SWIFTS U15s found themselves down to the bare bones and they were soon on the back foot against local rivals Bromyard.

Ledbury SWIFTS U15s 2, BROMYARD TOWN U15s 6

Swifts' keeper Tom McCormack made a great double save to keep the score blank but was finally beaten with a long-range effort that clipped the bar and went in to give Bromyard the lead. It was soon 2-0 when Swifts failed to clear a corner kick and a neat finish by a Bromyard forward put Swifts in deep trouble. Swifts then put together a move which saw Lewis Hodges feed Craig Preece, who set Ricky Day away before meeting his cross, only to see his effort cleared off the line.

Soon after, Bromyard increased their lead when a free- kick was floated into the Swifts' box and a looping header found the net. For Swifts, Craig Preece headed just wide from a corner but got some reward just before half-time when he picked up a through-ball from Ricky Day and battled his way into the box to give Swifts some hope with a neat finish.

At the start of the second-half Swifts made changes but Bromyard increased their lead from a free-kick that was powerfully driven home, putting Bromyard well in control at 5-1. Bromyard may have eased off slightly but Swifts started to win more of the ball in midfield. They hit back with a good goal when Josh Brookland sent Ricky Day away down the left and his low cross was hammered home by Lewis Hodges at the far post.

Craig Preece almost battled through for his second but his effort was blocked and Lewis Hodges headed the rebound against the bar. Just before the end Bromyard broke clear and made the final score 6-2.

Next week Swifts will hope to have a bigger squad available for the long trip to Dore Valley.

BRIMFIELD U14s 4, LEDBURY SWIFTS U14s 0

SWIFTS had to travel to high-riding Brimfield last Sunday with only 11 players due to injuries and holidays.

But the scoreline does not reflect how well a performance those 11 players gave. The whole defence had to be re-shuffled, with Elliott Parsons moving to right-back, Sam Topham and James Smith the centre-backs and Sam Peplow dropping in at left back. Swifts' midfield worked hard in breaking up the play and a solo run from Sam Crichard ended in a shot, which the keeper saved. Roy Powell then picked up a clearance and threaded the ball on to Tom Powell but though well-placed, he sliced his effort wide. Brimfield should have taken the lead on 25 minutes when, for the first time, they broke the offside trap and with only Dave Reynolds to beat, shot wide. Moments later, Reynolds bravely dived at a forward's feet to snuff out any danger.

The second-half Swifts' fortunes turned when Brimfield scored two goals in five minutes, both one-on-one with Reynolds, who had no chance to save either. Swifts then had their best spell in the game as they pushed the Brimfield defence back but the final ball just would not fall to a Swifts player. With ten minutes to go, Brimfield made it 3-0 from a corner, when a defender sliced the ball into the roof of the net. With Swifts now tiring Brimfield added a fourth from a free-kick .

Swifts have another hard game on Sunday when they entertain another top team in Monmouth at Ross Road, kick-off 10.30am.

WELLINGTON U13s 2, LEDBURY SWIFTS U13s 3

WITH keeper Jason Walker out due to injury, Swifts were forced to reorganise with midfielder Richard Watkins volunteering to take his place.

Somewhat against the run off play, Swifts went one behind in the 14th minute after a Wellington free-kick beat the stand-in keeper.

Ollie Ford levelled the score four minutes later with what seems to be becoming a trademark long-range shot. Wellington's reply was not long in coming via an attack down the wing followed by a pass across the goal, which was an easy tap-in for their forward.

At 2-1 down, Ledbury looked ineffective in attack and defenders Tom Green, Neely Florence, Aaron Hall and Ally Mitchell were kept busier than they would like trying to keep the match within reach.

In midfield Ollie Ford was, as always, a constant irritation to the opposition and was ably assisted by Ashley Wadley, who had an outstanding game.

Just before half-time, Alex Morgan, who had been tightly marked for 30 minutes, almost levelled the score.

In the second-half, Swifts reorganised their attack with Alex Morgan dropping back. Fifteen minutes from the end, this tactical change paid off when Alex pounced on Andy Matthew's pass to make the score 2-2.

Harry Aston Monger then made his first appearance since his recent injury when he replaced Ben Adams.

A few minutes later Andy sent a cross in from the wing and Alex Morgan scored his second of the day with a fine header to put Swifts 3-2 ahead.

WESTFIELDS U12S 2, LEDBURY SWIFTS U12s 4

LEDBURY Swifts travelled to Westfields, who were top of the league having won all five of their opening games.

Westfields started the brighter and seemed a yard quicker to every ball and it was no surprise when they took a deserved lead. The Swifts were at sixes and sevens and Westfields missed a number of opportunities to extend their lead. The Swifts bought on Luke Haynes to provide some much needed width down their left flank. AJ Smith's excellent through-ball forced the Westfields defence into a desperate clearance. Harry Smith's well- taken throw released Luke Haynes, whose excellent cross was fired home by Neil Green to bring the Swifts level. The Swifts enjoyed their best period of the half with their competitive midfield duo, Ashley Smith and Charlie Barrett, securing vital possession. Westfields broke out and were awarded a penalty, which was well-placed to give the home side a deserved half-time lead.

The second half started with the Swifts again on the defensive, good saves from Thomas Whatmore, the Swifts keeper, and a number of brave last-ditch tackles from the excellent Gavin Walton kept the visitors in the game. Sam Keetch moved back into midfield, where he has formed a strong partnership with Neil Green. Their sublime passing and movement unlocked the Westfields defence as they played a major part in each of the three goals that the Swifts scored in the last ten minutes. Luke Haynes scored the vital equaliser to round off a fine individual performance on the left-wing. Jake Bramley, as so often this season the recipient of his team-mates unselfish play, adding the last two.

The Swifts next game is at home to Bartestree on Sunday, kick-off 2pm.

Weobley U11s 5, LEDBURY SWIFTS U11s 6

THIS match started with two bizarre incidents, when the Weobley goalkeeper was hurt in a clash with one of his own players the referee appeared to blow his whistle to stop the game as the ball ran loose.

Ben Brown stuck the ball in the back of the net anyway and everybody expected play to re-start with a drop-ball, but the referee pointed to the centre circle, having decided to give Ledbury the goal after all. Then a few minutes later Weobley equalised after Ledbury failed to clear their lines, and then realised they had 12 players on the pitch, so quickly had to take a player off.

After this, Ledbury managed to make some headway playing with the slope, as Joe Crichard ran through to slot the ball home to make it 2-1. Soon after, Matthew Rooke outpaced the home defence and confidently beat the keeper from close range. Just before half-time, the Weobley defence stopped, thinking the ball had run out of play, but Crichard carried it in from the left and crossed for Brown to side-foot home past a stranded keeper to make it 4-1 to the visitors at half-time.

The second half started well for Ledbury as Crichard picked up a weak goal-kick and chipped the keeper from 20 yards. Weobley struck back to make it 5-2, an attacker was bravely foiled in a one-on-one by James Godsall in the Swifts' goal, but the ball broke kindly to be bundled in at the far post. Weobley scored again soon after, but Matthew Rooke scored his second from a Crichard pass to make it 6-3. Ledbury were pressing forward looking for more goals, and were twice caught with counter-attacks as Weobley brought the score back to 6-5 just before the final whistle.

Swifts will need to play with more discipline as they take on Westfields at home tomorrow (Saturday).

LEDBURY SWIFTS RANGERS U10S 0, HINTON JUNIORS 4

HINTON started strongly with Ledbury managing to keep them at bay initially then after a few minutes from the start, Ledbury conceded a soft goal after a goal-keeping error from Charlie Bilton.

Hinton continued to press forward and made a number of strong long-range shots on goal, narrowly missing the target. Ledbury managed an attack against the run of play and a shot from Thomas Coleman narrowly missed the near post.

Then as Ledbury appeared to be forcing their way back into the game, they conceded another soft goal after a misjudgment again by the Ledbury keeper. Despite this Ledbury continued to defend and tackle well with Nick Bolton and Adam Dalley looking strong. Then seconds before half-time Hinton saw a great shot hit the bar much to the relief of the Ledbury team.

From the start of the second-half Hinton continued to attack and after winning a free-kick, saw their effort sail just over the bar. Ledbury then managed to create a great passing movement with Callum Green linking up with Liam Bradley to send Thomas Coleman through on goal but the Hinton keeper was quick off his line. Hinton scored their third goal after their forward rounded a number of Ledbury players to convert his great individual goal.

Hinton's fourth goal followed shortly after the third after a rebound that the goalkeeper could do nothing about.

GREYHOUND CITY SPORTS 5, LEDBURY SWIFTS U10S 0

LEDBURY Swifts U10s played away at league champions, and still undefeated this year, Greyhound City Sports on Saturday.

Ledbury Swifts started really well and enjoyed the best of the first 10 minutes. Jack Pritchard had two early shots on goal and Daniel Sewell and Kieron Danter forced several early corners.

Midway through the first-half, Greyhound ran the ball to the Swifts goal-line and cut it back for an easy tap-in goal. The Swifts defence did not challenge because they believed that the ball had crossed the line but unfortunately the referee did not see this.

As is often the way, the Swifts were downcast and Greyhound were able to capitalise on this and score a second quick goal after some good work in midfield.

Swifts were stung into action and some great defending by Jonathon Gooch, Ben Butler, Rob Phillips and James Charlesworth kept Greyhound at bay. The Swifts did ultimately concede a third goal just before the break, but they went into the half-time interval in a much more determined mood.

Greyhound started the second-half in excellent style and scored two early goals to leave the Swifts with a real uphill task. The Swifts changed formation and this seemed to bring that bit extra control in midfield but despite a number of efforts on goal, that clear opportunity would not just fall.

Ledbury Swifts, sponsored by Bradford Building Supplies, play Weobley tomorrow (Saturday) at Ross Road, Ledbury.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U9S 1, PEGASUS U9S 4

LEDBURY Swifts U9s lost their second game on the trot in a highly entertaining fixture.

Ledbury took the lead after five minutes when a fine through-ball from Tom Skittery saw Ben Miller score his 17th goal of the season. Pegasus equalised straight away when a rare mistake by Ryan Jones let in the Pegasus striker, who beat James Loader at his near post. Swifts thought that they had re-taken the lead but the referee deemed that Ben Miller's shot had not crossed the line.

The second-half started pretty even but Pegasus took the lead when Ledbury failed to clear the ball. Swifts came back and Tom Skittery had a shot well-saved by the Pegasus keeper. Pegasus went 3-1 ahead when they scored from close range. The Ledbury keeper then made a brilliant one-handed save to keep Pegasus out. Pegasus scored a fourth right at the death when Swifts were caught pushing forward.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Swifts are away at Pencombe, all players to meet at the rugby club at 9.30am.