Ledbury Swifts welcomed goalkeeper Tom Smith back from injury for this under 16s league game.

Leominster MINORS U16s 3,

LEDBURY SWIFTS U16s 2

The first 20 minutes were fairly quiet, although Ledbury caused the home side problems down the left side of the pitch. It was good work down this flank by Tom Watts that opened up space for Mark Carless to shoot. His first shot was beaten away but he crossed from the dead ball line and the ball went in off a Leominster player to give Swifts the lead. Leominster stepped up the pace but the visiting defence looked solid. In the end it was a freak goal that put Leominster back in the game. A shot that looked to be sailing harmlessly over the bar was caught by a gust of wind and dropped down suddenly just over the line.

Level at half time, Leominster scored almost straight from the restart. A long ball over the top was met by a Leominster player whose first-time volley flashed into the goal off the inside of the post. A superb goal, but a sickening blow for Swifts. Leominster gained confidence and a defence that had seemed nervy in the first half was now snuffing out the Ledbury attack. After 15 minutes another Leominster shot was beaten away by Tom Smith only to be crossed in for a simple goal to be tapped in.

Dan Herbert picked out some superb passes but it was a determined run by Tim Rutherford that created a late goal. A Leominster player fouled Tim on the edge of the box and Tom Locke curled in the resultant free kick. As at Weston the previous week, the final whistle went too soon for Swifts to score again.

Bromyard TOWN U12 GIRLS 4, NEWTOWN SPORTS U12 GIRLS 1

TASHA Merris was Bromyard Town's star of the show in their emphatic victory against Newtown in their Mercian League U12s Girls fixture.

In contrast to the torrential weather which preceded the match, both teams began by playing bright passing football. It was Bromyard though who looked the more likely to open the scoring and it was no surprise when midway through the first half Bromyard took the lead. After a period of sustained pressure the ball broke to striker Grace Rogers who ended her recent lean period in front of goal with a shot that proved too powerful for the Newtown keeper.

Town were keen to press home their advantage and within another ten minutes attacking midfielder Tasha Merris increased their lead with a right foot shot.

Tasha then scored a superb goal. She won the ball near the centre circle and set of on a run which saw her dribble round several Newtown players before finally hitting another right foot shot past the Newtown keeper, leaving Bromyard to go in at half time three up.

In the second half whilst both teams continued to play good football Newtown came more into the game. The main source of danger from Newtown came from some long throws which were catapulted right into the heart of Bromyard's box, putting keeper Winnie Cowley and her defensive team mates Hattie Huckle, Rissa Probert and Charlie Lloyd under considerable pressure. Then with ten minutes left, just as Bromyard appeared to have survived all that Newtown could offer, the visitors scored with a shot from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit to two goals, setting up a frantic finish.

Town's jitters were eventually ended when Tasha Merris went on a run down the right wing and hit a cross -cum-shot which the Newtown keeper could only parry into the path of Grace Rogers, who demonstrated true striker's instinct to be on hand to secure both her second of the match and Town's win.

After the match Bromyard's team manager Trudy Edwards expressed her pleasure at the manner of the victory and was keen to stress that the victory was the result of a great team effort by all the players.

WESTON U11s 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS U11s 10

SWIFTS travelled to Weston on a wet and windy morning, but their spirits were not dampened.

Within the first five minutes Swifts had taken control and were 2-0 up, the first goal coming from Alex Morgan, and the second started after Jack Vernall had run courageously down the left wing earning a throw in. Tom Messam crossed this over to the right where Richard Watkins turned and, from out of the area, chipped the ball over the goalie's head.

Swifts kept pushing forward with Ashley Wadley on the right putting good balls up front. Alex Morgan weaved his way through the Weston defence and around the goalie to make it 3-0. The Swifts defence of Neily Florence, Tom Jackson, Ally Mitchell, Aaron Hall and goalie Clark Gardiner worked well together, managing to keep Weston out when under pressure.

At half time Ben Adams and Ben Gwyther came on for Jack Vernall and Ashley Wadley. Swifts were now playing uphill on a very uneven pitch, within five minutes Swifts scored again when Richard Watkins tucked the ball in the back of the net for 4-0, followed quickly by Alex Morgan for his hat-trick. Swifts were playing with confidence, Dean Lee having worked tirelessly on the left wing earned a corner which Alex Morgan effortlessly side-kicked in for goal number six. At this point Tom Messam was replaced in midfield by Harry Aston-Monger.

Swifts continuously pushed balls forward into Weston's area leading to goals by Ben Adams and Alex Morgan. Moments later Alex weaved his way through the defence for his sixth goal of the day. Just before full time a cross from Richard Watkins re-bounded off the goalie to the feet of Harry Aston-Monger who netted his second goal of the season. Final score 10-0.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Swifts are at home to Bromyard, kick-off 11am.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U10s 10,

Weobley COLTS U10s 0

LEDBURY Swifts entertained Weobley Colts in the Herefordshire Junior Football League on Saturday.

After last week's disappointing performance the Swifts bounced back to secure their highest ever home victory. The Swifts started brightly and made light of the difficult playing conditions caused by the heavy rain earlier in the morning.

From the kick off the Swifts pushed forward and showed a greater desire and appetite for the game than had been evident in the previous week's performance. An excellent right wing corner was fired home from close range by Gavin Walton.

The Colts tried to respond but their strikers could find no way through the Swifts impressive defensive pairing of AJ Smith and Neil Green. Despite playing into a strong wind, it was the Swifts who dominated possession with Jack Cooney securing the ball relentlessly for the Ledbury side. The Colts were forced to defend deep in their own half and further goals from Jonathan Mowday, Adam Paske and Sam Keetch (2) gave the Swifts a comfortable half time lead

In the second half, with the wind at their backs, the Swifts continued to push forward. The Colts struggled to get the ball out of their half and, on the odd occasion that that they ventured into Swifts territory, Jack Cooney and AJ Smith were on hand to clear the danger and set another Swifts attack in motion. Alexander Firth and Charlie Barrett defied the conditions to play some delightful football down the flanks. Further goals followed for Gavin Walton, Adam Paske, Alexander Firth and Sam Keetch to complete his hat trick. Neil Green pushed forward and was unlucky not to score when his long range effort flew just wide of the target. The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the tenth, and final goal of the day, which was fired home by Charlie Barrett as he scored his first competitive goal for the Swifts.

The Swifts once again demonstrating their ability to score goals from an eclectic group of players. Alex Parker, last week's hero, came out of goal and gave an impressive performance as he led the Swifts attack for the final minutes of the game. Weobley, to their great credit, battled well, but came up against a Swifts side that were on top form.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury Swifts travel to play Ross United Services in the Herefordshire Junior Football League, kick off is at 11.30 am.