Two goals in a minute costly for Swifts
Stourport Swifts 1 Uttoxeter Town 3 MPL Sat 16th October Att: 120
Stourport Swifts took an early lead in this match but two Uttoxeter goals in two minutes in the second half cost them dearly as they slipped to another home defeat.
Skipper Martin Slevin was the Swifts first half inspiration as he drove a low free kick from the edge of the box past Town keeper Harvey Adams after Matt Gardner had been brought down.
Jack Downing, returning for Swifts after a knee injury, was a constant threat down the right, and his dangerous cross somehow evaded Gardner and Edilson as it flashed across the box. Downing forced a series of saves from Adams and Callum Allchurch shot narrowly wide before Paul Hughes levelled for Uttoxeter in the 25th minute after Ben Tilbury slipped to allow him a free run on goal to coolly shoot past Richards.
Allchurch saw another effort deflected narrowly wide, but Jake Avery unsettled the Swifts defence down the right when he first headed just wide, then tested Richards with a low effort.
Swifts thought they had taken the lead after 59 minutes when Jack Downing robbed Jack Hassall in possession and turned quickly to lob over the advancing Adams, but he was ruled to have fouled the defender. Five minutes later they were behind when Richards saved well from Ross Haig, but the attempted clearance cannoned off Harry Higginson for a bizarre own goal, but worse was to follow just a minute later when Swifts were caught flat footed on the break, and Jake Avery raced clear to slot past Richards to make it 3-1. Adams produced an outstanding fingertip save low to his right to keep out Gardner’s header, and seconds later Downing broke clear down the right and produced a pinpoint low cross, but Elliott Lees could only fire straight at the keeper.
SWIFTS: Richards, Joe Hanson, Higginson, Tilbury, Yates, Downing, Binner, Slevin, Allchurch, Gardner, Antonio. SUBS USED: Eley, Danks, Lees
Swifts are at home to Lye Town on Saturday, kick off 3.00pm
Swifts notch first win
Haughmond 1 Stourport Swifts 3 MPL Sat 9th October Att:68
Stourport Swifts recorded their first win of the season in game number ten to kick start their stuttering campaign.
Early pressure could not produce an opening goal as first Antonio shot wide when well placed, and dangerous crosses from Joe Hanson on the right and Matt Jackson from the left failed to receive the finishing touch they deserved. Swifts had a narrow escape after 23 minutes Jordan Brook’s looping header came back off the bar, but they quickly hit back as Gardner first tested Sam Jones with a low shot from the edge of the box, and a Jordan Cox cross was cleared almost on the line by defender Leigh Brindley.
Swifts fell behind a minute before half time when Scott Ryan’s through ball split the Swifts defence and Joe Yeboah raced clear to coolly slot past Richards.
Swifts started brightly after the break, and with 51 minutes gone Gardner tested Jones low to his right, but two minutes later skipper Martin Slevin put his side level with a sublime 40 yard chip shot that left Jones helpless.
Five minutes later Haughmond suffered a blow when defender Jordan Brook received a straight red card, and Swifts seized the opportunity to take control of the match. Matt Jackson put Gardner through on goal and the striker was strong enough ride Finn Sansom’s challenge and calmly slide past Jones. Edilson Antonio then looked certain to score when put through by Cox, but his shot was well blocked by the advancing Jones.
With 16 minutes to go Matt Jackson was brought down in the box by Fletcher, and Gardner stepped up to drive the penalty firmly home. Swifts should have added to their tally, but both Jackson and Slevin, just before time, wasted golden chances.
SWIFTS: Richards, Joe Hanson, Higginson, Tilbury, Yates, Cox, Slevin, Binner, Jackson, Gardner, Antonio. SUBS USED: Espley, Danks
Swifts 100 Club Draw - October Result
1ST - £250 – Ball no. 99 - DAVE VAUGHAN
2ND - £150 – Ball no. 68 - STEVE SHEPHARD
3RD - £50 – Ball no. 80 - LAURA DUERDEN
Midland Premier League takes on a new look
The Football Association have announced the re organised Steps 4, 5 and 6 League structure for next season.
The Midland Premier League will see no fewer than NINE new teams next season. Former MPL members Long Eaton United, Newark, Gresley Rovers, Heather St Johns and Selston will move into the United Counties Premier League North (still step 5), while the two Coventry sides, United and Sphinx, will transfer to the United Counties Premier League South (still Step 5). Sporting Khalsa are promoted to the newly formed Northern Premier League Division One North ( Step 4)
The Midland Premier League will look like this for next season:
| MIDLAND PREMIER LEAGUE 2021 -2022 SEASON | ||
| 1 | AFC Wulfrunians | |
| 2 | Bewdley Town | NEW from WMRL |
| 3 | Boldmere St Michaels | |
| 4 | Hanley Town | NEW from NWCP |
| 5 | Highgate United | |
| 6 | Haughmond | |
| 7 | Lichfield City | NEW from ML1 |
| 8 | Lye Town | |
| 9 | Racing Club Warwick | |
| 10 | Romulus | |
| 11 | Shifnal Town | NEW from WMRL |
| 12 | Stone Old Alleynians | NEW from NWCS |
| 13 | Stourport Swifts | |
| 14 | Tividale | |
| 15 | Uttoxeter Town | NEW from ML1 |
| 16 | Walsall Wood | |
| 17 | Whitchurch Alport | NEW from NWCP |
| 18 | Wolverhampton Casuals | NEW from WMRL |
| 19 | Worcester City | |
STOURPORT SWIFTS - Club Officials
President : VACANT
Chairman: Pip Hanson 07966 644762
Treasurer: Pip Hanson
Secretary: Graham Haighway 07780 997758 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Commercial Manager: Nigel Wager 07912 890997
Press Officer: Ian Johnson 07970 237758 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Committee Members: Ian Sword, Margaret Sword, Tony Lavery, Paul Reynolds, Claire Davis, Paul Frankling, Mark Wenham, Stuart Adey
Covid 19 Officer: Paul Frankling 07786 380911 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Life Members: Ian Sword, Sylvia McDonald
Team Manager : Quentin Townsend
Assistant Manager: Mark Danks
PLEASE NOTE NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED IN THE GROUND
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