Ledbury Swifts U16s came up against a formidable Lads Club side in this Youth Cup second round game.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U16s 0,

LADS CLUB U16s 4

Swifts took Lads Club by surprise with bright attacking play and snappy defending. Excellent work by Jason Payne down the right hand side produced a cross that Anthony Bradford fired narrowly wide. Jason Payne was a thorn in the Lads Club's right hand side throughout the game particularly when he linked up with the pacy Tom Watts. The visiting attack got little change out of the strong Swifts' central defenders, Tom Locke and Matt Hinchliffe and a goalless first half was a fair reflection of play.

Lads Club's players became increasingly frustrated at their inability to create a clear opening until for once their winger got past full back Sam Hodges to swing in a far post cross that was headed in from close range. Swifts found themselves increasingly pinned in their own half and they were punished when an attack broke down and Lads Club counter attacked, their striker stroking the ball home despite all that Tom Smith in the home goal could do to prevent it. Within a minute the visitors scored again, a carbon copy of the first goal and late on added a fourth when a half clearance was volleyed back in.

Despite losing 4-0 this was a spirited performance by Swifts and if they can carry this form into their league games they are capable of moving well up the table.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U13s 6,

WELLINGTON U13s 0

AFTER their cup exploits last week Swifts returned to league action with a fine home win against Wellington on Sunday.

The match started at a fast pace with both sides struggling to get on top early on although neither keeper was called upon to make a save. The usual suspects were working hard to get Swifts on top with Joshua Emery and Thomas Boyle linking up well while at the other end Ross Davis was again in commanding form at the heart of the Swifts' defence.

Thomas Boyle and Joshua Emery both fired just over the bar while Alex Kitchen just failed to get on the end of a Thomas Boyle cross as Swifts created the best chances. As the half drew to an end Swifts took the lead from a Thomas Boyle penalty, after Alex Kitchen had been tripped in the box.

The second half saw Swifts into their stride straight away and a determined run into the box by Joshua Emery saw him make it 2-0 early in the second half. Thomas Watkins was keeping Swifts' defence well organised against the Wellington attacks and generally Sam Beale in goal was having a comfortable afternoon.

Following a corner kick Joshua Emery fired in number three as Swifts took a firm grip on the game. This showed as they continued to pass the ball well and cause panic in the Wellington defence every time they attacked. Thomas Boyle latched onto another Josh Emery through ball to fire home number four and the Wellington keeper made a couple of good saves to keep the score down as Swifts continued to press forward.

Lewis Hodges just failed to finish off a fine passing move down the left before that man Boyle chipped over the keeper for another hat trick. But maybe the best goal of the match was saved for last when Jamie Onions scored his first ever Swifts goal with a great shot into the top corner from the edge of the box to make the final score a convincing 6-0 win for Swifts.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U12s 0,

Kington U12s 3

KINGTON were the visitors to Ross Road last Sunday and though the Swifts competed well for long periods of the match.

Kington's superior fire power proved why they are title favourites when they killed the game off with three goals in ten minutes just before half time.

Kington started the game full of confidence after scoring 30 goals in their first five matches and Swifts had to work hard to keep them in check. They did this with individual battles being fought all over the pitch, not least Tom Powell and Chris Savidge in midfield forwards Luke Perry and Sam Peplow were also competing well with their respective markers.

Kington were having more of the attacking play and Dave Reynolds in the Swifts' goal had to be alert on more than one occasion. Swifts had two good chances themselves when after Sam Crichard weaved his way into the box to provide shots for Powell and Savidge but both players' efforts went wide when they had more time to pick their spot. Then in a crazy ten minutes Kington won the game when first of all Adams used his pace to get behind the Swifts defence and beat Reynolds with a good finish. Three minutes later Swifts had at least four chances to clear the ball and Brazier stepped in to thump the loose ball home. The final goal came from a corner when once again slack marking left Adams to claim his second with a header.

Swifts came out for the second half with a more determined spirit led by skipper Ashley Nelder who had his best game of the season so far. Though Swifts were having more possession they couldn't find a way through despite the efforts of Perry, Crichard and Ndluvu. Kington should have increased their lead when in a breakaway the striker shot wide from three yards out. Swifts continued to press forward for a deserved consolation goal but Kington's defence held firm.

This Sunday Swifts travel to Lads Club.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U11S 6,

PEGASUS JUNIORS U11S 0

LEDBURY Swifts U11s entertained Pegasus Juniors in their sixth league match of the season.

Swifts broke quickly with Richard Watkins playing in a great pass to Alex Morgan, who was then dispossessed by the two central defenders.

After 20 minutes of pressure, Swifts went one up when Alex Morgan made another great break and slid the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

A long Aaron Hall pass to Richard Watkins, out on the right wing, was then forwarded to Tom Messam, who knocked it over the goalie's head for the Swifts' second.

Ledbury's third came when Dean Lee's hard work on the left earned a corner which he whipped in wide to Tom Messam, who made no mistake, netting Swifts' third with a glancing header.

Swifts continued to press forward with yet another Dean Lee cross out to the right which was neatly put away by Richard Watkins for Swifts' fourth.

An injured Tom Messam was taken off and replaced by Jack Vernal. Swifts were then denied a fifth when an attempted pass from Richard Watkins bounced over the 'keeper's head, hitting the bar and rolled down the back of the net.

At half time, Richard Watkins and Ben Park were replaced by the fresh legs of Ben Addams and Ben Gwyther in midfield.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with Oliver Ford and Aaron Hall creating chances and putting on the pressure which later resulted in an own-goal for their fifth of the day.

Pegasus Juniors finally broke the Swifts' strong defence, but Alasdair Mitchell intercepted and played a long ball forward resulting in a goal-mouth scramble which ended with Ben Adams stabbing the ball home to make it 6-0.

The strong defensive back four of Aaron Hall, Alasdair Mitchell, Neil Florence and Tom Green meant that goalie Clark Gardner was rarely troubled.

With the match now wrapped up, Clarke Gardner was replaced by Liam Almond while Ben Park came back on for Tom Green. Lawrence Harding then replaced Oliver Ford. In the dying moments, Aaron Hall pushed forward in a one-two partnered by Alasdair Mitchell, whose short return pass saw Aaron's drive saved by the Pegasus 'keeper.

Following their recent convincing away 4-6 elimination of the Hereford side from the Tony Cole Cup, Swifts' away league match tomorrow (Saturday) against Lad's Club promises to be exciting to say the least.

ROSS UNITED SERVICE COLTS U10S 0,

LEDBURY SWIFTS U10S 1

LEDBURY Swifts travelled to play Ross United Services Colts in the Herefordshire Junior Football League on Saturday.

The Swifts midfield of Jack Cooney, Gavin Walton and Neil Green were quick to push forward and, whilst the Swifts had the lion's share of the possession, the Colts keeper was rarely troubled. AJ Smith and Adam Paske in the heart of the Swifts defence kept a close rein on the strikers

The Swifts bought on Alexander Firth, Charlie Barrett and Jonathen Mowday as they went in search of the opening goal. Good inter play between the Swifts sent Jonathen Mowday clear and his fiercely hit shot cannoned off the left upright. This seemed to inspire the Swifts and the Colts were forced to concede a number of corners. Unfortunately Swifts could not convert this pressure into goals. Colts were always quick to counter attack and keeper Alex Parker bravely came out to claim a through ball.

The second half followed a similar pattern as the first. Neil Green and Gavin Walton worked hard down the flanks but the three man Colts defence proved very difficult to break down. The Colts, sensing that they could claim victory pushed forward and only good defending from Alex Parker, Adam Paske and AJ Smith prevented them taking the lead.

Strong play from Jack Cooney and Alexander Firth in the Swifts midfield swung the game back in favour of the Ledbury side. Ross were forced to concede a number of corners and eventually the pressure told as Sam Keetch headed powerfully home the opening goal from a Gavin Walton cross. Neil Green moved back into defence as Swifts opted to consolidate their slight advantage. This gave the Swifts side considerably more balance and it was the Colts who were now forced to defend desperately.

The Colts conceded a number of corners and were unable to break out of their own half. Swifts were unable to add to the score line and came away with the narrowest of victories. Goalkeeper Alex Parker kept his sixth clean sheet in ten starts.

On Saturday Swifts entertain Bartestree in the Herefordshire Junior Football League kick off is at 11.30am.