SWIFTS U-12s 2 LADS CLUB COLTS 0

A magnificent all round team performance last Sunday against 2nd placed Lads Club Colts, has virtually secured Swifts a play off place and in doing so denied Lads Club theirs. In a keenly contested game it was Swifts who took the early initiative as they were quicker and sharper in all areas of the pitch. It was soon evident that Sam Crichard was going to be a big threat for the Swifts with his pace on the right wing, and he nearly gave Swifts the lead when his chip beat the keeper but just went over the bar. Swifts midfield of Parsons, Davis, Savidge and Perry, were working tirelessly to stop Lads Club gaining any momentum. Swifts took the lead on 15 minutes when Parsons put Crichard through, his cross caused panic in the Lads Club defence, from which Tom Powell pounced to lash the ball home. Lads Club were now clearly rattled by the rampant Swifts as they piled forward, Crichard was denied twice by the keeper who pulled off some excellent saves. Swifts defenders Nelder, Park, Bubb-Sacklyn and Davies soaked up all the lads club attacks with ease, and Swifts could find themselves unlucky not to go in at the break with a bigger lead. The second half was a more even affair as Lads Club went in search for an equaliser, which they should have had when the striker only had Reynolds to beat but shot wide. Back came Swifts as Savidge tested the keeper with a crisp drive from the edge of the box. Lads Club again squandered some good chances, and Reynolds also denied them with two superb saves. Swifts were then awarded a free kick right on the 18-yard line, Park's shot was well saved at the foot of the post. The keeper again came to Lads Club's rescue with another excellent save from a Crichard shot. Peplow and Ndlovu then replaced Parsons and Perry. 7 minutes from time Swifts sealed the game when a good move down the left between Peplow and Savidge put Ndlovu clear and from the edge of the box drilled his shot into the far corner to give Swifts a well deserved victory. On Sunday Swifts travel to play Phoenix in the 1st round of the IMI Mouldings Cup ko 2pm.