Ledbury made their first trip to Hay-on-Wye for this U16s league game.

HAY-ON-WYE U16s 5, LEDBURY SWIFTS U16s 1

Despite being without a few regular players, Swifts made a promising start, and it was no surprise that they took the lead when Dan Herbert's free kick was deflected in. With Dan Hunter marking Hay's best player out of the game, Dan Herbet and Matt Hinchliffe looked composed at the heart of the defence. Swifts seemed rather lacklustre further forward, although Jason Payne looked dangerous. The home side gradually got back into the game and equalised through an own goal when the ball rebounded off a Swifts player. Then goalie Tom Smith came out to the edge of his box, only to be beaten to the ball, which was crossed for a simple tap in.

One down at half time, Swifts still seemed capable of turning the game around. Tim Rutherford (twice) and Jason Payne pulled shots narrowly wide, but too often Swifts tried speculative long range passes and shots. Hay then clinched the game when their player was allowed space on the edge of the box to curl a shot into the top corner of the net. Swifts lost composure in the closing minutes allowing Hay to score twice more.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U12s 2, FC PHOENIX U12s 1

SWIFTS continued their recent good form, when a goal two minutes from time earned them both points in a hard fought encounter against FC Phoenix.

A slight change was made to the Swifts line up for this game with Sam Peplow switching to left wing and Luke Perry to the right side of midfield and Sam Crichard playing just behind lone striker Tom Powell.

For the first 15 minutes both sides were adapting to playing on a muddy pitch after the recent rain, so it was no surprise that play got bogged down in midfield. It was Swifts who began to take the upper hand with some neat passing football. Crichard and Perry combined well on two occasions, firstly creating another chance for Peplow, then setting up Powell who found the net only to be adjudged off side. Phoenix were also causing problems with their centre forward Thomas having to be well marked, Jamie Bubb Sacklyn again stood up to the test and was well supported by Alistair Park who denied the striker with a superb tackle as he was about to tap in.

The second half was full of some good attacking play from both sides, with Phoenix switching to playing more down the wings, but Ian Davies and Ashley Nelder were more than a match for the Phoenix efforts. Swifts Adam Davis worked tirelessly in midfield and Chris Savidge was outstanding with his endless work rate. Their efforts led to Swifts taking the lead when Savidge fed Powell who in turn slipped the ball through to Peplow who gave the keeper no chance with a strike into the top corner. Phoenix burst into life ten minutes from time, Reynolds in the Swifts goal was called on to make a good save, then Swifts were caught flat footed when Thomas was put away and he made no mistake with a good finish. Perry, Crichard and Davis were replaced by Parsons, Hilling and Gregory for the final stages as Swifts went in search of a winner. This was rewarded when with two minutes left Gregory picked up a loose ball, sent Powell clear to round the keeper and slot home.

Swifts are at home again this Sunday when they entertain Bartestree, kick off 2pm.

Bromyard TOWN U12 GIRLS 13,

SEVERN CITY U12 GIRLS 0

BROMYARD cruised to an emphatic victory in their home encounter with Severn City in this Mercian League fixture.

Bromyard immediately took control of the contest and went in at half time leading 6-0 thanks mainly to striker Grace Rogers continuing her scoring streak with a first half hat-trick.

After the interval some excellent saves by Severn City's goalkeeper helped keep the score down. However, she was still unable to prevent Bromyard's Captain Claire Almond completing her first hat-trick of the campaign as Bromyard rolled relentlessly on to add further goals.

Bromyard's team manager Trudy Edwards was keen to praise all the players and in particular was pleased to see on the scorecard for the first time defenders Michaela James and Rissa Probert, the latter scoring with a fierce drive from a tight angle. Tasha Merris was the other goalscorer.

Bromyard's manager also gave credit to Severn City who in spite of the score never ceased trying.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U11s 1, PHOENIX REAL U11s 1

AFTER a slow start Swifts Dean Lee went down the left wing, forwarded to Tom Messam who passed to Oliver Ford whose shot just missed the post.

Both teams were playing evenly, Phoenix Real broke through the defence of Arron Hall, Alisdair Mitchell, Neilly Florence and Ben park, however Clark Gardiner then produced an excellent save. As the match progressed Oliver Ford chipped a ball into Real's area and it was finished on the volley by Alex Morgan for a 1-0 lead. Moments later Phoenix Real came back at Swifts making it 1-1. Richard Watkins from midfield shot on goal, hit the goalkeeper, bounced off the keeper and his second attempt hit the cross bar.

Ten minutes into the second half Jack Vernall replaced Ben Adams. Jack went up front and Tom Messam went into midfield and Richard Watkins went on the right wing. Pressure continued at both ends and but to no avail.

Swifts travel tomorrow (Saturday) to play Belmont Dragons.

Kington TOWN 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS 6

SWIFTS headed west looking to make up for their cup exit at Kington's hands, but the one-sided scoreline belies a thoroughly entertaining match.

For most of the first half, Kington easily matched Ledbury, and could have gone ahead from some well-taken corners had the Swifts defence not held firm. The visitors though always seemed to have the better of the luck, and their first goal reflected this; a lofted shot from Ben Brown came off the post and into the net off the unlucky Kington keeper. The home side went straight for goal from the re-start, but a long clearance from David Nash was picked up by Ryan Jones who left his marker standing and made no mistake.

Kington stuck to their task with some skilled defending from Ella Johnson and Ieuan Price often frustrating the Ledbury forwards. Eventually though, the pressure told and Brown made it three with his second goal after an unselfish pass from Matthew Rooke. Kington fought back with their best chance of the game; Elliot Morris's long-range shot hitting the post, but from the clearance, Ledbury struck again with a lofted pass from Thomas Bullock forcing a corner. This was played out to Joe Crichard who chipped a shot perfectly over the keeper's head. A minute later Brown returned the favour to Rooke, setting him up for Ledbury's fifth, while continued pressure from the kick-off saw more corners for the Swifts, and three minutes later, Crichard sent a shot through a crowded Kington box for the visitors' sixth.

Ledbury take a clear lead at the top of the table, and entertain Westfields at home tomorrow (Saturday).

SUTTON SCORPIONS U10S 2,

LEDBURY SWIFTS U10S 2

FOLLOWING the warm up game in Sydney Ledbury Swifts travelled to play Sutton Scorpions in the Herefordshire Junior Football League.

Keeper Alex Parker was in commanding form and bravely came off his line to claim a number of balls as Sutton threatened to take an early lead. Swifts eventually found their feet and were driven forward by their industrious midfield trio of Jack Cooney, Gavin Walton and Adam Paske. The Scorpions were forced to concede a corner and from a well rehearsed move, Neil Green's excellent cross was headed home by Sam Keetch to put the Swifts in front. The Scorpions stepped up a gear and AJ Smith and Neil Green made a number of excellent tackles to deny the lively Sutton strikers. Swifts introduced Jonathen Mowday, Charlie Barret and Alexander Firth as they went in search of goals. With half time approaching a long ball caused confusion and the ball was slotted home to give Sutton a deserved equaliser.

The Swifts started the second half in a spectacular fashion. From the kick off a clever lay off put Gavin Walton clear to put the Swifts back in front. Further goals from Gavin Walton and Adam Paske quickly followed as Swifts moved into a 4-1 lead. Sutton tried to respond but Jack Cooney, Charlie Barrett and AJ Smith were in determined fashion and the Scorpions could make little headway. Further goals followed for Jonathen Mowday, two for Sam Keetch and Alexander Firth who scored his first goal of the season. The Scorpions, to their great credit, never gave up and provided the final sting in the tail when they scored a well deserved goal. This was the Swifts' tenth win in their last ten league games.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Swifts entertain Lads Club Villa in the Herefordshire Junior League kick off is at 11.30am.