Under 12s Reports - 2003-04

Jun 2004: Lads versus dads match is a success
LEDBURY Swifts U12s, who finished third in their league to qualify for the play off stages, wrapped up the season with a dads against the lads match. On a hot afternoon, the lads thought they were in for a stroll but shortly after half time found themselves 4-0 down. With 20 minutes to go the dads strangely had two players sent off, the lads managed to pull three goals back with more alarming decisions from the referee but the dads held out for a well earned victory 4-3. The Swifts U12s would like to thank The Chocolate Box for their sponsorship this season. (Ledbury Reporter)

Sun 04 Apr - LEDBURY SWIFTS  1, CREDENHILL  2 
SWIFTS were hoping to finish their season on a winning note when they entertained Credenhill in the last of their play off games, but despite a battling performance especially in the second half, had to settle for a respectable fourth place. With the wind at their backs Credenhill got off to the perfect start, when they opened the scoring in the first minute, Swifts failed to put any tackle in on the player as he weaved his way into the box and cut the ball back for a simple tap in. Credenhill continued to use the wind to good effect and the Swifts defence of Nelder, Park, Bubbsacklyn and Davies had their work cut out, but they all did well in their respective battles and Reynolds in the Swifts goal also did well. Swifts were caught out right on half time, when a quickly taken free kick surprised Reynolds who could only palm the ball into the roof of the net. With the wind at their backs in the second half Swifts put up a better showing but were dealt a blow early on when Savidge had to be replaced by Gregory. Swifts should have pulled a goal back, when Powell had only the keeper to beat but his first touch was too heavy and the keeper gathered. Perry then robbed the full back but his cross was scrambled clear. Swifts were not to be denied when from a throw in the ball was flicked on for Adam Davis to score at the far post. Hilling then had a great chance to level but took to much time in getting his shot off and was closed down. Swifts then thought they had scored when from a goalmouth scramble the players claimed the ball had crossed the line, when the ball was eventually cleared it ran out to Davies who speculative strike went over the bar. With Swifts going flat out for the equaliser Credenhill came back into the game late on and Reynolds did well with two fine saves, the crossbar also came to Swifts rescue during this spell. Time ran out for the Swift but all the players can take credit for a great effort this season.

Sun 28 Mar - HINTON  3, LEDBURY SWIFTS  1
SWIFTS travelled to Hereford last Sunday to play the second of their play off fixtures, but they were greeted with the sad news that the other play off game between Kington and Credenhill had been postponed due to the sudden death of the Credenhill manager's wife.  As a mark of respect both teams observed a minute silence before the game. When the match got underway it was Hinton who had the better of the early exchanges as they pushed the defence back with some good attacking moves. Though Swifts were struggling to get their game together, they stung the home side with their first attack, when Powell picked up a long clearance he slipped the ball on to Crichard who hit a thunderous strike past the helpless keeper from 25 yards. Hinton came back stronger than ever and it was no surprise that after 11 minutes they equalised with a well worked goal. Swifts' midfield were finding it hard to stop the supply to the Hinton forwards and on 17 minutes were punished for some slack marking in the box which allowed them to score with a simple tap in. Hinton were then nearly made to pay for some slack defending when Crichard robbed the full back and crossed for Powell but alas he misshit his shot on goal. Swifts were then awarded a free kick right on the 18-yard line, Park stepped up but his shot cannoned back off the wall. Hinton started the second half strongly and added a third within the first minute when the winger was allowed to run all the way into the box. He laid the ball back for yet another simple tap in. Swifts showed a lot of character from this setback and, led by their skipper Nelder, showed more determination in taking the game to Hinton. Despite all the efforts put in, Swifts could not get a clear strike on goal but felt they should have had a penalty when Gregory was pushed in the back as he was about to head at goal. It was Hinton who were awarded a penalty two minutes from time for a trip, but the player shot tamely wide. 

Sun 21 Mar - KINGTON  4, LEDBURY SWIFTS  1 
AT the third time of asking Swifts at last got the first of their three play-off games played when they travelled to a very blustery Kington last Saturday. Swifts fell behind as early as the third minute, when they were slow to react to a loose ball in the box, and the striker pounced to fire home. On ten minutes Swifts were two down, when the power and pace of the Kington front line was too much for the Swifts' defence and the player ran through to slot the ball past Reynolds. Swifts began to have more possession due to the tireless efforts of Savidge in midfield and lone striker Powell was working hard to create problems for the Kington defence. The best chance Swifts had for a goal was when they were awarded a free kick in the box for a back pass to the keeper but this was wasted. In the last five minutes of the half Kington strikers broke through the Swifts defence to score two more goals and go in at the break 4-0 up. In the second half Swifts played a lot better as they closed Kington down all over the pitch, Nelder, Davies, Bubb-Sacklyn and Perry were now having the better of the Kington forwards, this enabled the midfield to press forward, and it was Crichard who was unlucky when his strike went over the bar. Crichard then got the better of the full back, his cross fell to Davies who also saw his effort go just over. Kington were still dangerous on the break and Swifts had to be grateful to Reynolds for two good saves. Swifts came back and Crichard again outpaced the Kington defence only to see his shot trickle the wrong side of the post. Perry and Bubb-Sacklyn were now like terriers in their tackling in support of Savidge in midfield and the goal their play deserved came five minutes from time and it came from the player how also deserved it for his efforts, when Crichard broke through on the left and chipped the keeper to perfection. With this victory Kington have now won the championship but for Swifts they have two games to go to see how high they can finish.

Sun 22 Feb - PHOENIX  0, LEDBURY SWIFTS  0 (aet - Phoenix won on penalties) 
SWIFTS travelled to Hereford last Sunday to play Phoenix in the IMI Mouldings Cup and after last week's heroics were hoping of a good cup run. For the third year running Phoenix managed to put Swifts out of a cup competition after this game went to a penalty shoot out. On a bitterly cold afternoon, which was made worse by a strong wind, Swifts failed to get a consistent flow in to their game even though they dominated possession against the wind in the first half. On nine minutes Swifts nearly took the lead when Tom Powell lifted the ball over the keeper but on bouncing spun the wrong side of the post. Shortly after Powell was put through again, this time the keeper made a fine save. Wingers Crichard and Peplow were doing well to get some crosses into the box but Phoenix were defending in mass and easily dealt with the danger. Though Swifts' defence were coping against the wind, they were dealt a blow on 20 minutes when full back Ian Davies had to be replaced by Ndlovu due to a foot injury, so Parsons dropped back from midfield. Savidge and Davis continued to probe but the final ball was missing. Even with the wind at their backs Swifts started the second half slowly and were nearly punished on a couple of occasions as Phoenix put some good attacking moves together. Midway through the half Swifts had a good chance to open the scoring, as Powell's shot agonisingly went past the far post. Then Powell again turned in the box only this time shot over. Try as both teams did nobody could find a winner in normal time. In extra time players began to struggle with the conditions, Swifts had more of the play but lacked that final bit of composure to pick out the vital pass which could have settled the tie, but the only winner in this game was the weather. The penalty shoot out turned out to be an anti-climax for the Swifts, as the first four players all missed, with Phoenix scoring three out of their four to go through to the next round.

Sun 15 Feb - LEDBURY SWIFTS  2, LADS CLUB COLTS  0 
A MAGNIFICENT all-round team performance last Sunday against second placed Lads Club Colts has virtually secured Swifts a play off place and in doing so denied Lads Club. In a keenly contested game it was Swifts who took the early initiative as they were quicker and sharper in all areas of the pitch. It was soon evident that Sam Crichard was going to be a big threat for Swifts with his pace on the right wing and he nearly gave Swifts the lead when his chip beat the goalkeeper but just went over the bar. Swifts took the lead on 15 minutes when Parsons put Crichard through. His cross caused panic in the Lads Club defence, from which Tom Powell pounced to lash the ball home. Crichard was denied twice by the keeper who pulled off some excellent saves. The second half was more even as Lads Club went in search of an equaliser, which they should have had when the striker only had Reynolds to beat but shot wide. Back came Swifts as Savidge tested the keeper with a crisp drive from the edge of the box. Lads Club again squandered some good chances and Reynolds also denied them with two superb saves. Swifts were then awarded a free kick on the 18 yard line and Park's shot was well saved at the foot of the post. The goalkeeper again came to Lads Club's rescue with another excellent save from a Crichard shot. Peplow and Ndlovu replaced Parsons and Perry and seven minutes from time Swifts sealed the game when a good move down the left between Peplow and Savidge put Ndlovu clear and from the edge of the box he drilled his shot into the far corner to give Swifts a well deserved victory.