Roberts Cup - 2005

Swifts win Roberts Supplementary Cup Final
Scroll down for full match reports and reflections on the tour from the whole squad.

Roberts Supplementary Cup - Final
Ledbury Swifts - 3 (Jeynes, Darrah, Roberts)
IFK Stromstad - 1
With Adrian Hodges unavailable due to his sending off and Mark Kirby injured, Swifts had just 12 fit players to choose from. Jack Edgar continued in goal and his first action was to pick the ball out of the net after just 50 seconds, as Stromstad started furiously. Swifts recovered though and Steve Darrah went close. Scott Roberts and Zak Blood supported by Peter Jeynes and Guy Habbitts, were controlling the midfield, giving the Swifts a platform to pressure the home sides defence. Darrah broke down the right & his cross found Jeynes arriving at the far post to turn it in, for a deserved equaliser. Half time was approaching when the referee made a mistake with an offside, & awarded a drop ball. Foskett was first to it and poked it through to Darrah who rounded the keeper to give Swifts a half time lead. Ledbury started strongly in the second half & although their bodies were aching everywhere, they looked the stronger team. Roberts capped a impressive display with a 25-yard shot that swerved and dipped, to give Swifts a two-goal cushion. Stromstad were deflated and Swifts played out time in a controlled manner. The final whistle was a signal for delirious celebrations, for this was the first competition this team had won in six years of trying. It was a fantastic achievement, they had grown up before our eyes in one day, and a day they will remember for all their lives. There followed an evening (and early morning) of celebration. The Swifts would like to thank The Twinning Association, Gladwins grocery shop & everyone else who made this trip possible, & thanks to all that welcomed us back, the boy’s deserved it. Roll on next year.


Roberts Supplementary Cup - Semi Final
Ledbury Swifts - 4 (Darrah, Foskett 3)
Eds FF - 1
The pep talk worked as Swifts flew out of the blocks, Steve Darrah going close after just 30 seconds but he didn’t miss from the resulting corner, as he headed home. Swifts continued to have most of the game and Karl Foskett headed home a Scott Roberts cross to make it two. EDS came back into the game and just before the break pulled a goal back from a near-post corner. It was evenly balanced at the start of the second half and complancey by keeper Adrian Hodges led to EDS being awarded a penalty and Hodges being sent off, as he pulled the EDS forward down in the box. Jack Edgar took over the gloves and stood up strong to save the spot kick and the rebound. This gave Swifts confidence throughout the team, Darrah hit the bar with a stinging shot, with time running down Foskett made sure of a place in the final with two late goals, for his hat trick, another first for our boys in Sweden.


Roberts Cup: Group Matches

Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Foskett, Darrah)
Kungshamns IF - 1
There was an early start for the Swifts, with a 9:00 o’clock kick-off against Kungshamns IF. Following an early breakfast & gentle warm up, by Joel & Lewis Skyers, Swifts were well prepared & started in a determined fashion having all the early pressure, forcing a succession of corners. Captain Aston Griffiths tried his luck with a 20-yard free kick, which was acrobatically tipped over, the resulting corner was deflected wide. Swifts defence of Griffiths, Nick Chapman and Adam Varley had little to do, keeper Adrian Hodges collecting the occasional back pass, but it was Hodges who started the move that led to the first goal, his clearance was collected by Steve Darrah who passed to Peter Jeynes, the youngest player in the squad, on the left, he cut inside the full back and chipped over the advancing keeper, in to the far corner of the net, for a well deserved lead. With half time approaching, Darrah went close then Karl Foskett put one past the far post, Half time 1-0 to Swifts, but would it be enough? Coach Sam Skyers had used his limited substitutes well, keeping everyone fresh. Kungshamns started the second half strongly putting the Swifts defence under some pressure, but with good support from the midfield, they were restricted to long range efforts, rarely troubling Hodges in goal. Swifts were able to hit back on the break and from one such break, Zak Blood played a through ball for Darrah who poked it past the keeper for number two; not bad for someone who had not kicked a ball for three days due to injury. Swifts were comfortable now but a lapse in concentration two minutes from time allowed Kungshamns to pull a goal back, which meant a nervy last couple of minutes, but Swifts held out for a crucial victory. The Skyers brothers made the players warm down properly and Physio Andy Kibble tended to any aches and pains, for the next game was in just an hour. Unfortunately for Mark Kirby, a foot injury would rule him out of the rest of the tournament.

Ledbury Swifts - 2 (Roberts, Habbitts)
Grebbestad IF - 2
Grebbestad were making their debut in the competition, narrowly losing their first game to Gothenburg, so both sides need a victory. The first half was very even, both sides exerting pressure without really making the keepers work, just before the break Swifts forced another corner, Blood sent over the cross and Roberts rose above everyone to guide the ball into the far corner, giving the Swifts the advantage at the break. Overall Ledbury were coping with the continental style very well, but some refereeing decisions were hard to take and from one disputed decision Grebbestad struck when Swifts were distracted, leaving keeper Hodges exposed and given no chance as Grebbestad equalised. Swifts insecurities returned for a moment as Grebbestad took control, a long crossfield ball found the right winger in a fraction of space and a superbly executed volley put the Swedish team ahead, now the Swifts character would be tested. They came back strongly though, Blood had a long range effort tipped over the bar, from the resulting corner, the ball dropped to Guy Habbitts, his first shot was blocked but he managed to get the rebound and fired across the keeper onto the far corner, for a fine equaliser. Both sides went for the victory, Foskett was narrowly offside and Roberts went close, at the other end Hodges somehow clawed one out of the top corner, when a goal looked certain. With full time approaching, Roberts was taken out, resulting in a booking for the Swedish player and more work for Physio Andy Kibble, to get him ready for the next game. Fortunately it was lunchtime. Everyone enjoyed a pleasant lunch provided by the hosts IFK Stromstad.

Ledbury Swifts - 0
IFK Gothernburg - 1
Swifts needed just a point to qualify for the next stages, but this would be a big test against Sweden’s second largest team. This is what this trip is all about, lads from Ledbury, very much a grass roots football club, playing against lads from one of Sweden’s most famous clubs, what an experience!! Gothenburg dominated the first half, with their slick passing & movement, and Swifts were indebted to keeper Hodges for keeping them in the game, with a string of top class saves. Forward pressure from the Swifts was a rare commodity, Gothenburg’s defence restricting them to half chances, the difference in class was evident, but Swifts battled for everything & made it to the break on level terms. Swifts youngsters, Phil Pritchard and Peter Jeynes were in no way overawed by their illustrious opponents & gave as good as they got. The midfield trio of Jack Edgar, Scott Roberts and Zak Blood, tried to establish some control but they could not release the forwards into dangerous areas, coach Sam tried all the combinations open to him, with Scott Kibble, Steve Darrah and Karl Foskett, all trying their utmost to break down the Gothenburg defence. Midway through the half Gothenburg made the breakthrough, although there wasn’t much football about it, a long ball from the back, a missed header, the ball was difficult to judge in the varying wind, and the Gothenburg striker gave Ledbury's kepper no chance, as he fired home from 10 yards, although Hodges got a hand to it he couldn’t keep it out. Swifts fought hard for an equaliser but it wasn’t to be and when news of the other result came through, the lads were very deflated, as they had missed out on qualifying for the next stage on goal difference. They needed picking up before the supplementary competition. Andy rubbed their tired legs, whilst Sam & manager Martin Jeynes, worked on their minds.


Reflections on the Roberts Cup 2005:

Lewis Skyers: I’d like to thank ALL the lads for a wicked awesome time. I couldn’t have picked a better bunch of lads to go on tour with. The character that was shown, to achieve what they did in the competition, was second to none. Each & every player, coach, physio & Bob, brought their own individual flavour to the tour, to make it a great one.

Nick Chapman: An incredible experience, where I not only enjoyed the drink & new culture but also learnt a lot about other people, improving relationships with nearly everyone. It was also great to play against a different style of football & probably improved my game. Thanks team.

Andy Hodges: Awesome. No other words can describe it. Thank you. WINNERS!!!

Joel Skyers: Out of the three trips I have been on, this was the most enjoyable. To see the lads play so well in the final. So all I have to say is CHEESE.

Jack Edgar: I just want to say thank you to everyone who helped organise & carry out this trip & allowing me to have this experience. It’s been brilliant & winning just topped it off. CHEERS. Hopefully I can come again in the future.

Sam: Another fine tour, great views. Football very good again and to see the boys perform above their normal level was special.

Adam Varley: An absolutely amazing trip which I would recommend to anyone. It’s not just the experience that is awesome but the place is too. I could quite easily say that this is one of the best trips I have been on and I couldn’t have shared it with a better gang of lads.

Guy Habbits: It was a good trip and rewarding in the winning of the cup. What could improve it is not to have early morning training sessions. This because no one was up for it and therefore this made the session pointless. Please make a later flight back next time. (Doesn’t like early mornings, Bob)

Scott Roberts: WINNERS!! WINNERS!! WINNERS!!!!!

Aston Griffiths: Absolutely awesome trip. What more could you ask for, football over 5 days with a classic group of lads. As for the relationship between Stromstad & us was really good. Cheers to everyone who is associated with it. Thank you. I will be coming next year. Thanks again (Team Captain)

Phil Pritchard: I liked being able to stay out all night, with no curfew and allowed to drink after the tournament and I liked all the laughs with the lads.

Andy Kibble: To all our Stromstad friends, again the friendship that has been shown to us is second-to-none. The facilities, the staff & accommodation have been great. We have painted the town red and enjoyed ourselves. Please come over so we can repay the same. (Physio)

Steve Darrah: This has probably been one of the best times of my life; I will never forget it and at £100 you can't go wrong. I’m going to try my best to come back next year, because I’ll be bored by then.

Zak Blood: The tour was ace, we did really well, better than anyone expected. It was a really amazing experience and I hope to do it again.

Peter Jeynes: I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has been involved in the trip to Stromstad. A big thanks to the lads for a good tournament. I would really like to go again with the lads, because they treated everyone with great respect, although I am a year younger. This has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. Thanks everyone.

Karl Foskett: It was a good laugh with the lads. (Tour Captain)

Scott Kibble: I think this tour was great. The team did really well and we wouldn’t have been able to do this without all the help. Thanks everyone.

Mark Kirby: Thanks for a great tour lads. Enjoyed it. Aston - Captain Marvel & funny as ***** - WINNERS!!! HAVE IT!!!

Martin Jeynes: To see the boys perform beyond their own expectations and beliefs was special.

Bob Barnes: A very pleasurable experience. The boys have behaved beyond expectation, the adults sometimes haven’t, but what goes on tour, stays on tour. It has been a real pleasure to be back in Stromstad, meeting old friends & making new ones. The whole group has embodied our motto of “Friendship Through Sport” & the team achievement of winning the B final was nothing short of remarkable. Well done everyone.