Pembrokeshire Football League Division One Herbrandston 3 Kilgetty 1 Herbrandston gained a deserved home win over a gritty Kilgetty side which never gave up trying, despite losing the midfield battle for much of the game.

A major feature of the Herbie game was undoubtedly the huge contribution made by their 'Cardiff Connection', as students Carlo Giannuzzi, Oliver West, Matthew Price, Richard and Adrian Jenkins made their weekly 200-mile round trip from college in the capital city to turn out for their home village.

All five played really well as Ollie West and Richard Jenkins were very strong at the heart of the home defence to bottle up the strike threat imposed by Duane Rossiter and Michael Beynon throughout the match.

Adrian Jenkins was excellent in attack and defence from left back, Matthew Price ran himself to a standstill on the right side of midfield and skipper Giannuzzi was outstanding alongside Geraint James in the central midfield berths.

Herbie had won their first match of the league campaign at Tenby the previous week and they started this match in confident mood.

Alex Galdo and Clive Marshallsay posed a threat up front and both had good early chances. Galdo's shot was saved by Christian Phillips and then Marshallsay beat the Kilgetty keeper to the touch but watched the ball sail inches over the bar after.

Kilgetty were finding it hard to settle on a narrow pitch and new recruit Russell Evans, signed from Saundersfoot, was kept busy at the heart of the visiting defence alongside veteran defender Bobby Bevan.

But a goal was bound to come as Steve Batty, Giannuzzi, James and especially Price found space in midfield. Price was hauled down to earn a free kick and Adrian Jenkins hooked in a beautiful left-footed free kick that allowed Alex Galdo to rocket a header past Phillips from four metres.

As Herbie maintained the pressure they had other chances when Marshallsay drove over the top from 20 yards, Galdo and Batty both had chances beaten away by the busy Philips.

Adam Galdo also came up from right back to head over and Kilgetty had to wait until the 36th minute before they had their first sight of goal when Grant James fired over Martin Langdon's bar from 25 yards.

Bevan was booked for a foul on Adrian Jenkins despite his lengthy protestations of innocence but with five minutes of the half remaining Kilgetty drew level with a cracking goal as Marsh floated in a cross from the right and Andrew Sims volleyed sweetly home from 20 yards with his trusty left foot, the ball flying into the top right-hand corner of the Herbie net.

Herbrandston bounced back immediately when a Kilgetty midfield error allowed Geraint James to put Galdo away on the right and the young striker unselfishly squared the ball to allow Marshallsay a simple tap-in to give his side a 2-1 interval lead that might have been even more on the balance of play.

The home side might have increased their advantage straight after the break but Batty was unable to latch onto a drilled cross by Galdo after Price had again been involved - and Kilgetty showed they were still in contention as Mike Beynon had a shot saved by Langdon and Scale had a cross held under the bar by the Herbie goalkeeper.

Kilgetty left back Luke Reynolds was booked just before Herbie made it 3-1 when skipper Giannuzzi latched onto a half-hit clearance and looped a header back in from 15 yards which drifted into the top right hand corner for a deserved goal for the powerful midfield dynamo.

Russell Evans was also booked and so was Price for Herbie as referee Williams made sure matters didn't ever get out of hand in the tackling stakes. Herbie had other chances but Christian Phillips made some excellent saves - and the 100% commitment of West and Richard Jenkins made them candidates for the man of the match tag alongside Price.

But Giannuzzi deserved the award for his drive and energy in the heart of things - and Herbrandston moved up three places as a result of this merited victory.

There was a minute's silence before the match for Chris Banner.

Herbrandston were sponsored by Granicol.