SWIFTS overcame a spirited Pegasus side on Sunday after putting in plenty of effort in difficult conditions.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U13s 2,

PEGASUS JUNIORS U13s 0

The game started at a fast pace with both sides moving the ball forward quickly but unable to find a telling pass. Lewis Hodges and Jamie Onions were working hard in midfield while Thomas Boyle was trying to shake off his markers up front. Swifts however struggled to get their passing game going with Pegasus giving them little time on the ball.

At the other end Thomas Watkins was keeping the defence well organised against the Pegasus forwards and Sam Beale was handling well anything that did get through. Half time came with few clear-cut chances and a goalless score line.

The second half saw Swifts pushing forward looking for the win but still struggling to find a way through, Alex Kitchen on the left and Arron Almond on the right were doing their best to support Thomas Boyle but still Swifts were unable to find a clear chance. Thomas almost made the breakthrough when he hit the bar with a free kick from outside the box.

The goal Swifts deserved finally came when Thomas Watkins sent the ball into the path of Thomas Boyle and he beat the onrushing keeper to the ball before slotting home. Lewis Hodges almost added a second a few minutes later but fired wide. The game was made safe just before the end when Thomas Boyle's pace into the box resulted in him being pulled back for a penalty which he duly converted to make it 2-0.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U12s 3, BARTESTREE U13s 1

SWIFTS put in a very patchy performance but they managed to make it three wins on the trot against a determined Bartestree side.

Swifts started the game well and soon had a shaky Bartestree defence under a lot of pressure, so it was no surprise when Swifts took the lead on three minutes when Sam Crichard created space in the box to score with a shot into the top corner. Swifts dropped off the pace and allowed Bartestree to take control. Swifts defence was being unnecessarily over worked as they were slow to react and close down, but they managed to prevent any strikes at goal.

Swifts were having a lot of joy down the right with Luke Perry and Crichard especially causing problems, right back Ian Davies who had a solid game throughout also joined in with some excellent crosses from which Swifts went 2-0 up, when the keeper failed to hold onto to his cross and Sam Peplow was on hand to tap in. The scoreline flattered Swifts but another steady display by Jamie Bubb-Sacklyn kept the defence intact.

Swifts nearly went three up when Crichard's pace again took him into the area he lobbed the keeper only to see it drop the wrong side of the post then a snap shot by Chris Savidge was well saved. A Bartestree free kick just outside the box saw Wooley pull a deserved goal back when Dave Reynolds in the Swifts goal could only palm it into the roof of the net. Wooley should have levelled just before the break but somehow scooped it over the bar.

Swifts' captain Ashley Nelder was replaced at half time by Calvin Ndlovu so Savidge dropped back into defence. Both sides put a lot of endeavour into the second half. Adam Davis was unlucky to see his effort go over the bar, then Reynolds produced a good save to deny Bartestree. Swifts were then denied twice by the woodwork when firstly Perry hit the post and from the rebound Peplow hit the bar. The game was in the balance up to the last five minutes when Peplow crossed for Ndlovu to beat the keeper at the near post.

Swifts play their last game before the Christmas break on Sunday when they travel to play Fownhope, kick off 2pm.

WARNDON VILLAGE PANTHERS 1,

Bromyard TOWN GIRLS U12S 2

CHARLOTTE Lloyd was Bromyard Town's star of the show over the weekend.

Firstly, Charlie was at the heart of the Town's 2-1 victory over Warndon Villages Panthers in their Mercian League U12 girls away fixture on Saturday.

Then on Sunday in a friendly competition held at Hereford Leisure Centre, Charlie held her nerve to seal Bromyard's victory in a penalty shootout in the final against Phoenix.

Saturday's match was a scrappy affair with both teams struggling in the poor weather conditions. Warndon took the lead with an unstoppable shot deserving of a better occasion. However, Bromyard soon hit back with a superb drilled shot from the edge of the box from Rachel Newman. Natasha Merris with the aid of a deflection then put Bromyard ahead before the interval.

No further goals were added in the second half leaving Bromyard to continue their recent impressive winning run and climb up the league table.

Sunday saw Bromyard notch up victories in the qualifying round against Hinton, Ross Rockets, Lads Club, Phoenix and Leominster. Finding the net for Bromyard were captain Clare Almond with five goals, including a hat-trick, Grace Rogers (two), Mickie James (two) and Natasha Merris (three) including scoring one direct from a corner.

The final against Phoenix was a close and hard fought but friendly encounter with no goals being scored in normal play or extra time. As the penalty shoot out went into sudden death Charlie Lloyd then stepped forward to seal Bromyard's victory and help restore some self belief and pride to the Town following their League defeat earlier in the season at the hands of Phoenix.

Bromyard Girls U14 side were not quite able to emulate the exploits of their younger colleagues but nevertheless turned in a number of good performances in the Sunday competition held at the Leisure Centre. Victories were obtained against Hinton and Ross Rockets, with draws against Leominster and Phoenix Blues. However, defeats against Phoenix Whites and Lads Club prevented progress to the final stage. Bromyard scorers were Lucy Harding with two goals and Jess Harding with one.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U11s 3, BELMONT DRAGONS 0

LEDBURY Swifts U11S travelled to Hereford on a wet and windy Saturday morning.

They produced a much improved performance from last week and were on top of the game from the start.

The Swifts midfield of Dean Lee, Ashely Wadley, Richard Watkins and Jack Vernall controlled the game with Dean Lee producing some excellent crosses from the left, with Jack Vernall and Richard Watkins testing the Dragons' keeper with some powerful shots.

Eight minutes into the game Alex Morgan broke the Belmont defence to make it 1-0 for the Swifts. Shortly afterwards Ben Park played a lovely ball through the defence to Alex Morgan for his second of the day.

Dragons tried to apply pressure on the Swifts but their defence held firm with some well-timed tackles from Neily Florence, Aaron Hall and Alasdair Mitchell.

On 15 minutes Alasdair Mitchell played another great ball in to Tom Messam who was onto it like a flash and tucked the ball away into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 3-0

Dragons then pushed forward and Robin Minshull was called upon to make a good save, however, the Swifts were dominant and kept up good pressure until half time when the Dragons' coach decided to concede the game.

Unfortunately this meant that substitutes Harry Aston-Monger, Ben Adams, Ben Gwyther, Ian Docherty and Liam Almond did not get a game this week.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U10S 4,

LADS CLUB VILLA U10S 2

LEDBURY Swifts entertained Lads Club Villa in the Herefordshire Junior Football League on Saturday.

On a cold, wet and windy day with difficult conditions underfoot it was Lads Club who adapted the best and, despite playing against the elements, applied the early pressure.

Swifts were forced to concede a number of corners as Lads Club went in search of an early goal. Swifts survived the early pressure and came more into the game with Jack Cooney, Adam Paske and Gavin Walton to the fore.

Lads Club use of the long ball paid dividends as the Swifts conceded another corner following a poor defensive header. Swifts frailty in the air was clinically exposed as Patterson volleyed home from close range. Swifts introduced Alexander Firth, Charlie Barrett and Jonathen Mowday as Lads Club elected to sit on their slender lead.

Swifts pushed forward and Sam Keetch fired home the equaliser after his initial effort had been blocked. Alexander Firth added a second before a stunning display of one touch football from Charlie Barrett, Jonathen Mowday and Sam Keetch who added the third from close range.

Swifts continued to look the more threatening with Charlie Barrett and Alexander Firth playing delightful passing football that belied the condition of the pitch.

The second half saw the elements very much in favour of Lads Club which they used to good effect. A long clearance from Marsh, the Lads Club goalkeeper, evaded the Swifts' defence to score the Hereford-based sides second goal of the game.

Swifts were visibly shaken and Lads Club should have gone on to secure at least a draw in a game that, at half time, seemed beyond them. In their eagerness, they committed a number of clumsy tackles that gave the Swifts ample opportunity to turn defence into attack. Swifts forced a number of corners and free kicks but were unable to add to their tally.

Following a mazy run Sam Keetch was bought down in the penalty area and, whilst he was receiving treatment, Neil Green stepped up to score from the penalty spot. Lads Club responded but Jack Cooney, Alexander Firth and AJ Smith made a number of crucial tackles to clear the danger.

Jonathen Mowday and Alexander Firth, who had been outstanding throughout the game, both went close as the Swifts finished the stronger.

This win puts the Swifts clear by a point at the top of the league table.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Swifts travel to Westfields in the Herefordshire Junior Football League, kick off is at 11.30am.