MONKTON SWIFTS U16s 5
TENBY U16s 2
The Lewis, Lewis and Co. Solicitors sponsored Tenby Under 16s battled to the final whistle, but it was Monkton Swifts who secured all three points.
Monkton drew first blood, after an even opening quarter, when a good cross was headed towards goal and took a slight deflection past débutant 'keeper Chris Iddon in the Tenby goal.
However, the Seasiders were on level terms within 10 minutes, when the hard working Perry Broadhurst found Jack Christopher in space. A deft back heel by Christopher ran into the path of Tom Page, who cooly placed his shot inside the far post.
The start of the second half proved the turning point of the match. After eight minutes, a good cross by Page found the unmarked Broadhurst at the far post, but his shot was well saved by the legs of the Swifts' 'keeper.
Within minutes of this, an innocuous Monkton corner was stabbed home from six yards.
This goal seemed to disrupt, what up to that point had been a well organised Tenby defence, with several players tending to push too far forward.
The home side exploited this indecision with long balls over the top, catching Tenby flat-footed, and the game was put beyond reach with three quick Monkton goals.
Tenby rallied late in the match, with David Day, Page and Christopher going close, before Day eventually found the back of the net after a good solo run.
Tenby squad: C. Iddon, T. Hilling, D. Taylor, S. Smith, O. Evans, P. Broadhurst, D. Otton, D. Day, M. Birch, T. Page, J. Christopher, L. Hurlow, M. Davis, S. Hilling.
TENBY AFC 0
GOODWICK 3
Tenby went into Saturday's cup clash on the back of a seven-game undefeated run, and already having beaten Goodwick at home this season, they felt moderately confident.
This was always going to be a testing match for a Tenby side in a transitional period, but the home team's ground couldn't have looked any finer for this all-important clash, due to the hard work of club chairman Norman Hanlon and Peter Thomas.
The game set off at an electric pace with some excellent football being played by both sides, although Goodwick looked far more threatening in the final third.
It wasn't long before they got their just reward. After numerous attempts to get the ball behind the Tenby back four, a wicked decision of a free-kick that should have gone the other way allowed a cross to come from the left and was headed home from six yards by the Goodwick powerhouse defender, much to the delight of the many travelling fans.
The game continued at the pace set, with neither team shirking away from challenges, some of which would have looked more at home on a rugby pitch, and the Goodwick contingent were always quick to remind Subbiani of this.
Tenby nearly struck back with an equaliser through Scott McGloughlin and Jimmy Thomas, but for a superb save from young James Gwilb.
This could possibly have been the bit of luck the Seasiders needed.
Goodwick only responded to this Tenby attack by netting another goal. This came via a long ball pumped into the Tenby box and 'keeper Davies always looked to be in difficulty and after a goalmouth scramble the ball agonisingly trickled over the line.
Tenby heads started to drop and the nail in the coffin came when skilful wing-back Greg Helmich found himself highly exposed and veteran Goodwick striker Stevie Summers sneaked in behind to fire it home.
Half-time saw a number of substitutions and with fresh legs on the pitch Tenby gave everything they had. Sam Edwards bossed his midfield into shape and this gave both wingers a chance to get forward at every opportunity.
The home side came close on a number of occasions, and on a different day with a kinder bounce and a bit of that Irish luck, the game might have seen more goals for the Seasiders.
Coach Brace put a calming influence on the second-half by splaying balls around and clearing up when necessary.
A fired up Goodwick side claimed a well deserved win, but Tenby must take credit from this performance as Goodwick are a long established club with a tremendous league and cup record. This is only the foot of the mountain for an ever-improving Tenby side who have their sights set on a top three finish in the league, and what an achievement that would be.
Thanks to the ever increasing Tenby support and to club historian Dene Hurlow for pointing out that the AFC are not a United.
The match ball was sponsored by Heywoods, of Saundersfoot.
ST. CLEARS U12s 2
TENBY U12s 7
The Picnic Basket sponsored Tenby Under 12s side met St. Clears last Saturday.
The re-arranged Tenby side were determined to improve on the previous week's performance and started off well with a positive attacking style of play.
St. Clears rose to the challenge and went ahead first against the run of play, with a penalty after a handball by a Tenby player.
The visitors kept their heads up and it was not long before Sam Christopher equalised after a good clearance by 'keeper Richard Thomas.
Not long after that, captain Billy Vaughan had a cracking shot, that surely would have been goal-of-the-season, except for the fact that it hit the crossbar.
Aaron Goldsmith scored Tenby's second with a dazzling run through the middle and then Jordan Lloyd hit number three after a well-worked move with right-back Joe Lewis.
Christopher scored again just before half-time, giving Tenby a 4-1 lead.
In the second-half, Scott Helmich replaced an injured Thomas in the Tenby goal. Jamie Robins also came on for Richard Jones, who had played a solid game at left-back.
Gavin Kinsey had a storming game on the left-wing and put over some excellent crosses, as did Lloyd, working well with Vaughan on the right. Luke Dedman was dominant at centre-back and newcomer Adam Johns combined well with Vaughan in midfield to close down the St. Clears attack.
Christopher scored again in the second-half after linking well with Guto Griffiths.
Griffiths went close on several other occasions, but it was up to Vaughan and Christopher to increase Tenby's lead.
Ryan Lewis replaced Griffiths for the last 10 minutes and St. Clears, who never gave up, scored right on the final whistle with a fine shot from just outside the penalty area.
Squad: Richard Thomas, Richard Jones, Gavin Kinsey, Aaron Goldsmith, Luke Dedman, Scott Helmich, Jamie Robins, Billy Vaughan (capt.), Sam Christopher, Guto Griffiths, Jordan Lloyd, Adam Johns, Joe Lewis, Ryan Lewis.
Thanks to Martin Kinsey and Mike Vaughan for running the line and to all the parents for their support and transport.
GIRLS FOOTBALL
Tenby Under 12s B team kicked off with a hard match against Goodwick.
Sophie Rees is developing into a very solid defender, and with Gracie Bevan and Nia Thomas, both new young players, showing determination and skill in competing for every ball, the B side is improving with every game.
'Veteran' players Holly Cloake, Bethan Roberts and Becca Mearns held the older Goodwick girls at bay and Elena Cicotti made her debut for the team in goal in the first-half. It was a very close game, with Goodwick winning by the odd goal.
The team were determined to win their next game and they met Neyland Terriers. Nia scored in the first-half, with Elena and Holly adding two more in the second-half.
Their last match was against the Tenby Under 12s A side. It was played in a friendly spirit and the A's ran out 6-0 winners, with Jade Manning scoring three, Nikki Furlong two and Danielle Jones one.
Tenby A's met Neyland Athletic and they won 7-0, with goals from Danielle (5) and Nikki (2). Carlie Brown played well before she had to leave for a swimming gala.
Jenna Wright and Victoria Brace played well, while Joanna Rowe looked impressive making her debut for the team.
Their last game was against Saundersfoot, who they beat 6-0, with Victoria, Joanna, Nikki (3) and Jade all scoring.
Tenby 12s B: Sophie Rees, Holly Cloake, Bethan Roberts, Becca Mearns (capt.), Gracie Bevan, Elena Cicotti, Nia Thomas.
Tenby 12s A: Nikki Furlong (capt.), Jade Manning, Jenna Wright, Danielle Jones, Victoria Brace, Carlie Brown, Joanna Rowe.
Thanks to all the parents for their support and help with transport.