Tenby U12s 18 Prendergast Villa U12s 1 Tenby were well prepared for their first competitive match at this age group, and needed to make the transition to longer match-play and a full-size pitch quickly. They did this when Brandon Taylor-Monaghan put them ahead early in the game, setting the stage for many Tenby attacks against a square defence. Tenby's possession play was usually started by the inspirational Jerome Mansbridge, who collected the ball in his own half and then caused havoc in the Prendergast goalmouth. Tenby spent most of the first period in the Prendergast half and further goals from Morgan Slate (2), James Bridges (2), Richard Tebbutt, Jerome Mansbridge and Brandon (again) did not quite reflect their superiority, as almost as many other goal chances went begging. This was due to a lack of composure and some good goalkeeping by the visitors' 'keeper. Half-time arrived with Tenby 8-0 ahead, and only letting Prendergast have one real goal-scoring opportunity. Jacob Dent and Luke Conbeer played well in defence, while Robert Davies and Nathan Wilson stopped everything through the middle. In the second half, Tenby began to pass the ball around, and Prendergast did well in their defence to make goal-scoring difficult. Jerome Mansbridge, who was again at the centre of most of the Tenby attacking moves, got some good passes to James Bridges, who looked dangerous wide on the right. Gaps began to open up in a Prendergast defence, who were again let off by some hasty finishing for about 10 minutes of the second half. However, Tenby's work rate was high on a hot day, and when they eventually got the measure of the greater space available to them, they became more composed and began to hit the Prendergast net again. Ryan Hill and Miguel Cruz came on for Tenby and both settled in well to the back four. Goals of high quality began to fly in for Tenby, with Brandon, Jerome (3), Morgan (2) James (2), Richard and Ryan Price being the scorers. Tenby were given a warning about the need for concentration when they were 13-0 ahead when 'keeper Lewis Roberts was suddenly forced into making a brilliant low diving save, although the ball was not cleared properly. The scramble resulted in another shot which gave him no chance, to give Prendergast a consolation goal. This was a good all-round team performance which should be a firm foundation for the season to come. Tenby squad: Lewis Roberts, Morgan Slate, Miguel Cruz, Ryan Hill, Robert Davies, Nathan Wilson, Richard Tebbutt, Luke Conbeer, Jerome Mansbridge (capt), Brandon Taylor-Monaghan, James Bridges, Jacob Dent, Ryan Price. Thanks are due to Richard Bridges for refereeing and to Toby Smith for running the line.
TENBY U13s 4 CAMROSE U13s 3 A stunning Saturday morning and the U13s welcomed Camrose to the Clicketts. Probably not first choice opposition for the opening game of the season, so a good performance was vital! With new coach John ('Greenfingers') Grover at the helm, would the boys overcome a Camrose side who had performed so well last season? Within minutes of the kick-off, Joe Worley smashed the ball into the back of the Camrose net to herald his return to the Tenby team. Tenby dominated the Camrose half, Rhys playing strongly on the left and Tom keeping a cool head in defence. Possession switched and Camrose took the initiative, keeping George on his toes in goal and the defence playing like giants. Briefly the game switched to Tenby for Hugo to net Tenby's second and what seemed like a good cushion until Camrose replied twice quickly to go into half-time 2-2. Both teams were at full stretch in the second half, end to end action jangling the touchline nerves. His trademark shot saw Hugo put the home side ahead 3-2 and Joe added his second - 4-2, but still some football to be played! Camrose pressured and pressured, Tenby defended, scrambled and defended, but were unable to stop Camrose scoring a third near the end. The final few minutes were extremely tense - everyone on the pitch gave everything and Tenby ran out the eventual, worthy, winners! Just the start we needed - fantastic game boys! HUNDLETON U13s 0 TENBY U13s 11 Never knowing what to expect with Hundleton, Tenby arrived in high spirits for their second game of the season on Monday. John's second game in charge - would it be a repeat of Saturday's excellent performance? Within seconds of the kick-off, Dan lobbed the Hundleton goalie, only to find he was off-side, but that just set the game pattern from then on. Tenby had the major share of possession throughout the first half and went into the interval 6-0 ahead, Elliot with a hat-trick in the bag. Second half and play continued very much as it had in the first half. Tenby dominated, with every player making a great contribution to the action, and ran out emphatic winners. Final goal tally, two more for Elliot, five in total; Hugo, hat-trick; Joe two (the second - wow!) and one for Dan, who also found the woodwork on two occasions and had two disallowed for off-side. Two games to be pleased about. A sound start to the season. Thanks to coach John, referees, the touchline gang and to all the boys who have played so well: George McBeth, Corey Morris, Tom Grover, Jack Murphy, Sam Butler, Hugo Wellum, Toby Rossiter, Joe Worley, Rhys Nicholas, Elliot Goldsmith, David Webb, Daniel Fairlie, Cheyne Lloyd.