TENBY U13s 8 NARBERTH U13s 4 First game of 2008 and Narberth were the visitors to the Clicketts. Narberth could only muster eight players and after Tenby had beaten them fairly convincingly 7-2 away earlier in the season, then surely a comfortable victory for the Seasiders was on the cards. Not a bit of it! The pitch was in remarkably good condition considering the torrential downpour on Friday and Hugo opened the scoring early on under a menacing sky. But the big-hearted Narberth boys refused to lie down, their goalie making some good saves as Tenby failed to keep, and capitalise on, vital possession. Two further goals from David and Elliot saw the home side with a slender 3-0 lead at half-time. Second half, Dan jumped on a corner making it 4 -0, before Narberth struck back... and then the weather closed in! Hailstones started peppering the players, the unofficial team-mascot tried to climb into the kit bag for cover from the elements and a couple more goals were added, three for Narberth, a second for Dan, two more for Hugo, with Joe popping up from an unaccustomed defensive position to add to his season's tally. A brief stoppage whilst shelter was sought and then back into action as Narberth, alarmingly, threatened to 'take the game'. But Tenby did manage to hang on... just about... to the end. It should have been an extremely easy victory against eight players - it wasn't, as Narberth played their socks off. Maybe Tenby were too relaxed and too full of festive goodies and confidence, but Narberth should be proud of their young lions who didn't let their numerical disadvantage get to them. Well done. Thanks to coach John, the referee, linesmen and touchline supporters who all braved the eventual atrocious conditions. Warming coffee, sausages and chips were enjoyed by all in the clubhouse after the game - thanks to Chris Fairlie and the club. Squad: George McBeth, Corey Morris, Cheyne Lloyd, Joe Worley, Sam Butler, Hugo Wellum, David Webb, Elliot Goldsmith, Toby Rossiter, Nathan Farmiloe, Daniel Fairlie, Jake Cooke.
Narberth under 12s 3 Tenby under 12s 3
Both teams found it hard to get going after the mid-season break, and although the playing surface was good, neither team could keep the ball or regain possession with any certainty. Tenby had a great deal of possession down their right side where Jacob Dent was prominent in winning the ball and putting long passes forward, and the Narberth right was dangerous with some good moves resulting in crosses, which the Tenby defence cleared with some difficulty. Narberth had some good chances at close range where more composure would have resulted in a goal, but as the half progressed, Jerome Mansbridge played defenc- splitting passes forward to get the home defence into disarray. Tenby opened the score through Mansbridge, which was quickly followed by goals from Richard Tebbutt and Ryan Price to make the score 3-0 to the visitors at the interval while playing up the slope. Narberth opened the second half with more spirit than their first half performance showed, and they put Tenby under constant pressure until they scored their first goal with a low cross shot. Tenby seemed to see the danger of a fightback and attacked strongly, with Jimmy Bridges and Elliott Rivers coming close to scoring when put through the home defence. As the score remained at 3-1, Narberth saw their chance of a real fightback and added a second when pressure brought an own goal to make the score 3-2 when for once, Nathan Wilson, Brandon Monaghan-Taylor and Luke Conbeer failed to clear. Even though they were having trouble marking the fast Narberth forwards, Tenby tried to regain a two- goal lead, with Jerome Mansbridge, Morgan Slate and Richard Tebbutt looking dangerous around the Narberth goal. With Tenby over-committed in attack, Narberth counter-attacked well and equalised to make the score 3-3 and Tenby, regretting the loss of their three-goal lead. Both teams went for the win in the final minutes, with a goalbound shot from Jerome Mansbridge being blocked for a corner. Narberth cleared their lines in time for a corner of their own, after which Tenby were glad to see Lewis Roberts hold the ball safely, to prevent further damage and keep the scores level at 3-3. Tenby squad: Lewis Roberts, Jacob Dent, Nathan Wilson, Brandon Taylor-Monaghan, Luke Conbeer, James Bridges, Richard Tebbutt, Jerome Mansbridge (capt), Elliott Rivers, Ryan Price, Morgan Slate.
Tenby under 12s 9 Goodwick under 12s 3
Tenby were soon on the attack, and after several promising moves, goals for the home team seemed likely. Goodwick's goalkeeper made some brave saves, behind a defence which found it hard to cope with the Tenby strikers, and a lot of the danger came from crosses into the Goodwick penalty area by James Bridges operating wide on the Tenby right. Richard Tebbutt opened the scoring for Tenby, and this was followed by goals from James Bridges and Jerome Mansbridge (2). Mansbridge set up most of the Tenby attacks through the middle and created danger with his forward runs. James Bridges scored a spectacular goal from long range to make the score 4-0. Goodwick responded well on a couple of occasions, but Lewis Roberts, who was having a quiet time so far in the Tenby goal, gathered safely and launched further attacks. The score stood at 5-0 to Tenby at half-time and was a fair reflection on what they could achieve in this league if they take their chances. Goodwick's half-time talk must have done them some good, because there was a massive improvement in their play in the second half. A tackle from behind in the Tenby penalty area saw the visitors open their score from the penalty spot, Lewis Roberts being given no chance to save. Tenby, however, replied immediately when a good cross from Ellis Morgan enabled Elliot Rivers to fire home from 10 yards out. The match was far from over at 6-1, as Goodwick piled on the pressure with some fast attacks down their left. Tenby's defence could not withstand all the pressure, and Goodwick pulled another goal back to make the score 6-2. A major fightback by Goodwick seemed a possibility, but Jerome Mansbridge and Jacob Dent steadied their team with some good tackles, and gradually Tenby regained control of the match. Further goals by Elliot Rivers (2), Ellis Morgan and Tebbutt helped Tenby to draw ahead again and, apart from slack defending that gifted Goodwick a soft third goal, Tenby cruised on to finish the match 9-3 ahead. Tenby squad: Lewis Roberts, Nathan Wilson, Rob Davies, Jacob Dent, Luke Conbeer, James Bridges, Richard Tebbutt, Jerome Mansbridge, Elliott Rivers, Ellis Morgan, Ryan Price. Thanks to Richard Bridges for refereeing.
Tenby U15s 4 Herbrandston U15s 2
Tenby Under 15s, sponsored by Willow Carpentry, began 2008 with a victory over Herbrandston at the Clicketts, which keeps them in touch with league leaders Camrose. Continuous rain the previous day made the pitch heavy and made it difficult to control the ball. However, both sides endeavoured to make it an entertaining game. The visitors drew first blood after 10 minutes. A good through ball was seized upon by their quick centre forward, Shane Walsh, who slotted the ball wide of the advancing home 'keeper, Jake Roberts. Tenby pressurised Herbie for long periods for the remainder of the half, but could not find the back of the net, Jordan Richards, Declan Carroll and Will Thomas all seeing chances going wide. With two minutes left on the clock before the break, Ashley Smith sent Thomas away down the left wing. Although Thomas's cross was cleared out from the six-yard box, it was met on the edge of the penalty area by Curtis Hurlow, who hit a sweet shot just inside the far post to level the scores. As Hurlow's goal came two minutes before half- time, then by coincidence, Thomas nudged the Seasiders in front two minutes into the second half. Richards robbed the visitors at the restart and passed inside to Carroll, who sent a long ball to Thomas. He out-sprinted his defender and hit a low shot wide of the Herbie 'keeper and into the goal via the far post. Gareth Warlow and Smith had good chances before the tenacious Herbie pulled level. A good attack by the visitors was thwarted by Greg Lees-Griffiths who cleared to the halfway line. As the home defence rushed out, a clever little chip over them saw Walsh nip through and finish well. Tenby were then awarded three corners in succession and the last one, by Ashley Andrews, fell kindly to the feet of Carroll who made no mistake from six yards. Captain, Dan Edwards, who had an excellent game in defence, pulled off a superb tackle on Walsh to deny the visitors a certain goal. By now the centre of the pitch had become severely cut up and extremely heavy and both sides introduced fresh legs. With his first touch of the ball, replacement Johnnie Delahunty out-sprinted the Herbie defence and calmly lobbed the visiting 'keeper from 20 yards to clinch all three points for the red and blacks. Tenby side: J. Roberts, A. Roberts, G. Lees-Griffiths, C. Hurlow, D. Edwards, A. Andrews, J. Richards, D. Carroll, A. Smith, G. Warlow, W. Thomas, A. Heesom, P. Horsley, J. Delahunty.