The West Wales Cup returned to King George V Playing Fields on Saturday, with the re-emerging New Hedges Saundersfoot United team having drawn the Carmarthenshire League leaders Gorseinon Athletic in the first round, as stern a task as possible, but one that the players embraced in front of a large and ever growing crowd.

Both sides were evenly matched early on, unfortunately NHS had to field a massively reshuffled pack with the entire midfield of Dan Bates, Sammy Coleman and Richard Bambrick being unavailable.

Ryan Lawrence and keeper Geoff Marsh were also both missing, but a major plus was the return of Ross Gray at the back adding stability and quality distribution.

Opportunities to impress were handed to Jordan Jones and Billy Umanee in the starting line up along with the unfamiliar subs bench.

The confident league leaders soon got into their stride and before too long grabbed a two goal lead, all was not lost though as the ever lively Jack Franklin finished off a move of quality with aplomb.

A rush of blood from the experienced Ben Gray saw him receive a deserved yellow card for a dangerous challenge. He now knew that another error could lead to a sending off.

The second half saw NHS defend bravely as Gorseinon stamped their authority on the match, two more goals followed before a mistimed tackle by Ben saw a second, possibly unfortunate, yellow card being flourished, leaving NHS to defend for the remainder of the match a man down.

The goals continued to flow as the depleted home side defended heroically, time and again throwing bodies at attempts on goal.

Home custodian Justin Silver produced a string of superb stops to keep the score a little more respectable.

NHS emptied the bench with players tiring, seeing Jack Mearns, Cas Boyd, Luke Merrony, Stephen Branch and Simon Brace take the field, unfortunately to no avail as the match finished with a 8-1 reversal.

With the cup exit confirmed, a return to league action follows with St Clears the visitors this Saturday.

Many thanks goes to match sponsors Shrublands Caravan Park, Saundersfoot, the club’s lovely neighbours.

Club chairman, Chris Williams is seen with a representative of polo shirt sponsor M & M Windows.