Games Review
Scroll down to read the lates Game Reviews.
This Seasons
Goal Scorers
23 - 02 - 2008
League
Smith 45
Mason 26
Lewis 8
Williams 7
Kendrick 6
Fieldhouse 4
Cole 2
Clements 2
I. Baker 2
Wheeler 1
P. Baker 1
23rd February 2008
Carew 7 - Cardiff & UWIC 2
Despite controlling the game from the start It took 20 mins for Carew to get infront with a goal from Kendrick. The defence of Ferguson, Moseley, Head and Cole were rarely troubled up to this point with Goalkeeper Thomas a mere spectator. How things changed after the first goal went in. Mason got Carew's second but Cardiff replied almost straight away catching Carew out with a soft goal. Smith got on the scoreboard with a deft touch chipped over the Cardiff keeper that was presented to him after some intelligent play from Williams and Pritchard down the right wing, shortly followed by Carew's 4th when Lewis intercepted a hit out and put Smith in on goal for his second. Cardiff again hit back with another soft reply to make it 4 - 2 at the interval.
Stong words from a half time team talk and Carew came out taking the initiative. Wheeler's distribution options had been cut down as Cardiff had seen the danger of Williams coming down the right but this only opened up gaps for Wheeler to exploit down the middle. However Kendrick got his second from the ball being worked out of defence down the left flank and this was shortly followed by Kendrick's third to put the game out of Cardiff's grasp. Cardiff hit Carew with some decisive runs down the wings bringing several saves out of Carew's Goalkeeper Leigh Thomas who gave a spectacular second half performance.
Lewis came close to scoring on several occasions but could only be the provider in this game having set up several goal scoring chances for Mason and Smith. With 10 mins to the end Clements came on for Lewis and found himself in acres of space feeding the ball into the Cardiff 'D' for Mason to put the icing on the cake scoring Carew's 7th goal before being substituted for Baker.
A win next week away against the Aberystwyth Students will Crown Carew as League Champions for the season.
Team: L. Thomas, S. Kendrick (Cpt), D. Ferguson, S. Moseley, J. Smith, D. Head, G. Cole, B. Wheeler, E. Williams, T. Pritchard, N. Lewis, M. Clements, I. Baker.
Umpires: Dave Miller. Jane Wheeler.
16th February 2008
UW Swansea 1 - Carew 5
The question was could Carew continue the run of form they are in away against a strong student team.
The answer was a resounding Yes.
Carew were unable to take full advantage of the amount of ball that they had from the start of the game bringing several saves from the Student keeper. It took 10 mins for Carew to take the lead with a strike from the top of the 'D' by Williams who down the right was to give the Swansea defence more than enough trouble though out the game and found himself continually fouled as he left them in his tracks. Pritchard gave a really good account of himself at right back taking the ball back up the pitch with strong runs down the wing while on the left Cole and Lewis linked well to give the Students trouble on both flanks. However Carew's second goal came from a drive through the middle by Kendrick to set up Williams for a shot which Lewis tucked away.
Central defenders Ferguson and Head were rarely troubled in the first quarter of the game but some sloppy passing gifted the students possession and from a quick brake Carew Goalie Leigh Thomas made a great save to keep the visitors goal intact. But from a spell of indiscipline Carew conceded a short corner which the students put away from a well worked routine.
Both forwards Smith and Mason had found themselves crowded out on several occasions and despite some superb inter play when they did manage to get into the 'D' they could only hit the post and the crossbar! However it was Smith who brought the scoreline to 3 - 1 at half time when his shot from a short corner rebounded off the keeper for him to hammer into the net.
The second half saw Carew get on top of the game and rarely put a foot wrong. However more shots hitting the post and going just wide and several short corners that would simply not go in kept the scoreline down for most of the second half until from a set piece Wheeler placed the ball for Mason to direct into the goal at the near post to make it 4 - 1.
Substitutions with P. Baker, I. Baker and Clements coming on saw a reshuffle in positions. Clements got onto the ball and from a sniping run found Smith who put the game beyond doubt and making the final score 5 - 1.
Next week Carew face a strong Cardiff team who Carew just managed to beat in Cardiff in a gruelling game that ended 6 - 5. Carew will need to be on top of their game if they are to maintain their 100% home record.
Team:
L. Thomas (GK), D. Ferguson, G. Cole, S. Kendrick (Capt), E. Williams, N. Lewis, J. Smith, B. Wheeler,
D. Head, J. Mason, T. Pritchard, M. Clements, I. Baker, P. Baker.
Feb 9th
Carew 5 - Bridgend 0
Author D.Head.
On a fine spring morning with the sun shining, Carew took on a Bridgend side determined to make amends for their early season 6-3 home defeat. The home ground for Carew had become known as a ‘fortress’ with an impeccable home record in the league this season. The Rooks in no mood for letting the fans down.
The battle of wills inevitably led to a first half stalemate with both ‘keepers rarely troubled by counter-attacks. Right half Emlyn Williams made some headway down the flank, with the midfield pairing of captain Kendrick and the veteran Wheeler showing promise but no end results. Carew welcomed back centre-forward James Mason for this game after an extended Christmas break in the hope that his partnership with strike partner Jamie Smith would reignite a goal bonanza.
Left half Ned Lewis made a slow start to the game compared with the high standards he set the previous week, but his confidence grew as the game wore on. There was a new look Carew defence this week which took some time to settle into their pre-match game-plan. However, ever-present sweeper Dave Ferguson marshalled the defence well, with Dwayne Head slotting into an unfamiliar left back role for the absent Grant Cole, and Simon ‘Smokey’ Moseley reverting to centre-back given specific man marking roles. Tom Pritchard found himself at right back for this game having previously made his mark in the centre of the field.
At half time captain Mwnci Kendrick was able to air his now infamous “Ok, its 0-0 at half time” speech not used for a long time. Frustrations were high due to a lack of the goals which usually mark Carew’s games. Sub Martin Fieldhouse gave an insight from the sideline and Wheeler gave some much needed guidance.
The second half began much as the first ended with the defence rolling up their sleeves and setting about their tasks with grit. The Smokey/Ferguson partnership began to control the opposition well, with the occasions they did get into the defensive ‘D’ being dealt with quickly and effectively by Carew goalkeeper Leigh Thomas and his cat-like reflexes. Right back Pritchard settled and began to supply Williams with some good passes.
With the defence now functioning well, the half backs Lewis and Williams began to enjoy the freedom of both flanks, Lewis now settling in and providing pace and agility down the left, Williams with his trademark one-handed marauding runs setting the right on fire.
A miss-hit up front led to centre-forward Smith continuing his phenomenal strike rate this season, followed soon after by Mason with a goal on his return and then another for a quick fire brace. Mwnci left the pitch at this point to get some fresh legs on in the form of Fieldhouse who was eager to impress.
The Bridgend side did not roll, over with attacks still coming down both flanks. Left back Head provided cover across the back of the pitch with some determined running and well timed challenges to allow Carew to regroup.
Further substitutions ensued with Ian Baker taking to the field to replace Smith, and Matt Clements replacing Pritchard at right back. Williams’ neat work resulted in an excellent pass to Fieldhouse in front of goal for a simple tap in to make it four.
The Bridgend defence simply could not handle the pacey Williams as he swept into the D and took a deserved goal for the fifth.
A mazy run left half Lewis, facilitated by Baker’s neat pass almost generated a sixth but the job was done. With at least third place in the bag, Carew march on to face the Swansea students away.
Team:
L. Thomas (GK), D. Ferguson, S. Kendrick (Capt), E. Williams, N. Lewis, J. Smith, B. Wheeler,
S. Moseley, D. Head, T. Pritchard, M. Fieldhouse, I. Baker, J. Mason, M. Clements.
Umpires: Jane Wheeler. Dave Miller.
2nd February 2008
Swansea Bay 4 - Carew 5
A team that Carew put 13 goals past at home were strengthened considerably for their own home fixture and took the lead after 5 mins of play. Carew have not had such a tough game all season but with promotion looking on the cards it was a good test to see how they would fair against the higher opposition they will meet next year.
With Captain Steve Kendrick having a wrist injury he was only able to participate in short spells however Smith was on fire and Swansea had no answer to the speed and ability of the wide halfbacks Lewis and Williams.
Carew got the equaliser from a mazey run by Lewis which Smith tucked away only to find themselves behind once more as Swansea hit on the break. Fieldhouse and Ian Baker partnered Smith up front for several periods of the game and both came close to getting the equaliser but again it was Smith who got Carew back on track with a well placed flick into the top of the net to make it 2 - 2 at half time.
Swansea were first on the scoreboard at the start of the second half but a long ball out of defence found Kendrick who put Smith in for his 3rd to equalise. Leigh Thomas in goal pulled off some excellent saves to keep Carew in the game with the Carew defence of Moseley, Ferguson, Cole and Head withstanding the pressure from an experienced Swansea front line.
Wheeler and Pritchard had their work cut out in the middle with the Swansea centre half Lez Malinovski influencing the game for much of the time. Halfway through the second half Carew had a spell when they put the Swansea goal under intense pressure. Smith hit the post, Wheeler hit the side netting, Lewis and Kendrick struck the keeper who was made to make saves to keep Swansea in the game. It was Williams however who followed up a short corner strike with a bullet of a flick that almost broke the net to put Carew in the lead. But Swansea were not down and out and came back to equalise again catching Carew on the break.
With Williams taking a knock Patrick Baker came on and sent a cross in to Smith for the winner. What could have been the icing on the cake nearly came when a diving shot from Smith saw the ball head for goal but the spin take it past the post as all were celebrating!
Carew still remain on top but with 3rd placed Bridgend at home next week it is a must win game to keep Carew on the road to promotion.
Team:
L. Thomas (GK), D. Ferguson, G. Cole, S. Kendrick (Capt), E. Williams, N. Lewis, J. Smith, B. Wheeler,
S. Moseley, D. Head, T. Pritchard, M. Fieldhouse, I. Baker, P. Baker.
26th January 2008.
Carew 4 Abergavenny 1
Carew welcomed back Tom Pritchard who made an immediate impact in midfield partnering the veteran Wheeler as he had done at the end of last season. Several players had been suffering with heavy colds and Leigh Thomas was uncertain of playing in goal until the last minute leaving Ollie Johnson thinking he might make his first appearance in goal for the club.
Carew put Abergavenny under pressure from the start and were unlucky not to take an early lead with both Smith and Wheeler hitting the post. From the pressure put on the Aber defence it was just 10 mins into the game when a move down the right saw Williams feed Kendrick to put Smith in space for his first. It took Carew another 15 mins of constant pressure before Smith flicked the ball into the net from a short corner to make it 2 - 0 at half time.
The second half started with Carew losing concentration and unable to clear the ball. Passes were inaccurate and the ball was given away too easily. Three short corners and Abergavenny had got a goal back. This was the wake up call Carew needed. With Moseley having a strong game at right back it allowed Williams to keep on top of the Aber defence. Head and Cole had been given specific marking roles and kept their men out of the game leaving the Carew left half Lewis to have a field day down the left.
Carew's 3rd came from a free hit on the edge of the 'D' where Wheeler's hit was deflected over the keeper by Smith's deft touch. Carew had numerous short corners but were unable to capitalise until late in the game when a switched injection to Williams saw the cross put into the net by Lewis.
This win over Abergavenny who at the start of the game were on the same points at the top of the division puts Carew clearly out in front in the run towards the league championship. Next weekend Carew travel to Swansea who will be a more difficult proposition at their home ground than they were at Carew.
Team:
L. Thomas (GK), D. Ferguson, G. Cole, S. Kendrick (Capt), E. Williams, N. Lewis, J. Smith, B. Wheeler,
S. Moseley, D. Head, T. Pritchard, M. Fieldhouse, M. Clements, I. Baker, O. Johnson, P. Baker.
Umpires: J. Wheeler. D. Miller.
19th January 2008. Carew 7 Newport 0 Carew started back after the Christmas break with a win against a travelling Newport team to put them on top of South Wales Division 1. Carew had 90% of the possession and kept Newport camped in their own half for most of the game. Despite attempts on goal raining in from Fieldhouse, Williams and Smith it took Carew 20 mins to break down the Newport defence and for Lewis to start the ball rolling with a diving strike at goal from a Smith cross. Further attempts at goal were produced by the Carew forwards but were thwarted by the Newport Goalkeeper and captain who again was man of the match simply for keeping the score line to single figures. Williams was dominant down the right and with two devastating runs brought the home team up to 3 - 0 at half time. Clements and Baker worked well down the flanks penetrating the Newport midfield and supplying ball to the forwards who were showing "Seasonal rustiness" with their attempts at goal. Thomas in Goal and Ferguson at sweeper was rarely tested and centre back Cole cleared up any balls that came through the Midfield. It was only 5 mins into the second half that Captain Steve Kendrick put Carew 4 up and then got his second shortly afterwards when a short corner attempt from Smith hit the crossbar and Kendrick sniped in to put the rebound past the Newport keeper. Smith has scored on each occasion this season so it was only fitting that his work up front in creating many chances was awarded with a goal from a fine individual run. The final goal came from Williams who saw his shot which would give him his hattrick parried in by Ian Baker in front of goal. Carew were without several players and will need to be on top form next week when they entertain Abergavenny in the top of the table clash. Team: L. Thomas (GK), P. Baker, M. Clements, D. Ferguson, G. Cole, S. Kendrick (Capt), E. Williams, N. Lewis, J. Smith, M. Fieldhouse, I. Baker.
9th December
Cardiff Medics 3 - Carew 3
Cardiff started strong and brought the Carew Keeper Leigh Thomas straight into the game taking two of his own players and the opposition centre forward out as he kicked the ball up the field. The Carew back four of Ferguson, Head, Moseley and Pritchard were under pressure for some time but with Smith on form it was Carew who took the lead with a goal after 15 mins followed by a Smith second just 5 mins later. Just before the half time whistle the Medics got a goal back to make it 1 - 2 at half time.
The Medics started the second half determined to get the equaliser which came just 5 mins into the restart.
There was some argument as to if there had been an infringement before the goal was scored but the decision was for the Medics to draw even. Care hit back almost straight away with Smith getting his hattrick.
Former player Johnny Harries was Yellow carded for playing the player and not the ball and Jamie Smith was sent off on a yellow to what was said to be to calm him down when he had come to the aid of the Carew youngster.
The game was further marred by an off the ball incident when the Medics Centre Forward hit Keeper Thomas on the head with his stick which went unpunished. Rattled by these incidents and with no centre forward Carew were unable to stretch their lead and with 2 mins from the end of the game conceded a soft goal.
Despite being awarded a short corner right at the end of the game Carew were not allowed to take it and the game ended in a draw.
Team:
L. Thomas (GK), E. Williams, D. Ferguson, D. Head, S. Moseley, B. Wheeler, N. Lewis, T. Pritchard, J. Smith, M. Fieldhouse, S. Kendrick (Captain), B. Minney.
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2nd December 2007
Neath 4 - Carew 4
This 2nd XI friendly game at Neath was played in the true spirit of the game. In the cold, wet and windy conditions Carew could not get it together despite some early short corner attempts and it was Neath who opened the scoring with a fine goal being placed passed the Carew Keeper Ned Lewis some 25 mins into the game. Carew went further behind when Neath scored their second just before half time.
Carew got one back from Kendrick only to see Neath go 3 -1 ahead from a short corner. Neath stretched their lead to 4 -1 before Kendrick put in another shortly followed by a goal from Simon Moseley with Kendrick getting the equaliser just before the end.
Team: N. Lewis (GK), M. Kendrick, M. Clements, P. Baker, M. Fieldhouse, D. Ferguson, J. Mason, S. Moseley, D. Head, I. Baker, G. Cole.
24th November 2007
Whitchurch 2 - Carew 10
Carew were slow to start having been kept out in the wind and rain waiting 30 mins for the Whitchurch goalie to turn up, but Whitchurch started well and put the Carew stand in goalie Matt Clements under pressure. It was 5 mins into the game and Carew got their first with Wheeler flicking the ball into the net.
Further first half goals came from Smith (3), Fieldhouse and Lewis to make it 6 - 0 at the interval. The Carew defence of Ferguson, Head, P. Baker and Cole had little to do all game after the initial Whitchurch pressure but although Carew started the second half on top with goals from Smith and Lewis Whitchurch caught Carew on the break and pulled two goals back from two short corners. It was a wake up call which saw Smith put his 5th in, Kendrick hit the post, Smith hit the cross bar, Baker see his shot just go wide, Lewis and Cole both came close but it was Williams who was flying down the wing all game and giving the Whitchurch defence no chance with his devastating runs who got the last goal of the game.
Team - M. Clements (GK) D. Ferguson, D. Head, G. Cole, B. Wheeler, E. WIlliams, N. Lewis, S. Kendrick (Cpt), J. Smith, M. Fieldhouse, P. Baker, I. Baker.
25th November 2007
Carew 9 - UW Lampeter 0
Carew were on top of the game throughout with the first goal coming from Captain Matthew Clements within a minute of the start. Further first half goals from Ferguson, I. Baker and Lewis with some excellent saves from Goalkeeper Mwnci Kendrick saw Carew turn around 5 - 0 up. Lampeter's defence was in disarray for much of the game with the experienced forward pairing of Ferguson and Wheeler pulling them apart. The Midfield of Head, Clements, I. Baker and Fieldhouse were strong going forward with Moseley, Lewis, Pritchard and P. Baker thwarting the Lampeter attacks. Second half goals came from Wheeler (2), Hunter and Ferguson
Team: M. Kendrick (GK), M. Clements (Cpt), I. Baker, P. Baker, M. Fieldhouse, N. Lewis, T. Pritchard, C. Hunter, S. Moseley, B. Wheeler, D. Ferguson, D. Head.
Umpires: S. Lunn, C. Hunter, T. Pritchard.
17th November 2007
Carew 4 - UW Aberystwyth 2
A fast and pulsating game saw Carew take the lead after 10 mins with Smith hammering home a screamer past ex-player and UW Aber Goalie Martin Thomas. Carew were on song with the centre midfield pairing of Kendrick, Wheeler, controlling the game and the pace of Williams on the right and Lewis left flanks causing the students trouble with their pace. Carew could not capitalise on the amount of pressure they put on the Aber goal with the Aber Keeper Thomas proving to be man of the match with his constant saves from shots on goal. Carew's second came after 20 mins when Mason found himself in space from one of Williams runs down the wing to put Carew 2 - 0 up. Clements came on at right half and was immediately in the action feeding Mason for a shot on goal but Carew could not capitalise and turned around 2 - 0.
At the start of the second half the defence of Ferguson, Cole, Head, Johnson and Mosely were called upon frequently as Aber hit on the break with Patrick Baker deputising in goal for Lee Thomas pulling off some good saves throughout the game. However Aber were looking more dangerous as the game progressed with some penetrating balls being placed behind the Carew defence. It was only time before Aber got a goal back from one such run which saw the ball being struck into the goal from the top of the circle to make it 2-1. Carew got their 3rd when Lewis put pressure on the Aber defence and pushed the ball through to Smith to strike into the goal and it was not long before Smith put his third away from a direct pass into the 'D' from Wheeler. to make it 4 - 1. Mason had to retire with a hamstring injury which saw Fieldhouse enter the field to partner Smith who hit the crossbar and had several other shots on goal which on any other day could have given Carew a far higher score line. As the game came to an end Aber got their 2nd when their centre forward found himself at the top of the circle.
Team: P. Baker (GK). S. Kendrick (Capt), D. Ferguson, S. Moseley, D. Head, G. Cole, N. Lewis, B. Wheeler, E. Williams, J. Smith, J. Mason, O. Johnson, M. Clements, M. Fieldhouse, I. Baker.
Umpires: Jane Wheeler. Dave Miller. Sarah Lunn.
10th November 2007
Cardiff & Uwic 5 - Carew 6.
The delay to the start of the game had not helped the travelling team and Carew found themselves under pressure with Cardiff taking the initiative from the start. Carew absorbed several attacks with good defensive work carried out by Ferguson,Cole, P. Baker and Head. Despite being under the cosh for the first 20 mins it was Carew who hit home two goals from breaks down the right by Williams who's electrifying pace Cardiff found difficult to cope with. The first was a well placed goal from Mason from a Williams pass and the second saw Williams hit a screamer from the top of the circle. Cardiff hit back with a fine strike only to see Lewis at the other end dart in and hit a diving strike into the Cardiff Goal. Fieldhouse, Kendrick and I. Baker all had chances at the Cardiff end with the Cardiff keeper making excellent saves whilst the Carew defence continued to hold out with some fine goalkeeping from Thomas. Cardiff however came back to make it 3 - 2 just before the interval.
From the start of the second half Cardiff got on top and Carew were rocked back with two quick goals putting Cardiff in the lead for the first time. The speed of the game was intense with the young Cardiff Welsh youth internationals starting to dominate in several areas. However Carew are a team with Character and from some inspirational words of encouragement from Captain Steve Kendrick they dug deep to get the equaliser with Clements feeding Mason at the top of the circle. 4 - 4 was not on the cards for this game with the both teams looking for the win. Cardiff came back to make it 5 - 4 only to see Carew hit back with another well worked team goal seeing Mason strike home his 3rd. The winning goal came from Carew's only short corner of the game with Mason hitting a first time strike.
Team:
L. Thomas (GK), D. Head, P. Baker, G. Cole. D. Ferguson, B. Wheeler, S. Kendrick (Capt), J. Mason, M. Clememts, I. Baker, M. Fieldhouse, N. Lewis, E. Williams.
Carew are home to UW Aberystwyth next week with a 1.30 start at Pembroke Leisure Centre. and look forward to gettin Smith back from his travels watching "Grease" in London.
3rd November 2007
Carew 8 - UW Swansea 0
Carew started with the attitude that was going to set the pace for the game. It was 4 mins into the game when Smith put his first goal in from a well worked team move with Lewis and Cole providing the ball down the left for Mason to slip the ball to Smith. The second came from a Penalty stroke when Williams' run came to an abrupt stop when he was deliberately taken out in the circle, the third was another Penalty Stroke when the goalkeeper deliberatley rolled on to the ball and the 4th from a well struck shot from Mason from a pass from Fieldhouse at the top of the circle. 4 - 0 at half time did not reflect the true shape of the game. Swansea Uni were quick with counter attacks but the Carew defence with Ferguson, Head, Mosely and Johnson and Goalkeeper Lee Thomas did well when called upon.
The second half was much the same as the first. Clements got in on the act latching on to a ball from right back P. Baker and putting the ball into the net with a reverse sweep. Kendrick go his first of the season from a midfield move and Mason got his second from another fine team move. I. Baker put one away with with 5 mins to go to make the final score 8 - 0.
Team:
L. Thomas (GK), D. Ferguson, D. Head, S. Mosely, G. Cole, O. Johnson, P. Baker, E. Williams, N. Lewis, S. Kendrick (Capt), B. Wheeler, J. Smith, J. Mason, M. Fieldhouse, I. Baker, M. Clements.
Umpires: J. Wheeler. D. Miller.
Saturday 20th October 2007
Carew 13 Swansea Bay 2
Swansea turned up late with only 9 players, but at least they turned up, some clubs in the past have simply called off so thank you Swansea!
Carew controlled the game from the start and were in total dominance with 2 goals from Smith and a hattrick from Mason with a breakaway goal from Swansea to see the score 5 - 1 at half time.
Carew turned around at half time to see Smith adding a further 2 goals, Mason 4, Lewis 1 and Fieldhouse 1. Swansea were awarded a Penalty stroke for a foot stop on the line in the Carew Circle.
Thankfully it was a beautiful sunny day or the Carew Defence would have been cold standing around for most of the game! The Swansea Veteran international goalie Alun Morgan was man of the match in saving more goals than Carew put in.
Team:
L. Smith, D. Ferguson, S. Moseley, O. Johnson. P. Baker, M Clements, N. Lewis, S. Kendrick (Captain), B. Wheeler, E. Williams, M. Fieldhouse, I Baker, J. Mason, J. Smith.
Umpires: Jane Wheeler, Sarah Lunn.
Saturday 6th October
Newport 1 - Carew 9.
Following on from last weeks fine win 5 - 3 against the Cardiff Medics, Carew went top of the table with this weeks win against newly promoted Newport who are at present finding it hard to settle into the higher standard.
From the start of the game Ned Lewis got in on goal to bag the first of 9.
The defensive trio of Dave Ferguson, Patrick Baker and Brian Minney were kept busy with Newport trying to hit Carew on the break and Carew Goalie Lee Thomas when called upon made some great saves. Nick Richards again provided pace with Ned Lewis down the right flank with Matthew Clements and Grant Cole solid on the left. Captain Stevio Kendrick and Bernie Wheeler were rarely troubled in the middle of the park and Dwayne Head swept behind the midfield with confidence. First half goals came from Smith with a first half hattrick and Grant Cole sneaking one in before his rolling substitution with "Clem" Clements to make it 5 - 0 at half time.
The second half started in the same manner as the first half ended with "The Rooks" in complete control in all departments. With only 15 minutes into the second half Martin Fieldhouse slotted in a square ball to make it 6. Ian Baker came close on several occasions and Kendrick peppered the home team's goal but it was Smith who put another two away to make it 8 . Newport however did not roll over and Carew were made to fight for every goal they scored with the Newport Goalie being voted man of the match for the numerous saves he made throughout the game.
From a short corner near the end of the game Newport's Thong Bowey pulled one back for the home side before Smith got his double hattrick from a hard hit cross from Wheeler which Smith delicately looped over the keeper.
Next Saturday Carew are Away to second place Abergavenny.
Team:
L.Thomas (GK), D. Ferguson, P. Baker, M. Clements, G. Cole, B. Minney, D. Head, N. Richards, N. Lewis,
S. Kendrick (C), J. Smith, M. Fieldhouse, I. Baker, B. Wheeler....
Saturday 13th of October
Abergavenny 4 - Carew 3
Carew started well pushing Aber for the first 20 mins but unable to capitalise on the amount af ball and pressure that they put on the Aber defence. Several shots on goal were saved by a busy Abergavenny Keeper. A break from deep within the Aber half resulted in the first goal for the home team. The defence of Cole, Head, Baker and Ferguson saw the Aber centre forward get behind them and slip the ball past Carew goalie Lee Thomas.
Carew got one back through Mason from a goal mouth scramble but unfortunately went 2 - 1 down when the midfield were caught out of position and again a break from deep within the Aber half resulted in the ball just scraping into the Carew goal off the post.
With half time minutes away a long ball through from the Aber sweeper put the home centre forward through for his 2nd to see the half close 3 -1 to Abergavenny.
From the start of the 2nd half as Carew pressed for a goal Aber again from a quick counter attack got their 4th. Carew had so much ball and created several chances with many short corners awarded but found it hard to break down the Aber defence. A well worked move from Williams driving down the right linking with Kendrick who crossed the ball over to the left half Lewis for him to find Mason in the 'D' and put him in for his second.
From a short corner Mason again scooped the ball into the net however the goal was dissallowed as not having gone outside the 'D' but the decision when questioned was then changed by the umpire to not controlled. The Carew team were completely bemused.
Soon after Jamie Smith stepped up to convert a Penalty stroke. The last 15 mins of the game was all Carew's but Aber managed to hold out to the final whistle.
Team:
Lee Smith (GK), Dave Ferguson, Patrick Baker, Martin Fieldhouse, Dwayne Head, Grant Cole, Bernie Wheeler, Emlyn Williams, Stevo Kendrick (C), Matthew Clements, Ned Lewis, James Mason, Jamie Smith, Ian Baker.
Saturday 29th September.
Carew Hockey Club 5 - Cardiff Medics 3.
Cardiff Medics travelled to Carew on Saturday for the first League game of the season.
Carew welcomed back Jamie Smith, Simon Moseley and Leigh Smith who had all been out of the scene for a couple of years with newcomers Matthew Clements and James Mason making their first appearance.
Mason almost opened the scoring within 20 seconds with a mazey run straight from the off only to see his shot at goal saved from the Medics keeper Dan Butcher who was going to have a busy day. Carew kept the pressure on the Medics but from a quick break the visitors took the lead with a well struck goal from their centre forward James Ward.
It did not take long for Carew to get back on even terms. James Mason got his first goal from a well worked short corner with Jamie Smith and then his second from another attack soon afterwards. Captain Mwnci Kendrick and veteran Bernie Wheeler controlled the Midfield for Carew but the Medics Centre half, former club player and Haverfordwest born Jonny Harris was himself having a good game and made sure that Carew did not have all their own way. Matthew Clements worked hard on the left attack and substitute Patrick Baker continued to hassle the Medics defence. Nick Richards and Ned Lewis were tireless down the Carew right sending the ball into the Medics circle and from one attack Mason got his hattrick to see Carew turn around 3 - 1 up.
From the restart Ian Baker found himself infront of goal with a tap in which the Medics keeper somehow managed to keep out. Martin Fieldhouse substituting for Baker also came close but the 4th came from Grant Cole who sneaked in on the far post to put in a Kendrick cross.
Was it Carew's complacency, lack of match fitness or simply the Medics youth and enthusiasm which brought them back into the game? A deflection from a cross saw the ball go past Thomas who had been solid in goal to make the score 4 - 2 then that man Mason got his 4th to restore the 3 goal gap. Simon Moseley and Ollie Johnson in defence with Dave Ferguson at sweeper were now under siege as the Medics tried to get something in the last 10 mins. From a series of short corners the Medics had the last say with a hard strike into the bottom corner for the match to finish 5 - 3.
Carew travel to newly promoted Newport next week for the second game of the season.
Team:
L. Thomas (GK). D. Ferguson. S. Moseley, D. Head, N. Richards, N. Lewis. M. Kendrick (C), B. Wheeler. J. Smith. M. Clements. I Baker, P. Baker, M. Fieldhouse, O. Johnson, J. Mason, G. Cole.
Umpires: D. Miller. G. Passmore.
