ST. CLEARS 1 TENBY 3

The first away league game is always a difficult one, one by which you set your standards for the year. With this away game, Tenby can be happy with the result, but must adopt a more clinical side to their finishing for it to reflect on their performance.

The game started positively, with all members of the side passing freely and retaining possession, frustrating the St. Clears midfield into giving away numerous free-kicks. Greg Helmich offered a good attacking option down the left flank and worked it well, combining with Brace and Griffiths, who gave the United an extra second with the strength to hold up play.

It didn't take long for the Seasiders to get their first. After an onslaught on the St. Clears goal, a cross came over via Helmich, which Anthony Griffiths claims he finished at the far post, much to the displeasure of Jimmy Thomas.

There was plenty of action in the first half-hour and with so much confidence and skill running through the side, Tenby should have been at least four up by half-time.

Coach Deryn Brace looked a 'stranger' in front of goal and missed a couple of chances. The near perfect Dave Meyrick kept the back four solid, while recalled right back Dylan Lawrence made a run down the right wing and cut back inside to set up striker Scott McLaughlin who let go with a 20-yard left-foot 'swerve' which deflected off the St. Clears left back.

Going into the half-time talk, everyone felt a little cheated not to have a more convincing scoreline.

With such a strong squad at the moment, Maytum had been forced to put two of last week's strongest players on the bench as part of a 'rota system.' Ryan Lawrence, Dom Subbiani and Steve Hanlon were all introduced to the game five minutes into the second half, much to the disbelief of local hero Phil 'who me' Catlin. Ryan Lawrence soon stamped his class on the game and twisted his right back into a Reef knot (who not try the Reef for lunches and evening meals!).

With only 10 minutes of the second half underway, Lawrence whipped a cross into the centre of the six-yard box for Jimmy Thomas to net his second goal of the season with some satisfaction.

Tenby lost all momentum after this goal and, apart from a spectacular save from 'keeper Dewi Davies, little went right.

With Tenby down to 10 men, due to injury, St. Clears struck. The ball flighted down the right and while Dylan Lawrene dived into clear the ball, it lofted over the defender's head and the St. Clears striker went on to cross to the unmarked Jones who side-footed past Davies.

So home to 'Tish' next week where the team expects a battle. After the previous week's draw against Hakin, Tish look a side to reckon with.

TENBY U14s 6

CAMROSE 0

This was the U14s' first home game of the season.

The game started at a furious pace, with neither side making any headway and taking a good 15 minutes to settle down.

Lloyd Wilson put a ball over the head of the defence which Luc Barford slotted in for an excellent opening goal - his first in a Tenby shirt.

The goal saw Camrose digging in, proving to be a tenacious side who defended to the hilt, and with half-time quickly approaching, it looked like there would be no increase to the score.

However, in the last five minutes of the half, Barford took a short corner to a quick-thinking Johnny Wilson, who floated the ball into the box for Sonny Phillips to head a cracker past the Camrose goalie.

Within a minute, Adam Ball put in a through ball to Bruce Tasker, who chipped it over the defenders' heads and, using his pace, was first to the ball (in the style of a rugby up-and-under!) and lobbed it over the 'keeper's head for an impressive third.

The second half started with Tenby having a comfortable cushion, and playing with confidence, but all credit to Camrose who didn't give up making Tenby work very hard for every goal.

Daniel Lynch, another newcomer, set up the next goal, crossing the ball in for Barford to slot home for the fourth.

Tasker crossed in another excellent ball, which Lloyd Wilson headed past the Camrose goalie for the fifth.

The sixth came after a period of sustained pressure and Barford was delighted to score, giving him a hat-trick in his first game for Tenby, well done!

We'd like to make a few special mentions, to Paul Griffiths (centre back) and Daniel Lynch (midfield), who along with Luc Barford, have joined the Tenby side and all put in great performances, and welcome back to Muthalib Sofan and Rhys Davies (we missed you, honest!), who have moved back into the area.

Also, a big thanks to Rhys Davies, who stood in for our absent goalie - not an easy task - and put in a sterling performance; thanks Rhys, much appreciated.

Squad: Rhys Davies, Steve Handicott, Johnny Wilson, Muthalib Sofan, Ben Field Thomas, Lloyd Wilson, Daniel Lynch, Sonny Phillips, Adam Ball, Bruce Tasker, Luc Barford, Paul Rossi, Andrew Birch, Paul Griffiths.

Last week's result was 7-1 to Tenby against Kilgetty - an excellent performance for the first game of season, well done lads.

TENBY U13s 1

MERLINS BRIDGE U13s 0

The Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions sponsored Tenby Under 13s kicked off this midweek fixture as last season's league champions against last season's runners-up, knowing a tough game was in store. Indeed it was, with both teams battling to break the deadlock, and both defences holding firm.

Ashley Prior and Mathew Fleming both hit the post on separate occasions, and Jamie Robinson came close with a shot in the first-half.

The Tenby midfield won the possession game in this part of the pitch, but found it difficult to get the ball up to Prior and David Jones, mainly down to their own inability to deliver the final pass after doing all the hard work.

Matthew Jones frustratingly got caught in possession several times after working hard to win the ball, and missing out on the final important pass.

Despite this, the work rate of M. Jones, Jack Lawrence and Ashley Murdoch was superb, with lots of running to support the forwards and defence. Matthew Fleming had several good runs on the wing, but always had two defenders on him.

Nil-nil at half-time, and Tenby came out fighting for the second-half, with Prior firing a shot just over the bar.

Tenby's defence of Oliver Morgan, Ieuan Rowell, David Saunders and Robinson were just superb, and they kept their shape with great discipline throughout the game. Robinson pushed up to midfield and this gave the homesters extra clout and saw the Bridge forced to defend for most of the second-half.

Tenby won a penalty which Robinson clinically converted, but referee Remi Page ordered the kick to be re-taken as Robinson had taken it before the whistle. Unfortunately, the re-taken kick was a bit rushed, and Robinson fired the ball over the bar.

Morgan came close with a stunning shot from 20 yards that forced the 'keeper to tip it over the bar, from a Lawrence free-kick.

The Bridge counter-attacked and forced a couple of good saves from Damian Walters in the Tenby goal.

Prior came close again for Tenby at the other end and Tenby finally broke the deadlock when Saunders played a brilliant ball upfield into the visitors' penalty box. Prior ran on to it, putting pressure on the 'keeper without making any contact, and the ball ran on to D. Jones to score a very important goal.

The Bridge pushed on to Tenby again for a nerve-racking last five minutes, with Walters pulling off another fine save, and the Tenby defence holding strong and getting in some timely strong tackles, to give Tenby a well-earned and deserved three points.

A lot of coaching points will be taken from this game by the manager, Steve Briers, however, and these will be worked on in training. Many thanks to Remi Page for refereeing the game so well, as always.

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