Under 10s Reports - 2003-04

Sat 24 Apr - Swifts U10s are league champs 

LEDBURY SWIFTS  1, ROSS UNITED SERVICES  0 
LEDBURY Swifts entertained Ross United Services on Wednesday and, for the second season running, the Swifts were to contest the final play-off game to determine the championship. Both sides were unbeaten after 25 league games; victory for Ross would secure them the title, whilst the Swifts, who enjoyed a one-point advantage, had to avoid defeat. 

In front of a large crowd both teams contributed greatly to an enthralling game in which either side could have secured victory. The winning goal came just after half time when Charlie Barrett tackled a Ross defender. His clever through ball found Sam Keetch whose left foot volley was too fierce for the Ross keeper to hold, Gavin Walton, the first to react, fired home the shot to give the Swifts the lead. 

The win secures the championship for the Swifts, the first time in 12 years that a Ledbury side has won a Herefordshire Junior Football League title. The Swifts have now completed a whole season unbeaten. They have won 22, the highest number of league victories by any side in the HJFL, and drawn four of their 26 league games scoring 104 goals and conceding only 14. 

This was the Swifts first ever victory over this talented Ross side in a competitive match and the visitors first defeat of the season in all competitions. The Swifts would like to thank Terry Witherstone, their kit sponsor, the Market Towns Initiative Programme, Ledbury Area Regeneration Partnership and Advantage West Midlands for the Community Pride Grant that facilitated a training programme.

Wed 14 Apr - BARTESTREE  1, LEDBURY SWIFTS  0  
ON Wednesday evening Ledbury Swifts travelled to play Bartestree in the semi-final of the Vianen Vase. From the kick off Bartestree launched a speculative attack. The Swifts defence poorly dealt with their long-range effort allowing the Bartestree striker a simple tap in. After less than a minute's play the Swifts were 1-0 down with what was Bartestree's first and last on target effort at goal. The Swifts, led by skipper Neil Green, responded positively and Sam Keetch and Adam Paske both went close to levelling the scores as the Swifts held the upper hand for the majority of the first half. In the second half, with the wind at their backs the Swifts continued to push forward. Bartestree struggled to maintain possession and had to resort to fouling the more skilful Swifts players. The Bartestree keeper made two outstanding saves from Neil Green's well-struck free kicks. Swifts continued to press with Charlie Barrett and Adam Paske adding their physical presence to the Swifts midfield. Sam Keetch's clever through ball found Gavin Walton whose first time shot hit the inside of the post before crossing the entire width of the goal and out for a goal kick. Alexander Firth and AJ Smith made a number of well-timed tackles to deny Bartestree a clear effort on goal. In the final minutes of the game a rehearsed corner move saw Neil Green's fierce shot again saved by the Bartestree keeper, who had had a breathtaking game. The brave Swifts players left the field slightly bemused as to how they had lost this game.

Wed 07 Apr - LEDBURY SWIFTS  4, LEOMINSTER MINORS COLTS  1 
ON Wednesday evening Ledbury Swifts entertained Leominster Minors Colts in the third round of the Vianen Vase. Both sides started in a confident manner and it was the visitors who carried the early threat. Alex Parker the Swifts' goalkeeper made a good early save and reacted well to clear a through ball from the lively Colts midfield. Ledbury responded well, a defender blocked Adam Paskes fierce shot Swifts skipper Jack Cooney firing home the rebound to give the home side the lead. Swifts continued to push forward and Gavin Walton's excellent right wing cross was slotted home by Alexander Firth to give the Swifts a comfortable 2-0 lead at half time. Leominster, with the wind at their backs, started the second half in a determined manner. AJ Smith, who was making a welcome return to the heart of the Swifts defence, made a number of important challenges. Charlie Barrett, who had an outstanding game, came close to scoring for the Swifts with a number of long-range efforts. As the game wore on the Colts were pushed further back and struggled to get out of their half. Sam Keetch avoided two challenges to slot home the Swifts third and Neil Green added a fourth with a fierce shot after cutting in from the left. The Colts, to their great credit, continued to play open football and were rewarded for their efforts when Finney slotted home a late goal. The win books the Swifts a place in the semi-final against Bartestree.

Sat 20 Mar - ROSS UNITED SERVICES  2, LEDBURY SWIFTS  2 
IN excess of 100 teams compete in the Herefordshire Junior Football League covering eight age groups and of these only five sides have remained unbeaten. On Saturday the only two unbeaten sides in the U10s age group met for their final league game of the season. Swifts elected to play with the slope and with the wind at their backs. Ross were forced to concede a number of corners and from a set piece routine Neil Green's fierce shot was tipped over the bar by the relieved Services keeper. Swifts continued to push forward with Jack Cooney making a number of telling passes and interceptions. Good inter play between Adam Paske and Sam Keetch put Gavin Walton clear and he finished clinically to give the Swifts a well-deserved lead. Ross launched a number of attacks but Jonathan Mowday and Neil Green, at the heart of the Swifts defence, made a number of telling challenges. Swifts introduced Alexander Firth and he made a number of good runs down the flanks as the visitors went in search of a second and potentially decisive goal. In the final minutes of the first half Ross broke free and Alex Parker saved bravely at the feet of the Services striker incurring an injury in the process. The referee awarded a drop ball that was eventually forced over for a corner to Ross. For the third game running against Ross the Swifts were to concede a goal from a set piece corner with virtually the last kick of the first half. Playing against the slope and the elements the Swifts struggled to get the ball out of their own half. Ross were unlucky not to take the lead as they hit the woodwork twice and were denied by an outstanding display from Swifts keeper Alex Parker. Ross continued to push forward and the Swifts were caught in possession in their own area giving the Services striker a simple tap in as the game swung in favour of the home side. Jack Cooney's strong run down the flank took him behind the Ross defence; his powerful cross could only be palmed away by the Ross keeper. Sam Keetch reacting first to fire home the equaliser and, fittingly, the hundredth league goal of the current season. Swifts continued to hold the upper hand and the Ross keeper had to make a brave save in the dying moments to deny the visitors. The Swifts finished their league campaign unbeaten, having won 20 and drawn three of their 23 league games. The draw puts them two points clear of their nearest rivals and for the second season running, despite finishing top of their league, they now enter the play-off phase to determine the eventual league champions.

Sat 13 Mar - BARTESTREE COLTS 1, LEDBURY SWIFTS 6 
LEDBURY Swifts travelled to play Bartestree Colts on Saturday in the second round of the Vianen Vase. Swifts started the game with a rearranged formation, Jonathan Mowday slotting into defence to partner Neil Green. Swifts started brightly with Gavin Walton and Adam Paske both making a number of dangerous runs. Bartestree also looked threatening on the break and their lively strikers gave the Swifts ample notice that this game would not be as one sided as the league encounter earlier in the year. Swifts pushed forward with Jack Cooney making a number of vital tackles in the centre of the park. The Colts were pushed further back and, after a poor clearance, the ball fell invitingly to Gavin Walton whose fierce shot flew into the top corner of the net to give the Swifts the lead. The Colts were undeterred and launched a number of attacks of their own. Swifts keeper Alex Parker made a number of saves as the Colts went in search of an equaliser. The lively Colts striker evaded two Swifts defenders before losing control of the ball, the subsequent clearance kick cannoning off him and into the back of the Swifts net to level the scorers. Good inter play from Charlie Barrett and Alexander Firth in the Swifts midfield but with neither side able to secure any advantage at half time the scores remained level. The Swifts started the second half brightly with the midfield showing greater urgency and commitment in their game. Swifts pushed forward and three consecutive goals from Sam Keetch put the game beyond Bartestree. The Colts tried to respond but, Jonathan Mowday, at the heart of the Swifts defence was in outstanding form and gave a stylish performance throughout the game to deny them any further goal scoring opportunities. Swifts continued to push forward, Neil Green's header cannoning off the bar, Alexander Firth was the first to react to head home the rebound. Strong tackling from Charlie Barrett, Gavin Walton and Jack Cooney gave the Swifts the majority of possession. Jack Cooney and Sam Keetch both went close to scoring before Adam Paske added the sixth and final goal with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box.

Sat 06 Mar - FC PHOENIX 1, LEDBURY SWIFTS 3 
Both sides started brightly on a pitch that was ideally suited to play open and attractive football. Swifts took early control of the game through their hard-working midfield trio of Jack Coney, Adam Paske and Gavin Walton. Phoenix opted to play with three defenders and they posed the Swifts defence a number of problems with their long ball tactics. AJ Smith and Neil Green battled well against the physical and robust Phoenix attackers to deny them any clear goal scoring opportunities. The Swifts created the better opportunities with Neil Green, Jonathen Mowday and Gavin Walton all going close to opening the scoring. Swifts, through Charlie Barrett and Alexander Firth, continued to push forward but were thwarted by the Phoenix keeper who was in outstanding form. A number of interesting decisions from the referee added to the Swifts feeling that this may not be their day as the first half ended goalless. The Swifts started the second half in an explosive manner, Phoenix were dispossessed of the ball from the kick off and Sam Keetch's through ball found Gavin Walton on the edge of the penalty area. Gavin's fierce shot gave the keeper no chance to make a save as the Swifts took the lead to the audible relief of the large number of Ledbury supporters. Phoenix were visibly shaken and Charlie Barrett's close-range effort flew just wide of the post following an excellent right wing cross. Phoenix, counter attacked and were rewarded with a free kick on the edge of the Swifts area. Swifts keeper Alex Parker, who has been in outstanding form, made a breathtaking save to maintain his sides slender lead. Jack Cooney, AJ Smith, Charlie Barrett and Adam Paske relished the physical challenges as Phoenix went in search of an equaliser. Swifts upped the tempo and Gavin Walton made a number of strong runs down the right wing, his well-judged cross was headed home by Sam Keetch to double the Swifts lead. A clever run down the left wing from Alexander Firth saw him cut inside and his fierce shot was too strong for Phoenix keeper to hold. Sam Keetch scored the Swifts third goal of the day and his fortieth of the season. Phoenix refused to give up and scored a consolation goal with almost the last kick of the game.

Sat 21 Feb - ORLETON 0, LEDBURY SWIFTS 4 
LEDBURY Swifts travelled North to the Shropshire border to play Orleton in the Junior Football League on Saturday. On a cold morning both sides started confidently with the sides evenly matched. The Swifts, with their influential midfield trio of Gavin Walton, Jack Cooney and Alexander Firth, had the lions share of the possession but Orleton were defensively well organised and the Ledbury side struggled to create any clear cut chances. J Smith and Neil Green supported each other well as the lively Orleton striker was denied any time or space. Jack Cooneys powerful run from midfield took him past three defenders. His fierce shot cannoned off the upright, Sam Keetch reacting the quickest to fire home the rebound for opening goal. Orleton, always looked dangerous and keeper Alex Parker saved bravely at the feet of the home sides striker. Swifts introduced Jonathan Mowday and Charlie Barrett into their midfield. Clever play from Jonathan Mowday created space for Sam Keetch to fire home the Swifts second goal from the edge of the area. Swifts started the second half the stronger of the two sides with Jack Cooney AJ Smith and Charlie Barrett making a number of strong tackles as Orleton struggled to retain possession of the ball. Excellent inter play between Charlie Barrett and Alexander Firth down the left wing ended with Alexander Firth cutting inside to fire home the Swifts third goal. Swifts continued to hold the upper hand and Jack Cooney well struck shot hit the woodwork for the second time in the game. Gavin Walton and Jonathen Mowday made impressive contributions as they orchestrated a number of telling moves down either flank. Orleton were pushed further back and were forced to concede a free kick on the edge of their area. Neil Green stepping up to slot home the Swifts fourth goal with a well struck shot into the bottom corner. Orleton never gave up and only another brave save from Alex Parker denied them the goals their efforts fully deserved. This win extends the Swifts unbeaten run in League to 21 games and secures for them a key to the door of the championship play offs.

Sat 14 Feb - LEDBURY SWIFTS  9, BARTESTREE COLTS  0 
Both sides started brightly and it was the Swifts who carried the early threat. Disappointingly, given recent events in the league, a Bartestree supporter was dismissed from the pitch for foul and abusive language. From the resulting free kick the Colts were forced to concede a corner, and, following a rehearsed set-piece move, Neil Green's fierce shot from the edge of the box gave the Swifts the opening goal. Swifts pushed forward and goals for Sam Keetch and Neil Green quickly followed. From a corner the Swifts used the same set-piece routine as earlier with an identical outcome, Neil Green firing home to complete a well-deserved hat-trick. Jack Cooney, Charlie Barrett and Adam Paske combined well in the Swifts' midfield and made a number of brave challenges as the game became more physical. A J Smith was in excellent form in the Swifts' defence, giving the Colts striker no clear chances on goal. His clever distribution was key as Gavin Walton and Sam Keetch added further goals to give the Swifts a comfortable six-goal half-time lead. Swifts started the second half strongly as the Colts struggled to contain Gavin Walton's strong runs down the right wing. Jack Cooney and Charlie Barrett both went close to scoring before Sam Keetch added two further goals to complete his double brace. Bartestree pushed forward and were unlucky not to score when a fierce long-range effort cannoned off the Swifts crossbar. Alex Parker came out of goal and his strong run down the left wing was rewarded when his fierce shot beat the Colts' goalkeeper at the near post to score his first ever goal for Swifts. This was the Swifts 100th competitive goal of the season and for the second consecutive season the Swifts score a century of goals.