TENBY UNDER 14s 0

COCKETT COLTS 2

The Andrew Price sponsored U14s made the trip to Stebonheath, the home of Llanelli AFC, to play in this year's Ray Nedin West Wales Cup Final.

This year's final was between Tenby and the Swansea League side Cockett Colts, who have dominated their own league this season.

The boys have worked hard this season and were the last to get to a West Wales final, and enjoyed what was a excellent night for everyone involved in the U14s set up.

The pitch was in an excellent condition and the squad were all itching to get on and enjoy the occasion. The only down side for the Tenby squad was that Harri Vaughan was unable to play because of a suspension.

There was a good following from Tenby in the stand and this settled the boys' nerves.

As the game kicked off, the difference in size was noticeable. Cockett were a big side and used this to their advantage. Without Harri at the back, who has been a rock in defence this season, Harry and Jack worked hard to keep the Colts quiet. Ben had his best game for a long time and made some crunching tackles, as did Adam and Billy.

All of a sudden, Tenby had a grip on the game and moved the ball well. Dafydd and Jorge had limited possession, but worked back to help the midfield. George and Fraser tried to keep some width, but a well-organised Cockett closed down the space as both teams worked hard for possession.

A foul on the Tenby left was met by a sharp blast from the referee's whistle. The ball was placed down, the defenders and forwards battled for positions, the ball that came in was a brilliant one, and it hit the back of the net , giving the Tenby 'keeper no chance.

The boys' heads did drop for a few moments and Cockett grabbed the game and had wave upon wave of attack. Harry stood firm and battled for every ball. The boys seemed to act on this and, when Matthew headed a certain goal off the line with a massive leap, Tenby began playing their best football.

A shot from the midfield saw the Cockett 'keeper fumble, but as the ball went goalwards he reached out and seemed to pull the ball back from behind the goal line. The boys all appealed, but the man that mattered said "no goal", much to everyone's disapproval, so the first half finished 1-0 to Cockett.

The boys had a good team talk in the dressing room and came back onto the field with a new belief. Jack pushed into midfield to add a bit of beef and the trio of Adam, Billy and Jack now had more of the ball and started to put some telling passes in behind the Colts' defence as Jorge and Dafydd ran into space.

Tenby also had to work hard at the back, though, as the game went from end to end.

Cockett knocked a ball down Tenby's right and it looked as if it was running out, but excellent run from the Cockett left wing saw him deliver a ball across the six-yard box and, with Tenby's defence stretched, an excellent finish from the right-sided midfielder made the score 2-0.

But again credit to Tenby, they pulled their sleeves up and put in more hard work, but to be fair they were up against an excellent side who had quality all over the field.

Malley came on for Ben and slotted into midfield. He has become a very important player this season and has played his heart out for the team.

Tenby threw everything at Cockett and forced their 'keeper into a series of good saves.

The Tenby supporters willed on the boys to score, but it was not be and the game finished 2-0 to Cockett Colts, a fair result if truth be told.

The whole squad enjoyed one of their biggest footballing experiences and all of them can hold their heads high; they are indeed a credit to themselves and to Tenby AFC.

Thanks to Dene Hurlow and Kevin Ferney for all the help and advice, not just for the West Wales Cup, but for all their hard work with the club, and again thanks to everyone who came to Llanelli and shared the boys' fantastic night .'Well done boys'.

team: Jack B, Matthew, Ben, Harry (C), Jack, Billy, Adam, Fraser, Jorge, Dafydd, George, Malley, Euan, Morgan.

Haverfordwest County U10s 1

Tenby U10s 7

Tenby U10s, sponsored by Quay West of Newquay, played their last game of the season away at Haverfordwest County and turned in another fine performance.

Robson Evans opened the scoring from close range and was in the right place, at the right time, for his and his side's second goal.

Tenby passed the ball with confidence and soon were three goals to the good when Darren Gibson's intelligent pass found Jacob Hipkiss, who made no mistake with a great shot.

Just before the interval, Rhys Morgan dummied his way passed two defenders to score with a low drive in to the corner of the Bluebirds' goal.

Haverfordwest came out with all guns blazing at the beginning of the second half and were rewarded with a brilliant solo effort from their midfielder.

However, Tenby regained their composure and increased their lead when James Gardner picked out Evans at the far post and the diminutive winger got his well deserved hat-trick.

Tate Lawrence, who had a fine game at left back, linked well with Levi Hughes and his low hard cross was turned in by Harri Phillips.

Rhys Grigg, in the Tenby goal, made several good saves and his long clearance found Gibson who set-up Phillips for his second of the game and Tenby's seventh.