Kilgetty AFC

Kigetty had to fight hard for the win at home on Saturday, against a revitalised Hundleton side.

It was obvious from the start that coaches Kevin and Paul had been working hard with the little green men from Hundleton.  A much improved performance since our last encounter made sure that it was not going to be a walk in the park for our boys this time.

Kilgetty did well to keep a clean sheet, after the goalkeeper, Fletcher, had to be replaced at the last minute through injury.  Jaden opted to don the gloves in the first half, while Thomas took over in the second.

2 goals from the strikers Zac and Thomas made it a little more comfortable at half-time, but the Kilgetty defence were made to work hard in the second half as Hundleton presses the Kilgetty goal.  Fortunately, a solid defensive performance from Aled kept them at bay.

Dom was re-introduced with 2 minutes to go, and sealed the victory with a fantastic left-footed shot from 18 yards.

Kilgetty’s own little Brazilians were hosts to Camrose on Saturday, a team who have rightly been gaining a reputation as the best Pembrokeshire team at under eight level.

The weather was wet and freezing, but the only one feeling the temperature was the referee, as both teams came flying out of the traps from the first whistle.  Kilgetty showed little respect for the visitors reputation, and after five minutes of continous pressure at the Camrose end, they managed to force a goal.  Zac Rowell only needed the one opportunity presented, for him to slot the ball into the corner of the goal.

With their tails up, the little guys were never going to sit back on their lead, and after more Kilgetty pressure, Thomas Harding-Jones bagged a typical poachers goal from just a yard out, meaning the boys went into the half-time break with the game firmly in control.

After the break, Camrose showed why they hold such a fearsome reputation in Pembrokeshire.  Wave upon wave of attack on the Kilgetty goal suggested that the game was far from over, and it wasn’t long before Camrose got themselves back into the game with a finely crafted equaliser.  Camrose pressed further, to stamp their authority on the game, forcing the whole of the Kilgetty team to defend.

Some outstanding goalkeeping, resolute defending, and a rather large dollop of luck, assured that the score remained 2-1 to Kilgetty at the final whistle.  Camrose will have been disappointed not to find the equaliser. The return fixture at Camrose will be awaited with eager anticipation, but now the boys will need to concentrate on next week’s away game at Clarbeston Road, a fixture that may prove to be an even bigger test.

Two goals again seperated these two teams, in a thrilling encounter at James Park, but once more, it was the Vikings that came out on top.

A thunderbolt from Jaden made sure it was all level at half-time, setting up an exhilarating second half.

With Adam, Ollie & Dom all out, it was always going to be a tough challenge to overcome arguably the best U8s team in Pembrokeshire, and whilst the boys played with both passion & discipline, they were eventually undone by two finely crafted goals.

It was a stern test for the little guys in yellow, but some valuable lessons will have been learned.  Next week they face Tenby, and who knows? maybe, just maybe, an upset is in the offing.

Kilgetty’s Samba Boys built upon last weeks commanding performance at Hundleton, to deliver a warning message to the Pembrokeshire League’s Big Four.

In all fariness, Kilgetty came up against a team that are still learning their game, whilst some the Kilgetty players have been training together for two years.  The difference in experience was obvious. 

Our little guys controlled the game in every area of the pitch.  Showing great discipline in their positioning, their passing, and their movement off the ball.

You can be sure however, that next weeks encounter with Hakin will provide a much sterner test.  With Dom Booth & Adam Wilson away on international duty, the usual strength on the bench will be reduced, and the team will be without its regular keeper.  Hakin and Kilgetty met in a tight encounter pre-season, so all eyes will be on the match at James Park this Saturday, as the new boys attempt to rock the establishment.

Photography: Steve Swales

Kilgetty team: Euan Swan, William Swales (c), Dom Booth, Adam Wilson, Oliver Gamble, Jaden Elliot, Thomas Harding-Jones, Oliver Griffin, John Mansbridge.

The very youngest proponent of Kilgetty Football Club showed what they are capable of in an away tie that produced seven goals and a clean sheet.

What turned out to be a very comfortable win began very cautiously, and it took 15 miniutes before Thomas Harding-Jones sloted one into the bottom left hand corner of the Hundleton goal.  This though, was the event that lifted the shackles off the little guys, and gave them the belief and confidence that they were good enough.

Another goal before the break eased the nerves, but the half time conversations were all about keeping their concentration, and not letting the opposition back into the game.  Words not lost on the captain William, who made sure again, that nothing was conceded in defence.

Five more goals in the second half saw Kilgetty cruise through to the final whistle, but Hundleton can be consoled with the fact that they never gave up, with their little fellas coming close on a number of occasions, only to be thwarted by the outstanding goalkeeping of Dominic Booth.

The new boys of Kilgetty can hold their heads up high after a spirited performance on their Pembrokeshire League debut.  Two nil down at half-time, you could be forgiven for thinking that they boys would be down-hearted, but this bunch of little guys showed great character to come out after the break and turn things round.

Man-of-the-match Zac Rowell scored a second half hat-trick to put Kilgetty back in the driving seat, but the experience of the Clarbeston Road team told in the end, as they managed to reply with three more goals before the final whistle.

Congratulations to all the players invovled, and many thanks to William’s Dad for the fantastic photos (below) - each of which tells it’s own story.

Kilgetty Under 8s’ first pre-season friendly was a tough match against strong opposition down at the Observatory Ground.  Traditionally, Kilgetty teams have never found much favour over the bridge at Hakin, but our new boys looked strong, standing toe to toe with a team that had given out a 15-0 thrashing to the visitors the previous week.

Zac was without his usual strike partner, Thomas, who was away on a jolly up at Anfield, and it was Thomas’ absence that told as the boys struggled to get past the giant that was the Hakin centre-half.

William captianed the side on this outing and put in another great performance, marshalling the defence, whilst  Dom continued in goal and again made some remarkable saves - only being beaten on two occasions, through no fault of his own. New boy Ewan joined them at the back for his first Kilgetty start, and showed that he is definately capable of being another Kilgetty star.  Ewan and William looked very comfortable at the back together, communicating really well.

The midfield of Oliver, Ollie, John & Ryan, dominated the game for long periods against much taller opposition. Although Ollie’s somewhat “aggressive” style of play cost us a couple of free kicks, he definately had them rattled in the centre of the park.

Kyle had a great start up front with Zac, but as we roled the subs on and off, Kyle thankfully was also able to play in three different positions across the midfield.

Adam and little Tom began the game on the bench but were soon called into action, with Adam getting to play for long periods up front alongside Zac. Tom put in some brave tackles, and even tried taking on the ‘Giant’!

The closest we came to scoring was when Ollie, last season’s top goalscorer, managed to push the ball past their left-back, but the tight angle for the shot meant that he was only able to hit the side-netting.

The boys were unlucky to come away with nothing, but they can all hold their heads up high after a tremendous team effort.

The players and parents all enjoyed the hospitality after the match, and would like to thank Hakin for the warm reception they recieved, and are looking forward to meeting them again back at James Park!

Zac Rowell & Ollie Gamble were singled out by former Manchester United star, Gordon Hill, as two of the most promising up & coming palyers of their age group, when they attended the recent Gordon Hill Soccer School in Tenby.

Both boys were given special awards for their contribution over the three days.  Zac can be seen in the photo above holding the football, with Ollie on his right.