SWIFTS entertained Lads Club Colts on Sunday and continued their good form with another impressive win.

Ledbury SWIFTS U12s 6, LADS CLUB COLTS U12s 1

As with the previous week though, Swifts were slow to start and Lads Club pressed forward as Swifts struggled to clear their lines.

Swifts did slowly get going with Louis Watkins and Joshua Emery prompting from midfield but Swifts had to guard against the quick breaks from Lads Club and Thomas Watkins was called upon to make some last minute tackles.

Swifts took the lead when Thomas Boyle got in behind the defence after a quick throw and as the keeper came out he slipped the ball to Arron Almond to score. But before long Lads Club were level when a shot from the edge of the area came down over the line after hitting the underside of the bar. Not to be denied Swifts hit back again just before half time when Thomas Boyle broke clear and slotted home.

Early in the second half Swifts took control when Boyle broke from the halfway line and outpaced the defence before rounding the keeper to score his second.

A few minutes later Joshua Emery sent Thomas Boyle away again and again he rounded the keeper to claim another hat-trick. Lads Club kept trying but soon it was five when Lewis Hodges and Thomas Watkins combined to set up Joshua Emery to claim a well deserved goal. Thomas Boyle rounded off the scoring when he reacted quickest in the box and drove home number six for Swifts.

Next week Swifts face another top of the table clash away at Leominster.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U10s 1,

LEOMINSTER MINORS U10s 2

LEDBURY Swifts crashed to earth with an almighty bump on Saturday with their first home league defeat of the season.

Leominster Minors, who had only one previous victory, shocked the Swifts by taking the lead in the first minute. Having kicked off Swifts forwards gave the ball away cheaply allowing Leominster to attack. A Leominster forward strode forward to the edge of the box, as he shot Aaron Hall tried to intercept but only managed to deflect the shot past keeper Robin Minshull into the corner of the net.

Leominster were forced to defend but when the Swifts did manage a shot on target, the Leominster keeper dealt with it. As the half wore on Dean Lee and Tom Messam both had close efforts but it was beginning to look like one of those games.

The second half continued in much the same vein, but the Swifts play became more and more individual. This poor play allowed Leominster to threaten more and midway through the half Swifts conceded an unnecessary corner. It was driven in with pace and an unmarked Leominster forward directed it into the top corner. The first time this season, Swifts had conceded two goals in a league game.

The Leominster keeper was still performing heroics as he tipped a Dean Lee thunderbolt round the post. Time was running out as the Swifts forced a succession of corners, from one they got the consolation they deserved as Ian Docherty fired home from close in. Swifts almost snatched an equaliser with yet another corner in the dying seconds but Leominster defended to the last to hold out for victory.

Swifts are still in line for a play off place, but they will have to improve in their final two games if they want to make it.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury Swifts are away to their stablemates Ledbury Swifts Rangers, it could be an interesting game, kick off 11.30am on the Ross Road playing fields.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U9s 2, LADS CLUB U9s 0

LEDBURY Swifts entertained Lads Club in the Herefordshire U9s Junior Football League on Saturday.

The previous match between these two sides had been a close encounter with Swifts winning 1-0 so an entertaining game was anticipated. Swifts started the more confidently of the two sides and Ben Smith and Neil Green at the heart of the Swifts defence quickly stamped their authority on the Lads Club strikers. The midfield trio of Jack Cooney, Gavin Walton and Adam Paske gained the upper hand in midfield. Lads Club were pushed further back and conceded a number of corners. Disappointingly Swifts delivery of set piece corners, in contrast to previous weeks, was poor and Lads Club were able to comfortably clear the ball. Swifts continued to push forward and after 14 minutes a wicked shot from Sam Keetch was bravely parried by the Lads Club keeper but he could do nothing as Adam Paske volleyed home the rebound to give Swifts a 1-0 lead. Swifts continued to press forward looking for the second goal but they could not convert their pressure into any further goals.

At half time Swifts introduced AJ Smith and Jonathen Mowday to provide fresh impetus to their defence and midfield. The second half saw a reversal of fortunes, as it was Lads Club who started the brighter. Swifts were forced to defend and AJ Smith and Jack Cooney both made a number of important tackles and interceptions. Swifts responded by launching an attack of their own but a quick break by Lads Club caught the Swifts defence square and put their striker through with a clear run on goal. Swifts keeper Alex Parker made an excellent save to deny Lads Club an equaliser. This served only to spur Swifts on and they continued to dominate possession. They should have added to their lead on a number of occasions but all too often the wrong options were taken. With 10 minutes remaining Sam Keetch was bought down in the area, he slotted home the penalty to give Swifts a 2-0 lead.

Charlie Barrett and William Reid, who was making his debut for the Swifts, came on to strengthen Swifts midfield and defence. Both made telling contributions as Lads Club made a late effort to rescue the game. This was Swifts 12th clean sheet and their fifth league double of the season. The win also restores Swifts to the top of the league after an administration error from the previous week had seem them slip to second place.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury Swifts are again on league duty when they travel to play Bromyard, kick off is at 10.30am.