29/8/03 - Swifts U10s in runners-up spot

The challenging fixture was made even more difficult as Swifts were without six of their first team squad due to unavailability. Swifts gave debuts to Jon Clayton and Kane Weir and both players featured prominently as Swifts came away with a 3-0 win.

On Sunday, August 24, Swifts travelled to Pershore to play in an invitation seven-a-side tournament.

Swifts were again hampered by unavailability and travelled with a squad of only eight as once again six of the first team squad were missing. With both of the Swifts' first choice keepers unavailable Kane Weir played in goal and he, together with the rest of the squad, were outstanding.

Swifts opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Evesham Town that was followed by a 2 -1 defeat of Littleton. Swifts moved into top gear defeating Cherry Orchard 3-0, Alcester 8-0, Feckenham 3-0 and the hosts Pershore Town 4-0. Having won five games and drawn one against their six opponents Swifts finished top of the league and looked champions. A last minute change in the tournament rules meant that the Swifts had to play off against the top three sides.

In the first semi-final Swifts defeated Evesham 2-0. In the final they met Redditch-based side Feckenham, a team that they had already beaten 3-0 earlier in the competition

Feckenham started brightly and opened the scoring but the Swifts responded magnificently to level. The game went into extra time and this time it was the Swifts who struck first only to see Feckenham claim a late equaliser. It was left to penalties to decide the outcome and after seven penalties from each side Swifts lost 4-3. Bizarrely, in a tournament in which the Swifts were the only unbeaten side and the only team to beat all six of the opposing sides in the competition, they had to settle for runners up.

The squad were outstanding and will travel tomorrow (Saturday) to play Evesham Robins, the current Mercian Boys League champions, in a confident mood.