Rocko's Report

The season has been mixed so far. We started off pretty badly after a good pre-season. We went to Kilgetty and didn't play particularly well against a sharp team, and lost 4-2.Then we had a close game with Clarby Road and won a close game 1-0. Against Herby at home we played some really good football and won 4-2, on a pitch that allowed us to play the way we like. It was firm and we were able to play our wide game and defend in numbers.

Pennar was an experience for some of our younger players, in our team. Pennar were strong and were able to move the ball better than us. There was inexperience in defence with young players, and some of the older players that day didn't show much desire to play and we were defeated 6-1.

Then came Carew at home. We looked a little bit stronger that day. We played on the Meadow, which allowed for open passing football, with a lot of movement. Both sides enjoyed the freedom that the pitch gave them but we had the edge and won quite comfortably on the day.

Then we went to Herbranston, who we had all ready had a good result against. Going down there is always a leveller and all credit to Herby, they got at us and we didn't play very well against them in awful weather conditions,. Again some of our players were not up for it, and some slack marking and poor finishing left us short. There are times and conditions that require you to dig in and be physically up for it, and this was one of them, and it was a learning curve for us.

We looked at the fixtures coming up then, Hakin away, Pennar home and Merlin's Bridge. Three of the best sides in the league.
It was the Hakin game we focussed in on. We went down there with a young side, Shane Earp and Gethin Roberts , Brett Evans,and Dave Rees all young players all looking to improve. Strong midfield with Matthew Ellis, Dai Davies and Ross Gray and Matthew Cort and Robbo and Mike Preddy up front. We with Bobby Briers coming in from the Welsh League. We had were unfortunate to go down to 10 players, but could have gone in at 4-1 on the half if we had been tighter in defence and had a bit of luck in front of goal. In all fairness we kept at it and knuckled down, but Pennar were too strong for us with Joner and Adam Davies up front.

Against Pennar we had Tyrell Webbe and Neil Thomas in the side. We looked quite strong and should have been 2 or 3 up, but then we found ourselves down to 10 men when Dave Rees was sent off. Refs these days are too quick to hand out cards these days for petty things and get intimidated by the home teams. In the second half we were down to 9 men after another ridiculous decision, and still looked like we could win. Then Pennar got a fluky goal. We didn't deserve that result.

We are starting to show a lot of spirit, a lot of heart. Lloyd Wilson has been excellent in midfield, and the lads are beginning to roll their sleeves up and are beginning to believe they can win games.

We moved on to Merlin's Bridge..the champions of Pembrokeshire. We had players missing through injury and suspension, but with Ronnie Beynon's help we brought some players in from the youth set-up. We played on the lower meadow which cut up as the game went on.

The game started well for us and we played some of our best football to date and scored a great goal to take the lead. As the pitch cut up, the conditions began to favour the Bridge, and they equalised just before half-time. Towards the end of the game it was backs against the wall stuff, but we dug in and showed the resilience we need to get results in conditions like that.

We want players that are prepared to do the hard work and work for everyone and be a team player and this is the kind of side we are developing.

I think we have turned the corner and things will get better from here on in. The boys have nothing to be ashamed off as they have been working hard, even though the results are going against us. We are building a great team spirit, and things will turn for the better. They are young lads and people have to be patient, as they will certainly start to show their capabilities, and the results and the league position will improve.

Hwyl Fawr

Rocko