Under 13s Reports - 2003-04

Sun 21 Mar - LEDBURY SWIFTS  2, LADS CLUB ROVERS  1 
SWIFTS' last home game of the season saw them play some of their best football in difficult conditions to overcome high-flying Lads Club Rovers. Both sides settled early in the windy conditions and stated to pass the ball around well with Lads Club pressing forward looking for the early goal. However they found Swifts defence of Ross Davis, Chris Davies, Chris James and Lewis Hodges well organised from the outset and behind them Sam Beale handled well anything that did get through. This gave Swifts confidence and Joshua Emery almost shot them in front after a good passing move down the right involving Thomas Boyle, Louis Watkins and James McCann. Ross Davis was making some good challenges on the right as Lads Club threatened when coming forward and for Swifts Louis Watkins was getting in some good crosses from his wide position. Joshua Emery was then unlucky to see his shot clip the bar after good work on the left by Thomas Boyle and then Thomas Watkins had a shot well saved. Swifts finally took the lead after forcing a corner kick that was met by a good Alex Kitchen header that was then headed clear only for James McCann to hook the ball home over his shoulder with an agile finish. The second half started in similar, Lewis Hodges was keeping things well organised at the back for Swifts against the lively Lads Club forwards while in midfield Joshua Emery was getting into some good positions and fired just wide from the edge of the box. Ross Davis almost chipped in a long range effort after a Swifts corner on the right had been cleared to him just inside the Lads Club half. Then shortly afterwards a great throw out form Sam Beale set Louis Watkins free on the right, he played Thomas Boyle through and he outpaced the defender before finding the corner of the net to put Swifts two up. With time running out Swifts put on Matthew Lynes and then Joshua Brookland to add fresh legs but with a few minutes remaining Lads Club pulled a goal back through M Evans following a free kick on the right.

Sun 14 Mar - LEDBURY SWIFTS  8, DORE VALLEY  1 
SWIFTS recorded their biggest win of the season against bottom club Dore Valley at home on Sunday in a game played in blustery conditions. Swifts took a little while to settle down with a number of positional changes but it wasn't long before a Thomas Boyle shot almost went over the keeper who just go this hands to the ball only for the alert James McCann to follow up and score. Dore Valley played their part in a lively opening but with Joshua Emery and Thomas Watkins winning most of the midfield ball it was soon 2-0 when Thomas Boyle latched onto a clever through ball from Joshua Emery to score. Thomas then forced a good save from the visitor's keeper before James McCann grabbed his second with a fine finish. Dore Valley were causing the home defence of Joshua Brookland, Lewis Hodges, Ross Davis and Chris James some trouble with the long ball and they did pull a goal back when a free kick caught them square and put a Dore Valley forward clear leaving Sam Beale with little chance. Swifts responded well with Alex Kitchen going close after Thomas Boyle set up the chance. Then just before half time Swifts had the match won when Thomas Boyle poached another goal to make it 4-1. Swifts continued to hold the upper hand right from the start of the second half and soon Louis Watkins had played a fine through ball to James McCann who rounded the keeper to complete his first-hat trick for Swifts. Sam Beale was then called on to make a good save as a spirited Dore Valley refused to give up. Thomas Watkins then headed Thomas Boyle clear and he completed another well deserved hat-trick. Chris Davies was getting in some good tackles at the heart of the Swifts' defence when Dore Valley did press but the hardworking Joshua Emery soon added to Swifts' tally with a fierce shot after James McCann and Thomas Boyle combined to create the chance. Thomas Boyle had the final word to make it 8-1 when Joshua Emery wont he ball on the edge of the box to give him the chance to add his fourth of the match. 

Sun 29 Feb - LEDBURY SWIFTS  1, FC PHOENIX  1 (aet). (FC Phoenix won on penalties.) 
SWIFTS met potential league champions FC Phoenix in the league cup semi-final looking for a cup final appearance at Edgar Street in May. Swifts started brightly knowing they had to be at their best against the league contenders, with Jamie Onions and Joshua Emery battling hard in midfield and Chris Davies keeping a close eye on danger man Brezine. Up front Thomas Boyle and James McCann were looking lively and pressing the opposition defenders back with good support by wide men Alex Kitchen and Louis Watkins. Phoenix were also playing their part in an even affair and took the lead after about ten minutes when a right wing corner was firmly headed home. Swifts to their credit did not let their heads drop and they continued to play their part. Joshua Emery just cleared the bar with a long range free kick before Swifts snatched an equaliser when James McCann played a clever pass through to Thomas Boyle, who finished powerfully into the bottom corner. Swifts lifted by this pressed hard to force a second while at the other end Thomas Watkins had to keep his defence well organised against the strong Phoenix raids. The second half continued in the same way with both teams playing their part in a tense match but Swifts maybe just created the better openings as the half went on. Joshua Emery again just cleared the bar with a free kick and Thomas Boyle and James McCann threatened to break through on a couple of occasions without quite getting free. Swifts put on Lewis Hodges and later Arron Almond to give the team some fresh legs and just before the end Thomas Boyle forced a good save from the Phoenix keeper but at full time it remained locked at 1-1. Extra time remained as tight as the rest of the match had been and it was no surprise when this failed to find a winning goal as both sides gave little away. So it became a penalty shoot out, which with Sam Beale in goal the Swifts felt they had a chance, but after some well taken penalties by both sides Phoenix won through to the final and Swifts had to be content with the knowledge that the whole squad had given their best and it just wasn't their day.

Sun 22 Feb - LEDBURY SWIFTS  2, WELLINGTON  3 
SWIFTS travelled to Wellington on a cold blustery afternoon full of confidence after last week's great performance at Lads Club but on a rough, sloping field of a pitch their performance never reached the same heights and they came away empty-handed. Playing up the slope and into a bitter wind in the first half it was always going to be a struggle and so it proved. Chris Davis made some timely tackles in the heart of the defence but elsewhere Swifts didn't seem to be able to get into the game. Half way through the half the pressure finally told when a Wellington midfielder was allowed to run into the box and scored despite Sam Beale getting his hands to the ball. Swifts did start to look dangerous on the attack as the game went on with Thomas Boyle and James McCann linking up well but unable to break through. Just before half time Wellington again were allowed too much time on the ball and strong running brought a second goal. At the start of the second half Swifts had to reshuffle when Thomas Watkins had to come off but the introduction of Alistair Williams in midfield gave them more bite. Now playing down the slope with the wind behind them Swifts managed to put the home defence under more pressure and soon reduced the deficit when Thomas Boyle gave James McCann the chance to score from close range. This gave Swifts new hope with plenty of time left and with Alex Kitchen working well on the left and Louis Watkins on the right Swifts had some width. At the other end Swifts defence had to be alert against the powerful running of the Wellington midfield that was still causing problems. Louis Watkins had to come off with an injury to be replaced by Matthew Lynnes but soon afterwards Swifts got back on level terms when a shot from Joshua Emery was parried by the keeper and James McCann was on hand again to fire Swifts level. The game became an even affair as the half went on and Wellington became more dangerous on the break with Sam Beale making a couple of good saves. Swifts then went down to ten players when Thomas Boyle had to leave the field. Just before the end Swifts fell behind again when another strong run from midfield left Sam Beale without cover and Wellington had their first ever win over Swifts.

Sun 15 Feb - HEREFORD LADS CLUB COLTS  0, LEDBURY SWIFTS  6 
SWIFTS travelled to Hereford on Sunday and came home with the points after a great all-round team performance. Swifts started brightly and with new signing James McCann showing up well early on Swifts soon got their passing game going. McCann played in Thomas Boyle, whose shot was well saved. Joshua Emery and Jamie Onions were controlling the midfield as Swifts continued to pass the ball well and Boyle forced another good save from the home goalkeeper before he raced onto another through ball only to be fouled in the box. Emery fired home from the spot to give Swifts a deserved lead. Two more goals just before the break put Swifts firmly in control. The first came after good work on the right by Lewis Hodges, who crossed for Boyle to net on the turn, then Boyle provided Emery with the chance to fire home powerfully and Swifts went in 3-0 up. The second half saw Swifts slacken the pace a little. But on the one occasion Lads Club did look like breaking through, Ross Davis mad a great saving tackle. Boyle grabbed his second with a neat chip over the advancing goalkeeper after Onions had played him in. Soon after McCann won another penalty and stepped up to take the kick himself only to fire just wide. Swifts, however, were not finished and added two more goals. First after good work by Arron Almond and McCann on the right, Alex Kitchen knocked the ball to Hodges on the edge of the box and he hit a curling right foot shot past the helpless keeper. Then following a corner taken by Lewis, Sam Beale up from his goalkeeper's role flicked the ball on to McCann, who fired in a well deserved debut goal. This was a good hard working team performance from the Swifts who will be looking to continue this form next week away at Wellington.