BARTESTREE arrived eager to improve on their recent Supplementary Cup encounter, which Swifts won 0-4.

Ledbury SWIFTS U12S 4, BARTESTREE U12S 1

As the only team to have taken a league point from Swifts so far this season, they were ready to battle for a win in this play-off match.

Swifts were keen to maintain their unbeaten record and both sides fought hard for the first goal, with Dean Lee causing several upsets in the visitors' defence with penetrating runs down the left-wing.

Bartestree then came close but Aaron Hall was on hand to steer the ball over the bar and out of danger, after it had bounced badly for Tom Jackson. Shortly after the resulting corner, Bartestree went 0-1 up following a cracking long-distance shot which gave keeper Tom Jackson no chance.

For a team, not used to trailing behind their opponents, Swifts showed great character and did not let their heads go down. Neely Florence, Aaron Hall, Ally Mitchell and Tom Green maintained a stout defence which Bartestree could not unlock.

In midfield Richard Watkins, Ollie Ford, Dean Lee and Andy Matthews kept up the pressure and Andy's low shot went dangerously close after he pounced on an Ally Mitchell through-ball.

Shortly before the break, Swifts' character and persistence paid off when Dean Lee made another unstoppable run down the left before cutting the ball back into the path of Tom Messam, who easily equalised.

During the break, the injured Neely Florence was replaced by Ben Dudley. Swifts then changed the shape of the team by putting goal-scorer Tom Messam in at right back thus allowing Ben to move up into the Swifts' attack.

Bartestree came at the home side time-after-time but the Swifts' defence held them before intercepting the ball and passing to Dean Lee, who took it down the left before sending a fizzing left-footed shot past the helpless keeper to put Swifts 2-1 ahead.

Richard Watkins helped increase Swifts' comfort level when his ever-increasing determination won him the ball, which he passed to Alex Morgan. Beating several opponents in the process, Alex made a determined run down the right before unselfishly passing to Andy Matthews, whose shot put the home side 3-1 up.

The fourth goal came when a Ledbury shot came off the bar into the path of Andy Matthews who ruthlessly put it past the stranded keeper to put Swifts 4-1 up with only a few minutes left.

Ollie Ford, who had displayed great determination by battling for every ball, limped off to be replaced by Ashley Wadley just before the final whistle.

Swifts' next play-off match is at home on Wednesday at 6.30pm against Phoenix Milan U12s.

Bromyard TOWN U13 GIRLS 3, FC PHOENIX 4

BROMYARD U13 girls lost out in two close back-to-back games at home against FC Phoenix in the Mercian League, ironically by the same score on both occasions.

Due to a fixture pile-up, Bromyard and Hereford's FC Phoenix agreed to play the second game after the first match had finished.

In the first game, Bromyard put behind them their recent dismal form and by half-time were leading Phoenix by 3-1. Bromyard's scorers were captain Clare Almond and Tasha Merris with two. The second arguably one of Town's best of the season.

The second-half, however, was a different issue. The turning point of the game was when Phoenix were awarded a free-kick for a back pass to the Bromyard keeper. Whilst Town felt aggrieved, the referee was in no doubt and from the resulting free-kick, Phoenix scored. Heads immediately seemed to drop in the Town defence whereas Phoenix were given new heart.

More goals followed for Phoenix, who eventually ran out winners by 4-3.

In the second game, Bromyard needed to get off to a good start to try and quickly erase the outcome of the first game. This was not to be their day though as Phoenix this time took the lead.

At the start of the second period Town went further behind. To Bromyard's credit they did not capitulate and whilst Phoenix added another two goals, a superb hat-trick by Clare Almond brought Town back to trail by just one goal.

With seconds left Bromyard nearly snatched a point as Phoenix were forced to clear a Tasha Merris goal-bound effort off the line.

Whilst Town may now languish bottom but one in the table, manager Dean James will take some heart from good performances from Hattie Huckle, Micky James, Charlie Lloyd and recent convert to the goalkeeper's jersey, Sarah Hoffman, who continues to improve with each game.