14/10/05 - Junior Soccer Scene

SWIFTS travelled to Wellington for their first away match of the season and as the scoreline suggests had little trouble in gaining the victory to remain unbeaten in the league so far this season.

Swifts opened the scoring as early as the third minute when from a corner Sam Peplow rolled the ball out to full-back Ian Davies who fired a great shot from well outside the box to score a very rare goal. It was 2-0 not long after when Sam Topham was put through to round the keeper and score. After missing two early chances Roy Powell found the net, this was followed by three more goals in five minutes. Firstly Topham got his second, Sam Crichard then scored with a neat finish, followed by Matthew O'Niel's first. Just before half-time Topham completed his hat-trick and Crichard got his second to make it 8-0 at the break.

Wellington came out for the second-half in a determined fashion and for the first time in the game the Swifts defence had to work hard to deny them, but this they did with good displays from Joe Markiewicz and James Smith and the reliable David Reynolds in the Swifts goal. It took Swifts nearly 15 minutes to add to their score when Roy Powell scored his second. Another two were added in quick succession from Tom Powel and Topham. Wellington were hit on the break as O'Niel completed his hat-trick with two goals in a minute after unselfish play from Crichard. Then in the last five minutes Topham scored two more to take his tally to six.

On Sunday Swifts will have a harder test when they take on Bartestree at home, kick-off 10.30am.

PEGASUS JUNIORS U13s 1,

LEDBURY SWIFTS U13s 4

TAKING possession just inside the halfway line in the third minute, Ollie Ford broke forward and let loose a long-range shot which found the net after the home keeper had managed to get the faintest of touches.

Today's captain, Tom Green, along with co-defenders Neilly Florence, Aaron Hall and Ally Mitchell were kept busy throughout the remainder of the first half with Aaron sweeping up at the back and Ally cutting out any high balls before any damage could be done.

The score remained 0-1 until three minutes before the whistle when Ollie Ford beat several opponents before another long-range shot left the home keeper stranded.

Ten minutes after the break, Pegasus broke down the right finding a rare gap in the Swifts' defence, and slotted the ball past keeper Jason Walker from an acute angle.

With 15 minutes to go Ashley Wadley and Ben Dudley were replaced by Richard Watkins and Ben Adams.

Andy Matthews sent in a perfect cross to Richard Watkins who, pressed for time by a defender's challenge, let loose a powerful shot which just went over the bar. Swifts really started to fire on all cylinders with some fine interplay with Richard Watkins and Harry Gregory.

Ledbury's passing game had been building up for a while when Ollie Ford's pass fell to Alex Morgan who fired into the bottom right corner to put the game out of Pegasus' reach.

Harry Gregory and Alex continued to torment the home defence and two minutes before the end Alex pounced on Harry's penetrating pass to score the fourth with a fine low shot.

BELMONT U11S 4, LEDBURY SWIFTS U11S 2

LEDBURY Swifts travelled to Belmont to take on a team with a very similar record this season, so a close game was expected.

Ledbury opened brightly, making use of the wind at their backs, with Ben Brown and Luke Summers making good progress on the flanks. The Belmont goal led a charmed life, with numerous shots going just wide and crosses lacking a finishing touch. At the other end, Patrick Merryman did well to touch a Belmont fee-kick round his right-hand post. Ledbury should have opened the scoring in the 20th minute, after Sharleen Watkins was fouled in the penalty area, but Ben Brown slid the resulting spot-kick wide of the post.

He soon made amends however, putting over an inswinging corner that a Belmont player put into his own goal, and it was 2-0 a minute later when Brown scored after a mazy run in the box, and he squeezed the ball home past the keeper.

The second-half opened with Belmont applying more pressure and they pulled a goal back when a shot took a deflection past Merryman. Belmont drew level soon after, scoring with a long ball over the top, and worse was to follow when the Ledbury defence all stood and watched as Belmont scored direct from a corner.

As Ledbury pressed forward in search of an equaliser, Crichard put a volley over the bar and Brown put a shot just wide. But Belmont put the result beyond doubt in the last minute, when a deep cross was nodded home at the far post, to make the final score 4-2.

HINTON U10S 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS U10S 5

LEDBURY Swifts U10s travelled to Hereford to play Hinton in their fourth league fixture on Saturday.

The Swifts started the game with an attacking formation and in so doing enjoyed a lot of early possession. It was not long before some good play down the left wing by Kieron Danter and Jack Pritchard, ended with Jack making a slide rule pass across the front of the Hinton goal into the path of Daniel Sewell. He controlled the ball and drove it home with a firm shot into the corner of the net.

Hinton reacted in a positive manner and enjoyed some great attacking moves themselves. Ben Butler and Rob Phillips made a series of important defensive tackles for the Swifts and on several occasions Jonathon Gooch had to come to the edge of his area to deal with some threatening balls through the middle.

However, it was not too long before the Swifts' persistence paid off when Jack Pritchard intercepted a long through ball from Daniel Sewell and deftly slid it wide of the goalkeeper into the far corner. This goal seemed to be the turning point in the match as a few minutes later Daniel Sewell reacted first to a well-taken corner by Kieron Danter to score his second goal of the game.

As the first half progressed Callum Hodges and James Charlesworth came onto the pitch for the Swifts and ensured that the Swifts went into the half-time break with a 3-0 advantage.

In the second-half the Swifts again enjoyed a lot of early possession and it was not long before Charlie McCarthy made another telling pass from midfield direct into the path of Daniel Sewell. Daniel was quickly able to elude his Hinton marker, latch onto the ball and strike the ball home for a great hat-trick performance.

A fifth goal came when Charlie McCarthy intercepted a Hinton goal-kick and calmly passed the ball into the net despite the valiant efforts of the Hinton goalkeeper.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury Swifts, sponsored by Bradford Building Supplies, are away at Pegasus Junior Colts.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U9s 4,

WELLINGTON U9s 0

LEDBURY Swifts U9s put in another superb team performance in the Hillman's Florist Cup first round on Saturday to progress to the quarter-finals.

The Swifts have now gone 200 minutes without conceding a goal and took the lead after three minutes when a fine three-man move between Ryan Gobey, Ryan Jones and Ben Miller saw Miller score from close range.

Ben Miller then added a second from a fine Ryan Jones pass and then the same combination saw Miller complete his hat-trick to send the Swifts 3-0 up at half-time.

Wellington came out with all guns blazing in the second-half but men of the match Ryan Gobey and Ryan Jones kept them at bay.

Tom Skittery put a fine through ball for Ben Miller to score his and Ledbury's fourth goal.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the Swifts are away to Leominster Minors, all players to meet at the Rugby Club at 9.15am.

LEDBURY SWIFTS RANGERS U10s 0,

PEGASUS JUNIOR COLTS 6

AFTER a strong start from both teams Ledbury conceded a soft early goal after a couple of minutes, this was not reflective of Ledbury's performance to that time.

Play recommenced with good play from both sides, with early attempts on goal from Ledbury and Pegasus.

The first 15minutes of the first half remained even with a free-kick from Thomas Coleman forcing a corner and Pegasus defending a series of corners well with an easy attempt missed after a good corner being delivered again from Thomas Coleman. The middle of the pitch was evenly matched with good tackling from both sides.

Against the run of play Pegasus scored a second goal after a goal keeping error. The no sooner had the game restarted another unnecessary goal was conceded by Ledbury after a defensive mix-up.

The second-half started well for Ledbury with good passing and movement from both Adam Dalley and Callum Green resulting in some early attacks. Ledbury continued to attack and defend well with outstanding play from their captain but still they could not break Pegasus down and their efforts into goals.

Then after a long ball through the middle Pegasus scored their fourth goal with their fifth and sixth goals to follow in quick succession.

The scoreline did not reflect the balance of play but despite this it was a good match with great effort from both teams.

MONMOUTH LADS CLUB U12S 4,

LEDBURY SWIFTS U12S 2

LEDBURY Swifts U12s travelled to Monmouth Lads Club in the first round of the Wyvern Flooring Cup.

Swifts started brightly with their industrious midfield of Charlie Barrett and Ashley Smith securing the lion's share of possession. Gavin Walton and AJ Smith, excelled at the heart of the Swifts defence as the visitors looked to secure a first ever victory against MLC in 11-a- side football. MLC were always dangerous on the counter-attack and the Swifts were forced to concede a free-kick following a break out by the home side. The well-placed shot flying into the far corner to give the home side the lead. Swifts responded well and Neil Green's excellent cross was headed on by Ashley Smith, Jon Mowday finished off the move with a strong header at the back post to level the scores.

The turning point in the game came early in the second half following some strong challenges, a number of Swifts players were forced to leave the field. With only one substitute available the Swifts were in trouble. MLC took full advantage to rattle in three quick goals and could have added further goals but for a number of brave saves by the Swifts' keeper Thomas Whatmore. The Swifts came back into the game and good work by Jake Bramley and Luke Haynes on the left flank exposed the home side's frailty in defence. Luke's excellent cross fired home by Sam Keetch.

In the final quarter the Swifts attacked but they were unable to turn their superiority into goals.

This was a committed performance but their dream of playing in the cup final at Edgar Street for a second consecutive season was ended at the first hurdle.