CAREW 2 TENBY 3

At the beginning of the season Tenby surprised themselves by overturning Carew 6-2. Since that game the Carew side have gone from strength to strength and shot themselves to above mid-table, and it was obvious that this game wasn't going to be a repeat of that earlier encounter. All credit must go to Gerald Hicks as the home team's ground looked fit for a premiership team to play on.

Both teams started well and there seemed to be no one department better than the other. The ball was able to be sprayed about and both teams took advantage of the playing surface. The Carew side were urged to play the game simple by the impressive Daryl John, and this they did, biding their time carefully.

Tenby didn't get many shooting opportunities and the midfield had to work hard to gain possession. With a Carew attack down the left side, Tenby looked solid defensively with the on form Marc James, though with a clearance that only got as far as the edge of the box, Daryl John let go with a screamer that 'keeper Davies managed to get a fingertip to and deflect onto the crossbar, rocking the less than substantial uprights.

Tenby quickly responded to this wake-up call and the away team's man-of-the-match, Tony 'Tenby' Griffiths, muscled his way into the box to fire home a much-needed goal.

The Seasiders found themselves under the cosh for a sustained period after this, and on the stroke of 20 minutes, Brian Hall, the stocky Carew attacker, found himself unmarked at the rear post and fired a half chance past the helpless Dewi Davies. Pleased with his effort, his smile remained until the half-time whistle.

The village side didn't sit back on this equaliser, like Tenby so often do; they pushed hard, led by the intelligent playing of Paul and Ritchie Bullock, and they received their just reward when their striker rose from a set-piece to head home, much to the dismay of watching coach Deryn Brace, who urged all three substitutes to warm-up for half-time.

The team must have sensed Brace's disappointment in them and it was back to that man Griffiths to stick a deflected shot off the back of his 'old pal' John, to grasp an important equaliser before the break.

With Ricky Morgan and the mature Gavin Scotcher up front, Tenby needed their wide men of McGloughlin and Lawrence to supply quality ball in to them. Subbiani tackled hard and gave the midfield some ball to work with, John and Griffiths cancelled each other out at every opportunity and so it was going to need something special to get a result for either side.

Scotcher came close on one occasion, turning and shooting from 30 yards with his left peg and forcing the Carew 'keeper Kerrison to get down sharply.

Ryan Lawrence looked more like Giggs on one occasion with a mazy run that took him from deep inside his own half and resulted in the 'keeper having to stop a powerful drive.

Both teams made a number of substitutions, but the one that stood out was the youngster James Brown. Unfazed by the importance of the game, he showed he was able to get up like a machine above the rest from a set-piece, to direct a perfectly placed header into the top corner of the Carew net.

Carew had chances in the final minutes and the legendary Hicks put men clear only to be foiled at the final hurdle by a now committed Tenby performance.

This week's home fixture is against Haverfordwest County. No doubt Tenby will be receiving support from Phil 'The £' Riley and the rest of the old faithful.

TENBY 2ND XI 1

FISHGUARD 4

On Saturday, Tenby Seconds played at home, going for all three points against Fishguard!

The first half started well for Tenby with some excellent build-up play from defence to attack. Chances went begging, but Tenby got closer and closer and a good flick on by Dale Elms was neatly finished by Seb Palin.

Tenby continued to press, but Fishguard caught them on the break and levelled the score.

The second half started better, with Dom Lamb, Dale Elms and Phil Spindlove all playing well. An early attack led to a counter-attack by Fishguard and the score was 2-1.

Tenby knew it wasn't over, but they didn't think that Fishguard could increase their lead, but they did by two. The final score was a disappointing 4-1.

Thanks go to the match ball sponsor, JT's Burger Bar, and the Lifeboat Tavern for the food afterwards.

TENBY LADIES 0

SAUNDERSFOOT LADIES 4

Tenby's Famous £1 Shop sponsored Tenby Ladies showed a lot of effort to win this match in the early stages, and only a couple of daring saves from Ali Brace kept Saundersfoot on equal terms.

As the first-half progressed, Holly Watkins began to control the game for the visitors, showing good control and distribution.

Tenby still attacked in numbers whenever they got the ball, but delay in their final touch allowed the visitors' defence to re-organise, and with Hazel Sawyer keeping a close eye on the usually dangerous Lorraine Henton on the Saundersfoot right, a low scoring game seemed a distinct possibility.

The predictability of the Tenby attack, and the tendency for all of their midfield to go forward to help out, left them vulnerable to the counter-attack, a point emphasised by Lorraine Henton who lobbed in from 30 yards when Imelde Rossi failed to clear.

This left Tenby shocked, but after a short spell they regained their rhythm and as their passing style returned, pressure on the Saundersfoot goal seemed likely to get an equaliser.

Tenby's lack of concentration was further exposed when Denise Powell in goal failed to gather a low cross and Sian Bennett fired in emphatically to give her team a surprising 2-0 lead based on the ball possession of the first-half.

In the second-half, Tenby's hope of using winger Nicola Aston to better advantage did not materialise as she was well-marked by Emma Rowell, and it was left to others to try to make a goal-scoring mark on the game.

Michaela Bevan came close, shooting over as Ali Brace came out quickly, and several other Tenby attempts from Cally Roberts and Sally James were safely dealt with by Kristen Jordan and her Saundersfoot defence.

Tenby's frailty in defending the edge of their penalty area was again exposed in the 63rd minute when Sian Bennett dribbled past several players to lob in from the edge of the penalty area.

Denise Powell came out of goal to be replaced by Angela Nicholls and made an immediate impact, linking up with Carrie Slack, who had played well in midfield throughout, to put further pressure on the Saundersfoot goal.

Although losing 0-3, Tenby played some of the best football of the match in the last quarter-of-an-hour, and looked worthy of a consolation goal.

However, some hesitance in their defence yet again saw Sally James lose possession on the right and Lorraine Henton ran on to beat the 'keeper with a good low shot.

Saundersfoot were worth their 4-0 win in the end, leaving Tenby wondering how they can improve on the finishing off of their passing movements.

Tenby squad: Denise Powell, Tracy Parks, Sally James, Imelde Rossi, Carrie Slack, Hazel Sawyer, Nicola Aston, Angharad Nicholls, Michaela Bevan, Clare Dooley, Cally Roberts, Angela Nicholls.

Thanks to James Nicholas for running the line, Huw (Four Seasons) and the Lifeboat Tavern.