SWIFTS put in a very lack-lustre performance last Sunday when they entertained third-in-the-table Brimfield and went down to their heaviest defeat of the season.

Ledbury SWIFTS U14s 1, BRIMFIELD BOYS U14s 8

After only going down to a 2-0 defeat earlier in the season away, Swifts were hoping for better things this time round, but it was Brimfield who looked more up for the battle than Swifts. It was no surprise they took the lead as early as the eighth minute.

Hesitancy in the Swifts' defence left the striker with a simple header over Dave Reynolds. Swifts' midfield was ragged, apart from the hard running of Sam Topham, who was rewarded on 15 minutes with a solo run into the box and a neat finish into the far corner to level the score. Brimfield soon restored their lead with a good team goal. Swifts came back and Topham was again the threat but this time his shot was saved. Swifts were having their best spell of the game and though they forced several corners luck deserted them in the box. With five minutes of the half left Swifts were again punished for basic errors and went in at half-time 4-1 down.

The second-half was only a minute old when Brimfield again had the easy task of putting the game beyond Swifts with another simple goal. Sam Crichard came more into the game as did Joe Markiewicz with some powerful runs from defence but Swifts were very goal shy and no chances were clearly made.

On the other hand Brimfield looked dangerous every time they came forward and added three more goals at regular intervals to run out easy winner. Swifts will have to be a lot more determined on Sunday when they play top-of-the-table Lads Club Colts at Hereford.

Swifts are sponsored by Three Counties Fisheries.

BARTESTREE U12s 3, LEDBURY SWIFTS U12s 0

ON Sunday the Swifts U12s travelled to Bartestree to play their nearest geographical neighbours.

Ledbury started brightly, Neil Green and Harry Smith combining well down the right-flank as the Swifts went in search of an early opening goal. Bartestree came more into the game as play switched from end to end in what became a thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing game of football between two evenly matched sides. Swifts debutant left back David Benhenni, who gave an impressive performance, made a number of well-timed tackles to deny the home side goal scoring opportunities.

Bartestree used the slope well to deliver some dangerous crosses, but these were confidently claimed by Thomas Whatmore the Swifts keeper. Swifts upped the tempo with AJ Smith and Charlie Barrett securing the lion's share of possession in midfield. Alexander Firth, who was the Swifts man-of-the-match, caused the home sides defence numerous problems with his powerful running and clever distribution of the ball and both he and Jon Mowday went close to opening the scoring for the Swifts.A speculative through ball from the home side evaded the visitors cover defence and Bartestree slotted home the opening goal.

Swifts had the advantage of the slope in the second-half and carried the early threat. The Swifts central defenders Gavin Walton and David Bryan were confident in the air as the visitors looked the most likely to score. Ashley Smith's hard work down the left flank paid dividends with Sam Keetch and Charlie Barrett both forcing saves from the Bartestree keeper. Bartestree struck back and added two late goals to give a flattering score line in a game that was very evenly balanced throughout. This was another outstanding and excellent performance from the Swifts and was a vast improvement on the earlier fixture between these two sides when Bartestree romped home 7-1.

On Sunday Swifts entertain champions elect Leominster where they have every chance of inflicting a first defeat of the season to the League Leaders.

LEDBURY SWIFTS U10S 0,

LEOMINSTER MINORS U10S 2

LEDBURY Swifts U10s played Leominster Minors for the second time in two weeks on Sunday.

On this occasion the two teams were meeting in the semi-final of the Mailes cup. Having reached the same stage in the cup competition last year, Ledbury Swifts were keen to progress further and get to the final, scheduled to be played at Hereford United's Edgar Street ground.

The weather and pitch conditions were ideal for a semi- final contest and everything appeared set for another close encounter. Both teams were clearly up for the game and the match started with both teams seeking to gain control of the midfield area. Daniel Sewell and Daniel O'Neill worked very hard to win possession in midfield for the Swifts and although they succeeded on many occasions, they found the Leominster midfield in a resolute mood. Indeed it was proving very difficult for the Swifts to create any good passing moves from midfield and hence Jack Pritchard, playing in the lone striker role, had to survive on some long goal kicks from Jonathon Gooch and some long clearances by the Swifts defence.

Indeed the Swifts best goal scoring opportunities all came from set pieces in the first half. Firstly a fine corner created confusion in the Minors penalty area which almost enabled Daniel Sewell to force the ball over the line and secondly Kieron Danter went close with a firmly struck free kick.

Gradually, however, Leominster Minors began to create some fluid passing moves in midfield and their holding midfield player started to have a strong influence on the game. Kieron Danter increasingly had to cover a lot of ground in his midfield role to provide protection to the Swifts defence and James Charlesworth and Rob Phillips had to be particularly alert.

Eventually the deadlock was broken when Leominster broke down a Swifts forward move out of defence and strung together a neat series of passes to create and score the first goal of the game. The Swifts kept their heads up despite going a goal behind and Charlie McCarthy and William Notley added some fresh momentum up front and in midfield when they joined the play.

The match continued to be a very close encounter and the Swifts almost equalised when Jack Pritchard played a fine pass into the feet of Daniel O'Neill on the edge of the penalty area. Daniel struck the ball firmly only to see it hit the cross bar and go behind for a goal kick. Leominster Minors continued to have their opportunities as well, but found Jonathon Gooch in fine form in the Swifts goal.

Then just as time was running out, Leominster won another corner. Leominster sensed that the Swifts were tiring and took a quick short corner which created an opportunity for a firm strike on goal. Unfortunately the Swifts were not able to close the shot down and the ball flew into the back of the net.

Inevitably, a few moments later the whistle blew to end the game and Leominster secured a well deserved win.

Leominster Minors now move on to face Greyhound City Sports in the final while Ledbury Swifts, sponsored by Bradford Building Supplies, prepare for a re-arranged league match away against Westfields tomorrow (Saturday).

WESTFIELDS U10S 6,

LEDBURY SWIFTS RANGERS U10S 0

LEDBURY Swifts Rangers were away this week against Westfields in Hereford.

On a cold day, both teams showed a great deal of spirit and played a competitive game.

The opening exchanges were even, the play split between the two halves of the pitch. Liam Bramley was kept busy in the Ledbury goal by some strong attacking play and powerful shots. When he and his defence of Adam Dalley and Nick Bolton cleared the ball they were able to make use of the strength of Josh Williams and the deft runs and passes of Callum Green and Callum Hodges from midfield. Thomas Coleman made some searching runs forward into dangerous positions.

Westfields scored twice in the first-half, both times after Ledbury failed to clear their lines. However, the whole team fought on and when the half-time whistle came they had had Westfields' goal under seige for some time. Westfields had made some good attacking moves on the break late in the half and Liam's outstanding efforts against some fierce shots meant that he ended the half being substituted by Kane Hill following an injury.

Will Blackaby also came on for the second-half, joining the busy midfield. Will played from end to end, capping a good defensive display with a snap shot that he was unlucky to see whistle wide. Again Ledbury surged forward time after time and again they were denied a goal on several occasions. Thomas whipped in some very dangerous crosses from the right. Ledbury heads did not drop and both sets of coaches seemed amazed that Westfields had kept the ball out of their net. Kane was having an excellent spell in goal at the other end and made some fine saves. Josh Williams and team captain Nick Bolton were outstanding.