Herbie make it two out of two (From Western Telegraph)

Herbie make it two out of two

Herbrandston 2 Tenby 1 By Hywel Gibbs

Two games into their season in Division One and Herbrandston must be thinking it's a breeze playing against the best teams in Pembrokeshire.

Two games, two wins, against two teams which are a match for any side. On the opening day of the current season, Herbie defeated neighbours St Ishmaels 2-1 and on Saturday they beat Tenby by the same margin.

Saturday's result was perhaps even more impressive. Derby games can often bring up a shock result and with all due respect to Herbrandston, despite losing some key players in the close season, 'Tish would have been expected to win the game.

On Saturday, the home side took the field without some key players and they battled away right to the final whistle and came away with the points.

In the first half they had the wind at their backs and utilised it well. In the second, they had to be bold in defence as Tenby attacked in waves.

Buoyant after their mid week victory, Herbie started the better of the sides. They harassed the Tenby players, closing them down quickly, nulifying the threat of the vistitor's skillful team.

Within ten minutes they were 1-0 up. As Tenby tried the play the ball upfield, Herbie intercepted, played the ball down the right hand flank and Steve Batty was in the box to receive the cross to powerfully head the ball home.

Soon after and they were nearly two goals to the good as Clive Marshallsay almost latched on to a mix up in the Tenby defence, but Ben Evans was quick enough to be on his guard. Mid-way through the half and the game took on a frantic pace. The challenges were hard, yet fair and neither side was able to really take control.

Despite being handicapped by a stiff breeze, Tenby did have their chances in the home team's half. Scott McGlaughlin went close with a free-kick, while soon after, Ryan Lawrence had a free-kick brilliantly saved by 'keeper, Steve Diamond.

It looked for all the world that the kick would go in. Lawrence struck it around the wall towards the bottom left hand corner, but Diamond flung himself low to the right and made a superb save, pushing the ball wide.

Not long after this acrobatic effort, and Tenby were another goal down. In an attempt to move the ball upfield from inside their own half, Paul Hood produced a thunderous tackle on Lawrence and managed to pass the ball on to Lyndon Clark who was sprinting down the right wing. He took hold of the ball, outstripped the defence, cut inside, and with Ben Evans approaching to narrow down the angle, calmly, and nonchalantly, tucked the ball into the bottom left hand corner for an excellent goal.

Tenby got more into the game following this set back, but with the half drawing to a close they just couldn't manage a goal.

The second half was a different kettle of fish altogether. This time Tenby had the wind and they bombarded the home team's goal. They piled copious amounts of pressure on Herbie's defence but to no avail. All credit to the home side, they were very organised at the back. Despite all this pressure, there were few shots on target and Tenby could only score from a penalty.

Hood brought down Lawrence in the box and Phil Catlin was the man to score from the spot. Buoyant after this, Gavin Scotcher, Mclaughlin and Catlin all went close but Diamond was up to the task.

Herbrandston too had their chance to score but Matthew Price shot over the bar towards the end of the game, but the miss was academic, as Herbie won again.