16/1/04 - Junior Soccer Scene ...

BELMONT RANGERS U16s 2, LEDBURY SWIFTS U16s 3

After some early Belmont pressure Swifts moved onto the attack. Mark Carless continued his improving form by winning the ball from a defender, then calmly slotting the ball into the net. Within two minutes Jason Payne crossed the ball from the right, only for a home defender to smash the ball past his own goalie.

Swifts linked up play well down the wings, with Sam Hodges, Tom Watts and Mark Carless causing Belmont many problems down the left, and Matt Hodges, Anthony Bradford and Jason Payne working well along the right. Dan Herbert orchestrated play in the midfield with some intelligent passing. Tim Rutherford was rewarded for another energetic display when he tried a speculative long range shot that curled high into the net. With half time approaching Belmont scored with a low shot that squirmed into the net despite Tom Smith's efforts.

The second half was always going to be difficult for Swifts against the strong wind. Tom Smith showed good command of his area, as central defenders Tom Locke and Matt Hinchliffe had their work cut out. It was a mix-up that gave Belmont their second goal, leaving a home player to lay on an easy finish for their striker. Dan Hunter came on to replace the injured Matt Hodges, and had to clear the ball after a fine fingertip save by Tom Smith. Despite a few nervous moments Swifts still counter-attacked well and could easily have added to their score.

Three wins in the last four games, two of them against the top teams in the league, have boosted confidence and it is to be hoped that they can carry on in this vein to the end of the season.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U13s 1, FC PHOENIX U13s 3

SWIFTS travelled to league leaders Phoenix on Sunday and were unlucky to come away empty-handed after giving their hosts a severe test.

Swifts started the match in determined mood against a strong Phoenix side and matched them in an even opening period of play. Phoenix always looked dangerous when coming forward but with Chris Davies, Ross Davis and Chris James getting in some timely tackles in Swifts' defence and Thomas Watkins clearing up anything that did get through Swifts looked solid. In attack Joshua Emery was in the thick of things while Thomas Boyle was putting the Phoenix defenders under pressure and supported by Lewis Hodges and Arron Almond on the right Swifts forced a number of corners.

Swifts took the lead when good work by Thomas Boyle found Joshua Emery whose first time ball set up Arron Almond to hit an unstoppable shot into the net from the edge of the box.

In the second half Swifts had the ever increasing wind in their faces and Phoenix pressing hard but still the defence held firm. Jamie Onions made some timely tackles in midfield and up front Thomas Boyle was still stretching the home defence with some tricky runs. One of these brought Swifts a great chance when Thomas was felled in the box and penalty awarded but after trying to locate the spot in a very muddy box Thomas fired the kick just wide.

With the weather getting worse with heavy rain and hail now driving into their faces, Swifts still battled well. But just when it began to look like Swifts would hold their lead Phoenix danger man Brezine had a determined run down the left avoiding the tackles and beating the advancing Sam Beale to draw them level. The pitch by now was becoming wetter as the rain pounded down and after equalising Phoenix continued to press forward.

Phoenix took the lead with a bizarre goal, when another attack saw the Phoenix forward place the ball wide of Sam Beale towards the corner of the goal, however it stuck on the line in the mud and as Sam and Thomas Watkins desperately tired to clear, the ball somehow squirmed over the line. This took the heart out of Swifts and Phoenix snatched another goal at the death to give them a flattering 3-1 score line.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U12s 3, WESTON U12s 1

SWIFTS returned to action after a five week Christmas break and carried on their winning streak with a well-earned victory against a determined Weston side.

Swifts made one change to their line up with Luke Perry dropping back into the back four in place of Park.

Swifts made a good start with Sam Crichard breaking down the right but his shot was easily saved. Weston themselves then got through on the right, the ball was cleared to the edge of the box but the player shot over the bar. Swifts were passing the ball well on the muddy surface and Perry broke from defence to set Crichard free again, his excellent cross just evaded the forwards. But Crichard was not to be denied, when Elliot Parsons and Perry combined to set him free his first shot was saved but he neatly tucked in the rebound.

Weston nearly equalised when a looping shot beat Reynolds in the Swifts' goal only to hit the bar. With Weston playing five across the middle Chris Savidge and Adam Davis did excellent work in breaking up a lot of the Weston attacks. But on 20 minutes Swifts were punished for some sloppy defending as Hanson's strike found its way into the far corner. Swifts pressed forward and again it was Crichard who got free down the right, his fierce cross was deflected just wide by a defender. Then right on half time Swifts went back in front when after a goal mouth scramble the ball came out to Adam Davis who hit a great shot into the top corner.

Swifts dominated the start of the second half with defenders Nelder, Bubb-Sacklyn, Perry and Ian Davies in no mood to let Weston back into the match. Both sides made changes for the last ten minutes as the heavy ground took its toll on the players. Weston had a great chance to level, but the striker shot over the bar. Swifts wrapped up in the game when Ian Davies broke up an attack, then with a superb through ball found Crichard who this time scored just inside the post.

Swifts continue their push for a play off place when they travel to play Westfields on Sunday, kick off 2pm.

WORCESTER CITY U12 GIRLS 3,

Bromyard TOWN U12 GIRLS 2

BROMYARD began brightly and could have taken the lead with flurry of half chances in the first five minutes.

However, it was Worcester City who took the lead after 10 minutes with a fine attacking move. Rather than giving the visitors a wake up call, Bromyard instead appeared to go into hibernation and had it not been for Town's keeper Winnie Cowley pulling of a fine save from a free kick, Worcester would have gone into the interval further ahead.

After the break Worcester continued where they left of and with a well worked goal increased their lead.

Almost immediately though Bromyard's Tasha Merris kept her cool in a one on one with the City keeper to reduce the deficit and give Town hope. Worcester were not to be outdone though and another good goal saw them reinstate their two goal lead and seemingly wrap up victory.

Bromyard's captain Clare Almond, determined as ever, then produced a superb solo effort to again reduce the home sides lead to a single goal. This goal at last had the desired effect on her team-mates and brought Bromyard to life.

The last ten minutes saw constant pressure and commitment from Bromyard. Forward Rachel Newman played her best football since joining the Town, but a number of fine saves from the City keeper prevented any further goals to leave Worcester winners by 3-2.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U11S 6, BARTESTREE 2

THIS was the first match of the New Year and both teams started strongly.

Seven minutes into the game Oliver Ford crossed in from the right to Alex Morgan who chipped the ball over the keeper's head for the first goal.

Bartestree kept applying pressure and were quick to equalise with a weaving run through the defence of Neily Florence and Aaron Hall, netting the ball over the top of keeper Clarke Gardiner into the top left-hand corner.

Within moments Swifts were back on the attack, there was confusion in the Bartestree goal area with the ball being passed between Oliver Ford, Ashley Wadley and Tom Messam with Alex Morgan getting the final touch making it 2-1.

Swifts were playing with determination and a forceful shot from Richard Watkins rebounded off the goal keeper to the feet of Oliver Ford who made no mistake for 3-1.

Twenty minutes into the game Alex Morgan grabbed his hat-trick with a header from a well-placed Dean Lee corner. Bartestree were not deterred and continued to push forward, but the strong defence of Ben Park, Neily Florence, Alasdair Mitchell and Aaron Hall kept them at bay, Alasdair Mitchell and Ben Park both passing some good ball up the field.

Just before half-time Ashley Wadley was substituted for Ben Adams and further substitutions were made at the start of the second half when Jack Vernal, Tom Green and Ben Gwyther came on for Richard Watkins, Ben Park and Tom Messam.

Bartestree came back out with spirit, and Clarke Gardiner had to make some very good saves, Bartestree broke down the middle, but Alasdair Mitchell intercepted and cleared the ball down the right to Jack Vernall who then passed to Alex Morgan for his fourth.

Bartestree fought back and a late tackle in the box meant a penalty was awarded against the Swifts. Clarke Gardiner just missed the save making it 5-2.

IIn the dying minutes of the game another spot-on corner kick from Dean Lee found the head of Oliver Ford to make the final score 6-2.

Next week Swifts are away to Leominster Minors.

WELLINGTON U10S 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS U10s 3

LEDBURY Swifts travelled to play Wellington on Saturday in the Herefordshire Junior Football League in what was the first ever meting between these two sides.

With Wellington in fourth place in the league a close encounter was anticipated. Wellington elected to play down the slope and used their local knowledge to good effect as the Swifts were pinned down in their own half for the early part of the game. Knowles, the Wellington winger, found space on the right wing and his fierce shot was excellently saved by Swifts keeper Alex Parker, who then bravely saved the rebound.

Swifts settled into the game and Jack Cooney and Sam Keetch's clever play in the centre of the park turned the game in the Swifts' favour. Wellington were forced back into their own half with Gavin Walton and Adam Paske working well down the flanks. Swifts were unlucky not to take an early lead with two long range throws from Gavin Walton both of which were headed just wide of the goal. Jonathen Mowday came into midfield and worked hard with defenders AJ Smith and Neil Green as the Swifts shackled the lively Wellington attack.

Charlie Barrett and Alexander Firth came on for the Swifts and made a number of crucial tackles and interceptions as the Swifts, despite playing up the slope, finished the first half the stronger of the two sides.

The Swifts started the second half with the advantage of the slope. Wellington's clever use of the pitch and long ball tactics meant that the Swifts could not impose themselves on their opponents and the game became disjointed. Swifts pushed forward with Jack Cooney as so often this season tackling and frustrating the opponents into making mistakes. Sam Keetch disposed a defender on the left wing and his delicate chip was half volleyed by Gavin Walton. The keeper saved bravely but could do nothing to save the rebound as the Swifts took the lead.

Wellington started to struggle and were penalised for an ugly challenge on the edge of the penalty area. Neil Green exacting a heavy price for Wellingtons indiscretions as his beautifully flighted free kick found its way into the corner of the net. Wellington responded and Alex Parker made another outstanding save diving to his left to turn the ball away for a corner.

Swifts defended well with AJ Smith and Charlie Barrett working well together to deny Wellington any further efforts on goal. Alexander Firth and Jonathen Mowday caused the Wellington defence a number of problems and set Gavin Walton clear to score his second and the Swifts third of the day.

This was the Swifts best all round display of the season and secures their position at the top of the U10s League.

Tomorrow (Saturday) in the Herefordshire Junior Football League Ledbury Swifts entertain Belmont Hawks in the first ever meeting between these the sides, kick off is at 11.30am.

HEREFORD LADS CLUB U9s 1,

LEDBURY SWIFTS U9s 1

EITHER side could have won this closely-fought match between the league's second and third-placed teams and the result was a fair reflection of this.

Swifts had the best of the early pressure, forcing several corners, but shots from Ben Brown, Matthew Rooke, Ryan Jones and David Nash either drew good saves from the Hereford keeper Sam Lewis, or were just wide of the mark.

The home side fought back, although they too saw a number of chances go begging. However, with two minutes to go, a drifting cross got behind the Swifts' defence and while keeper Patrick Merryman dived to get a hand to it, Lads Club forward Sam Wright was left unmarked, and lofted a tightly angled shot into the net to give the home side the lead at half-time.

Ledbury came out positively after the re-start, but again could not capitalise on several chances, even after gaining two free kicks thanks to some robust defending by the Lads Club. Despite that the pressure meant an equaliser was inevitable, and with three minutes left, a Ben Brown corner was parried by the Hereford goalkeeper but it fell to Joe Crichard who forced the ball through a crowded box and into the net.

Ledbury could have had a winner from a free kick after a hand ball on the edge of the box in the dying moments, but the shot just went wide, and Swifts had to settle for a draw to maintain their unbeaten league record.