New Hedges/Saundersfoot United (NHS) are celebrating promotion from Division 5 in their first season of re-forming!

For the team’s final match of the season recently, the Caldey Construction, Wisemans Bridge Inn, and Truebloc sponsored side travelled to St Clears, and with everything still in the balance of a possible promotion, it was to be a test of character for Alan Brindley’s side.

With NHS dominating the opening exchanges, it would not be long before the opening break through in the seventh minute, with Sam Coleman cooly converting from the penalty spot after a rash challenge from the St Clears back four rear guard.

The hosts dusted themselves down and pushed forward with a counter attack break, resulting in a return penalty, which hit the upright and was dually scrambled away.

NHS continued in the second half with a vice like grip on proceedings, but had to wait until the 73rd minute before grabbing a second, thanks to a neat assist from youngster Evan Owen to set up Adam Davidson.

Davidson made it 0-3 in the 79th minute, and NHS looked to push for vital goals that could well prove decisive in the promotion battle with Cosheston.

Sub Stuart Mclaren hit a fourth and final goal of the day, unleashing a 25-yard pile driver that would leave the keeper flat footed and with no chance.

Could this be the decisive goal that would see the newly reformed NHS promoted at the first time of asking? And so the team would have to wait to find out the result of rivals Cosheston, who would need to score eight goals or more against a rejuvenated Pembroke Borough to claim second spot.

With an entertaining and rather interesting finale to the game to say the least, which proved to be a proper nail biter, the final score line of 7-2 would not be enough for Cosheston, and left them falling short in their goal quest to overtake NHS for promotion.

With jubilant scenes right into the night at the NHS clubhouse in Saundersfoot, credit must go to the full squad of players, management and committee members who have been involved from day one in putting the side back where they belong in Pembrokeshire football.

A big thank you goes to all sponsors for their continued support over the season and a special thanks to Andrew, Victoria and staff at Pembrokeshire Laundry Services for the preparation of the kit throughout the season.

County Councillor for Saundersfoot’s south ward, Cllr Chris Williams offered his congratulations to the team.

“I would like to thank everyone associated with New Hedges/Saundersfoot Utd football club. It is fantastic to see football back in the village along with a general buzz especially at home games and back in the club,” he said.

“This has been a team effort, from the sponsors, committee, players, coaches and the past players who have all been so supportive.

“For the club to have gained promotion in its first year has to be applauded. The club can now look forward to pushing on and hopefully start to build a junior system to support senior football in years to come.

“Hopefully, with the awarded grant of £29,000 for the changing rooms and investment into the facilities, the club can look forward with optimism. I’m sure work will be underway for next season and that the club will support both boys and girls’ junior sides,” added Cllr Williams.