ST. CLEARS U12s 3 TENBY U12s 5
The Tenby Cycle and Skateboard sponsored Tenby Under 12s grabbed all three points in this top-of-the-table clash at St. Clears. Although first was playing second in the league, the match itself didn't live up to expectations and produced a rather scrappy affair. The league leaders, St. Clears, drew first blood when Tenby failed to pick up their striker who had a clear run at goal. Jake Roberts came off his line and bravely dived at the striker's feet, but the ball somehow ricocheted off Roberts, the striker and then a defender before ending up in the net. The visitors' equaliser was just as fortuitous, when Ashley Smith's long-range effort gathered speed on the wet surface and squirmed under the home 'keeper's body. The half ended level, with nothing to separate the two teams. The Saints took the lead once more at the beginning of the second half, when Roberts slipped taking his goal-kick, gifting the home side with an open goal. However, Tenby responded almost immediately when a good run and cross from Gareth Warlow was met by Smith. Back came the home side to nudge in front once more, after a neat movement down the right-hand side. Tenby got on level terms again when that man Smith got the final touch following good play between Jordan Richards and Phil Horsley. Ashley Smith must have thought his birthday and Christmas had rolled into one, when he connected sweetly to a Josh Koop cross, to claim his and his team's fourth goal. It was at this point that the game came to life. St Clears tried everything to equalise and almost did on several occasions, but the red and blacks defended as if their lives depended on it. Gone was the lethargic approach which they had adopted in the opening 45 minutes; now every player was fighting to gain possession. With time running out, a long ball by Rob Fairlie sent little Oliver Worley scampering after it. Even though he was being shadowed by two defenders, Worley kept his composure and placed his shot just inside the near post to put the game beyond the Saints' reach. Tenby side: J. Roberts, A. Heesom, G. Lees-Griffiths, P. Elliott, D. Edwards, A. Smith, P. Horsley, J. Richards, C. Hurlow, J. Koop, G. Warlow, R. Fairlie, N. Jones, O. Worley.
TENBY U15s 10 MERLINS BRIDGE U15s 3
Tenby made the early attacks, but their failure to keep midfield possession allowed this League Cup match to become an end-to-end affair. Near misses at both ends seemed to lull the Tenby central defenders into uncertainty, so it was a relief when Mikey Boswell headed in a Guto Griffiths corner to open the scoring for Tenby, but it came as no real surprise when the visitors sent their forwards through the middle to make the score 1-1. Richard Thomas became the busiest of the two goalkeepers in the middle of the first half, making several vital saves, before Scott Helmich skimmed the crossbar for the home team, and as Tenby came forward to chase long passes, Mikey Boswell added a second when he beat two players in the penalty area and prodded in from close range to make the score 2-1. Tenby were still unable to find their usual brand of passing football, partly because the much-improved Merlins Bridge side, with Richard Reed outstanding in goal, threatened to snatch an unlikely result and partl because of a two week lay-off from matches due to bad weather. Richard Thomas had to sweep up several defensive errors well outside his penalty area, and just when the danger was passing, his defence lost possession in midfield. This allowed a Merlins Bridge forward time to chip the ball into the home goal where it hit the bar and bounce down for a hotly disputed equaliser. The 2-2 scoreline was an indication that the match was far from over, and Tenby went off at half-time looking very disappointed with their performance. The second half had just started when Mikey Boswell restored the Tenby lead at 3-2 fand after that they never looked back. Sam Christopher headed in to make the score 4-2 for the home team after some good runs when backed up by Brett Evans behind him. As the game progressed, the good play at left back by Kurt Walsh in getting Guto Griffiths into the attack and the brave tackling of Aaron Goldsmith gave Tenby some more control, resulting in Merlins Bridge having their penalty area packed most of the time. More goals looked inevitable, despite the heroics of Richard Reed, but when Boswell scored direct from a corner Tenby looked almost certain to progress to the next round of the cup. The home side were beginning to cruise by now, and with substitutes Henry Boot and Michael Halligan on, Tenby seemed to be regaining some of their usual control. Two more goals from Mikey Boswell and a goal from Robert Colley questioned the wisdom of the Merlins Bridge offside tactics, which had become something of a lottery for the visitors, as the score rose to 8-2. Just to remind Tenby of the fragility of their own defensive play, Richard Thomas was again brought into frantic action to make saves, before Merlins Bridge added another with a swift left wing move. Full credit to Tenby, however, they found another gear to their play, with strikers Mikey Boswell and Robert Colley scoring from central positions to make the final score 10-3. The excellent play of both goalkeepers was a feature of the match, with Richard Reed making some breathtaking saves from Mikey Boswell in the first half, and Richard Thomas earning the Picnic Basket player-of-the-match award for an outstanding performance in the Tenby goal. Tenby squad: Richard Thomas, Joe Scourfield, Henry Boot, Brett Evans, Scott Helmich, Luke Dedman, Ashley James, Guto Griffiths, Mikey Boswell, Aaron Goldsmith, Sam Christopher, Kurk Walsh, Michael Halligan, Rob Colley. Thanks to Liam Robson for refereeing and Appleyard Vending for refreshments. HUNDLETON U8s 0 TENBY AFC U8s 4
On a sunny morning in Hundleton, Tenby Under 8s took to the pitch for the first time in a couple of weeks due to the terrible weather we have been experiencing recently. Maybe this was the reason that the passing game Tenby have been employing of late took most of the first half to start working. When Tenby did manage to string a few passes together, the ball fell kindly for Joel Downes, whose first time shot did not hit the target. Tenby continued to press and a neat move between Tom Harries and Tom Dyson resulted in a corner. Dylan Rees worked a move with Tom Dyson, whose resulting cross was blasted goalward by Adam Muskett. The Hundleton 'keeper did well to parry this shot. For their part, Hundleton tried to hit Tenby on the break, only to be foiled by fine play from Daniel Evans and Dylan Rees. Tenby 'keeper William Davies was happy to only have a couple of easy touches of the ball in the first half. The deadlock was finally broken when a clearance by Joel Downes was passed on to Tom Harries, who found Tom Dyson. His shot bounced around the goalmouth and lone striker Declan Escott slotted his shot inside the post. This goal seemed to take the pressure off Tenby and another fine run by Declan Escott ended when his cross from wide out went straight into the Hundleton net. It seemed that every time Hundleton put some moves together they were thwarted by Daniel Evans, Dylan Rees and particularly in midfield by Adam Muskett. Just before half-time, a run and long-range shot by Dylan Rees was pushed away by the Hundleton 'keeper. Daniel Evans took over in goal at half-time, allowing William Davies to come out and play at fullback. The second half was only minutes old when striker Declan Escott turned provider. His fine run and cross was met in the goalmouth by Adam Muskett, who calmly put Tenby three-nil up. Hundleton kept coming forward in breaks and a well-timed tackle by William Davies allowed Daniel Evans to clear the ball quickly. This ball was touched on by Joel Downes to Declan Escott, whose cross was hammered into the goal by Tom Harries. With the score now four-nil to Tenby, there was just enough time for Dylan Rees to try another long-range shot, which was somehow scrambled away to safety by the Hundleton defence. Thanks to Park Road Chip Shop for sponsoring the team and all parents for their continued support.
Girls football
UNDER 10s: Tenby 10s picked up their first three points with a 4-0 win over Boro Boppers. Darcy Escort scored a hat-trick, with Holly Furlong adding the fourth. Lois Horsley played in goal, with Bethan Osborne keeping the defence tight. Polly Scotcher and Vicky Walters tackled well. In their second game against Goodwick, it was very close, but Goodwick just managed to scrape a goal to snatch a point away from Tenby. Squad: Lois Horsley, Vicky Walters, Polly Scotcher, Bethan Osborne, Holly Furlong, Darcy Escort. UNDER 12s: Tenby Tigers picked up six more points with good wins against Kilgetty and Neyland A, 4-0 and 2-0, respectively. Nia Thomas and Sophie Izzard scored twice against Kilgetty. Gracie Bevan and Sarah Patterson shared the defensive duties, while Elena Ciccotti and Ellen Thomas both went close to scoring. Rhiannon Harley kept a clean sheet in goal. Sophie Izzard scored both goals in the match against Neyland. Tenby Tornadoes won their first game of the season against Neyland B. Darcy Escort scored another hat-trick and Felicity Grigg scored her first ever goal. Roxy Paxton, Danielle Harries and Yasmin Woods all contributed to the victory Zoe Brumby kept a clean sheet in goal. Their second match was against a very experienced Clarbeston Road side and despite great determination they went down 6-0. Tigers: Nia Thomas, Sophie Izzard, Gracie Bevan, Ellen Thomas, Rhiannon Harley, Sarah Paterson, Elena Ciccotti. Tornadoes: Yasmin Woods, Roxy Paxton, Zoe Brumby, Danielle Harries, Felicity Grigg, Darcy Escort. UNDER 14s: With several 'A' team members not turning up this week, members of the B side readily helped out. Tenby 'A' beat Goodwick 1-0, with Ossie scoring. Tenby A met Tenby B, playing three-a-side, with the A side winning 2-0, with Ossie and Darcy scoring. The 'B' side met Saundersfoot. They lost 3-0, but had played well throughout the morning. Thanks to Louri, Kirsty, Amy and Cheek for bailing out the 'A' side. A special thanks to Darcy who ended up playing in all age groups. A squad: Danielle Osborne. B squad: Lowri Lewis, Kirsty Williams, Amy Murdoch, Cheek, Darcy Escort.