TENBY UNDER14s 10 CLARBESTON ROAD UNDER14s 1
This was Tenby Under 14s, sponsored by Willow Carpentry, 16th win of the season and one of their best performances. Although, Clarbeston Road almost had the perfect start, when a shot from the left evaded the outstretched hands of Tenby 'keeper, Jake Roberts, and looked goal bound, only for the ever-alert Dan Edwards to clear the danger. From that point on, however, the home side controlled the match to the end with some excellent play. Jordan Richards opened their account after good work by Gareth Warlow and the pair linked up for the second, but this time Richards provided the cross for Warlow to volley in. The third goal came courtesy of Ashley Smith, whose sterling work and cross on the left gave Will Thomas the easiest of tap-ins. Just before the break, Clarbie got a goal back, after an uncharacteristic mistake in the Tenby defence gifted them the chance. The second half was all Tenby, with goalkeeper Jake Roberts seldom troubled. Richards hit a 20-yard shot which gave the visiting 'keeper no chance and Aaron Roberts and Smith scored with copycat efforts. Thomas headed against the bar and Dan Edwards hit the post before Richards got his hat- trick after captain Curtis Hurlow had put him clear. Another good strike from outside the box, this time by Greg Lees-Griffiths, was well saved by the Clarbie 'keeper. Central defender, Patrick Elliott, ran at the heart of the visiting defence to set up Thomas to complete his hat-trick and Thomas claimed the last with a powerful header from Richards' corner. Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the visit of Camrose to the Clicketts, for the top-of-the-table clash, which could decide the outcome of the league. Tenby side: J. Roberts, G. Lees-Griffiths, C. Hurlow, P. Elliott, D. Edwards, P. Horsley, J. Delahunty, J. Richards, A. Smith, W. Thomas, G. Warlow, A. Roberts, N. Jones, A. Heesom.
CAMROSE U12s 6 TENBY U12s 2 The Manorbier Stores and Post Office sponsored side left home, where the weekend's washing had been pegged out prior to departure in glorious sunshine, to travel to a grey, windy and overcast Camrose. An automobile contretemps in the car park whilst we waited for a game to finish caused a small diversion and we kicked off much later than expected. The opening play was honours even, Tenby pressuring the Camrose goal with an early Dan attempt and then Adam was called upon to make a great save when the ball looked as if it had sneaked through to the back of the net. Much of the action was in the midfield area and both teams fought well to try and make opportunities. However, it was Camrose who seized the initiative and grabbed two good goals to go into the break in the lead. Second half and Tenby had an early opportunity to make up some ground when they were awarded a penalty for hand-ball in the area. Hugo was called up to take the spot kick, but the Camrose goalie pulled off a good save. Tenby seemed to lack conviction from then on and Camrose grabbed another two goals. But Tenby were not down and out and Elliot pounced to give some hope. Still, the strong Camrose defence played well and Tenby found it difficult to find a way through. Another two Camrose goals put the game well beyond reach, but the highlight of the game was still to come when Tenby were awarded a direct free-kick on the edge of the area. Again Hugo stepped up, the ball soared high and just under the crossbar, well out of the goalkeeper's reach - Beckham himself would have been proud! So, it's two victories for Camrose, but their defence is solid and strong. Maybe Tenby hearts weren't in this game totally - it's been a long season that isn't quite over yet as we've got a couple of competitive games coming up, including the cup semi-final. Don't lose heart - you continue to mature as a team and you know you can play some superlative football! Believe in yourselves! Thanks to coach Simon and his touchline crew, our sponsors and supporters. Special thanks to John and Tracie for not only providing the well-deserved after-match 'unhealthy eating' treats, but also for transporting the front end of our car home! Squad: Scott Cowan, Adam Conbeer, George McBeth, Tom Grover, Cheyne Lloyd, Sam Butler, Hugo Wellum, Toby Rossiter, D'Arcy Escott, Jack Murphy, Elliot Goldsmith, Daniel Fairlie, Nathan Farmiloe, Dan Morgan. Carew Under 10s 0 Tenby Under 10s A 17
Tenby made the short trip to neighbours Carew on Saturday, and the dramatic scoreline reflects rather harshly on the home side who have several promising players, but are relatively new to competitive football. To their credit, Carew defended strongly in the opening minutes, and made a full-strength Tenby side work hard to create opportunities. The home side also launched several counter-attacks early on, but on a large pitch, with a strong cross wind, they never quite managed to break through an experienced Tenby defence. Inevitably, Tenby opened the scoring when a long shot from midfielder Spencer Williams bounced just in front of the 'Carew keeper. Carew kept battling, and despite a number of close shaves, managed to keep Tenby at bay for several minutes, before Adam Muskett latched on to a pass at the far post and volleyed the visitors into a two- nil lead. Moments later, Dylan Rees added a Tenby third with a fierce shot off the inside of the right post, and Scott Ferney soon made it four. A low cross from Scott Ferney was then cooly knocked back across the goal by Declan Escott, and Adam Muskett looped the ball over the 'keeper from close range. As Tenby poured forward, the home side struggled to clear their lines, and the floodgates opened with half-a-dozen goals scored in as many minutes either side of half-time. Owen Coombs made it 6-0 after a smart turn and low shot from 15 yards, and Scott Ferney added number seven with another long shot from the left. Tenby started the second half with a smart interchange of passes between Sam Perrett and Tom Harries on the right, before the ball reached Declan Escott, who shrugged off a first-half injury to lift the ball over the 'keeper. Dylan Rees then made a jinking run from the halfway line and slotted home goal nine. With the Carew defence looking undertandably shell-shocked, Scott Ferney then added three individual goals, before volleying in at the far post after a long cross from Adam Muskett. Carew composed themselves again at the back to staunch the flow of Tenby goals, and launched a promising break. But Tenby 'keeper Daniel Evans managed to gather the ball safely and the Seasiders soon added to their score, with two more goals from Declan Escott and another from Dylan Rees. In the dying moments, Carew showed tremendous spirit to push forward down the left in search of a consolation goal. After forcing a series of throw-ins close to the Tenby goal line, the ball was eventually swept clear to Declan Escott, and the unmarked striker scored one more before the final whistle. Well done to both teams, who played some great passing football, with hardly a free-kick conceded. Yes, the home side were swamped by Tenby in a 10-minute spell in the middle of the game. However, they battled valiantly at the beginning and end of the match (and were much more competitive than the silly scoreline suggests). To put the game into some perspective, it should be pointed out that the two or three stronger teams in this league are all able to pick and choose from well-established squads of 20 or more players. Many of the boys have been playing together for four or five years. Several play at county level and benefit from extra training at development centres linked to Swansea City and Cardiff City. This gives them a huge advantage over newer teams with smaller squads of players (no matter how promising those players may be or how much effort they put in). So don't lose heart lads! Your time will come. Thanks to the supporters for their encouragement, which was appreciated by both sets of players, and to Newey Electrical Installations Ltd., the Tenby A kit sponsors for 2007.