SWIFTS travelled to Fownhope to play their last game before the Christmas break, and though they secured both points, still left wondering how they didn't win this game by a bigger margin.

FOWNHOPE U12s 2, Ledbury SWIFTS U12s 4

The first half was completely one-sided as Swifts came forward with attack after attack but with a bit more composure in and around the box would have reaped more rewards. Crichard was the first the have a chance but shot wide. Two minutes later he was a lot closer when this time he hit the post. Then Powell fired wide when well placed as did Peplow. Crichard again with the keeper to beat hit his shot wide. Fownhope were having trouble getting over the half way line as Swifts' defenders Nelder, Park, Bubb-Sacklyn and Davies were dominant, the only time Reynolds in the Swifts' goal touched the ball was from two back passes. Davies was combining well down the right with Perry and Crichard, and it was the latter who again fired wide when through. Right on half time Swifts at last got the goal their play deserved, when Powell was put away and finished well with a hard drive.

Straight after the break it was Powell again who failed to hit the target when receiving a Crichard pass. But in the next attack Swifts went two up, this time it was Peplow on the end of the pass to beat the keeper with a low shot. Fownhope then put more players forward, and were soon rewarded when Swifts defence were caught out and the striker found the net with a neat finish. Swifts' midfielders Savidge and Davis were doing a good job in closing down, this led to two chances for Perry who saw his first effort just clear the bar, and then a shot go past the post. Peplow and Powell were then replaced by Parsons and Gregory and the latter soon made his mark when he scored with a superb shot over the keeper. Fownhope never gave up and pulled a goal back when Swifts failed to clear their lines and were punished when the loose ball was turned in by the striker. Then with only two minutes left it was that man Gregory who sealed the points with another great finish.

Swifts next game is at home against Weston on January 11, kick off 2pm.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U13s 2,

PEGASUS JUNIORS U13s 1

SWIFTS completed a quick fire double over Pegasus on Sunday, but as with the previous week they had to work hard to overcome a spirited side.

Swifts started brightly and looked likely to open the scoring early with Thomas Boyle having some runs at the home defence, but unable to find a way past the keeper who was handling well. Prompted by the midfield trio of Jamie Onions, Louis Watkins and Joshua Emery, Lewis Hodges on the right and Alex Kitchen were seeing plenty of the ball, but Swifts were unable to find a clear opening. Pegasus were restricted to a few attacks but nothing to trouble Sam Beale in goal. Swifts finally made a breakthrough when Joshua Emery collected the ball and surged into the box before firing into the top corner.

This however seemed to inspire Pegasus who started to look dangerous when using the long ball, on one of these Sam Beale was judged to have fouled a home forward and a penalty awarded. Sam made a great save from the penalty and although the ball ran loose for a follow up shot this clipped the bar and Swifts stayed in front. Shortly afterwards Pegasus launched another long range attack and this time the forward beat Sam Beale to the ball and chipped him as he advanced to put them level at half time.

The second half continued in the same way with Swifts trying hard. Pegasus were still looking for the long ball into the Swifts' half which were comfortably dealt with by Ross Davis, Thomas Watkins and full backs Alistair Williams and Joshua Brookland. Swifts had to reshuffle when Thomas Watkins had to come off with an injury, with Lewis Hodges dropping back and Rhys Gwynne coming on to the right wing, but still Swifts could not get in front. Right on full time a passing move started by Lewis Hodges and involving Joshua Emery and Alex Kitchen saw Thomas Boyle work his way into the box and place the ball wide of the keeper to finally break the home side's resistance and give Swifts the win.

Bromyard U12 GIRLS 1,

BROADWAY UNITED GIRLS 2

BROMYARD U12 girls' unbeaten home record came to a disappointing end in their Mercian League Cup quarter-final tie against Broadway United.

With Bromyard sitting higher in the league than their opponents and having come back from behind to earn a credible draw in the corresponding away league fixture earlier this season Bromyard with home advantage were hopeful of making progress to the semi final stage of the cup.

Indeed Bromyard began the match very brightly and for the first ten minutes laid siege to the Broadway goal, forcing numerous corners. Eventually Town's pressure paid dividends and they took the lead midway through the first half. It needed however, a cracking goal from Captain Clare Almond, who picking the ball up midway into the opponents half surged forward and hit an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box.

Bromyard continued to look threatening and nearly increased their lead when a flick from Hattie Huckle skimmed the crossbar.

Broadway then, against the run of play and with their first attack, equalised from a long range shot that keeper Winnie Cowley could only watch go in off the post.

In the second half Bromyard faded and Broadway came much more into the match with their well organised defence in particular assured and their attack looking menacing on the break away.

Although their were half chances stalemate was the order of the second half and both sides made substitutions in an effort to try and break the deadlock. Then with just two minutes to go and extra time seemingly inevitable, Broadway through a swift counter-attack took the lead.

Whilst Bromyard gave it all they had for the final minutes but were unable to equalise and were left to rue being unable to press home their superiority early in the first half, and must now concentrate on the league.

WESTFIELDS U10s 0, LEDBURY U10s 4

LEDBURY Swifts travelled to Hereford to play Westfields in the Herefordshire Junior Football League on Saturday.

A close game was anticipated, as this was the only League ground that the Swifts have visited where they have not secured a victory. Adam Paske picked up an injury in the warm up so the Swifts had to make a late change to their starting line up. Swifts started brightly but struggled to come to terms with Westfields tactics of playing three central defenders. Westfields offered little in attack but frustrated the Swifts into hitting long hopeful balls that carried little or no threat. On a rare Westfields attack Alex Parker came off his line quickly to clear the danger.

The second half started with the sides on the same score as that with which they had commenced the game. Swifts introduced Adam Paske and their only naturally left sided player was to prove how valuable he is to the side. From the kick off Swifts played with more natural width and the Westfields defence suddenly looked vulnerable. Gavin Waltons excellent cross was met by Adam Paske to fire home the opening goal with a half volley. Swifts attacked again and the grateful Westfields keeper cleared Adam Paske shot for a corner.

The respite was short-lived as Sam Keetch powerfully headed home a beautifully flighted corner from Gavin Walton. Westfields tried to respond but Jack Cooney and Charlie Barrett were in no mood to surrender the lead and gave the home players no time to settle on the ball.

Swifts rang the changes and with Neil Green and AJ Smith orchestrating the game from the heart of the Swifts defence Westfields struggled to get out of their own half. Sam Keetch added a third with Jonathen Mowday adding a fourth with a well-taken shot from the edge of the box.

Alexander Firth continued his recent excellent form and was unlucky not to add to his season's tally. With Jack Cooney dominating the midfield Swifts continued to push forward, Neil Green going close with a number of long-range efforts. Alex Parker came out of goal to lead the Swifts attack and demonstrated some nice touches. This victory was the Swifts 12th in a row and puts them two points clear at the top of the league.

Tomorrow (Saturday) in the Herefordshire Junior Football League the Swifts entertain the Rangers in the Ledbury derby kick off is at 11.30am. Hot dogs and soft drinks will be available in the clubhouse after the game for all players.

BROMYARD TOWN U9s 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS U9s 3

LEDBURY made hard work of the first half against bottom-of-the-table Bromyard.

The home side took advantage and played with determination and more than matched the Swifts as they struggled to spread the ball and make their passes count. The visitors still had the best of the chances though with Ben Brown forcing a good save, and both Michael Arlott and Peter Dixon shooting just wide.

Three substitutions at half-time put some fire into Ledbury's game, and their dominance began to tell early as both Matthew Rooke and Ryan Jones were left clear to meet a Brown cross from the by-line. Rooke got there first for a simple tap in to open the Swifts' account. From the kick-off, Ledbury asserted more pressure, with a Joe Crichard shot forcing an excellent save from Bromyard keeper Jack Bolton. But his goal kick was immediately pounced on by Brown who left everyone standing as he sent a looping shot back over Bolton's head and into the goal off the underside of the crossbar for Swifts' second.

From that point Ledbury settled into their normal game, with good interchanges between all the players. More chances came to Jones, Brown and Crichard, but both the Bromyard keeper and the woodwork kept them out until three minutes before time, when a Jones' shot rebounded to be followed up by Crichard, who planted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal.

Ledbury won 3-0 and play host to Wellington tomorrow (Saturday) in their last match before Christmas.