On Saturday New Hedges Saundersfoot (NHS) made the journey over the Cleddau Bridge to the shores of Milford Athletic FC and the first of a double headed fixture with a Pill Lane playing surface that was not for the faint hearted!

With aspirations of promotion well within touching distance, the NHS squad was fully utilised with a re shuffle of the starting line-up.

With Captain and Goalkeeper Justin Silver unavailable as he had taken his flower ‘Lowri’ up to Scotland for the rugby, the gloves and captain’s armband were dually donned by the ever-reliable Geoff Marsh whom was called into action within the first five minutes with a fine save to keep the gritty Milford side at bay.

The ever-committed Gethin Hewson was solid in the right back position and 17-year-old Taine Brace showed his versatility slotting in at left back.

The experienced pairing of Stu Maclaren and Sam Coleman held firm at the back and with the reliable Joe Simmons and tireless Jack Franklin on the flanks, this formed a central midfield combination of live wire Evan Owen and the driving force of stalwart Rich Bambrick.

With both sides exchanging attacking opportunities, it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken and the first goal of the day for striker Nick Cope who confidently pounced onto a loose ball within the box to open the scoring.

With the away team building up confidence and NHS patiently grinding down the plucky Milford side, a second goal emerged with Franklin using outstanding technique to make the finish with a left footed hooked shot that left the home keeper flat footed with no chance.

As temperatures grew and tackles exchanged, both sides tested the home referee’s resilience. A second goal materialised for Cope with a neat assist from left back Brace to make it 0-3 at half time.

With the sides turning at the break, the Milford guard were unable to handle the fluency of the NHS attack. Further goals were added by the goal hungry striker Adam Davison and a penalty cooly converted by the organised Coleman.

As the game approached the final third on came the reinforcements of Steff Howells, Ukranian signing Vlad Vertyporokh and Billy Umanee to add fresh legs in finishing the task in hand.

Proceedings drew to a close and the final goal of the day for Evan ‘Legs’ Owen who covered every inch and blade of what grass that was visible to make thefinal scoreline of 0-6.

All in all, it was job done for the away side and a happy smiling manager Alan Brindley grabbing the three points to make his merry way back across the bridge...!

This weekend is the last home fixture of the season with Milford Athletic to visit the King George playing fields, with the hosts looking forward to seeing all supporters at the game and in the club for afters.