County schools finish a good season (From Western Telegraph)

County schools finish a good season

U12s County Schools Football: Swansea Schools 4 Pembrokeshire Schools 0

PEMBROKESHIRE'S most successful schools' squad this season were beaten by a strong Swansea Schools team away from home in the quarter finals of the Welsh Schools Cup.

Pembrokeshire gave a spirited performance in good conditions against mobile opposition, but conceded two goals in each half to see any hope of going any further in the competition disappear.

Pembrokeshire were soon under pressure when a deep right wing cross just missed Tom Blaxland's post, but they quickly got into the game themselves when Alex Harley fed Darryl Mansbridge whose final effort gave some anxiety in the Swansea defence.

The home attack spread the play well, but full-backs Callum Proctor and Osian Wyn marked the strikers well in the wide positions, with Steffan James and Stephen Pugh stopping the direct route to the Pembrokeshire goal at the edge of the penalty area.

Pembrokeshire's task was made difficult when Swansea scored directly from a high inswinging corner at the far post, but the visitors soon shook off this setback, with several attacks of their own built up through Daniel Bryce and Greg Brown who supported the energetic Harley in competing with a skilful and strong Swansea midfield unit.

The play was dominated by counter attacks by both teams, and after some heroic blocks in the Pembrokeshire goal area, Swansea made the score 2-0 from close range after some desperate defending.

Facing the sun in the second half, Pembrokeshire's back four had a busy time containing a forward line eager to run up a big score. James and Pugh blocked the middle well and organised the back line to restrict the scoring opportunities to some long range shots or through passes which ran through to their goalkeeper.

Blaxland went off injured in the middle of the second half when flattened taking a high ball, and his replacement, Peter Scammell was soon in action, safely catching a hard 20-yard shot.

Swansea's pressure was rewarded when they went 3-0 up after a low cross, but this did not deter Pembrokeshire making several attacks of their own although the final shooting did not pose any real threat.

Swansea were awarded a free kick at the edge of the Pembrokeshire penalty area, and from the resultant hard shot Scammell turned the ball round the post for the best save of the match.

Pembrokeshire briefly fought back with Harley putting some dangerous corner kicks and Rhys Dalling on the Pembrokeshire left beat his marker on several occasions, to try and supply Steffan Williams and Mansbridge.

Declan Carroll showed some nice touches as the game progressed and Swansea showed what a talented squad they had on the pitch.

Swansea kept the visitors under constant pressure, but Pembrokeshire' s fitness held out well and a long high shot which Peter Scammell could only turn onto the post, settled an interesting match with a final scoreline of 4-0.

Pembrokeshire performed well as a squad against very good opposition.

Coach Angela Nicholls said: "The commitment from each and every squad member has been excellent this season and the boys have competed well at a high level. They are a credit to their schools, clubs and County."

Pembrokeshire Schools Squad: Tom Blaxland, Daniel Bryce, (Taskers); Stephen Pugh, Greg Brown, (Thomas Picton); Alex Harley, Callum Proctor, Darryl Mansbridge, (Greenhill); Osian Wyn, Steffan Williams, Steffan James, (Preseli); Rhys Dalling, (Fishguard), Declan Carroll, (Pembroke), Peter Scammell (Netherwood)

Pembrokeshire Schools FA would like to thank Main Sponsor: Phil Owen Electrics and Team Sponsor: Oakwood; The Factory Shop and InfoTech Computer Sales and Training.