Under 9s Reports - 2003-04

12-06-04: Friendly Match
Ledbury Swifts - 7 (Rooke 2 33 40, Preece 3 13 23, Brown 39)
Pencome - 1 (Smith pen 25)
Recently formed Pencombe came to Swifts for one of their first matches, and got a lesson in solid passing football as the Swifts equalled their best tally this season. The visitors were left reeling after just two minutes when a Joe Crichard clearance found David Preece who passed inside to Ben Brown. He immediately saw Matthew Rooke in acres of space on the right, and played him on, Rooke converting the chance from a tight angle for the opening goal. From the kick-off, Pancombe launched a long ball straight at goal, which was easily picked up by keeper Patrick Merryman, his long goal kick found Brown who ran on to shoot, his effort was saved but Preece followed up and slotted the ball home for 2-0 inside three minutes. Ledbury continued to make the running with some good passing moves and solid defending from David Nash and Michael Arlott. Ledbury's third was again started by Crichard who had a go himself, but again the shot was parried, Brown picked it up but unselfishly passed it to Preece whose shot took a deflection off a defender to leave the keeper helpless. 3-0 at half-time and after the restart Pencombe mustered some attacking play of their own, but were caught on the break. The resulting corner bobbled around in the box before Preece knocked it in for his hat-trick. Pencome again came back at the Swifts, their next attack saw Crichard unlucky to be judged to have handled the ball while blocking a shot, the result penalty was struck firmly into the corner for Pencome's consolation goal. Despite that, Swifts returned quickly to business as usual, another long Merryman goal kick was picked up by Rooke who ran on and scored in a fine solo effort, and moments later Crichard made another strong run on the left, crossed to Rooke who played Brown on for the home side's sixth. In the dying moments David Nash had a short parried, and Rooke pounced for his hat-trick. Final score 7-1 and good to see the team maintaining the momentum which should put them in good stead for the new season.

03-05-04: KEN LONG TROPHY FINAL:
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Jones 19)
Hinton - 0
Swifts retained the Ken Long Trophy after a hard-fought final against Hinton in this annual four-way tournament, giving the team a real boost at the end of a challenging season which saw them go out of the Cup and have to settle for second place in the League. Ledbury reached the final after a comfortable 2-0 win over Newtown Sports, with goals from Matthew Rooke in the first half, and Ryan Jones in the second. Hinton booked their place with a 3-1 win against Mitcheldean, who went on the win the 3rd place playoff 2-0. The final started at a cracking pace, with Ledbury taking the initiative and Jones shooting just wide in the first minute. Hinton responded strongly to the early Swifts pressure, and put together some good moves to keep the Ledbury defence busy, but Michael Arlott, David Nash and Joe Crichard were equal to the task, and Hinton’s two long-range shots on goal were easily picked up by keeper Patrick Merryman. Swifts fought back well towards the end of the first half, with a good run and cross from Arlott finding no-one in the box, and a good shot from Ben Brown was well saved by the Hinton keeper. The second half started with the visitors attacking quickly and getting the ball into the Ledbury box, but the keeper fumbled it and with a Hinton forward almost on top of him, Merryman managed to run back and get the ball under control. From the goal kick, Ledbury counter attacked quickly, and a good run from Ryan Jones ended with a fine shot which gave the Hinton keeper no chance. The last quarter of the match was an exciting finale, with Hinton looking for an equaliser and Swifts searching for a second goal; Nash, Crichard, Rooke and Brown put together some good passing play, while the best chances to increase the tally came to Jones and David Preece, who both shot just inches wide in the last two minutes of the game. In the end, the one goal was enough, and Ledbury retain the trophy after a well-played and well-supported tournament.
Semi-Finals: Ledbury Swifts 2, Newtown Sports 0 // Mitcheldean 1, Hinton 3
3rd/4th Place Play Off: Mitcheldean 2, Newtown Sports 0

05-04-04: Friendly Match
Cheltenham Town - 3
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Jones, Crichard)
No match report available

13-03-04: League Play-Offs Week 3
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Brown 19, 32)
Hereford Lads Club - 0
Ledbury began their last league match knowing a win was vital for them to finish the season in a creditable second place. With Ryan Jones unavailable, the coaches gave David Preece a chance up front which almost paid dividends after one minute as he saw a shot deflected out for a corner. Swifts made all the early running, with good passing play from Michael Arlott, Joe Crichard, Ben Brown and Matthew Rooke, but they were frustrated by some sound defending. The visitors were strong on the counter-attack and came closest to scoring when a stinging shot from Cooper was tipped over the bar by Swifts’ keeper Patrick Merryman. Despite that scare, the home side hit back with Crichard just heading wide from a corner. They eventually made the breakthrough from a good David Nash clearance in defence; the visitors were caught napping at the back as Rooke ran the ball into the box and crossed to give Brown a clear shot to take Ledbury into the lead at half time. The home side maintained the pressure after the break and should have added to their tally as Rooke shot wide and Preece hit the post. Lads Club tried to get an equaliser, but were again caught on the break; Nash cleared from a corner, lofting the ball upfield to Brown who ran on and, as the keeper came off his line, managed to hit a shot under him to get the Swifts second. The home side should have had more, but Preece, Brown and Rooke all had shots saved, while at the back, Nash and Arlott made short work of Hereford’s final efforts to get a consolation goal at the close. Ledbury win 2-0, and finish runners-up in the league; a result to be proud of and a fair reflection of the hard work and effort put in by all involved, both on and off the pitch.

06-03-04: League Play-Offs Week 2
Ross United Services - 2 (Parry 16, Tumelty 35)
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Rooke 12)
Ledbury made the League champions work hard to keep their 100% record in what was an evenly balanced match. The visitors had the best of the early game forcing a corner from which Joe Crichard had a good shot blocked. Ross though were quick to counter, with shots from Tom Parry and Joe Tumelty, the latter from short range which was deftly picked up by Swifts keeper Patrick Merryman. From the goal kick, Ben Brown made a good run down the left wing, played Matthew Rooke clear of his marker, and he ran on to leave the Ross keeper with no chance. Having got ahead though, Ledbury let Ross come back at them almost immediately; the home side playing some excellent passing football, laying siege to the Swifts’ box. The pressure quickly told and Parry was left unmarked on the edge of the box to slot a low shot into the corner of the net to leave the game all square at half time. From the re-start both sides looked determined to add to their tally, with good running from Brown, Rooke and Ryan Jones, while Crichard saw two more shots saved, the second a free kick which was the visitors’ best chance to regain the lead. Ledbury defended stoutly, with David Nash again playing a pivotal role in the centre. But with five minutes to go, Ross again made an excellent move down the right, a lofted cross found Joe Tumelty unmarked in front of goal, and his volley found the target. Having got ahead, Ross tried to seal their victory, another Tumelty effort being saved by Merryman.

29-02-04: Friendly Match
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Own Goal 4, Jones 36)
Mitcheldean - 1 (Rushworth 2)
Ledbury had an early wake-up call in this match against Gloucestershire side Mitcheldean, as Jimmy Rushworth latched onto a Ben Robins cross with just two minutes gone and left the defence and the Swifts goalkeeper standing to put the visitors ahead. Ledbury responded quickly, putting Mitcheldean under immediate pressure; Ben Brown had a shot saved, and moments later a Ryan Jones cross was turned in by a Mitcheldean defender to level the score. With honour restored, Ledbury settled down, and both sides began to play some attractive football, with good searching runs from Brown, Jones and Matthew Rooke for the home side. The Swifts defence made up for their earlier lapse by keeping the visitors at bay, Michael Arlott playing a central role, well supported by Luke Summers and Nick Gibbons, although on occasions, the flowing game of the Mitcheldean attack managed to get a couple of shots in although these were easily dealt with by keeper Patrick Merryman. In the second half, Ledbury began to take control; Arlott had a long-range shot saved, while Brown and Jones both put in jinking runs to round several defenders only see their shots picked off by the Mitcheldean keeper. Eventually the pressure told, and from a corner on the right, Rooke's shot was blocked, but Jones followed up and planted the ball firmly in the net for Ledbury's deserved winner.

21-02-04: League Play-Offs Week 1
Leominster Minors - 1 (Own Goal 36)
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Rooke 27)
After finishing five points behind Ross, Swifts needed a win to keep their title hopes alive, while Leominster were looking to dislodge Ledbury from the runners-up spot. This was a match of two strong defences, each closing down their opponents quickly; Jo Crichard and David Nash were the rocks in the centre of the Swifts defence, with Nash especially effective across the whole width of the field, and Crichard making some searching runs down the left wing. Despite this, the attackers had the odd chance and Ledbury goalkeeper Patrick Merryman kept them in the hunt, making a good save after Leominster’s Danny Sharp put a low shot through a crowded box. Moments later, Ryan Jones pulled a good save from Leominster’s keeper after latching onto a Matthew Rooke cross. Goalless at half time, but from the re-start Leominster looked determined to change that; twice Sharp got clear of the defence, twice he ended up one-on-one with Ledbury’s keeper, twice he was denied by excellent saves as Merryman pounced on the ball at his feet to end his runs. At the other end, Jones showed his own class hustling past three defenders to get a cross into Rooke who slotted the ball through the thinnest of gaps to break the deadlock. Leominster fought back strongly, and the pressure eventually told with four minutes left; a close-range shot from Tom Cornes came off the Ledbury defence and into the net for a disappointing equaliser. Both sides had chances in the closing minutes, but an excellent match ended honours even, though Ledbury will count themselves unlucky to have surrendered a point.

07-02-04: League Week 15
Bartestree Dynamo - 0
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Rooke 17, Jones 40)
Swifts went into their last league match with a play-off place secure, but needing maximum points to keep their title challenge alive. Both teams made a determined start, with Bartestree making the best start, testing the Ledbury defence but getting no further. Ledbury responded in kind, with some strong running in midfield from Jo Crichard, Ben Brown and Ryan Jones, but again they were frustrated by a bustling defence which forced them to shoot wide and when they were on target, by two excellent saves from the Dynamos keeper. The Swifts’ pressure began to tell though, and after 17 minutes a finely weighted through ball from David Preece was met by Matthew Rooke who made no mistake from close range to give Ledbury the lead at half time. Bartestree came out determined to get back into the game, and they made a number of good runs along the left wing in an attempt to get behind the Swifts defence. After six minutes they won a corner, from which William Keetch got in a shot from close range, only to see Patrick Merryman make an instinctive save to tip the ball over the bar. Ledbury continued to soak up the pressure as Dynamo searched for an equaliser, and in the last minute they counter-attacked with a strong run on the left from Crichard, and Ryan Jones left his marker standing to latch onto a cross which he planted into the net to seal the match. Ledbury win 2-0 and now wait to see who they meet in their first play-off match in a few weeks time.

31-01-04: Friendly Match
Ledbury Swifts - 7 (Crichard 8, Rooke 18 37 39, Preece 28, Jones 34, Brown 40)
Bromyard Town - 0
With no league programme this weekend, both teams were looking for match practice, especially with Ledbury having secured a play-off place. The game started brightly despite the driving rain, with both sides pushing forward and looking for goal. Ledbury took the lead after eight minutes with Joe Crichard picking up the ball on the edge of a crowded Bromyard box, and threading it into the corner of the net. Moments later, David Nash had a good shot saved, and from the goal kick, Bromyard countered with a run up the centre which left the Swifts defence standing and only the keeper to beat. The shot on goal was good, but Patrick Merryman stood his ground and parried it away for a corner. Despite the warning, Swifts stuck to their task and with two minutes of the first half left, Crichard crossed the ball to Matthew Rooke, who scored from a very tight angle to make it 2-0 at half time. Bromyard came out fighting after the interval, but were caught early on the counter-attack by David Preece who picked up the ball in his own half, made an excellent run down the right wing and chipped the ball calmly over the Bromyard keeper for a fine individual goal. Minutes later Ryan Jones made it four with a good turn and shot from a tight angle on the edge of the box, and shortly after Rooke chipped the keeper for the fifth. Bromyard still refused to give up on a consolation goal, and another good run from the kick-off saw them one-on-one with the keeper, only to see Merryman charge down the shot. Ledbury recovered immediately, and after a smooth passing move from Ben Brown, Jones played Rooke on for his hat-trick. In the dying moments, the home side won a free kick on the edge of the box, and the keeper could only get his fingertips to Brown's shot as it went into the roof of the net to make it 7-0 to the Swifts.

24-01-04: League Week 14
Ledbury Swifts - 0
Ross United Services - 2 (Payne 35, Parry 38)
Swifts deserved to come away from this top-of-the-table clash with at least a point, but two late lapses of concentration left them recording their first league defeat. Ross came here with a 100% record and 67 goals, and staged a number of early attacks. But they were forced to work hard to make any headway against Ledbury’s defence, with David Nash, Michael Arlott and Joe Crichard standing firm and breaking down the visitors’ passing game. Swifts goalkeeper Patrick Merryman played a crucial part in keeping them in the match during United’s early pressure, making a number of instinctive saves including a tip over the bar after nine minutes from a seemingly unstoppable shot from Tom Parry. Ross did appear vulnerable on the counter-attack, and Ledbury had their best chances a minute later when a goal kick was picked up by Ryan Jones, played on to Matthew Rooke whose cross was cut out by Ross’ keeper Ashley Stanton. Good running from Joe Crichard and Ben Brown gave Jones another chance but again his shot drew a solid save. Ross re-applied the pressure in the second half, but while they had a number of shots they either went wide or were picked up by keeper Merryman. Despite their solid performance, Ledbury’s concentration slipped five minutes from time; a goal kick was intercepted early, Elliot Payne got behind the defence and his long-range shot just slipped under Merryman’s legs to put Ross ahead. Their second came from a free kick; Parry left his marker standing to reach the ball and score from close range. A disappointing result for Swifts after a tight hard-fought game, and they travel to Bartestree Dynamo on Saturday week for their last regular match before the play-offs.

17-01-04: League Week 13
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Jones 9)
FC Phoenix Jets - 0
This was a repeat of Ledbury’s first round cup tie, even down to the outcome; a match comfortably won, but which should have had a more emphatic scoreline. As in last year’s meeting, it was the Jets who made liveliest start, winning four corners in the first two minutes. They also had their best chance on goal, a shot from the edge of the box by Jack Harris was comfortably punched away by Swifts keeper Patrick Merryman, and from then on the visitors never looked like scoring. The home side stepped up a gear as Joe Crichard made a strong run down the left wing, going past four Jets players to get into the box, only to see his shot cleared. A minute later, a goal kick was picked up by Ben Brown, passed to Matthew Rooke, moved forward to Ryan Jones who split the defence and slotted it confidently in the top of the net to give Ledbury the lead. Despite that, the Jets stuck to their task, and while their attacks made little headway, the defence and especially goalkeeper Jamie Combe were determined to keep them in the game. Ledbury maintained the pressure throughout the second half and Combe made a number of saves to deny several shots from Brown, Jones and Rooke. Ledbury could have had a hatful of goals, but in the end had to settle for one, but it was enough to give them the points. Saturday’s match sees second versus first as Swifts travel to meet league leaders Ross United Services.

10-01-04: League Week 12
Hereford Lads Club - 1 (Wright 18)
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Crichard 37)
Either side could have won this closely-fought match, but as it was, this clash between the league’s second and third-placed teams was too close to call, and the result was a fair reflection of this. Swifts had the best of the early pressure, forcing several corners, but shots from Ben Brown, Matthew Rooke, Ryan Jones and David Nash either drew good saves from the Hereford keeper Sam Lewis, or were just wide of the mark. The home side fought back, although they too saw a number of chances go begging. However, with two minutes to go, a drifting cross got behind the Swifts' defence and while keeper Patrick Merryman dived to get a hand to it, Lads Club forward Sam Wright was left unmarked, and lofted a tightly angled shot into the net to give the home side the lead at half-time. Ledbury came out positively after the re-start, but again could not capitalise on several chances, even after gaining two free kicks thanks to some robust defending by the Lads Club. Despite that the pressure meant an equaliser was inevitable, and with three minutes left, a Ben Brown corner was parried by the Hereford goalkeeper but it fell to Joe Crichard who forced the ball through a crowded box and into the net. Ledbury could have had a winner from a free kick after a handball on the edge of the box in the dying moments, but the shot just went wide, and Swifts had to be satisfied with a draw to maintain their unbeaten League record.

13-12-03: League Week 11
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Jones 4, Brown 9)
Wellington - 2 (Skinner 6, Bonella 35)
Ledbury were lucky to come away with a point in the end, although they were also unlucky not to have had it won early in the second half. Wellington came here on the back of some good results, but it was the Swifts took the initiative, forcing two early corners, and a good run from Joe Crichard ended with a cross to Ryan Jones who squeezed the ball under the Wellington keeper to put the home side ahead. The visitors though came straight back, a strong run from William Skinner left the Ledbury defence standing, and his shot similarly just got under Swifts’ keeper Patrick Merryman to roll over the line for the equaliser. Ledbury immediately retaliated with a Matthew Rooke effort into the side netting, and moments later he lofted a ball into the box which was met by Ben Brown who slotted it home to make it 2-1 after only nine minutes. The game then became a war of attrition; both sides making strong pushes forward, only to be met by robust defending, but while Ledbury missed several chances, Wellington seemed more determined to get something out of the match and the Swifts’ defence never seemed to be able to clear the ball properly. Eventually the pressure told and with five minutes to go, the visitors laid siege to the Swifts’ goal, and after four shots were repelled, Dylan Bonnella unleashed a left footer which caught a cruel deflection off Rooke to leave Merryman stranded, and Wellington celebrating an equaliser. Ledbury held on but will be ruing those missed chances.

06-12-03: League Week 10
Bromyard Town - 0
Ledbury Swifts - 3 (Rooke 24, Brown 27, Crichard 37)
“A game of two halves” really is the only way to describe this match, as Ledbury made hard work of the first half against bottom-of-the-table Bromyard. The home side took advantage and played with determination and more than matched the Swifts as they struggled to spread the ball and make their passes count. The visitors still had the best of the chances though with Ben Brown forcing a good save, and both Michael Arlott and Peter Dixon shooting just wide. Three substitutions at half-time put some fire into Ledbury’s game, and their dominance began to tell early as both Matthew Rooke and Ryan Jones were left clear to meet a Brown cross from the by-line. Rooke got there first for a simple tap in to open the Swifts’ account. From the kick-off, Ledbury asserted more pressure, with a Joe Crichard shot forcing an excellent save from Bromyard keeper Jack Bolton. But his goal kick was immediately pounced on by Brown who left everyone standing as he sent a looping shot back over Bolton’s head and into the goal off the underside of the crossbar for Swifts’ second. From that point Ledbury settled into their normal game, with good interchanges between all the players. More chances came to Jones, Brown and Crichard, but both the Bromyard keeper and the woodwork kept them out until three minutes before time, when a Jones’ shot rebounded to be followed up by Crichard who planted the ball into the bottom-left of the goal. Ledbury win 3-0 to maintain their challenge at the top of the table.

29-11-03: League Week 9
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Rooke 5, Brown 11)
Westfields - 0
Driving rain and strong winds made this a test of stamina for both sides, but Ledbury made the better start, trying not to let the conditions spoil their passing game. Ben Brown shot wide early on, and after more good play at the front won a corner; as Westfields’ defence dithered, Matthew Rooke got enough of a foot on the ball to push it home. Ledbury immediately went back on the offensive; good passing from Thomas Bullock put Ryan Jones through to force a save from the visiting keeper, but Swifts stuck to the task and an excellent cross from Joe Crichard found Brown in the box and he knocked it home for the second. Westfields never really settled but despite their dominance, the home side were frustrated by the conditions. Michael Arlott and David Nash in defence fought doggedly for every ball, and while there was some excellent passing play up front, it brought no reward for the Swifts as several shots on goal went agonisingly wide. Westfields managed to trouble the Swifts’ keeper Patrick Merryman in the closing minutes of the game, but he confidently fended off a corner to allow Brown to clear to Jones who ran at the Westfields defence only to see his shot cannon off the post, summing up a frustrating match for the Swifts. It finished 2-0 but it could have been many more as Ledbury maintain their challenge at the top of the table.

22-11-03: League Week 8
Kington Town - 0
Ledbury Swifts - 6 (Brown 18, 26; Jones 20; Crichard 31, 35; Rooke 32)
Swifts headed west looking to make up for their Cup exit at Kington’s hands, but the one-sided scoreline belies a thoroughly entertaining match in which both sides showed class and skill. For most of the first half, Kington easily matched Ledbury, and could have gone ahead from some well-taken corners had the Swifts defence not held firm. The visitors though always seemed to have the better of the luck, and their first goal reflected this; a lofted shot from Ben Brown came off the post and into the net off the unlucky Kington keeper. The home side went straight for goal from the re-start, but after a scrum in the Ledbury box, a long clearance from David Nash was picked up by Ryan Jones who left his marker standing and made no mistake with less than a minute of the half to go. Despite being two down at the interval, Kington stuck to their task with some skilled defending from Ella Johnson and Ieuan Price often frustrating the Ledbury forwards. Eventually though, the pressure told and Brown made it three with his second goal after an unselfish pass-back on the left wing from Matthew Rooke. Kington fought back with their best chance of the game; Elliot Morris’s long-range shot hitting the post, but from the clearance, Ledbury struck again with a lofted pass from Thomas Bullock forcing a corner. This was played out to Joe Crichard who chipped a shot perfectly over the keeper’s head. A minute later more good passing saw Brown return the favour to Rooke, setting him up for Ledbury’s fifth, while continued pressure from the kick-off saw more corners for the Swifts, and three minutes later, Crichard sent a shot through a crowded Kington box for the visitors’ sixth. Kington never gave up the fight for a consolation goal, but couldn’t crack the Swift’s defence.

15-11-03: League Week 7
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Crichard 5)
Bartestree Rangers - 0
Ledbury were looking to keep their League season on track after their disappointing Cup exit, but faced a Bartestree side buoyed up by recent League and Cup wins. The visitors showed their determination in the first minute with a shot on goal straight from the kick off, but Swifts’ keeper Patrick Merryman was equal to it, and from his goal kick Ledbury began to apply some pressure of their own, taking the game to Rangers and winning two corners. The second was played short by Ben Brown to Matthew Rooke, whose cross went right across the front of the goal and was eventually pushed out to Joe Crichard who let fly with a crunching volley into the top right-hand corner of the net. Rangers tried to come straight back at the home side, but Ledbury continued to press the advantage making for an end-to-end first half which saw a Ryan Jones shot tipped over the bar, a Rooke shot blocked by Ranger’s keeper Ben Prosser, and two shots from Bartestree’s Sam Hawes drawing more solid saves from Merryman. Half-time substitutions for Swifts saw an easing of the frenetic pace, but as the game became more scrappy, Swifts continued to press for a second with chances for Jones, Ben Brown, Peter Dixon and Thomas Bullock. The visitors were just as determined, and 10 minutes from time thought they’d got an equaliser; Howes got clear of the Swifts’ defence and slotted a shot under the diving Merryman, only to see David Nash clear the ball in front of goal. Despite more Rangers’ pressure, Nash continued to make his presence felt as the Swifts’ defence held to seal the victory.


08-11-03: League Week 6 (No League Fixture)
Friendly Match
Ledbury Swifts Under 8s - 0
Ledbury Swifts Under 9s - 4 (Bullock 9, Nash 29, Preece 32, Rooke 40)
After the disappointment of their Cup exit last weekend, this fixture gave the Under 9s a chance to re-group and regain their confidence, while the Under 8s got some important practice under real match conditions ahead of their League and Cup campaign next season. Encouragingly for the Under 8s, the game was nowhere near as one-sided as the scoreline suggests, and their defence ensured the Under 9s had to work hard for their goals, while the Under 9s defence did not have it all their own way, with some good runs and passing play testing them well, although in the final analysis, the Under 8s will be disappointed to have had only had one real attempt on goal. For the Under 9s, both Thomas Bullock and Matthew Rooke re-gained their goal-scoring success, after neither had scored recently. The highlights of the match though were from two players making their debut on the scoresheet - David Nash's long-range goal, which was well-struck from some way outside the box, and David Preece's hard work and tenacity in midfield which eventually got its reward with his goal in the last quarter of the match.

01-11-03: Hillmans Florist Cup 2nd Round
Ledbury Swifts - 0
Kington Town - 1 (Goody 19)
Swifts were literally bundled out of the Cup by a Kington side who came to Ledbury without a League win so far this season. Kick-off was delayed by a missing referee, and once a replacement was found, the lacklustre performance off the field seemed to transfer to the players once the game got underway. The visitors managed to close the home side down and stopped them playing their natural game to such an extent, that most of the action was in the form of throw-ins and goal kicks. Despite that, Kington narrowly had the best of a grim first half, counterattacking quickly and hustling the Swifts defence, drawing several good saves from Swifts ‘keeper Patrick Merryman. Their pressure eventually told with the ball bobbling into the Ledbury box, and after a number of failed clearances, Robbie Goody managed to get a toe on the ball to push it home. In the second half, Kington seemed happy just to play out for the one-goal win, while Swifts managed to show occasional snatches of their normal passing play; their best chance came after ten minutes when a Joe Crichard clearance to Thomas Bullock was passed to Ben Brown who put Ryan Jones clear down the middle. A good run from Jones ended when he was brought down in the box, but despite appeals for a penalty, the referee waved the game on, depriving Swifts of their best chance to get back into the match. Matthew Rooke was unlucky not to snatch an equaliser in the dying moments, and the match ended a disappointing 1-0 to the visitors. Overall the game was a dour, scrappy affair, and it was more a case of Ledbury throwing it away than Kington winning it.

25-10-03: League Week 5
FC Phoenix Sharks - 0
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Crichard 19)
Ledbury went into this match missing two regulars up front, and for the first quarter the match was scrappy with both sides mustering attacks and winning corners, but having no real shots on goal. David Preece had the first chance for the Swifts after 10 minutes producing a good save from Sharks' goalkeeper Robbie Jones, and the Sharks quickly countered with an effort which ended in the Swifts’ side netting. As the first half progressed though, Swifts began to take control, and the pressure told with a minute to go as Thomas Bullock picked up on a short clearance, passed to Ryan Jones; he threaded the ball through the defence to Joe Crichard who slotted the ball neatly into the bottom left-hand side of the net for his first goal of the season. The second half started with the Sharks trying to make amends in an early attack which saw Ben Oakley getting round the Swifts’ defence for the home side’s best chance on goal, but his low effort was palmed beyond the post by goalkeeper Patrick Merryman. Swifts’ advantage started to tell and they settled down as the second half progressed, with Crichard, Bullock, Preece and Jones passing the ball well going forward. Crichard was unlucky not to add to his tally, with two more well-struck attempts on goal which both just went the wrong side of the post. Bullock also had a neat chip-shot saved as they tried for the winner. Sharks did their best to get back into the match, but the Swifts defence held to maintain the side’s unbeaten record.

18-10-03: League Week 4
Ledbury Swifts - 5 (Rooke 18, 31; Bullock 20, 24; Jones 22)
Belmont Eagles - 0
Ledbury recorded their best win of the season so far with a determined effort against one of three League teams who came into this weekend without a point so far. Despite that, Belmont defended well at the start of the first half to deny the Swifts’ many efforts on goal, and both Ryan Jones and Matthew Rooke got behind the defence but were unable to make their efforts count, and several chances went begging. Belmont tried to counter, but were quickly denied by the Swift’s defence; David Preece working hard to cut their options. The home side finally stamped their authority on the game after 16 minutes with a move started in midfield by Thomas Bullock, and some good passing between Jones and Joe Crichard sent Rooke to the by-line where he managed to turn the ball into the net on the thinnest of angles. Moments later another shot bobbled across the front of the goal, and with seconds to go, more good play in midfield put Bullock clear to score his first of the season on the stroke of half time. 2-0 up, Swifts picked up again straight after kick-off, with a well-hit shot from Crichard being saved allowing the Eagles to mount a counter-attack. But a good clearance by David Nash to Rooke caught them out and Jones was waiting to knock in the third. Two minutes later Swifts attacked again, winning a corner on the right; Rooke’s volley was cleared off the line but only out to Bullock on the edge of the box who chipped through the keeper’s hands into the top of the net. Belmont’s best chance came from the kick-off but it was seen off by goalkeeper Patrick Merryman who cleared from the edge of the box to set up another Swifts attack which saw Crichard denied by a good save at the other end. More Ledbury pressure from Michael Arlott won another corner and in the scramble, Rooke toed the ball in for his second. Ledbury had more chances at the close but ran out the 5-0 winners with an excellent all-round performance.

11-10-03: Hillmans Florist Cup 1st Round
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Jones 10)
FC Phoenix Jets - 0
The Jets came to Ledbury after a 5-0 drubbing in the League a week earlier and faced a Swifts side still unbeaten in competitive matches, and sporting a new strip which, being on the large side for some players, sometimes caused them more problems than the opposition. Despite that, the Phoenix Jets were keen to kick-start their season, and threw themselves into some early attacks which were quickly seen off by Joe Crichard and the two Davids, Preece and Nash in the Swifts defence. The home side settled down and began moving the ball around, and it was a move which started in midfield with Ben Brown which saw the Swifts break on the left wing, with Matthew Rooke putting Ryan Jones into the clear in the visitor’s box where he gave the ‘keeper no chance. With Swifts 1-0 up after ten minutes, the rest of the first half became a bad-tempered affair with neither side really making much headway and players on both sides being brought down. Half-time substitutions in defence saw Michael Arlott and Thomas Bullock pitched into the fray, and it was Ledbury who had the better start with an effort from Rooke which went begging as it crossed the Jets’ goal, and two minutes later the home side’s pressure was almost rewarded when Bullock sent in a long-range chip shot which the Phoenix goalkeeper had well covered. Despite their slender lead, Swifts continued to press for the winner, and although the Jets tried to counter, they were unable to take advantage of a couple of slips in defence, and never really looked like getting back into the match, allowing goalkeeper Patrick Merryman his easiest clean sheet of the season so far. It ended 1-0 and Swifts go through to the second round on November 1st.

04-10-03: League Week 3
Hinton FC - 0
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Jones 1, 20)
The echo from the referee’s whistle to start the match had barely died when Ryan Jones latched onto a pass from Thomas Bullock, went past two defenders and planted the ball firmly into the net to give Swifts the perfect start with just 18 seconds on the clock. Hinton immediately tried to get back into the game with an attack up the centre which saw Bullock injured as he was judged to have brought down Hinton forward Aaron Jones. The resulting free kick on the edge of the area was blocked by the Swifts’ wall, and from there Ledbury were able to impose their authority on the rest of the first half, which saw a number of attempts on goal. One resulted in a Matthew Rooke free kick which was also deflected off the home side’s wall. The Swift’s pressure told at the close of the first half as a perfectly weighted corner from Michael Arlott was volleyed into the goal by Jones, only for it to be handled by a Hinton player just after it went over the line. Jones made no mistake from the spot, and the visitors were 2-0 up at half time. The second period saw Hinton making a concerted attempt to pull the game back. With seven minutes to go, they finally managed to get round the defence, and Aaron Jones shot from the edge of the area only to see Swifts’ goalkeeper Patrick Merryman get a foot to the ball. From then on Ledbury defended well, with David Preece and David Nash defusing most attacks, and it was Nash who had the final say, deflecting Hinton’s final attempt on goal from a corner in the dying moments of the match. Swifts’ win 2-0.

27-09-03: League Week 2
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Rooke 7, 18)
Leominster Minors - 1 (Cornes 35)
With a draw at FC Sporting Phoenix last weekend Ledbury were looking to boost their fortunes against a Leominster side which came into this match off the back of a 4-0 win in their season opener. It was the visitors who got the better start with an early chipped volley from a corner which Swifts ‘keeper Patrick Merryman had to use all his height to fend off allowing David Preece to clear the danger. After seven minutes of pressure, Swifts counterattacked with a long goal kick chased down by Ryan Jones who crossed for Matt Rooke to plant the ball firmly into the bottom right corner of the net. As in their first match, Swifts allowed the visitors to come back at them, but this time they countered again quickly, Jones’ low shot just being kept out by keeper Jake Gregory’s left foot. After some hard work in midfield by Thomas Bullock, Ledbury extended their lead with two minutes of the first half to go, another Jones’ cross from the right deflected off Rooke’s knee at the far post making it 2-0 at half time. The second period saw sustained pressure from Leominster which almost paid off in the third minute with a shot over the bar, and four minutes later when Dan Sharpe met a corner almost perfectly only to see his low header go just wide of the Swift’s goal. Ledbury countered again with some fine control from Joe Crichard in midfield forcing a corner which went just over the Minor’s bar. With five minutes to go Leominster came back at the home side, another corner from Lewis Phillips was met by Tom Cornes and pushed through the crowded box to make it 2-1. Swifts responded positively with another attack, but then had to pull out all the stops to defend at the close to hold onto a well deserved victory.

20-09-03: League Week 1
FC Sporting Phoenix -1 (Sparrow 17)
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Jones 5)
Ledbury scored early in the first half to get the season off to the best of starts, but then sat back and let Phoenix come back at them for much of the rest of the match. The goal from Ryan Jones came after just five minutes, but then Swifts had to defend as the home side laid siege to their goal. The pressure told ten minutes later when the ball dropped into the Swifts’ penalty area and some scrappy defending allowed Sparrow to smash the ball through the crowd into the net. Swifts tried to fight back and goalkeeper Patrick Merryman pulled off a stunning diving save from a well-hit shot on the edge of the area to keep them in the match. The second half saw chances at both ends, but while it was Phoenix who appeared to get the best of the possession, the Swifts defence held, although they must be counting themselves lucky to have come away with a point.