Clarbeston Road Under 9s 1 Tenby Under 9s 3

Tenby Under 9s went on the ‘Road’ this week to face Clarbeston Road at the astro in Haverfordwest. Water wings were a necessity for all concerned!

With the match enduring extreme weather conditions, it was decided that eleven a side should be played to try and keep all players as warm as possible (even if not dry!)

The away side played with three at the back, utilising wing backs to create space on the large expansive pitch.

Again as in the previous week, neither team could beat the opposing ’keeper in the first period’s stalemate.

The Seasiders’ Dylan’s grandparents, obviously experienced outdoors folk, were certainly dressed for the occasion to cheer the team on!

After a chat at the interval and a warm penguin Antarctic style huddle, the visitors remembered about their pass and move style.

The visitors opened the scoring in the second period with Sam converting a well taken goal. Tenby’s back three of Louis, Tyler and Thomas were focused, totally assured and outfoxing the Clarby Road team at all moments - well done you solid lads! Jesse never lost focus for the entirety!

Again, a regroup at half-time, and a chat to say about two touch passing, control and spatial awareness, led to Tenby’s best period. Great passing gave Evan the opportunity to make it two, which he duly did in his nonchalant style. A few minutes later Arlo scored a long range screamer to put Tenby three up after the third period.

Tenby’s Ethan Wright had a great shot more conducive to pinball, I’m sure the ball hit both posts and the crossbar without going over the white line - shows the lads power!

In the final period, the home side pulled a goal back to make the final score 1-3 to Tenby.

Bailey had a great game for the Seasiders endlessly running up and down the channels, may have been better to ‘swim the channel!’

In terms of man of the match, it had to go to Ethan Lewis who had a superb game in attack. Ethan naturally drifts in behind the leading striker to play the classy number 10 role. Not only does Ethan pull out wide demanding the ball, but he linked up play ever so well with all concerned. Ethan takes a great corner, a dream for a tall centre half in the future! Ethan is a great character to have a round. Keep up the good form Ethan!

Thanks to all the parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents for your support in very testing conditions to say the least! The coach needs to invest in some windscreen wipers for his glasses.

Team: Jesse Craig, Louis Rapi, Tyler Simpson, Thomas Strong, Bailey Joyce, Evan Coleman, Dylan Sine, Arlo Jones, Sam Hughes, Ethan Lewis, Ethan Wright.

Mumbles Rangers 0 Tenby 1

After weeks of rain and two cancelled opportunities at home, Tenby U16s were forced to travel east to Swansea to take on Mumbles Rangers in the West Wales Cup recently.

With Mumbles currently sitting top of the Swansea U16 league, the Seasiders knew they were in for a tough encounter, and you could sense the nervous anticipation amongst the boys before kick-off.

Both teams kept it tight early on, neither side wanting to make any mistakes. Tenby soon realised that they wouldn’t get the time on the ball they are used to as Mumbles chased every ball.

It was the home side that settled into the game quicker and soon looked to get a breakthrough. Tenby however stood firm and dealt with everything sent at them.

As the first half drew to a close, with what seemed to be an even half-time score, the visitors found themselves deep in the Mumbles half.

A neat ball through found young Ollie Morris, borrowed for the day from Tenby U15s, who toe-poked the ball past the Mumbles ’keeper to give Tenby a one goal lead at the break.

Mumbles came out for the second half looking for an equaliser. Wave after wave of pressure came Tenby’s way, but it’s safe to say that every single player put their bodies on the line to keep that slender advantage.

As the clock ticked down, the home side threw more players forward, which in turn allowed the visitors to counter attack, but to no avail.

The score line remained 1-0, and Tenby U16s came home with a battling victory which now sets up a mouthwatering home tie versus Carmarthen Stars in the West Wales Cup quarter-final on Saturday, February 24.

Both coaches, Gareth and Dene, agreed that it was impossible to choose a man of the match as all 13 boys on the day stood up proudly for the red and black of Tenby, well done boys.