, and seemed determined to keep their goal intact.

This final effort to equalise meant they were not picking up a fast-moving Goodwick midfield and the home team made the final score 3-1 in what had been a frustrating afternoon for Tenby.

Tenby squad: Denise Powell, Tracey Parkes, Imelda Rossi, Sally James, Angela Nicholls, Nicola Aston, Carrie Slack, Angharad Nicholls, Michaela Bevan, Cally Roberts, Hazel Sawyer.

Thanks to Huw (Four Seasons) for the oranges, and the loyal supporters who turned up in such dreadful conditions.

MONKTON U13s 3

TENBY U13s 5

In blustery conditions on an undulating pitch, the Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions sponsored U13s side joined battle with Monkton Swifts.

Ashley Prior opened the scoring following good work down the Tenby left.

Monkton threatened the Tenby right, but tenacious work from David Saunders restricted this option.

However, a free-kick outside the box deceived Danny Harries in the Tenby goal enabling Monkton to level matters.

Monkton took the lead, with Tenby dithering at the back, when a good cross found an unmarked striker who slotted the ball home.

Tenby continued to press, with David Jones and Damian Walters prominent. However, the final ball often let them down.

Oliver Morgan broke strongly from a Monkton corner, but lost the ball, stuck under his feet, with the Monkton defence spread. However, David Jones resolved the situation and with a few deft touches fired into the Monkton net.

Another defensive error from a free-kick, understandable in the strengthening wind, enabled Monkton to re-take the lead.

Intelligent play from Oliver Morgan then released Matthew Fleming for a run on goal, with Prior going close.

This combination also saw Prior force a fine parrying save from the Monkton 'keeper and from the resultant corner Jack Lawrence fired in, forcing another fine save from the 'keeper.

Tenby then had their best period, with sustained pressure eventually yielding a goal to Prior who neatly lobbed the Monkton 'keeper to make it all square at 3-3 at the interval.

Tenby opened brightly for the second-half, with the tenacious Jamie Robinson and Jack Lawrence causing problems for Monkton. A fine through ball from Jones set up Fleming who forced a splendid save from the Monkton 'keeper.

David Saunders and Ieuan Rowell were as dependable as ever at the back as Tenby pressed forward coming close on many occasions.

Sam Davies came on for Saunders.

Prior, following a strong run, was brought down in the box. Unfortunately, Jones pushed his penalty attempt wide of the left-hand post.

But, cometh the hour, cometh the man... Jamie Robinson fired in from the edge of the penalty area, leaving the beleaguered Monkton 'keeper no chance, 4-3 to Tenby.

Exquisite work from Morgan then saw a 'defence splitting ball' latched onto by Jones who made full amends for his penalty miss and fired Tenby into what proved an unassailable lead.

Ashley Murdoch was replaced by Mark Davies.

In the latter stages, strong defence from Rowell and Morgan relieved some Monkton pressure, as did the bravest of dives from Tenby 'keeper Danny Harries.

Sam Davies was also prominent, with neat touches keeping play fluid down the right.

It was a committed Tenby team performance against a tenacious and spirited Monkton side, which provided end to end entertainment, ably refereed by Keith McNiff.

Tenby team: Danny Harries, Ieuan Rowell, David Saunders, Oliver Morgan, Jamie Robinson, Matthew Fleming, Jack Lawrence, Damian Walters, Ashley Murdoch, David Jones, Ashley Prior, Mark Davies, Sam Davies.

Congratulations to Oliver Morgan, Matthew Fleming, Ashley Prior, Jack Lawrence, Jamie Robinson, Matthew Jones on their selection for the Pembrokeshire Under 13s squad. Well done lads.

TENBY U12s 10

CAREW U12s3

Playing into a strong wind, Tenby had difficulty clearing their lines after five minutes and Carew went ahead with a strong cross-shot.

This spurred the home team on and they quickly equalised through Billy Vaughan after eight minutes, after which Tenby fought hard for midfield control.

Although winning possession around the halfway line on many occasion, Tenby were not prepared to make the effort to run the wide positions, or to release the ball quickly enough to beat a well-organised Carew offside trap.

Tenby gradually found the energy to force mistakes in the Carew penalty area where a brave display of goalkeeping was keeping the score level, in contrast to home goalkeeper Richard Thomas who had only touched the ball twice.

From this pressure, Sam Christopher put his team in front at 2-1 after 23 minutes and Guto Griffiths forced the ball in from close range to give a 3-1 lead at half-time.

With a slightly rearranged left side, Tenby started the second half in a more business-like manner, and after five minutes Gavin Kinsey struck a good left shot which flew into the net.

This was followed by a high shot from Guto Griffiths to make the score 5-1, but with many of the team taking it easy in midfield, Carew pulled a goal back against a defence left exposed because of poor tackling further upfield.

Tenby attacked furiously, and although not using Jordan Lloyd enough operating wide on the right, the middle of the Carew defence stood back enough for two goals each from Sam Christopher and Guto Griffiths to put the result beyond doubt.

A lack of concentration when the team had lost the ball nearly cost Tenby a goal, but Richard Thomas, spotting the danger, came out well to block the hard shot.

As Tenby fought hard to keep a good rhythm in their team play for the whole of the match, Billy Vaughan scored the 10th, and as though some reminder of their defensive frailties was necessary, Tenby stood back and allowed Carew to score a third goal in the closing stages.

Tenby continued their upward learning curve for the 11-a-side matches, and if they can show great teamwork, effort and concentration can build on their goal-scoring ability to challenge the top teams.

Thanks to Dene Hurlow for refereeing and to Lewis for running the line to make the game a good one to watch.

Tenby: Richard Thomas, Jamie Robins, Aaron Goldsmith, Luke Dedman, Scott Helmich, Gavin Kinsey, Richard Jones, Sam Christopher, Billy Vaughan, Jordan Lloyd, Guto Griffiths.

KILGETTY U10s 0

TENBY U10s 4

Tenby Under 10s turned out against Kilgetty looking very smart in their new kit sponsored by Rumbleway Caravan Park.

The match was played in very windy conditions, with the young Seasiders playing against it in the opening half.

The match started with Tenby's defence battling against both the elements and Kilgetty's attack.

However, Brad, Alex and Cerith protected their goal, but brave Lewis was still called upon to make some excellent saves.

Tenby, with the strong wind in their faces, managed to break away, with Lloyd blasting the ball against the crossbar.

After more Kilgetty pressure, the ball was cleared upfield by Henry, finding Lloyd, who hit the upright, but Daryl, pouncing on the rebound, made no mistake to break the deadlock and make the score 1-0 at half-time.

The second half saw the Kilgetty team suffering the strong wind in their faces and it was not long before Tenby capatalised on their advantage as Brad hit a long ball into the box and Daryl, with great accuracy, scored his second.

It seemed only a question of time before another goal was added to the tally, and it came when Lloyd crossed to Ianto, who volleyed the ball into the net for number three.

Lewis Davies made a good tackle and cleared the ball upfield to Tom who squared a good ball to Henry in the middle of the pitch where he was fouled.

Henry took the free-kick himself, about 20 metres out, and the ball flew through a group of players, and the goalie, seeing it late, could only get a slight touch on it before it hit the back of the net to make the final score 4-0.

Remi had a broad grin on his face! Great game boys.