MERLINS BRIDGE Under 15s 1 TENBY Under 15s 11
Tenby made a patchy start facing a strong wind on an open Racecourse Ground at Haverfordwest, and had difficulty controlling the ball and the play for the first 15 minutes of the match. The home team, playing with a flat defence, caught the visiting forwards off-side on several occasions, although the through passes from Aaron Goldsmith and Adam John to twin strikers Mikey Boswell and Robert Colley looked dangerous if given quicker. Merlins Bridge produced some breaks of their own and only the alertness of Brett Evans at the back for Tenby and the ever alert Richard Thomas in goal prevented the home side going ahead. Tenby were just getting frustrated by some good home goalkeeping, assisted by the goalposts, which were hit on three occasions in this period of the match, before Mikey Boswell put Tenby 1-0 in front. This helped raise Tenby's confidence which was lower than in the previous week's thrashing of Hakin, and as wingers Guto Griffiths and Sam Christopher came more into the game another victory seemed there for the taking. Tenby were in their stride by the half-hour mark, and good goals from Robert Colley, Adam Johns and Mikey Boswell, saw them much more in command by the interval. Scott Helmich replaced Kurt Walsh in the second half and Tenby were on the attack for long periods, with Aaron Goldsmith, Adam Johns and Brett Evans, driving forward from the possession gained by the strong central defence of Luke Dedman and Henry Boot. Tenby's use of the wide positions in the second half was a feature of the play and Guto Griffiths put his team 5-0 ahead against determined defending by Merlins Bridge, where the goalkeeper forced the forwards to shoot wide of him with the result that good shots were either hitting the posts or the side netting. Tenby's determination shone through as the home defence tired, and two goals from Mikey Boswell put the result beyond doubt at 7-0, although a lapse of concentration after the substitution of Joe Scourfield for Guto Griffiths, cost Tenby a goal, as the home attack found Richard Thomas on his own for once to bring the score back to 7-1. Driven on by the need to get a good goal difference to win this league as last year's experience proved, Tenby raised their game up a gear for Sam Christopher to get some reward for chasing a supply of passes from Brett Evans by firing in a powerful eighth goal. Aaron Goldsmith and Adam John added two more goals to show that the mid-field players could also shoot, and Scott Helmich with great composure fired in a powerful goal to emphasise the potential of Tenby to win this league if the players are determined enough. Michael Halligan got the chance of a few touches in attack to prove the all round ability of a squad where seven players got on the scoresheet. Tenby squad: Richard Thomas; Brett Evans; Luke Dedman; Henry Boot; Kurt Walsh; Sam Christopher; Aaron Goldsmith; Adam Johns; Guto Griffiths; Robert Colley; Mikey Boswell; Joe Scourfield; Scott Helmich; Michael Halligan. Tenby Picnic Basket man-of-the-match: Brett Evans. Thanks to Nick for running the line and to the loyal band of travelling Tenby supporters. TENBY Under12s 3 MONKTON SWIFTS Under 12s 4
The Tenby Cycle and Skateboard sponsored Tenby Under 12s hosted Monkton Swifts at The Clicketts. It was nip and tuck all the way and with the score deadlocked at three a piece and with only 10 minutes remaining, a draw looked inevitable. However, it would have to take something special to produce a winner and the Swifts number 10 did just that. He collected the ball on the left hand side of the box and unleashed a shot that flew into the top right hand corner of the Jake Roberts' goal. The game started with Tenby the stronger team and they were a goal up after 10 minutes when a neat through ball, by the hard working, Phil Horsley gave Jordan Richards the space to rifle in a low shot passed the visiting 'keeper. To the delight of the home supporters, Richards increased the lead for the Seasiders after good interpassing between Rob Fairlie and Ashley Smith. Monkton started to get back into the match and had several chances themselves. Their first effort went just wide and their second was well blocked by Tenby captain, Greg Lees-Griffiths. With the interval looming, the home side could have been four goals up, as both Josh Koop and Gareth Warlow missed easy chances. But it was the Swifts that finished the half with a goal, when their number 10 was put through and the striker made no mistake. The beginning of the second half saw Monkton put Tenby under pressure and this pressure certainly paid off. With good work down the right flank, their number nine, who covered every blade of grass, weaved his way passed a couple of home defenders to level the score. This set-up a tremendous battle which was a credit to both sides. Both teams made substitutions, with Tenby bringing on Ben Green and Nicky Jones, who was making his home debut. Mid-way through the half, the Seasiders restored the lead when Josh Koop found the space and time to place his shot inside the far post. However, within minutes the Swifts were level when their number seven saw a gap through a crowded penalty box and squeezed his shot inside the post. The match looked destined to end a well deserved draw, but that was before that super goal six minutes from time. However, there was still drama to come. When, right at the death a cross from Curtis Hurlow found Smith at the far post, but his shot was well saved by the visiting 'keeper and Monkton quickly cleared the danger. Tenby side: J. Roberts, A. Heesom, G. Lees-Griffiths, D. Edwards, R. Fairlie, A. Smith, P. Horsley, J. Richards, C. Hurlow, J. Koop, G. Warlow, N. Jones, B. Green, L. Fecci. TENBY Under 11s 8 MILFORD Under 11s 0
Having not lost a game in the Pembrokeshire League last season and only conceding three goals, the Under 11s were determined to start as they mean to go on. Coach, Gavin Scotcher, was delighted that the Tenby team produced a great performance. The boys are showing a new sense of maturity and made it difficult for Milford to create any impression. Elliot Scotcher and Jake Procter scored two fine goals in the first half. Tenby would have scored many more if it had not been for the impressive skills of the Milford 'keeper. After half-time, Tenby showed renewed confidence and took the chances which they didn't in the first half. Rob Luly, Iwan Izzard and Henry Whittaker were solid in defence, blocking any chances that Milford might have had and giving Owen Bateman a quiet morning in goal. Alex Bayley scored a very impressive four goals, making the most of a superb passing display by Elliot Scotcher, Greg Palin, Will Cowan and Jake Proctor. Iwan Izzard switched from defence with minutes to go and scored twice to allow Tenby to finish the game in style. Many thanks to Capital Roasters for sponsoring the Under 11s new kit.
PENNAR UNDER 8s 0 TENBY UNDER 8s 2
Tenby faced tougher opposition for their second game of the season in the Pembrokeshire Under Eights League, but put in a battling performance to take another three points. The game started evenly with the Tenby midfield of Tom Harries, Dylan Rees and James Brace, kept busy by a lively Pennar Robins side. As play settled down, Tenby began to put pressure on the Pennar goal and won a series of corners. After several goalmouth scrambles, James Brace connected with a deep corner on the right from Tom Dyson to put Tenby ahead. Shortly afterwards, Tenby won yet another corner, and Declan Escott almost made it two with a header off the outside of the near post. The lone striker then went close with a long range effort that the Pennar 'keeper did well to parry. Pennar pushed hard for an equaliser. But the defensive trio of Tom Dyson, Luke Hartland and Sean Conbeer, made sure that Tenby kept their lead until half-time. The game continued to be tight in the second half with little space for either side to create scoring chances. When a gap did finally appear, Declan Escott made a superb run on goal. He edged the ball through to Tom Harries who added Tenby's second from short range. Pennar then threw players forward, forcing two quick corners that were handled confidently by Tenby 'keeper William Davies. The pace of Pennar's strikers made for an exciting final five minutes. However, well-timed tackles from Sean Conbeer made sure that Tenby kept another clean sheet. Thanks to Park Road Fish and Chips who provided the team's smart new blue and black away kit. Thanks also to Pennar Robins and their supporters for their generous hospitality, including post-match food and drink at the Cricketers Lodge, which was greatly appreciated by all the Tenby players and their families. TENBY Under10s
Tenby Under 10s began their new season recently with a home fixture against Narberth. The boys had already played in a number of tournaments through the close season, including Tenby Spring Sevens where they played in a year above their age and managed to reach the final with excellent displays in all the games. This included a surprise win over Tenby Under 11s in the semi-final. They eventually lost to a big Gowerton side in the final. They also entered the Whitland Tournament in which they beat St. Clears in the final, so expectancy was high when Narberth arrived at The Clicketts. Notoriously slow starters, Tenby built on their successful summer and scored through the prolific Elliott Goldsmith. Sam Butler in goal produced some outstanding saves to keep Tenby in the lead, while also rock solid in defence were Corry Morris, Toby Rossiter and Rhys Nicholas who stopped anything that came their way. They also ably supplied the ball to the industrious midfield of Jack Murphy, Tom Koop and Huge Wellum, who between them tried to feed strikers David Webb, Dan Fairlie and Elliot Goldsmith. Sadly no more goals came Tenby's way apart from an own goal giving Narberth a deserved draw and a fair start to the season. Last Saturday, Tenby travelled to Hundleton hoping to go one better than the week before.It was evident from the start that the boys had got the early season rust out of the system the week before and they showed what they are capable of with some great build up play and all round control of the game. Rhys Nicholas had a quiet game in goal which was mainly due to the superb defensive display by Corry Morris and Sam Butler. The midfield of Hugo Wellum, Toby Rossiter, Tom Koop and Jack Murphy took control of the park and were able to give Daniel Fairlie, Elliot Goldsmith and David Webb an endless supply of quality ball allowing Elliot to score twice. Jack Murphy had one goal, Hugo Wellum one and an own goal gave Tenby a well earned 5-0 victory. With 14 league games this season, coaches Simon and Neil are looking forward to playing more of their big squad with an embarrassment of riches to choose from.