27/5/05 - Swifts U11s play at Edgar Street

LEDBURY SWIFTS U11S 1, BARTESTREE U11S 2

Swifts entered the stadium to a stunning reception from their enthusiastic band of travelling supporters.

It was the Swifts who settled the quicker and the Ledbury-based side carried the early threat. Good inter-play forced Bartestree back into their own half, Alexander Firth's excellent left-wing cross wrong-footed the Bartestree defence to find Jack Cooney. His fierce shot from the edge of the area beat the keeper to hold and the Swifts took an early lead.

Swifts continued to hold the upper hand and Sam Keetch's clever through-ball put Neil Green clear, his early shot flew wide, when a cross may have produced a better option.

Swifts continued to play the more attractive football and carried the greater threat. Midway through the first-half Alexander Firth was forced to leave the pitch with the recurrence of an old injury. This was to the turning point in the game as the Swifts, in Alexander's absence, were unable to continue to play with the width and pace that characterised their early show.

Bartestree came more into the match and Thomas Whatmore, the Swifts' goalkeeper, made a brave and crucial save at the feet of a Bartestree striker. Harry Smith then used his strength and skill to make an excellent challenge denying the opposition an opportunity.

Bartestree pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Swifts were pushed further back and conceded a corner from a sliced clearance. The well-flighted cross gave the unchallenged Bartestree striker a simple header to level the scores in the final minute of the first-half.

The second-half saw Bartestree again on the attack. They were quick to regain possession from a Ledbury six yards and forced the Swifts to concede a further corner. In a carbon copy to the first-half corner Bartestree scored their second and ultimately decisive goal.

Swifts responded well with William Pinnell's strong run finding Charlie Barrett, but his excellent cross into the box was tamely headed goalward by Jake Bramley.

Bartestree went in search of a third goal but in open play could find no way through the imposing Swifts defensive quartet of David Bryan, AJ Smith, Gavin Walton and Harry Smith. When they resorted to the use of long ball, it was dealt with well by the impressive Thomas Whatmore in the Swifts goal.

Ledbury continued to create a number of good chances but none were converted. Kieran Phillips made several timely challenges to deny Bartestree as they threatened briefly in the final minutes.

At the final whistle, despite their obvious disappointment, the young Swifts players all behaved impeccably and were a credit to themselves and the club.

Playing in front of such a large crowd was an unforgettable experience and one the squad will be keen to experience again in the not too distant future.