Ledbury SWIFTS U13s 0, FC PHOENIX U13s 1

SWIFTS slipped to a home defeat against high-riding Phoenix on Sunday in a match that was a close affair.

Without regular centre half Ross Davis, due to illness, Swifts reshuffled with Josh Emery dropping back to fill the gap but Swifts were on the back foot from the start although Phoenix struggled to find any clear cut opening against some determined defending. The midfield trio of Lewis Hodges, Jamie Onions and Louis Watkins worked hard in front of the defence but found it difficult to provide Thomas Boyle with the chance to stretch the Phoenix defence. A good cross and header for the left was saved well by Sam Beale but generally Swifts back four of Alistair Williams, Joshua Emery, Thomas Watkins and Chris James kept Phoenix at bay. Half time arrived with a goalless scoreline.

The second half continued in the same way with Swifts defending well but unable to threaten themselves, although working hard throughout the team. The decisive moment came half way through the half when a cross from the right was kicked clear by Sam Beale but went straight to a Phoenix forward on the edge of the box and before Sam could recover his position, he calmly chipped into the net to give Phoenix the lead. Swifts responded by pushing Joshua Emery forward to midfield and bringing Matthew Lynnes on up front to support Thomas Boyle but all to no avail as Phoenix held on comfortably to win.

LADS CLUB U12s 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS U12s 1

AFTER recently beating Lads Club by the odd goal in the cup at Ledbury, Swifts knew their trip to Hereford for this league match was going to be just as tough.

Their task was made even more difficult with the loss of two of their main players due to illness, so the pack was reshuffled to play a 3-5-2 formation.

The game started at a fast pace, but both sides were closing each other down with some tight marking. Swifts slowly began to take more control, this was due to Adam Davis and Chris Savidge doing a great job with their defensive midfield duties. This enabled Tom Powell and Elliot Parsons to combine well down the right, as Luke Perry and Sam Peplow were down the left but with all the possession Swifts were unable to create goal scoring chances. Lads Club still tried to press forward but Swifts centre half Jamie Bubb-Sacklyn was a tower of strength at the back, full backs Ian Davies and Ashley Nelder were also putting in some great work to keep out any danger. Because of the tight marking there was only one strike at goal in the first half, this came from Lads club with a shot that flew over the bar.

After taking a nasty knock just before the break Peplow was replaced by Craig Hilling. Swifts continued to have more possession and five minutes into the half took the lead, when from a free kick Perry whipped in a good cross and the defender under pressure from Powell turned the ball into his own net.

As expected Lads Club came in search of the equaliser and time and time again the Swifts rearguard did a superb job despite the odd panic. At the other end Powell was keeping the Lads Club defence on their toes with his endless harassing. Swifts were content to play out the remaining minutes and deservingly go on to take both points.

Swifts are at home to Phoenix this Sunday in what is always a good encounter, kick off 2pm.

LADS CLUB U11S 1, LEDBURY SWIFTS U11S 3

TRAVELLING to Hereford for the second time in as many weeks, Ledbury Swifts were anticipating a hard match.

After having knocked Lads Club out of the Tony Cole Cup during their last encounter, Swifts were eager to prove that their recent 4-6 away win was no fluke

Swifts started slowly and Lads Club broke their defence within the first three minutes, slipping an easy ball around the Swifts goalkeeper Robin Minshull who later redeemed himself by saving two good shots on goal.

Undaunted, Swifts kept on battling with Aaron Hall organising the defence well and good linking play between Dean Lee, Oliver Ford, Tom Messam and Ashley Wadley.

Swifts were rewarded in the 28th minute with an excellent shot on goal by Ashley Wadley.

Swifts then started to play with more conviction until the half-time whistle blew. The only substitution of the match then took place with Clark Gardner taking over as goalkeeper. Neily Florence was tackling hard and he and Richard Watkins were working well down the right wing. On the left wing Tom Green was passing good balls forward.

Threat from a Lads' Club corner was quickly averted by Alasdair Mitchell's powerful header, which he then cleared down the field. Swifts' determination was rewarded by a penetrating Dean Lee break on the left wing. Dean's pass to Oliver Ford was forwarded in turn to Tom Messam, who put the ball through to Alex Morgan. Alex then weaved his way through Lads' Club defence before striking for goal number two.

Minutes later, Swifts were on the attack again with Oliver Ford's cross to Richard Watkins being clinically finished to make it 1-3.

In stark contrast to their cool-headed Ledbury opponents, Lads Club were now looking despondent and Swifts continued to stretch the struggling Hereford defence until the whistle ended play.

Subs Ben Adams, Ben Gwyther, Jack Vernall and Harry Aston-Monger did not get on the pitch on this occasion, but their support on the touch line made them very much a part of this wonderful victory.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Swifts entertain Phoenix Real kick-off 11am. Bacon butties served in the clubhouse from 10.30am

LEDBURY SWIFTS U10S 2, BARTESTREE U10S 1

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

The Swifts, last season's league runners up, have suffered only one league defeat in the whole of 2003 and this was at the hands of their visitors. Bartestree, last seasons champions, had an identical playing record so a close encounter was anticipated.

Swifts were quicker into their stride and the midfield trio of Gavin Walton, Jack Cooney and Adam Paske quickly took control of the centre of the park. Swifts rearranged their formation with Neil Green returning to partner AJ Smith at the heart of their defence. Both played outstandingly well as Bartestree were restricted to only one shot on target throughout the game. Swifts launched a number of attacks with Jack Cooney and Adam Paske testing the opposition keeper. Bartestree responded but the attack was broken down by Neil Green with an excellent tackle. He passed to Gavin Walton who carried the ball two thirds of the length of the pitch. The Bartestree keeper did well to save his fierce shot but could do nothing as Sam Keetch, who was the first to react, slotted home the rebound.

Swifts introduced Jonathen Mowday, Charlie Barrett and Alexander Firth into their midfield against a visibly tiring Bartestree side. Jonathen Mowday and Alexander Firth both came close to scoring but Swifts for all of their possession could not add to their score.

The second half started in a similar pattern with Jack Cooney making numerous tackles as Bartestree were denied any time or space. An excellent through ball put Gavin Walton clear to fire home the Swifts second goal. At this point Bartestree introduced Miles Langford and the game turned on its head. Poor marking from the Swifts midfield allowed him to turn, shrug off the challenge and score with a fierce shot that gave keeper Alex parker no chance. Alex Parker bravely came out to claim a through ball with Langford in close attendance as Swifts struggled to contain the lively Bartestree player.

Swifts reorganised assigning their specialist man marker Charlie Barrett to resolve the problem. The game turned back in Swifts favour and Neil Green was unlucky not to score following a well rehearsed corner routine. Sam Keetch's goal bound free kick was tipped over the bar following an ugly challenge on Gavin Walton on the edge of the penalty area. Swifts finished the stronger for a well deserved victory against their local rivals.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Swifts travel to play Sutton Scorpions in the league, kick off is at 11.30am.

LEDBURY SWIFTS 1, BARTESTREE RANGERS 0

LEDBURY Swifts were looking to keep their league season on track after their recent cup exit, but faced a Bartestree side buoyed by recent league and cup wins.

The visitors showed their determination in the first minute with a shot on goal, but Swifts' keeper Patrick Merryman was equal to it, and from his goal kick Ledbury began to apply some pressure of their own, eventually winning a corner. Ben Brown played it short to Matthew Rooke, whose cross was only cleared as far as Joe Crichard, who let fly with a great volley into the top right-hand corner of the net. Rangers tried to come straight back at the home side, but Ledbury continued to press the advantage making for an end-to-end first half which saw a Ryan Jones shot tipped over the bar, a Rooke shot blocked by Ranger's keeper Ben Prosser, and two shots from Bartestree's Sam Hawes drawing more solid saves from Merryman.

The second half saw the pace easing, but while the game became more scrappy, Swifts continued to press with chances for Jones, Brown, Peter Dixon and Thomas Bullock. The visitors were similarly determined, and 10 minutes from time thought they'd got an equaliser; Howes got behind the Swifts' defence and slotted a shot under the diving Merryman, only to see David Nash clear the ball off the line. Despite more Rangers' pressure, Nash continued to make his presence felt as the Swifts' defence held on to seal victory.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Swifts make the trip to Kington Town.