Under 14s Reports - 2005-06

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Thu May 04 - League Match 25
Ledbury Swifts - 1
Monmouth Lads Club - 9

Match report will appear here if available.


Tue May 02 - League Match 24
Ledbury Swifts - 0
Credenhill - 9
No match report available.

Sun Apr 30 - League Match 23
Ledbury Swifts - 5
Kington Town - 3
No match report available.

Thu Apr 27 - League Match 22
Hylton - 2
Ledbury Swifts - 0
After all the recent games Swifts have had to play the looked rather tired in the opening half and found it rather too hard to retain possession. Hylton's play was more determined and they dominated play. Swifts' defence were being well tested but they held out until the last five minutes when Hylton's pressure finally told. A good pass through the centre of the Swifts' defence was latched onto by the strike, Parson's saved the first shot but was unable to stop the second. Though Swifts created very little they should have gone in at the break level when Crichard was put through and with only the keeper to beat shot over. Swifts competed a lot better in the second-half. From a succession of corners Swifts were denied an equaliser with two goal line clearances. Hylton wrapped up the game seven minutes from time when a cross fell to the centre-forward who finished with a shot off the underside of the bar.

Tue Apr 25 - League Match 21
Ledbury Swifts - 3 (Reynolds, Perry, Markiewicz (pen))
FC Phoenix - 0
Swifts played their second encounter with Phoenix and put in another good team performance to complete a league double with a solid 3-0 win. As in the first match, Swifts held the upper hand in midfield with Topham once again pulling the strings. He was well supported by Perry, Davis and Reynolds, who was enjoying his outfield role rather than his normal one in goal. Phoenix's much-changed side were, however, proving to be very difficult to break down, Topham was doing his best with some excellent runs into the box, but no-one could finish off his crosses. Reynolds was also giving his full-back a hard time, with some good approach play. It was on 25 minutes that Swifts took the lead, when in a goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to Reynolds, who smashed it home for his first goal for the club. The second-half was played in much the same manner, with Phoenix trying to press forward, but the Swifts defence held firm thanks to the ever-improving Joe Markiewicz, and solid efforts from Ian Davies and James Smith. Midway through the half, Swifts doubled their lead when Perry went on a run down the left, cut inside and hit a shot low to the keeper's right. A few minutes later, Reynolds broke into the box, only to be bundled over for a penalty. Markiewicz stepped up and coolly fired home for his first goal for the club. This seemed to knock the spirit out of the Phoenix players, and enabled Swifts to make regular substitutions to rest players for their four remaining games in nine days.

Sun Apr 23 - League Match 20
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (O'Neill, Powell)
Kington Town - 10
Swifts entertained third-in-the-table Kington and after the previous Thursday's fine 5-2 win at Phoenix, were brought back down to earth by a very strong and quick Kington team on Sunday. Though Swifts worked hard, it was Kington who dominated most of the play, with some good passing and movement of the ball and with one of the fastest forward lines in the league. They scored goals at regular intervals to go in at half-time leading by 5-0. It wasn't long before Kington added a sixth with another fine goal, but Swifts never gave up trying and were rewarded when O'Neill headed home a Topham free-kick. Kington could not be contained and soon made the score 8-1 with two quick strikes. Swifts kept pressing on and in a goal-mouth scramble, Tom Powell prodded home at the near post. With only two minutes remaining, Kington still managed to add two more goals for a resounding win.

Thu Apr 20 - League Match 19
FC Phoenix - 2
Ledbury Swifts - 5
No match report available.

Tue Apr 18 - League Match 18
Monmouth Lads Club - 4
Ledbury Swifts - 0
Swifts got off to the worst possible start when a long through ball bounced over Elliott Parsons in the Swifts' goal and the striker had a simple tap-in. Swifts were putting themselves under a lot of pressure by not retaining the ball enough and by the 20th minute were 3-0 down. Though Monmouth had the upper hand, Swifts had three good chances to score with efforts from Sam Crichard, Sam Topham and Adam Davis. But Swifts were grateful to Parsons in goal for keeping the score at 3-0 at the break. The second-half was a different affair with Swifts taking the game to Monmouth and their play deserved a goal. Matthew O'Niell had two efforts saved, Topham shot wide and a number of crosses failed to pick out a Swifts player. Monmouth were finding it hard to get past a more solid Swifts backline. But with ten minutes left Monmouth completed the scoring. This was a much improved performance from the Swifts and they can take heart from this into the next round of matches.

Sun Apr 16 - League Match 17
Credenhill - 9
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Topham)
SWIFTS, who have nine games to play in 20 days to finish their season, began with the hardest task of all by having to go to top-of-the-table Credenhill. As the scoreline indicates, they were second best for the most of the game. Swifts did start the game well and were holding their own in a very competitive match. Then on 12 minutes they lost centre-half James Smith with an ankle injury, this seemed to unsettle Swifts and from a corner two minutes later found themselves a goal down with an unfortunate own goal. Sam Topham and Sam Crichard were doing their best to create chances for Swifts with some good attacking play, but Swifts were made to pay for some slack marking when Credenhill ran in four more goals to lead 5-0 at the break. In the first Credenhill attack of the second-half they added a sixth. Goals came at regular intervals and Swifts found themselves 9-0 behind. But all credit to the Swifts players they kept battling on and were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Topham chipped the ball in and a Credenhill player then appeared to palm the ball away, but play continued. Swifts were not to be denied their goal, when Topham picked the ball up on the left his powerful run into the box, led to him chipping the ball over the advancing keeper into the corner. Swifts could have had a second when Tom Powell saw his effort well-saved, he was then only inches away from finishing off another good move.

Sun Mar 26 - League Match 16
Hereford Lads Club Colts - 4
Ledbury Swifts - 0
Swifts travelled to Hereford last Sunday to play top-of-the-table Lads Club Colts and, despite the scoreline, put in a much improved performance. Swifts started the game well, closing their opponents down all over the pitch. Sam Topham and Adam Davis were on top in the midfield and soon created chances for Roy Powell, who flashed two efforts wide. Tom Powell again worked tirelessly up front and got the better of his marker on more than one occasion. Colts were finding it hard to threaten the Swifts' goal, due to the defensive play of Joe Markiewicz, James Smith, Elliott Parsons and Ian Davies. Swifts were dealt a blow midway through the half, when Smith had to be replaced due to an injury. Luke Perry then dropped back to enable Matthew O'Niell to go up front. Swifts continued to dominate play and Topham was unlucky with a snap shot. Sam Crichard then got round the back and caused panic with cross into the Colts' box. Two shots were blocked before the ball was somehow scrambled away for a corner. Colts took the lead two minutes before the break when a long pass split the Swifts' defence and a good finish by the striker gave Dave Reynolds no chance. Swifts were then awarded a free-kick just outside the box, only for Topham to see his effort go the wrong side of the post. The second-half was more even and ten minutes in Colts doubled their lead with another neat finish. Swifts tied hard to get back into the game, with Crichard again causing problems, but chances were not being taken. Midway through the half, Colts broke through to add a third. Swifts should have pulled a goal back when Crichard again crossed for O'Niell, who failed to find the target. In the Colts' next attack, they showed the value of good finishing when they wrapped the game up with their fourth goal.

Sun Mar 19 - League Match 15
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (Topham)
Brimfield Boys - 8
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. 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 winners.

Sun Mar 05 - Tudors Building Supplies Cup - Round 1
Weston-under-Penyard - 2
Ledbury Swifts - 0
Swifts travelled to Weston last Sunday to play in the first round of the Tudors Cup and after last week's superb win were hoping to progress in the competition. But in a very untidy and scrappy affair they bowed out of the cup with a poor performance. Swifts looked tired and hardly created anything in the first-half, Weston were just as bad as they struggled to get anything going. Swifts' defence played well throughout and can hold their heads high, led by the ever-improving Joe Markiewicz and well supported by James Smith, Luke Perry and Elliott Parsons, they easily dealt with the Weston attack.Weston went in at the break leading 1-0 when a harmless-looking cross into the area was not claimed by returning keeper Dave Reynolds and the striker was on hand to tap the ball into an empty net. The second-half was a bit better for the Swifts, though chances were still not being created. Midway through the half Weston doubled their lead when the striker latched onto a through ball and neatly finished. This seemed at last to wake the Swifts' players up and in the space of five minutes they missed three good chances to level the game up. But it was not to be and once again the keeper didn't have a shot to save in the half.

Sun Feb 26 - League Match 14
Bartestree - 1
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Peplow 2)
Swifts travelled to Bartestree to avenge the 4-1 defeat earlier in the season, and in a very competitive game deservedly came away with both points from an outstanding team performance. Swifts got off to a good start by having a lot of the early play with Adam Davis, Roy Powell and Sam Crichard prominent in midfield, but chances were few and far between. Bartestree gradually started to put things together, but time and time again the Swifts back-line of Ian Davies, Joe Markiewicz, Luke Perry and James Smith held firm. With the defences so dominant it was hard to see the deadlock being broken, then, on 18 minutes Bartestree were a bit unlucky when a snap-shot from outside the box clipped the outside of the Swifts' goal post. James Smith then went on a run down the left, he cut into the box, the ball came back out to Sam Peplow who scored with a great strike from 25 yards. Sam Topham then found space in front of goal but his effort went well wide. The second-half was only four minutes in when Crichard got free down the right, his cross was fumbled by the keeper and Peplow was on hand to punish the mistake and give Swifts a two goal lead. Swifts continued to play some good football with Tom Powell, Matthew O'Neill and Jack Bayley-Sayer all showing some nice touches. It wasn't until the last ten minutes that Bartestree began to put the Swifts under pressure and duly pulled a goal back when Markiewicz lost possession, the ball crossed in to an unmarked player who easily scored past the helpless Elliott Parsons. Parsons then kept Swifts in front when he tipped over a long-range effort. It was backs to the wall now as Bartestree forced several corners and from one, the ball eluded everyone but was somehow cleared off the line. That was the last scare for Swifts and they held on for a fine win.

Sun Feb 19 - League Match 13
Ledbury Swifts - 6 (Crichard, O'Neill 2, R Powell, T Powell, Smith)
Wellington - 2
Swifts completed the double over Wellington on Sunday with a good team performance although Wellington came with a much-changed team after the first game had finished 14-0 to Swifts. On a very heavy pitch it was Swifts who took control of the game. Sam Crichard was a constant threat and time and again he got the better of his marker to put in some telling crosses but somehow the finishing was off the mark. Then at last Swifts found the net when Crichard hit a great shot from 25 yards, which gave the keeper no chance. Adam Davis and Roy Powell were commanding the midfield and it was the latter who threaded a great pass through for Matthew O'Neill to score a second. Two minutes later it was 3-0 when a cross from the left by James Smith was lashed home by Powell. If Swifts thought they were in for a cricket score again then they were wrong, when only four minutes into the second-half Wellington pulled a goal back when the striker was left free in the box and gave deputising keeper Luke Perry no chance. Play was well-stretched due to the muddy ground and Perry was called upon to make a fine stop. Swifts added to their lead when the hard-working Tom Powell was rewarded when his low shot crept inside the near post. Though Swifts' defence of Ian Davies, Joe Markiewicz, Elliott Parsons and Jack Bayley-Sayer all had solid games Wellington's never-say-die attitude in the second-half earned them a second goal with another neat finish. It was Swifts who finished stronger when James Smith coolly scored his first goal for the club. O'Neill completed the scoring with a lob just under the bar.


Sun Feb 12 - League Match 12
Hereford Lads Club - 4
Ledbury Swifts - 3
No match report available.

Sun Jan 22 - League Match 11
Weston-under-Penyard - 4
Ledbury Swifts - 1 (T Powell)
After last week's win, Swifts were hoping to improve on their league position yet again with this game at Weston. But their chances were slim after four players pulled out, combined with the long term injury to their keeper, which meant they had to play with 10 players. Swifts had the better of the first-half as all the players worked hard to deny Weston. With shots from Adam Davis, Roy Powell and Sam Topham all being saved, Swifts back-line of Ian Davies, Elliott Parsons, James Smith and Sam Peplow restricted the Weston attack to one effort on goal which was saved by deputising keeper Luke Perry. Just before the break Swifts nearly took the lead, when from a Peplow free-kick, the keeper fumbled the ball and the defender somehow poked the ball just past the post for a corner. From the corner Roy Powell got in a good header but it was saved by the keeper. With only five minutes of the second-half gone, Weston took the lead when the centre-forward latched on to a through ball to lob Perry. Swifts tried hard to get on level terms with Topham and Tom Powell chasing all lost causes. Weston took advantage of some tiring Swifts players to score two more goals mid-way through the half to go 3-0 up. Swifts hit back when Roy Powell put Tom Powell through and he coolly lobbed the keeper for a well deserved goal. Weston finished the scoring with a last minute goal.

Sun Jan 15 - League Match 10
Ledbury Swifts - 14 (Topham 4, Davis 2, O'Neill 4, Powell 2, Crichard, OG)
Orleton - 1
Swifts first game after the Christmas break saw them take on bottom side Orleton and cruise to a comfortable victory. Regular keeper Dave Reynolds, who could be out for up to six weeks after an accident at home, had to be replaced by Elliott Parsons. He must have wondered what he let himself in for when with only three minutes gone his first touch of the ball was to take it out of the net when a sliced clearance fell to the Orleton striker, who lobbed the ball into the far corner. From then on as the scoreline suggests it was all one-way traffic, as Swifts laid siege to the Orleton goal. Luke Perry and Roy Powell were combining well down the left side, and Sam Topham and Sam Crichard were once again prominent in Swifts' attacks. Goals came at regular intervals from Topham (two), Adam Davis, Matthew O'Niell and Roy Powell to give Swifts a 5-1 half-time lead. Swifts continued to dominate after the break and in their first attack Topham completed his hat-trick. Joe Markiewicz seemed determined to score his first goal for the club when on numerous occasions he broke from defence, only to see two great strikes go flashing past the post. Meanwhile Parsons in the Swifts' goal was given his moment of glory when Swifts were awarded a penalty, but alas he shot straight at the keeper. The scoring in the second-half was completed by O'Niell (three), Crichard, Topham, Davis, Tom Powell and an own goal.

Sun Dec 11 - League Match 9
Ledbury Swifts - 10 (Topham 2, R Powell 2, O'Neill 4, Crichard, T Powell)
Hylton - 0
Swifts struck after only three minutes when Sam Topham's run into the box finished with a neat shot into the corner. It was in midfield that the Swifts were running the show, with some excellent passing and the pace of Topham and Sam Crichard was causing havoc with the Hylton back-line. Roy Powell benefited from a Crichard cross to make it 2-0 and moments later it was three when Matthew O'Niel was on the end of another Crichard centre. Crichard got on the score sheet himself when he cut into the box and fired a great shot into the far corner to make the half-time score 4-0. With the injured Ian Davies unable to carry on Swifts had to play the second-half with ten men, O'Niel put paid to any Hylton come-back when he grabbed his second to make it 5-0. Swifts were attacking at will and Adam Davies was unlucky after being denied at least three times. But it was Topham again with another strong run into the box and a neat finish. O'Niell then completed his hat-trick with a fine header and strike partner Tom Powell added a eighth with a simple tap-in. The scoring was completed in the last five minutes when O'Niell pounced for his fourth, then Roy Powell got his second with a great shot from outside the box.

Sun Dec 04 - League Match 8
Kington Town - 8
Ledbury Swifts - 0
Swifts once again had to travel to Kington with only 11 fit players, due to injuries, to play one of the title favourites. For the first 15 minutes Swifts competed well, but then a rare mistake by goalkeeper Dave Reynolds gifted Kington the opening goal. This seemed to affect the Swifts players badly and they let Kington dominate the game and ten minutes later found themselves 4-0 down. Sam Topham and Sam Crichard were once again outstanding for the Swifts but they could only muster a couple of corners. The second-half was much different as Swifts got a lot tighter and most of the play was in the Kington half, Tom Powell and Matthew O'Niell had efforts saved and Topham shot just over. Then in Kington's first attack of the half they increased their lead with a cool finish by the striker. Swifts strived for a consolation goal with good play from Crichard and Topham not quite finding the killer pass. It was Kington who showed the Swifts players how to finish with three more goals in the last ten minutes.

Sun Nov 27 - League Match 7
Kington Town Colts - 4
Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Davis, O'Neill)
Swifts were glad to be back playing after the recent postponements, but after an indifferent performance were left to rue a host of missed chances in the first half. Kington started the game brightly and Swifts could have been two down in the first ten minutes but for poor finishing, they were then indebted to Dave Reynolds in the Swifts' goal for two good saves. In their first attack Swifts should have taken the lead when Matthew O'Niell was put in but shot high over the bar. Tom Powell was then guilty when with the keeper to beat rushed his effort and the keeper made an easy save. Swifts' back line were being caught out time and again with balls over the top, and Kington eventually made it pay when they took the lead in the 18th minute. Swifts came back at them with midfielders Sam Topham, Adam Davies and Roy Powell creating problems but it was the pace of Sam Crichard on the wing that was doing the most damage. On four occasions he put good crosses in only to see the keeper save three times with his legs and another shot hit wide. Swifts did equalise just before the break, when from a goalkeeper's clearance, Adam Davis promptly sent the ball back over his head from 30 yards out. Kington started the second-half stronger than the Swifts and after ten minutes took the lead with a well-placed lob over Reynolds. The centre-back pairing of Joe Markiewicz and Elliot Parsons worked hard and full-backs Ian Davies and Luke Perry were stretched all game. Swifts kept going and were rewarded when Crichard crossed for Matthew O'Niell to rifle his shot into the roof of the net. Tiredness began to take its toll on the Swifts' players and Kington wrapped up the game with two good goals in the last five minutes.

Sun Nov 13 - League Match 6
Ledbury Swifts - 0
Hereford Lads Club Colts - 2
Swifts were at last back in action after three weeks off due to the weather and despite a spirited performance, they went down to two second-half goals. On a very heavy pitch both sides struggled to play the ball around, this seemed to suit the more determined Swifts outfit who got off to a good start with Sam Topham and Sam Crichard causing early problems. Lads Club had a good 15-minute spell and Swifts' defenders Ian Davis, James Smith, Elliott Parsons and Joe Markiewicz had to work hard to keep them out, but Swifts were indebted to their goalkeeper Dave Reynolds, who made two fine saves. Swifts' midfield players Topham, Adam Davis and Roy Powell, who had his best game since his return, were closing down the Colts players and this enabled the Swifts to have a good spell just before the break. The Colts were struggling to get the ball away from their goal and were lucky not to go 1-0 down when the keeper just managed to stop the ball crossing the line. The second-half continued in the same way but after ten minutes, the Colts grabbed the lead. With Swifts defenders unable to clear the ball in the muddy conditions, the striker managed to scramble a shot past Reynolds. Five minute later Colts were awarded a free-kick just outside the box which the player hit home just under the bar. Swifts continued to press forward and a Tom Powell effort was denied by the keeper's legs. Then Swifts had a great chance to get back into the game when they were awarded a penalty, but Topham blazed his shot over the bar.

Sun Oct 23 - League Match 5
Brimfield Boys - 4
Ledbury Swifts - 0
No match report available

Sun Oct 09 - League Match 4
Ledbury Swifts - 2
Bartestree - 6
No match report available

Sun Oct 09 - League Match 3
Wellington - 0
Ledbury Swifts - 14
No match report available

Sun Oct 02 - League Match 2
Ledbury Swifts - 1
Hereford Lads Club - 1
No match report available

Sun Sep 25 - Dave Howes Cup - Round 1
Ledbury Swifts - 1
Hereford Lads Club Colts - 2
No match report available

Sun Sep 18 - League Match 1
Ledbury Swifts - 2
Weston-under-Penyard - 1
No match report available