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Winners Fishguard U14s

Fishguard Sports' junior girls' section has certainly hit the footballing jackpot this season as their talented young players have scooped the silverware in the under 10s, under 12s and under 14s sections of the Pembrokeshire Girls League to complete what is a unique hat-trick for the Sports' at their new Tregroes Ground.
 
Small wonder then that head coach Matthew 'Minty' Lamb was delighted by some terrific play by all three teams.
"I've been coaching junior football for nigh on sixteen years and this is the first silverware I have ever been part of, firstly in a decade with junior boys at Goodwick United and more recently with the girls at the Sports, which is fantastic!
 
Fitting reward for ‘Minty’, Ben and Zac
 
It is fitting reward for Matthew, who with Dan Bellis coaches the under 14s, plus sixth form students at Ysgol Bro Gwaun in Ben Leahy (under 10s) and Zac Davies (under 12s).
"Ben is a Gold Ambassador at the school who plays in defence for Goodwick whilst Zac played for their junior side," said Matthew who also played at Phoenix park before he went into coaching.
 
"I had decided it was time for a break when there was a knock at my door and Owen Duggan, the chairman of Fishguard Sports, invited me to their AGM with a view to being a coach with him of the first team, and from there I started my involvement at St Mary's Field, and now at Tregroes.
 
Started by Dan and Eiry
 
"The girls' section began after some who were playing at school did well in a tournament and Carrie Slack, from Sport Pembrokeshire, asked us if we could start a section for them, assisted by the school's 5x60 officer Dan Bellis, who has done a great job alongside Eiry Miles at the school.
 
"At early sessions we were pleased if we had ten or 12 participants whereas now the best turn-out we have had is in the mid-70s. At first there were only friendlies but when Emily Ardran and Dom Brodie established leagues for the different age groups we set out with a team in the under 16s.
 
"Since then we have built up to three teams in the under 10s, 12 and 14s and what is most pleasing is the fact that whilst we have some very good players we welcome anyone into the fold, irrespective of ability.
 
Matches played each Sunday
 
"We play all the other teams in the age group on Sundays in matches lasting only eight minutes and with teams from between five and eight, after negotiation between coaches. These days of football between all 12 teams in the section, which are played at every ground and with Tenby as our main rivals in the under 10s, we won the section by two points.
 
"It is the same at under 12s as rolling subs are also allowed, and they did really well to beat closest rivals Johnston by 11 points - and so the pressure on my under 14s was on since we had one session to play.
"Our main rivals were Kilgetty, coached by Cllr Rob Lewis, - and we really celebrated as we finished seven points in front.
 
"The under 10s and 12s received their trophies in Camrose and we followed them as Emily Ardran presented my girls to complete our hat-trick.
 
"It was a marvelous moment and a tribute to the girls and their parents, who have been fantastic with their support, second to none in fact.
 
Special celebration planned
 
Now there is going to be a special celebration of the girls’ success because the club has organised a special presentation evening at the Fishguard Bay Hotel in May where their individual trophies will be presented – and there will also be special ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ and ‘Manager’s Player of the Year’ trophies alongside a ‘Club Player of the Year’ award to someone who has also contributed off the field.
 
It will all help to round off a memorable season for Matthew ‘Minty’ Lamb and the players of Fishguard Sports girls’ football teams!

Fishguard Under 10s and 12s