Ledbury Town Football Club

Match report

Ledbury Town Swifts had much to celebrate this weekend in finally securing a first win of the season in Division Two of the Herefordshire League.

Two consecutive close 3-2 defeats in recent weeks away against Worcester United Reserves at Martley Village Hall and against Ross Juniors Reserves at the Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ross Road ground meant that the win had been coming for Richard Thick and Luke Ledbury’s new young side, and sure enough this week finally saw the breakthrough as they secured a decisive 3-0 victory against Tenbury United at Palmers Meadow.

Samuel Palmer-Young found a brace for the visitors, also performing the assist which enabled David Feakins to put away a third as youngster Jake Clueit just pipped fellow teenage team-mate Jude Locker to the Swifts’ man of the match accolade.

Thick was absolutely delighted with his squad’s performance, commenting: “The lads were absolutely fantastic from first whistle to last, and now nice is it to have two 16/17 year olds as the standout players in our first win?”

“The transformation in this group of players in the last two months has been absolutely unreal. They are learning every game, and starting to show that they can put the skills and experience gained from previous matches into their own game.”

“Despite having seven players from last week’s squad missing due to injuries and other commitments, the other lads coming in did brilliantly. We have players missing out every week at present due to the high number of players in the squad, yet they are all turning up to training every week and waiting for their opportunities.”

Both Luke and myself are absolutely delighted with how these young lads are all stepping it up, and they are really starting to believe in themselves. There’s a real togetherness forming, and it’s brilliant.”

“When we arrived back at New Street from Tenbury, the first team and their supporters were still there following the win against Pegasus Reserves. They applauded our lads and celebrated the win with them, and it was really nice to see the recognition and delight from everyone at the club for these young lads.”

“But now it’s time to build on it; there is no point celebrating one win and thinking we are suddenly world champions. We will keep going and developing these young players.”

This latest result finally lifts the Swifts off the foot of the league table, two points clear of Dore Valley as a busy November sees them continue the campaign by hosting Leominster Town at the Ross Road ground this coming Saturday, before travelling to face Credenhill at Roman Park to end the month (both games KO 2:00pm).