FIVE minutes before kick off in this U15s league game, Swifts found that they were supposed to be in Presteigne rather than at home - a hasty journey and a late kick off resulted.

PRESTEIGNE U15s 4, Ledbury SWIFTS U15s 0

Swifts' side had been hit by the flu and this showed from the outset as the home side dominated proceedings. Regular full back Matt Hodges had played in goal in the previous game and now found himself at centre back where he and Joe Maggs had to be at their best to withstand continuous pressure. Presteigne opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a fine strike from an almost impossible angle. They followed it up ten minutes later with a through ball that allowed the striker to outpace the Swifts' defence and place the ball past Mike Hill.

Down at half time the second half went no better. After just five minutes a wind-assisted shot gave Mike Hill no chance. Although Tom Locke battled hard to try to gain control in midfield, five minutes from time Presteigne added a final goal. Having gone top of the league last week this was down to earth with a bump for Swifts.

Bromyard TOWN U12s 1,

LEDBURY SWIFTS U12s 3

SWIFTS travelled to local rivals Bromyard on Sunday and returned home with the points following a closely fought match.

Swifts were slow to settle in the blustery conditions and Bromyard looked lively in the opening spell. Bromyard took a deserved lead midway through the half with a shot from the right hand edge of the box which keeper Sam Beale got his hands to but could not keep out. As the half wore on Swifts gradually started to get more into the game. Joshua Emery began to win the ball in midfield and Thomas Boyle worried the home defence. For the last few minutes of the half Swifts penned Bromyard back but they could not find a goal.

Swifts started the second half determined to get back into the match and their hard work was rewarded when a Bromyard attack was broken up. Sam Beale launched one of his long kicks that was latched onto by Thomas Boyle who outpaced the home defence and coolly finished to bring Swifts level. Bromyard continued to make it an even game although Swifts were having the best of the attacks, Thomas Watkins and Jamie Onions still had to keep a close eye on the home forwards. Chris James and Alex Kitchen were linking up well down the left as Swifts began to find more space. Swifts took the lead when Alex Kitchen seized upon a loose ball in the box following a corner and fired home. Alistair Williams was getting in some good tackles in midfield as Swifts still had to battle hard against a hardworking opposition. Swifts went close with a Josh Emery free kick and Thomas Boyle and Arron Almond both had shots saved before Thomas Boyle sealed the win in the final minutes after another corner which he volleyed home from close range.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U11s 3, FC PHOENIX U11s 2

SWIFTS U11s completed their league fixtures last Saturday by winning a five goal thriller against a very determined Phoenix side and in doing so finished the season in a very respectable sixth place.

Previous meetings between the sides have always been close and this was to prove no exception as both teams attacked from the start. It was Phoenix who looked the more dangerous early on but a more solid looking Swifts defence led by Sam Topham, who was ably assisted by Alistair Park, Ashley Nelder and Elliot Parsons, held firm. Phoenix had a good chance to open the scoring when the striker had only the keeper to beat but Dave Reynolds made an easy save. This proved costly for Phoenix as in Swifts' next attack they took the lead when Adam Davis sent Crichard free and he finished with a low shot into the corner. Phoenix now had good spell where they forced a succession of corners and Swifts defence worked overtime to keep them out, but the pressure finally told when Phoenix grabbed a deserved equaliser.

The second half began in much the same fashion with Swifts midfielders, Tom Powell, Chris Savidge, Luke Perry and Adam Davis working hard to close the opposition down and get Swifts moving forward. With ten minutes of the half gone, Swifts took the lead again when after a couple of corners a shot was blocked and the ball ballooned in the air and Adam Davis volleyed superbly in to the bottom corner. Phoenix raised their game once more and an equaliser came when Parsons left the ball for his keeper and the striker nipped in to score. The sticky pitch and the work rate began to take its toll on some of the Swifts players as Phoenix looked for a winner. There was some die-hard defending by Perry in blocking a goal bound shot then Parsons more than made amends with two timely tackles in the box. With only a few minutes left Swifts summoned up one last effort to get forward and Peplow and then Crichard were denied with last ditch tackles. Swifts were then awarded a free kick 25 yards out, Alistair Park strode forward and hit a superb shot past the wall, though the shot had the keeper beaten, Luke Perry got the last touch to claim the goal.

Kington TOWN U10s 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS U10s 0

A STRONG defensive display was needed to gain a point and maintain Ledbury Swifts challenge for title honours.

The long journey to Kington once again had an effect upon the lads as they started slowly and struggled to contain the lively Kington, the hard bumpy pitch and strong biting wind didn't help either. Swift's defensive record this season is quite impressive 16 games and only five goals conceded and never more that one goal against in any league game. This is due in the main to the good understanding that Aaron Hall and Alasdair Mitchell have formed with goal keeper Robin Minshull but they have been well supported by the other members of the team.

Chances were few and far between at both ends, Richard Watkins and Jacob Graham both gave the Kington keeper work to do but he was equal to both efforts whilst at the other end Robin Minshull was called upon to deal with a couple of good efforts.

Swifts nearly pinched a winner in the closing minutes but that would have been cruel on the Kington lads who had contributed well to a competitive game, a draw was a fair result.

The Swifts are still well placed to make the league play offs.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Swifts entertain Leominster Minors, kick off 11.30pm.

BARTESTREE COLTS u9S 0,

LEDBURY SWIFTS U9S 9

ON Saturday Ledbury Swifts travelled to play Bartestree Colts in the Herefordshire U9s Junior Football League.

Swifts were hoping to extend their 12 match unbeaten run and this was made more difficult with three of their first team squad unavailable. The pitch was in excellent condition and was suited to Swifts passing style of play.

The Swifts defenders of Neil Green and Ben Smith were both in outstanding form and gave the Colts strikers no opportunities to threaten the Swifts goal. A Swifts attack was cleared by the Colts defence only for the ball to fall invitingly to Jonathen Mowday, his half volley from 25 yards gave the Colts keeper no chance as he scored his second goal in two games. Colts were struggling to get out of their half and were forced to concede a corner. An excellent corner from Neil Green was met by Jonathen Mowday whose volley hit the crossbar. Excellent inter passing between the Swifts midfield trio created further goals for Adam Paske and Jack Cooney. Yet another excellent corner from Neil Green was headed home by Sam Keetch as Swifts took a 4-0 lead.

In a rare Colts attack, just before half time, keeper Alex Parker made an excellent double save denying the Colts striker an opening goal. At half time Swifts introduced AJ Smith and Alexander Firth to provide fresh impetus to their midfield and defence.

The second half started explosively as Sam Keetch scored straight from the kick off following a rehearsed move. Swifts scored a further three goals as both Jack Cooney and Sam Keetch completed their hat-tricks. The Colts strikers tried desperately to relieve the pressure from their overworked defence but found AJ Smith at the heart of the Swifts' defence in an uncompromising mood. Alexander Firth caused the Colts numerous problems down the right flank with his pace and vision and was rewarded with his first goal for the Swifts as he cut in from the right wing to fire a low shot into the corner of the net. Alex Parker and Adam Paske swapped positions the former performing well on the left of midfield whilst the latter saved bravely at the feet of the Colts striker following a rare Bartestree attack.

In the final minutes Neil Green went close to scoring Swifts tenth of the game with two outstanding long-range efforts. Jonathen Mowday almost added to his tally following excellent work by Alexander Firth with one effort disallowed and the second hitting the crossbar.

This was Swifts best performance of the season with the whole side passing to and supporting each other and they were rewarded with their biggest ever victory. It was Swifts fourth league double and keeps them firmly at the top of the U9s League.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Swifts are again on league duty when they entertain Lads Club, kick off is at 10.30am.