Cardiff & Vale Schools U15s 6 - Pembrokeshire Schools Under 15s 2
Pembrokeshire Schools Under 15s played their counterparts at Cardiff and Vale Schools on the 3G surface at the Leckwith Stadium and although they battled hard went down to one of the top sides in Wales.
Cardiff went ahead after six minutes but Pembrokeshire responded with some good passing moves in which Jake Merry and captain Ben Fawcett were prominent. Although Cardiff were continuously dangerous, Pembrokeshire produced several goal attempts following runs by Cieran Rees and Jack Wilson, who hit the post, and had other attempts blocked on the goal line.
Wilson was always dangerous on the Pembrokeshire right side of the pitch with good runs at the home defence and using a long throw which caused problems in the Cardiff defence.
Cardiff proceeded to take a 2-0 lead until Ben Fawcett reduced the arrears with q a well-taken penalty kick which had been awarded for handball. Cardiff were exceptionally dangerous down their left side and Ryan Rowlands stuck to the task of covering two or three players in the right back position, to enable the rest of the defence to get back.
After Pembs failed to take what looked like some straight forward goal scoring opportunities, Cardiff scored again from close range and the half-time scoreline of 3-1 was a fair reflection of play.
The second half saw Cardiff make several substitutions with skilful players eager to impress, with some dangerous high speed attacking runs causing continuous pressure.
Dylan Noot made a sound start in the Pembs goal in what was his first appearance for the Under 15s but more goals by Cardiff looked inevitable, although some resolute all-round team play by Pembrokeshire kept the score line down. Alaric Jones reduced the arrears with a fiercely taken free kick from 20 yards before Cardiff emphasised their superiority with a goal at the end of a good game.
The 6-2 scoreline does not reflect the amount of goal chances created by Pembrokeshire’s young players, or the promising performances of Carl Thomas and Kieran Allen, who were making a start in this age group of county schools’ football. The team needs to retain more of the ball and convert its goal scoring opportunities early in matches, if it is to improve results in the remainder of the national Welsh County Schools Competition.
Pembrokeshire Schools Under 15s squad versus Cardiff and Vale Schools:
E. McCormick (STP); Ryan Rowlands (Pembroke); Kieran Allen (Greenhill); M.Richards (STP); B. Fairbairn (Milford Haven); Jake Merry (STP); Jack Wilson (Milford Haven); Ben Fawcett (Milford Haven); Ceiran Rees (St Davids); Alaric Jones (Tasker Milward); O. Gamble (Greenhill); E. Payne (STP) Carl Thomas (Greenhill); Dylan Noot (Greenhill)