Ledbury SWIFTS U13s 2,

WELLINGTON U13s 3

SWIFTS travelled to Wellington on a cold blustery afternoon full of confidence after last week's great performance at Lads Club but on a rough, sloping field of a pitch their performance never reached the same heights and they came away empty-handed.

Playing up the slope and into a bitter wind in the first half it was always going to be a struggle and so it proved. Chris Davis made some timely tackles in the heart of the defence but elsewhere Swifts didn't seem to be able to get into the game. Half way through the half the pressure finally told when a Wellington midfielder was allowed to run into the box and scored despite Sam Beale getting his hands to the ball.

Swifts did start to look dangerous on the attack as the game went on with Thomas Boyle and James McCann linking up well but unable to break through. Just before half time Wellington again were allowed too much time on the ball and strong running brought a second goal.

At the start of the second half Swifts had to reshuffle when Thomas Watkins had to come off but the introduction of Alistair Williams in midfield gave them more bite. Now playing down the slope with the wind behind them Swifts managed to put the home defence under more pressure and soon reduced the deficit when Thomas Boyle gave James McCann the chance to score from close range.

This gave Swifts new hope with plenty of time left and with Alex Kitchen working well on the left and Louis Watkins on the right Swifts had some width. At the other end Swifts defence had to be alert against the powerful running of the Wellington midfield that was still causing problems. Louis Watkins had to come off with an injury to be replaced by Matthew Lynnes but soon afterwards Swifts got back on level terms when a shot from Joshua Emery was parried by the keeper and James McCann was on hand again to fire Swifts level.

The game became an even affair as the half went on and Wellington became more dangerous on the break with Sam Beale making a couple of good saves. Swifts then went down to ten players when Thomas Boyle had to leave the field. Just before the end Swifts fell behind again when another strong run from midfield left Sam Beale without cover and Wellington had their first ever win over Swifts.

Swifts will be looking to bounce back when they play league leaders Phoenix at home next week in the cup semi-final.

WELLAND JUNIORS U14s 4,

WESTBURY BOYS U14s 0

WELLAND made a positive start with Dan Griffiths well in control of the right wing and his passes to Richard Phelps were unlucky not to be converted.

However, Ben Marks stole the show with some mature and well controlled play including a stunning left footed goal to put Welland into the lead. Welland continued with good positional play enabling Ben Roal and Richard Phelps to link up well.

Westbury tried hard to lift the pace but the second half saw Welland continue to play with confidence and Arron Richards tapped home Welland's second goal. Ashley Shouler's work rate was immense in this game and it was his pass into Ben Marks, which put Welland 3-0 up. Welland's defence stood firm, Tom Jeffs battled for every ball and Kurt Doyle was consistently outstanding earning his award for man of the match. Finally a cracker of a goal form Ben Roal who lobbed Westbury's keeper from outside the box.

Bromyard TOWN U12 GIRLS 2,

EVESHAM UNITED U12 GIRLS 1

BROMYARD U12 girls' team maintained their recent good run with a flurry of late goals in their away win in their Mercian League fixture against Evesham United.

Bromyard began the game fifth in the table with a three point advantage over Evesham immediately below them. From the whistle Bromyard went onto the attack and continued in the same vane for the whole of the first half, with captain Clare Almond seeing shots crash against first crossbar then post.

Evesham by contrast rarely ventured forward and when they did they were thwarted by timely interceptions from defensive linchpins Mickie James, Hattie Huckle and Clarlie Lloyd who continues to grow in stature with every game.

Bromyard looked to have taken the lead just before half time when Town were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after United were penalised for a backpass to the keeper. Whilst acknowledging the free kick was indirect Clare Almond opted to shoot in the hope of picking up a deflection.

Unfortunately Clare's free kick went straight into the back of the net without making contact with anyone. For all their pressure Bromyard were unable to find the deserved breakthrough and the teams went into the break level.

Evesham came more into the game in the second period forcing a number of saves from keeper Winnie Cowley. Bromyard in an effort to find a way through shuffled the pack bringing on both substitutes, including moving Rissa Probert into attack.

The game looked to be heading for a scoreless draw until Bromyard's attacking midfielder Tasha Merris picked the ball up midway into the United half and set off on a brilliant run that saw her round a number of players before finally slotting the ball from close range past the United keeper. Within minutes Tasha made it two goals and seemingly wrap up victory.

Evesham though had other ideas and with only minutes remaining scored with a freekick from the edge of the box. It proved though to be too late for Evesham as Bromyard hung on for victory to complete the double over Evesham this season.

PHOENIX U12s 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS U12s 0

(aet - Phoenix won on penalties)

SWIFTS travelled to Hereford last Sunday to play Phoenix in the IMI Mouldings Cup and after last week's heroics were hoping of a good cup run.

For the third year running Phoenix managed to put Swifts out of a cup competition after this game went to a penalty shoot out.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, which was made worse by a strong wind, Swifts failed to get a consistent flow in to their game even though they dominated possession against the wind in the first half. On nine minutes Swifts nearly took the lead when Tom Powell lifted the ball over the keeper but on bouncing spun the wrong side of the post.

Shortly after Powell was put through again, this time the keeper made a fine save. Wingers Crichard and Peplow were doing well to get some crosses into the box but Phoenix were defending in mass and easily dealt with the danger. Though Swifts' defence were coping against the wind, they were dealt a blow on 20 minutes when full back Ian Davies had to be replaced by Ndlovu due to a foot injury, so Parsons dropped back from midfield. Savidge and Davis continued to probe but the final ball was missing.

Even with the wind at their backs Swifts started the second half slowly and were nearly punished on a couple of occasions as Phoenix put some good attacking moves together. Midway through the half Swifts had a good chance to open the scoring, as Powell's shot agonisingly went past the far post. Then Powell again turned in the box only this time shot over. Try as both teams did nobody could find a winner in normal time.

In extra time players began to struggle with the conditions, Swifts had more of the play but lacked that final bit of composure to pick out the vital pass which could have settled the tie, but the only winner in this game was the weather.

The penalty shoot out turned out to be an anti-climax for the Swifts, as the first four players all missed, with Phoenix scoring three out of their four to go through to the next round.

Swifts has three play off games left to play to finish their season, the dates for these have yet to be confirmed.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U11s 2,

SUCKLEY U11s 1

A LAST gasp goal secured two points for Newtown as they scraped a narrow two one victory.

Newtown enjoyed long spells of possession and created several good openings. They finally made the breakthrough when Jac Crews slipped the ball behind the defence and Turner neatly side footed the ball into the net.

Minutes later they were awarded a penalty when Wren was brought down. Bannister smacked the ball onto the underside of the crossbar and Humphries pounced to save. Suckley now opened up and put pressure on the Newtown goal without really threatening. Crews gave away a needless corner and Suckley immediately prospered. With no danger Bannister inexplicably sliced into his own net.

The second half was all one way traffic but all to often the final ball went astray or the strikers were reluctant to shoot. With a packed defence Suckley held on with Humphries in goal inspired. Newtown was awarded a second penalty for handball and this time Humphries saved superbly from Bannister. With time up on the watch Bannister atoned for earlier efforts picking the ball up in midfield he surged forward into the area before driving the ball into the bottom corner to secure the victory.

Orleton U10S 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS U10S 4

LEDBURY Swifts travelled North to the Shropshire border to play Orleton in the Junior Football League on Saturday.

On a cold morning both sides started confidently with the sides evenly matched. The Swifts, with their influential midfield trio of Gavin Walton, Jack Cooney and Alexander Firth, had the lions share of the possession but Orleton were defensively well organised and the Ledbury side struggled to create any clear cut chances.

J Smith and Neil Green supported each other well as the lively Orleton striker was denied any time or space. Jack Cooneys powerful run from midfield took him past three defenders. His fierce shot cannoned off the upright, Sam Keetch reacting the quickest to fire home the rebound for opening goal.

Orleton, always looked dangerous and keeper Alex Parker saved bravely at the feet of the home sides striker. Swifts introduced Jonathan Mowday and Charlie Barrett into their midfield. Clever play from Jonathan Mowday created space for Sam Keetch to fire home the Swifts second goal from the edge of the area.

Swifts started the second half the stronger of the two sides with Jack Cooney AJ Smith and Charlie Barrett making a number of strong tackles as Orleton struggled to retain possession of the ball.

Excellent inter play between Charlie Barrett and Alexander Firth down the left wing ended with Alexander Firth cutting inside to fire home the Swifts third goal.

Swifts continued to hold the upper hand and Jack Cooney well struck shot hit the woodwork for the second time in the game. Gavin Walton and Jonathen Mowday made impressive contributions as they orchestrated a number of telling moves down either flank.

Orleton were pushed further back and were forced to concede a free kick on the edge of their area. Neil Green stepping up to slot home the Swifts fourth goal with a well struck shot into the bottom corner.

Orleton never gave up and only another brave save from Alex Parker denied them the goals their efforts fully deserved.

This win extends the Swifts unbeaten run in League to 21 games and secures for them a key to the door of the championship play offs.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Swifts travel away to play Bartestree Colts in the first round of the supplementary cup, kick off is at 11.30am.

Leominster MINORS U9s 1,

LEDBURY SWIFTS U9s 1

AFTER finishing five points behind Ross, Swifts needed a win to keep their title hopes alive, while Leominster were looking to dislodge Ledbury from the runners-up spot.

This was a match of two strong defences, each closing down their opponents quickly; Jo Crichard and David Nash were the rocks in the centre of the Swifts defence, with Nash especially effective across the whole width of the field, and Crichard making some searching runs down the left wing.

Despite this, the attackers had the odd chance and Ledbury goalkeeper Patrick Merryman kept them in the hunt, making a good save after Leominster's Danny Sharp put a low shot through a crowded box.

Moments later, Ryan Jones pulled a good save from Leominster's keeper after latching onto a Matthew Rooke cross.

Goalless at half time, but from the re-start Leominster looked determined to change that; twice Sharp got clear of the defence, twice he ended up one-on-one with Ledbury's keeper, twice he was denied by excellent saves as Merryman pounced on the ball at his feet to end his run.

At the other end, Jones showed his own class hustling past three defenders to get a cross into Rooke who slotted the ball through the thinnest of gaps to break the deadlock.

Leominster fought back strongly, and the pressure eventually told with four minutes left; a close-range shot from Tom Cornes came off the Ledbury defence and into the net for a disappointing equaliser.

Both sides had chances in the closing minutes, but an excellent match ended honours even, though Ledbury will count themselves unlucky to have surrendered a point.

The play-off continue Saturday week with a visit to Ross.

PEOPLETON 3, WELLAND JUNIORS 0

WELLAND made the relatively short journey to Peopleton knowing they had yet to beat their opponents but, with three consecutive clean sheets and being unbeaten in six weeks their confidence was high.

The half term break had left both teams short of players and the match was played in a biting wind.

Within a minute Welland had to substitute their left back, Mark Hopcutt, following a challenge but such is Welland's defence these days replacement Huw D'Arcy slotted in well.

The game was evenly contested throughout the first half and the sides should have been level at half time but for a momentary lapse of concentration by Welland's back four, allowing Peopleton to score from a long ball over the top.

The game continued in much the same vein in the second half and it took a bizarre cross come shot that hit the far post and dribbled along the goal line before eventually crossing it to thwart Welland's bemused keeper, Sean Jenkins

Welland played with renewed vigour and were unlucky not to pull one back when Josh Fernie's shot from the edge of the area went over the crossbar.

However, with five minutes left Peopleton secured the three points with a simple effort from close range

Man of the match, sponsored by Butlers Health & Fitness, was midfielder Joel Hobbs.