Junior Football

LEDBURY travelled to top-of-the-table Golden Valley on a warm spring afternoon. The visitors were unlucky not to go into the lead with the hosts’ goalkeeper making some fine saves.

However, a well put together move by the home side saw them open the scoring after 14 minutes. Ledbury tried to equalise with Liam Cale and Charlie White pressing forward, but the Golden Valley defence remained solid, with the half-time score staying at 1-0 to the home side .

The second-half started with Ledbury again finding the home defence difficult to break down.

However, 10 minutes into the half a wonderful long-range strike by defender Dion Jenkins saw the ball find the back of the net. Unfortunately, that saw Golden Valley hit back immediately, with two quick goals in the next two minutes. Swifts defender Alex Berry had a very fine game making some crucial tackles, and at one point surged forward into the Golden Valley half. Away goalkeeper Ben Read also made some brave saves to stop any more goals going against Ledbury, making him player-of-the-match.

LEDBURY SWIFTS u11s 1, LEOMINSTER MINORS u11s 0.

LEDBURY’S game at home to Leominster turned out to be another tight encounter with the best chances of the first-half falling to Craig Pierce and Jake Robson but they both failed to convert them.

The defence of Tom Trigg, Lewis Hammond and Joe James had to be alert to the quick Leominster forwards who were a constant threat to the Ledbury defenders.

Rory Atkins had to be in good form, tipping over a swirling drive, and did well against Leominster’s corners.

The second-half flowed backwards and forwards with both teams tiring in the heat and had to overcome a hard pitch.

Harvey Moss and Tom Webb had to work non-stop in the middle of the park as Leominster battled on.

The game looked destined for a goalless draw. But, with only one minute left on the clock, the Leominster defence let Moss have too much time and space as he broke into the visitors’ box.

His left-foot shot flew into the top of the net to settle a tight game.

The win leaves Ledbury Swifts needing just four points from their last five games to clinch the league title.

LEDBURY SWIFTS GIRLS 1, ROSS ROCKETS GIRLS u12s 1.

THE game started evenly with both teams creating chances and both goalkeepers having to make fine saves.

However, shortly before half-time, a goal-mouth scramble led to Swifts’ Charlie Rankin breaking the deadlock. In the second-half, Ross Rockets came out and pressurised Swifts with a quick break which saw them equalise.

However, a couple of minutes to the final whistle an injury to a Ross Rockets player meant the teams decided the game should end in a draw.

PEGASUS COLTS u10s 2, LEDBURY SWIFTS ROVERS 3.

LEDBURY Swifts Rovers travelled to Pegasus Colts and produced a good display for the win.

In tough, blustery conditions and playing with the wind, Ledbury started brightly putting Pegasus under pressure.

It was Joseph Bullock who broke the deadlock with a fine left-foot strike.

Ledbury were on top throughout the first-half, but failed to convert a host of chances prior to the break.

After several changes at half-time, and against the wind, Ledbury again started brightly and scored immediately after the restart.

A superbly worked team goal was neatly finished by Kieran Slatter.

A strong defensive display and with the midfield of Ledbury continuing to dominate a deserved third arrived with a goal from Sam Lane.

Pegasus then began to go forward at every opportunity to find a consolation. Two goals arrived in quick time in the final few minutes to ensure a nervious finish, but Ledbury on.