Saturday saw the early season League leaders clash under blue skies at the Monkton Swifts ground.

Both sides went into the match with three wins from their opening fixtures, an exciting clash was expected and didn’t disappoint.

New Hedges Saundersfoot Utd (NHS) exploded out of the blocks, clearly intending to continue the flowing style of attacking football that has been mastered on the manicured pitch on the King George V playing fields, but was more difficult to produce on the well used surface at Monkton.

The young Monkton side struggled early on to take the match to NHS, but showed touches of promise, bolstered by some experienced older heads, it was clear that NHS wouldn’t have it all their own way.

With Ross Gray unavailable due to the imminent arrival of offspring and Sam Coleman away, another reshuffle of the pack was required.

Taine Brace slotted in at the back with Richard Bambrick replacing Sammy in midfield. Up front the free scoring Michael Ryder gamely battled despite a bout of flu flooring him during the week.

With 20 minutes played, up popped Ryder to put NHS ahead, however the goal galvanised Monkton and seven minutes later the scores were level.

The entertaining spectacle continued in a familiar breathless style, a free kick awarded to NHS just before the break saw Jack Franklin celebrate his birthday in some style, smashing a 25 yard free kick up over the wall crashing into the roof of the Monkton net.

The second half saw the home side raising their performance and work rate. The normally miserly NHS defence was being stretched by the speedy Monkton marauders and it appeared that the NHS side were tiring.

Injuries to Bambrick and Rhys Bates saw them substituted, Ricky battled on with a back injury and Ben Gray heroically continued, after many knocks to see a fine header rebound off the crossbar.

As the pressure built it seemed inevitable that an equaliser was coming, a good move produced a neat finish to tie the score.

Then the flat back four saw a foot race between the Monkton striker and Ben, both went down and the decision was a penalty, and the hosts converted to take the lead.

In the closing quarter chances fell to Ryder and Simmons but neither were able to grab the equaliser. The final goal for the home side came after a goalmouth mix up and the points went to the hosts with the final score of 4-2.

The combatants now exchange league positions, Monkton top, NHS in second place. Thanks for the fourth and last match sponsorship by Gerald Hewitt painting, decorating and property management.

Pictured with Club chairman Chris Williams are Danny and Stevie Roache of the Saundersfoot Beach Company who are polo shirt sponsors.