Bailey double fires Swifts into Round 4
Eastwood CFC 1 Stourport Swifts 4 Isuzu FA Vase 2nd December Att: 134
A first half brace from Jack Bailey set Stourport Swifts on the road to Round 4 of the FA Vase.
Jamie Emery was called into early action to save from Kyle Tomlin, but the Swifts eased their way into the driving seat, and Adam Hanson saw his low shot saved by Sam Wilson in the Eastwood goal, and Ben Tilbury was unlucky to see his 40 yard lob bounce over the bar with Wilson stranded.
Swifts went in front in the 35th minute when Tilbury played an inch perfect pass inside the Eastwood defence for Bailey to take first time and steer his cross shot just inside the post. Tilbury went close himself in the 40th minute but his effort was just too high, and a minute later Eastwood were level when Stourport twice failed to clear and Tyler Blake drill a low shot past Emery into the corner from eight yards out. The home side’s joy was shortlived however when on the stroke of half time Bailey’s 20 yard shot took a wicked deflection off skipper Romaine Graham to wrong foot Wilson and restore the Swifts lead.
Stourport breathed a sigh of relief during some early second half pressure, when Alex Troke’s firm header came back off the post with Emery stranded, then Blake drove a fierce effort inches past the same post. Jim Hanson then crafted himself a clear opportunity when he cut inside from the left, but his tame shot was easily collected by Wilson.
Swifts increased their lead in the 66th minute when Bailey and Tilbury linked up well to open up space for Adam Hanson to curl a perfect left foot drive into the top corner from 15 yards, and four minutes later Bailey forced Tyreece Robinson into a misplaced pass for Tilbury to pounce and slide home past Wilson.
The visitors turned on the style in the last 15 minutes, and Stourport could easily have run up a big score, but Tilbury and Dan Reka both failed to make the most of some slick approach work.
SWIFTS: Emery, Harland, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Canavan, Slevin, Birch, Tilbury ,Bailey, Adam Hanson, . SUBS USED: Reka
Swifts stalemate again
Whitchurch Alport 3 Stourport Swifts 3 MPL 25th November Att: 125
Swifts let a two goal lead slip and had to rely on a late Matt Harland goal for a point in this six goal thriller at Whitchurch.
Jamie Emery was called into early action when he did well to punch clear a dangerous Alex Hughes cross and George Carpenter’s header flew narrowly wide, before Stourport went in front after Adam Hanson cut in from the left and crossed low for Aaron Birch to convert from 5 yards.
Whitchurch responded immediately, and Emery saved brilliantly from Chris Akiamale and then a fierce effort from Jacob Edwards in the space of two minutes, then Drew Canavan split the Whitchurch defence in the 21st minute with a slide rule pass for Ben Tilbury to race clear and drive past keeper Jack Sheward to double the Swifts lead.
Ben Jevons and Ethan Hanson were on red alert at the back for Stourport as the home side mounted some heavy pressure, with both needed to block Akiamale’s driving run into the box, and Hanson clearing off the line following Carpenter’s free kick. Whitchurch got the goal their efforts threatened in the 36th minute, when Hughes and Adam Hailes exchanged quick passes on the edge of the box to open up the space for Carpenter to arrive and drill low past Emery.
The second half began just as the first ended, with Whitchurch pressing hard to get level, and Hughes played a deep ball to the far post which looked to have missed everyone, but the cross was turned back into the box by Harry Bowers for Hailes to level the score. Ben Tilbury let slip the chance to ease the pressure when he again was played in behind but defender Aaron Sims blocked off the chance as he was about to let fly.Ten minutes later Whitchurch were in front for the first time when another Hughes cross from the left was met by Hailes at the far post to fire past Emery.
Swifts looked down and out until the 72nd minute when Joe Hanson’s deep cross was flicked on by Birch for Matt Harland to drive into the box to make it 3-3.
Jack Bailey scored what seemed to be winner with a smart volley in the 86th minute, but the linesman’s flag spoiled the celebrations.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Canavan, Harland, Birch, Tilbury ,Reka, Adam Hanson, . SUBS USED: Bailey, Slevin, Murray
Ten man Swifts have to settle for a point
Stourport Swifts 1 Lichfield City 1 MPL 18th Nov 2023 Att: 157
Striker Goodluck Eze was red carded after half an hour of this match, but Stourport Swifts were unlucky to concede a last minute Lichfield equaliser after a battling ten man display.
Eke went close from a Matt Harland cross before his early bath, and Adam Hanson shot narrowly wide after 19 minutes as Swifts were in command in the opening stages.
Swifts re organised quickly, and Hanson threatened again on the stroke of half time, driving just past the post with Lichfield keeper James Beeson scrambling. The second half saw Swifts maintain the initiative despite being a man down, and Hanson and Ben Tilbury combined neatly across the Lichfield penalty area, but the shot was blocked. Two minutes later Swifts were in front when Drew Canavan crossed from the left and Tilbury’s deft downward header crept in at the far post.
Jamie Emery produced an outstanding save from Lichfield sub Cameron Dunn in the 71st minute, and showed some great reflexes five minutes later with a double save from Liam Kurton’s piledriver and Jude Taylor’s point blank follow up.
Swifts however continued to look more likely to add to their lead, with Tilbury close again after another Harland cross, and Ben Jevons seeing his shot blocked after a series of corners. With four minutes left on the clock Ethan Tivey and Canavan produced some outstanding link up play to carve open the Lichfield defence, but Beeson tipped wide for a corner, but with the clock ticking down, full back Lewi Burnside arrived at the far post from a left wing Lichfield corner to drive an unstoppable angled shot past Emery to snatch a point for his side.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Canavan, Harland, Birch, Tilbury, Eke, Adam Hanson, . SUBS USED: Tivey
Swifts squeeze through on penalties
Pershore Town 2 Stourport Swifts 2 (Swifts win 5-3 on pens) WFA Senior Cup 15th Nov 2023 Att: 91
Holders Stourport Swifts suffered a nervous night at Hellenic league Pershore and needed a 5 out of 5 shoot out win to make Round 3 of the WFA Senior Cup.
Adam Hanson gave the Swifts an early lead, cutting in from the right and firing low past keeper Eddie Cox from just outside the box, and almost added a second ten minutes later, but his shot hit Ben Tilbury and rebounded to safety.
Swifts then settled into a comfortable spell of possession in which Pershore rarely threatened, and it took until the 42nd minute before Jamie Emery was forced to make a save, holding on well to a Petar Tonchev shot.
In the space of five second half minutes Tilbury could have put the game beyond reach, first outpacing the Pershore defence but shooting straight at Cox, then playing Ethan Tivey through on goal who fired over the bar, before bursting through again himself but chipping his shot onto the crossbar.
Tonchev equalised for Pershore in the 68th minute when played in behind on the Swifts right to fire low past Emery, and the game turned completely five minutes later when Scott Hammond was on hand to score from close range and put his side in front. Stourport struck back to level when Emery’s long clearance escaped the attentions of the Pershore defence and Tilbury raced through to drive past Cox.
The penalty shootout saw Alfie Bloomer’s spot kick, Pershore’s second, saved well by Emery, and with Drew Canavan, Tilbury, Adam Hanson and skipper Martin Slevin making no mistake, Matt Harland blasted the Swifts through 5-3.
SWIFTS: Emery, Glenister, Slevin, Ethan Hanson, Murray, Jim Hanson, Harland, Birch, Tivey, Tilbury, Adam Hanson . SUBS USED: Lee-Callow, Joe Hanson, Harris-James, Canavan
Goodluck sends Swifts into Round 3
AFC Wulfrunians 2 Stourport Swifts 3 FA Vase Round 2 11th November Att: 106
Swifts new frontman Goodluck Eke scored twice in three first half minutes to put Stourport Swifts in the driving seat to the Third Round of the Isuzu FA Vase.
Stourport dominated the early stages with Jim Hanson seeing his goalbound shot blocked and Ethan Tivey scuffing a good chance straight at Wulfs keeper Dan Crane. Tivey and Aaron Birch then carved out a good opportunity on the left but the cross was cut out by defender Tom Poole.
Swifts then took the lead when Eke forced in from close range after Adam Hanson’s shot was blocked, and before Wulfrunians could recover Eke was on hand again to fire home Matt Harland’s cross from the left over Crane. The chances continued to come, and Crane saved well from Birch, Jim Hanson tested him with a 30 yarder, and Tivey headed another Adam Hanson cross narrowly wide.
In the second half Wulfrunians showed more intent, but rarely troubled a solid Swifts back line in which skipper Ben Jevons and Ethan Hanson snuffed out any threat instantly.
Adam Hanson extended the Swifts lead on the hour when he cut inside from the right to drive a low 25 yarder past Crane into the bottom corner. Wulfs striker Dennis Digie forced Jamie Emery into his first real save in the 71st minute, but Swifts continued to look comfortable until the clock ticked into injury time, when Wulfs captain Brad Maslen- Jones first curled in a fine 25 yard shot to make it 3-1, then set up a grandstand finish when he forced in from close range from a left wing corner.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Canavan, Harland, Birch, Eke, Adam Hanson. SUBS USED: Slevin, Murray, Reka
Swifts battered in League Cup
Stourport Swifts 0 Tividale 4 24th October 2023 Att: 107
Stourport Swifts came down to earth with a bump after Saturday’s FA Vase heroics, and were soundly beaten by Tividale in the first round of the League Cup.
Tividale started brightly, and almost went ahead after just 5 minutes when Ryan Snape caught Jim Hanson in possession on the edge of the box and his snap shot flew narrowly past the post. Jamie Emery then saved well at the feet of the same player before Dominic Dell put the writing on the wall for Stourport with two smart goals in the space of 5 minutes. First he reacted quickly after Swifts dithered to fire in from close range, then finished off an incisive break down the right to convert Ewan Edwards’ cross to make it 2-0.
Ethan Tivey saw his shot saved by keeper Tim Beech in a rare Swifts attack, and Swifts best chance then followed but Lee Chilton’s point blank effort was also saved by Beech. Ryan Snape then put the visitors firmly in control when he fired a peach of a free kick into the top corner from 20 yardsin the 43rd minute.
Swifts lost Saturday’s match winner Adam Hanson with an ankle injury just before the break, and manager Quentin Townsend rang the changes to introduce rested skipper Ben Jevons, Martin Slevin and Matt Hanson at half time to shake up a lethargic performance. Tividale then saw keeper Beech sent off for handling outside his area seven minutes into the second half, and despite finally some Swifts pressure and close misses from Harland , Chilton and Bailey, Cody Mullen rounded off a fine Tividale performance to make it 4-0 with six minutes to go, and give the Swifts an early cup exit.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Barry, Ethan Hanson, Murray, Canavan, Jim Hanson, Harland, Chilton, Tivey, Adam Hanson . SUBS USED: Bailey, Jevons, Slevin, Matt Hanson, McCardle,
Hanson special puts Swifts in Round 2
Stourport Swifts 2 Sherwood Colliery 1 Isuzu FA Vase Round 1 21st October Att: 145
Stourport Swifts came from a goal down to edge past United Counties North league leaders Sherwood Colliery to book their place in the second round.
The first half was a tight encounter, with neither side creating clear cut chances, but the visitors broke the deadlock after 14 minutes, when skipper Jobe Shaw fired a low shot into the bottom corner after Stourport failed to clear a free kick.Swifts pushed hard for an equaliser but were unconvincing in front of goal, but equalised when Jack Watts pounced on a defensive mistake and lobbed his shot over keeper Louis Kinnerlay.
Swifts came out in the second half looking the far more threatening team, and Drew Canavan went close to giving his side the lead when his chip over Kinnerlay struck the bar. Persistence eventually paid off in the 75th minute, resulting in a fabulous goal good enough to win any match. Ben Tilbury floated in a cross to the far post where Adam Hanson provided a spectacular overhead kick to turn the match in Stourport’s favour.
The Nottinghamshire side piled on the pressure in the closing stages in the hope of finding an equaliser, but Swifts were defiant in defence and held on to secure victory.
STAR MAN: Drew Canavan ENTERTAINMENT: *****
(Report from Hamilton Lyndon-Griffith, The Non League Paper 22nd October)
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Canavan, Harland, Barry, Tilbury, Watts, Adam Hanson, SUBS USED: Murray, Reka
Swifts ease into Round 2
Stourport Swifts 4 Sporting Club Inkberrow 0 WFA Senior Cup 17th October Att: 95
Two first half goals from Adam Hanson set Stourport Swifts on the road to Round 2 as they began their defence of the WFA Senior Cup.
Hanson fired his first goal for the club after five minutes with a snap volley from eight yards out from R’mar Murray’s left wing cross as the Swifts took an early grip on the game. Ethan Tivey could have bagged himself a first half hat trick but for Inkberrow keeper Tom Nicholls heroics, as he twice saved with his legs to block goalbound efforts, and kept out another when he tipped Tivey’s low shot around the post. Nicholls saved well again from Lee Chilton as he was set up by Tivey, and the visitors almost levelled in the 40th minute but Ethan Hanson was on hand to clear off the line from Will Skelton’s shot.
On the stroke of half time, Hanson scored his second goal with a cool finish past Nicholls after being played in by Ben Tilbury. Swifts could have increased their lead early in the second half, but Tilbury shot wide when well placed, and Chilton saw his 25yard free kick dip narrowly over the bar. Inkberrow skipper Tom Emblem came close in a rare Inkberrow spell of pressure, but his long range effort flashed wide of the post.
Dan Reka made it three for the Swifts in the 64th minute when he headed home Chilton’s corner from close range, then Tivey finished off the move of the match when Jim Hanson and Chilton carved open the visitors defence to set him up with a simple finish.
Swifts will visit Pershore in Round 2 .
SWIFTS: Pratt, Glenister, Barry, Ethan Hanson, Murray, Adam Hanson, Tilbury, McArdle, Chilton, Reka, Tivey, . SUBS USED: Matt Hanson, Joe Hanson, Jim Hanson, Harland
Chilton winner keeps Swifts in fifth
Stourport Swifts 2 Northwich Victoria 1 14th October Att:140
Lee Chilton’s 76th minute header gave Stourport Swifts the win they deserved against Northwich Victoria on Saturday.
Swifts should have taken the lead as early as the 10th minute, but Ben Tilbury shot over the top from Chilton’s right wing cross, then Chilton’s header was saved by keeper Adam Reid following a pin point cross from the left from Ethan Tivey. Jim Hanson then forced Reid to a smart save with an angled shot as he cut in from the left. Vics striker Dylan Fritzgerald then gave Jamie Emery an anxious moment, but his low shot flashed just wide. Matt Harland was then set up by Aaron Birch but again the shot went wide, and Tivey created an opening with a nice touch but was also off target.
The visitors best chance came in the 39th minute, when Sam Unwin escaped the attentions of Jevons and Ethan Hanson and burst through on goal, but Emery saved well with his legs, and then just before half time Chilton shaved the crossbar with a long range free kick.
Chilton went close again in the 50th minute when he chipped narrowly over the bar, but Nial Sulton headed wide when well placed to score and Dylan Switters headed over the top from close range as Northwich began to create some chances of their own. A goal finally came in the 62nd minute, when Ricardo Griman was judged to have handled in the box and Ben Tilbury fired the Swifts in front from the penalty spot despite Reid’s full length dive almost keeping his low drive out. The Vics could have levelled just three minutes later, when Switters met Sulton’s cross from the right full on the volley 10 yards out, but the shot flashed inches wide with Emery stranded. Switters made no mistake six minutes later though, when he cut inside from the left and fired in low past Emery to equalise.
Ben Tilbury delayed his shot which was turned wide for a corner, and then headed over the top, but after Adam Hanson crossed to the far post, Joe Hanson headed back across goal for Chilton to dart in and head the winner past Reid.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Barry, Birch , Harland, Chilton, Tilbury, Tivey, . SUBS USED: Johnson, Adam Hanson, Canavan
Swifts have to settle for a point
Stourport Swifts 1 AFC Wulfrunians 1 7th October 2023 Att: 143
Swifts almost paid the price for a slow start, with Wulfs strikers Ben Worthington shooting wide from close in, Dan Munday forcing Jamie Emery to a fine save, and Jack Sang delaying his shot to allow Ben Jevons to block his goal bound effort, all in the opening ten minutes.
Dan Reka shot over the top for Swifts first attempt on goal in the 20th minute, then a clever flick from Reka set up Lee Chilton but his shot was blocked. Reka’s smart overhead kick was saved by Tom Hayward in the Wulfs goal following Drew Canavan’s corner, but it was Wulfrunians who took the lead in the 33rd minute when Sangs low drive from 25 yards crept jut inside Emery’s right hand post. This prompted a concerted spell of Swifts pressure and Canavan saw his goalbound volley blocked, and Joe Hanson almost levelled with an angled header. Canavan then forced Hayward to a full length save to tip his fierce low drive past the post. From Chilton’s corner however, Ben Jevons made no mistake when he powered home a far post header to equalise.
Second half chances were few and far between for either side, but Ben Tilbury shot over when well placed in the 65th minute, before the best chance of the half went begging when Chilton’s cross from the left was missed by Hayward as he came to collect it, and Tilbury was inches away from heading into an empty net.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Barry, Jim Hanson, Johnson, Birch , Canavan, Chilton, Tilbury, Reka, . SUBS USED: McArdle, Adam Hanson, Eden, Murray
Swifts unbeaten run ends
Shifnal 2 Stourport Swifts 0 30th September 2023 Att: 151
Nine man Stourport Swifts saw the end of their unbeaten run at Shifnal on Saturday after losing a man in each half to virtually end this game as a contest.
Ethan Hanson was first to depart after just 14 minutes when he was judged to have pulled down Josh Hesson as the two players tangled in the box and Josh Thomas converted the spot kick.
Swifts had a narrow escape ten minutes later when Macara Mcnulty-Hartnett saw his fierce drive come back off the bar, but Swifts still posed a threat when keeper Yankuba Colley was forced to save at close range from Ben Tilbury.
Lewis Jarman blazed wide at the start of the second half, but Swifts again came close when Hanson played Tilbury in again, but his shot was saved. In the 56 minute Swifts best chance to get back in the game saw Dan Reka and Aaron Birch combine to rob keeper Colley in possession, but Birch couldn’t find the empty net, and was forced to pass square before Shifnal managed to clear their lines. Joe Cuff shot wide before Swifts lost Aaron Birch for a second yellow card in the 62nd minute.
Matt Johnson fired over the top 8 minutes later as the Swifts battled bravely, with Canavan blocking Evan Bagry’s effort well, and Matt Harland and Lee Chilton covering acres of ground to keep the Swifts in with a chance of stealing a goal, but with a minute left Hesson produced an outstanding 25 yarder to seal the points for Shifnal.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Harland, Birch , Canavan, Chilton, Tilbury, Adam Hanson, . SUBS USED: Johnson, Reka
Highgate win keeps Swifts moving up
Stourport Swifts 3 Highgate United 2 26th September 2023 Att: 67
Stourport Swifts rose to 2nd in the table last night with this win against Highgate, and even two injury time goals from the visitors could not take the gloss off an impressive performance.
In an enjoyably competitive match, Swifts showed their the desire to keep their winning run going, and after 6 minutes Ben Tilbury saw his shot well blocked by Reece Francis in the Highgate goal when played in by Matt Harland.
Skipper Ben Jevons returned to the Swifts back line after missing Saturday’s win, and did well to block a goal bound effort from Charlie Shaw, before then testing Francis again with a header from Lee Chilton’s free kick. Swifts went in front in the 32nd minute when another dangerous free kick from Chilton on the right was headed into his own goal as he tried to clear. Highgate responded well and Ryan Harkin managed to wriggle past two defenders before Ethan Hanson was on hand to block the danger.
Shaw fired wastefully over the top at the start of the second half, before Harland drove at the Highgate backline before playing in Tilbury again, who this time made no mistake with a clinical finish to make it 2-0. The introduction of Adam Hanson gave the Swifts a dangerous threat down the left side, and his run opened up the Highgate defence for Tilbury’s shot to be blocked, and Aaron Birch shot narrowly over the top from close range from the resulting corner. Tilbury was the provider ten minutes later for Chilton to force a fine save from Francis as the Swifts pushed to extend their lead.
In the 80th minute Tilbury, Birch and Chilton linked up well to create another opportunity, but Francis again saved well, and was in action again two minutes later when he went to full stetch to tip over a powerful Jevons header. Chilton finally added to his side’s lead with two minutes of normal time remaining when he pounced to slide past Francis from a narrow angle just inside the post.
With the game looking secure however, the drama was not over, when in injury time Kartel O’Neil-Martin pulled one back for Highgate after Jamie Emery’s clearance was blocked to give him a simple chance and tap in, and three minutes later George Cleet headed in from close range to leave Swifts’ nerves jangling for the final minute of added time
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Harland, Birch , Johnson, Chilton, Tilbury, Reka, . SUBS USED: Adam Hanson, Eden, Johnson, Murray
Swifts go fourth in table
Stourport Swifts 2 Uttoxeter Town 1 23rd September 2023 Att: 82
Stourport Swifts continued their run of form with three points against Uttoxeter to leapfrog them into fourth place in the table and extend their unbeaten run to six games.
Swifts took control from the start, and could easily have gone three goals in front as first Ben Tilbury fired over the top from close in, then Lee Chilton twice tested keeper Charlie Wood before Tilbury forced another save on 20 minutes.
Uttoxeter began to produce some threat of their own, and Reuben Kenny brought a fine save from Jamie Emery in the 25th minute, before Chilton and Tilbury linked up well only for Tilbury’s shot to be blocked by Tom Thorley. Tilbury should have given his side the lead they deserved in the 39th minute, when he met Joe Hanson’s cross from the right with a powerful header, which came back off Wood, hit Tilbury, and rebounded over the bar.
Uttoxeter pressed hard at the start of the second half, with Mike Conlon forcing Emery to a fine save to his left, and from the resulting corner, Rob Thorley rattled the Swifts bar from close in.
Swifts finally went in front in the 59th minute when Ethan Hanson played Tilbury in behind the visitors’ defence, and he cooly lobbed over the advancing Wood from ten yards despite some heavy pressure from two defenders. Joe Hanson headed narrowly over the bar from Tilbury’s cross minutes later, but Uttoxeter almost levelled when substitute David Ndene saw his shot well saved by Emery, but made no mistake from the resulting corner when Joel Dyche forced home the equaliser from close range on 72 minutes.
With five minutes remaining Ethan Hanson arrived on the spot to head home the winner once again, this time from Chilton’s free kick from the right, and give his side their second win in a week.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Harland, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Murray, Birch , Johnson, Chilton, Tilbury, Adam Hanson, . SUBS USED: Antonio, Reka, Binner
Birch special proves a winner
Romulus 0 Stourport Swifts 1 16th September 2023 Att: 101
A 25 yard piledriver from Swifts midfielder Aaron Birch on the stroke of half time was enough to give Stourport Swifts the points and Romulus their first defeat of the season.
Swifts strong start should have seen them out of sight by half time, with Ben Jevons hitting the bar with an angled lob after just two minutes, and Lee Chilton firing narrowly over the top after a clever flick from Ben Tilbury. Dan Reka forced a full length save from Romulus keeper Lewis Gwilliams in the 18th minute, and Ben Tilbury also saw his 20 yard effort dip narrowly over the bar as the Swifts dominated. The home sided were restricted to a solitary effort on goal in the first half, with Ryan Pratt saving well from a close range effort from Jose Paz.
Romulus showed more enterprise after the break, with Pratt tested by a Kish Kapour header in the 54th minute, and the Swifts back line facing a series of corners under pressure which were solidly dealt with. Steve Palmer saw a dangerous header fall narrowly wide as Romulus continued to press, but the Swifts produced the move of the match in the 68th minute with some sharp interplay on the left, when Tilbury, Chilton and Jim Hanson carved open the home defence to set up Drew Canavan, whose ten yard shot was desperately blocked by Cameron Lee.
Ben Jevons snuffed out another dangerous move with a fine challenge on sub Rob Hanna in the closing stages, but Swifts were well worth their narrow win.
SWIFTS: Pratt, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Harland, Birch, Binner, Reka, Tilbury, Chilton. SUBS USED: Johnson Canavan
Swifts have to settle for a point
Tividale 1 Stourport Swifts 1 12th September 2023 Att: 72
A goal from Tividale striker Taylor Townsend direct from his left wing corner deprived Stourport Swifts of all three points from this match.
Aaron Birch notched his third goal of the new campaign five minutes before half time when he was first to react and force in Matt Johnson’s corner from close range, but with both sides struggling to keep the ball, chances were few and far between in a generally dour match.
Joe Hawkins was narrowly wide as the stretched to reach a Lewis Taylor-Boyd free kick just before half time, but after the break Swifts failed to convert a series of chances which could have put the game beyond reach. Nathan Binner’s cross from the right saw Dan Reka head tamely at Tividale keeper Louis Connor, then Binner himself fired over the top when well placed.
The introduction of Lee Chilton on the hour sharpened the Swifts front line, and in the 68th his cross from the left found Binner at the far post but his shot was easily saved by Connor, and after Townsend’s equaliser Swifts best chance fell to Luke Sidaway after Binner’s cross, but his snapshot came back off the post from eight yards out.
Jim Hanson’s cross from the right was missed by everyone in the box, and Joe Hanson shot wide five minutes later as Swifts pushed hard for a win but couldn’t quite get there.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Harland, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, McArdle, Johnson, Birch, Binner, Reka, Murray. SUBS USED: Johnson, Canavan, Sidaway,
Hanson header gives Swifts a win
Stourport Swifts 2 Dudley Town 1 9th September 2023 Att: 171
Ethan Hanson powered home a 70th minute header from Matt Johnson’s free kick to give Stourport Swifts a hard earned 3 points.
Swifts bright start gave them an early lead when Jim Hanson drove a 30 yard right footer past Dudley keeper Ethan Hawkes with six minutes gone.
Dudley began to take control however, and almost levelled when Dave Jones cut inside past Nathan Binner, but fired into the side netting from a narrow angle. Two minutes later Dudley threatened again when Jim Hanson did well to take the sting out of an Oli Waddison shot, and Ethan Hanson cleared off the line.
The goal that Dudley threatened came in the 33rd minute when Swifts defenders backed off, and allowed Jamie Beddall to fire his own 30 yarder past Jamie Emery’s left hand into the top corner.
Dudley began where they left off after the break, and Waddison almost gave his side the lead when he rounded Emery, but Hanson got back to clear the danger. Emery then saved from Dan Jones before Swifts almost went in front following a teasing Chilton cross from the left which Antonio missed by a whisker.
Swifts looked likely to add to their lead after going in front, and Lewis Mitchell did well to rob Antonio with a last ditch tackle when he was through on goal, and they were able to breathe a little easier when Joe Colley was red carded after a tackle on Luke Sidaway with six minutes to go.
SWIFTS: Emery, Binner, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, McArdle, Canavan, Birch, Chilton, Reka, Tilbury. SUBS USED: Johnson, Joe Hanson, Antonio, Harland, Sidaway,
Last gasp equaliser costs Swifts
Lichfield City 1 Stourport Swifts 1 Sat 2nd September 2023 Att: 136
A stoppage time equaliser left Stourport Swifts counting the cost of their missed chances as Lichfield snatched a last gasp point.
Defences dominated for most of this match, with goal chances at a premium, an even when they came, both goalkeepers showed their quality to deny any goalworthy efforts.
Lichfield’s Lewi Burnside twice forced fine saves from Jamie Emery in the first half, and Emery also did well to tip a dangerous Joe Haines corner over the bar under pressure.
Burnside did manage to squeeze one past Emery’s left hand early in the second half, but his low shot came back off the base of the post, and minutes later Emery was at full stretch again to tip a long range effort from Liam Kirton over the bar.
Swifts took the lead in the 55th minute when Lee Chilton teed up sub Dan McArdle on the edge of the box, and his low shot found the bottom corner just inside James Beeson’s left hand post. Swifts had a lucky escape when Emery did brilliantly to parry a point blank effort from Dan Smith, but Kirton somehow managed to head the rebound over the top from two yards out.
Stourport then created the two best chances of the match, both falling to Ben Tilbury, first shooting past the post when clean through on goal, and five minutes later Beeson managed to block his shot with his legs from an almost identical position. Beeson then acrobatically tipped Chilton’s cross from the right over the bar when Tilbury was poised to head in from three yards out.
Emery was fortunate with ten minutes left to escape with a booking when he handled outside his box, as Lichfield piled on the pressure, but just as the Swifts looked to have done enough for all three points, Ethan Hanson’s clearance struck a gleeful Kieron Francis and rebounded into the net for a 94th minute equaliser.
SWIFTS: Emery, Binner, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Johnson, Canavan, Birch, Chilton, Reka, Tilbury. SUBS USED: McArdle, Sidaway,
Tilbury double gives Swifts first League win
Stourport Swifts 4 Congleton Town 2 MPL Sat 26th August 2023 Att: 128
Stourport Swifts were awarded three penalties in this match which helped them to all three points against previously unbeaten Premier League newcomers Congleton.
Swifts fell behind after just 3 minutes when livewire winger Dan Needham cut inside from the right and drilled a low shot past Jamie Emery from the edge of the box. Five minutes later Swifts almost levelled when Ben Tilbury’s clever reverse pass opened the Congleton defence, but was just too long for Nathan Binner to reach.
The visitors continued to look likely to add to their lead, but in the 21st minute Town defender Will Buckley was judged to have pulled Tilbury back in the box by his shirt, and Drew Canavan stepped up to fire past keeper Dave Parton off his left hand post from the penalty kick. The goal gave Swifts the lift they needed, and they almost went in front when Binner and Dan Reka linked up well, but Binner’s shot was well blocked by a last ditch tackle from Carl Dickinson.
Penalty number two came on 35 minutes when Ben Tilbury was brought down as he rounded Parton ready to tap in, but duly obliged to finish the job from the spot and put his side in front.
Congleton again started with purpose after the break, and Emery saved well to his left to tip Needham’s shot past the post, but Needham curled the resulting corner kick directly into the net at the far post for his second goal to level the scores.
Four minutes later, on 56 minutes, came penalty number three after Binner was brought down in the box, and although Parton saved well from Tilbury’s spot kick, he followed up to drive the rebound into the roof of the net and put his side back in front.
Congleton pressed hard for another equaliser, Jim Hanson cleared off the line after a frantic scramble, and Ethan Hartshorn forced another fine save from Emery, but with Ben Jevons outstanding again at the back for the Swifts, Ben Cowlishaw was on hand with a minute left to score a fourth from close range after Jack Bailey and Tilbury carved open the visitors defence on the left to give him a simple finish.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Johnson, Canavan, Birch, Binner, Reka, Tilbury. SUBS USED: Antonio, Bailey, McArdle, Sidaway, Cowlishaw
Swifts out after replay
Stourport Swifts 1 Hanley Town 2 Tues 22nd August 2023 Att: 163
Stourport Swifts crashed out of the FA Cup after this Preliminary Round replay on Tuesday night.
Hanley started brightly, and Charlie Walford shot narrowly wide on three minutes, with Kyle Blake doing the same just afterwards. Luke Sidaway went close for the Swifts with their first threat on goal, and Ben Tilbury was robbed in the nick of time by James Askey as he shaped to shoot from 12 yards.
A dangerous Lee Chilton cross was then cut out by Hanley keeper Adam Whitehouse, and Ethan Hanson blocked a Kieran Brown effort just as he broke clear on goal.
Hanley took the lead in the 32nd minute when player manager Ryan Shotton powered in a close range header from Matthew Bell’s corner, but Swifts levelled on the stroke of half time when Tilbury headed home from close range at the far post. Early in the second half Tilbury shot tamely at Whitehouse when well placed, but in the 52nd minute Jim Hanson somehow manged to clear off the line after a frantic scramble in the Swifts goalmouth.
Hanley’s pressure was beginning to tell, and in the 65th minute the breakthrough came after a succession of corners when James Askey headed in from close range to give his side the lead.
Jamie Emery produced the save of the match from Tyrone Ofori’s close range piledriver, and Brown was unlucky to strike the post after holding off a strong challenge from Ben Jevons.
Swifts mounted a late rally as they tried to force an equaliser, with Aaron Birch going close with a header, Jack Bailey firing narrowly over the top, and Chilton bringing a fine save from Whitehouse, but Hanley held on to progress to the Qualifying Rounds.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Johnson, Canavan, Birch, Sidaway, Chilton, Tilbury. SUBS USED: Hylton, Bailey, McCardle
Swifts battle for FA Cup replay
Hanley Town 2 Stourport Swifts 2 Sat 19th August 2023 Att: 111
A late equaliser from Hanley striker Kieran Brown deprived Stourport Swifts of a win in this FA Cup Preliminary Round tie.
Luke Sidaway twice missed the opportunity to put Swifts in front in the opening few minutes, first firing over the bar with keeper Adam Whitehead to beat, then shooting straight at the advancing keeper when through on goal. In the 8th minute Nathan Binner set up Lee Chilton with a good chance, but he too blazed over the top.
Swifts skipper Ben Jevons was on hand to clear a dangerous Walford corner as Hanley threatened, and Chilton did well to get back and clear off the line when James Askey headed back across goal. Tyrone Ofori put Hanley in front from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time after Joe Hanson was judged to have brought down Charlie Walford in the box.
Swifts began the second half with purpose, and Drew Canavan’s corner came back off the crossbar with Whitehead beaten, and Nathan Binner met Chilton’s cross on the volley at the near post, only to see his close range effort come back off the woodwork, but a minute later he made no mistake from ten yards out to level the scores after Chilton and Aaron Birch combined well on the left to carve out the chance. Chilton threatened again two minutes later, forcing a fine save from Whitehead with a 25 yard snapshot, but Hanley responded immediately and only an outstanding save from Jamie Emery kept out a fine effort from Ofori.
Swifts were in front for the first time in the 73rd minute, when Bailey and Chilton opened up the Hanley defence on the left for Ben Tilbury to drive in from 12 yards out, but the lead lasted only two minutes, as Canavan’s loose pass allowed Josh green to pick out a pin point cross for Kieron Brown to plant a firm header past Emery to level and force a replay.
SWIFTS: Emery, Joe Hanson, Jevons, Ethan Hanson, Jim Hanson, Binner, Canavan, Birch, Sidaway, Chilton, Tilbury. SUBS USED: Hylton, Bailey, Johnson
Swifts mauled in Studley
Studley 7 Stourport Swifts 1 MPL Mon 14th August 2023 Att: 73
Stourport Swifts went down to their heaviest ever Midland League defeat at Studley on Monday night.
The damage was done in the first half as Studley bulldozed into a 5-0 lead, with a strangely lethargic Swifts showing no response to a strong and energetic Studley opening.
Zach Guinan opened the scoring on 21 minutes, turning smartly on the edge of the box to fire low past Jamie Emery. Ben Tilbury missed a golden opportunity to level when he shot tamely wide with just keeper Brendan Bunn to beat, before Harry Eden made no mistake when he fired in for number two in the 26th minute. Max Martin got in on the at ten minutes later to score with a low drive from 15 yards, then Harry Lake powered in a close range header from Eden’s free kick.
Ash De Mulder completed a first half battering for the Swifts when he turned in number five on the stroke of half time.
After three substitutions, Stourport at least made a game of the second half, and following their brightest spell of the match, Aaron Birch pulled one back in the 57th minute after some neat approach work when he drove in low from 20 yards. Lee Chilton fired over the top from a free kick, and Bunn did well to keep out a Tilbury effort with his legs, but after Tyler Bruck raced clear and produced a calm finish to make it 6-1, and with ten minutes to go he added his second when he outpaced the Swifts defence to give his side a seven goal haul and the Swifts a humbling defeat.
SWIFTS: Emery, Johnson, Jevons, Gardner, Jim Hanson, Binner, Canavan, Birch, Bailey, Chilton, Tilbury. SUBS USED: McCardle, Sidaway, Joe Hanson, Cowlishaw
Canavan penalty earns Swifts a point
Wolverhampton Casuals 1 Stourport Swifts 1 MPL Sat 12th August 2023 Att: 55
A late Drew Canavan penalty gave Stourport Swifts a hard earned draw in their opening Midland Premier League match at Brinsford Stadium on Saturday.
Swifts keeper Jamie Emery was called into early action, saving at the feet of Casuals striker Tom Cottam, then tipping over a snap shot from Stan Mugisha, before Lee Chilton finished off a Canavan free kick smartly at the far post only to be given offside. Chilton and Luke Sidaway then combined well for Chilton to force a fine save from Casuals keeper Stan Amos.
With the home side showing more threat going forward, Cottam again burst through the Swifts defence to test Emery again, and Ben Tilbury did well to hold off Jayden Hunter, who was forced to shoot wide. Swifts best chance of the half fell to Dale Edwards in the 33rd minute, but blazed wide from 15 yards when perfectly placed to score, then Nathan Binner’s pin point cross set up Chilton, who forced Amos to another good save.
Canavan shaved the crossbar with a 25 yarder early in the second half, before Emery produced an acrobatic save to deny Casuals sub James May.
Casuals went in front with 15 minutes to go, when Matt Gritton powered in a close range header from a left wing corner, but five minutes later Tom Hurley handled a dangerous Tilbury cross to give Canavan the chance to despatch an equaliser firmly past Amos from the spot kick. Swifts sub Jack Bailey was twice denied a winner by Amos as Swifts pushed hard for all three points, but they still had Emery to thank again in the last minute when he produced an outstanding point blank save from James Pritchard.
.SWIFTS: Emery, Binner, Jevons, Tilbury, Jim Hanson, Canavan, Birch, Johnson, Chilton, Sidaway, Edwards. SUBS USED: McArdle, Bailey, Cowlishaw, Joe Hanson, Matt Hanson
Swifts through in FA Cup
Stourport Swifts 2 Coventry Sphinx 0 Sat 5th August 2023 Att:134
Stourport Swifts moved into the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup with an impressive win over Northern Premier League One side Coventry Sphinx.
Swifts were awarded a free kick in the 4th minute on the edge of the box after Sphinx keeper Keelan Fallows handled outside his area, and last season’s top scorer Lee Chilton stepped up to drive a fierce shot into the far corner to give his side an early lead. Chilton saw his goalbound effort cleared off the line by defender Callum Whiteside 13 minutes later, then a Jim Hanson cross picked out Chilton again, but the striker’s shot was too high. Sphinx skipper Louis Guest threatened with a dangerous free kick which flew just wide, but five minutes later, in the 35th minute, Drew Canavan’s left side corner was met by Aaron Birch who powered in a close range header to give the Swifts a two goal lead.
Five minutes before half time Dan Reka’s overhead kick fell to Birch five yards out, but his shot was well saved by Fallows at point blank range, and with a minute to go before the break Canavan, Chilton and Reka combined with the move of the match, but Chilton’s drive was just over the bar.
In the second half Coventry struggled to make an impression on Swifts’ new season back line, with skipper Jevons dominant and Ben Tilbury unflappable as he snuffed out any early threat, and he even found time to force a fine save from Fallows following a Matt Johnson corner. Sphinx passed up a golden chance to get back into the game when Jordan Hayward broke clear down the left , his pin point cross picked out Matt Shipman, but he shot weakly straight at Jamie Emery.
A thunderous 25 yarder from Matt Johnson flashed just wide in the 75th minute, then Chilton’s low cross was missed by both Birch and Luke Sidaway as it begged to be tapped in.
Sphinx substitute Antonio Cristafaro twice tested Emery late on as the visitors mounted a last gasp effort, and Jim Hanson did well to clear off the line at the death, but Swifts held firm to hang on to the lead their performance deserved.
SWIFTS: Emery, Binner, Jevons, Tilbury, Jim Hanson, Canavan, Birch, Johnson, Chilton, Sidaway, Reka. SUBS USED: McArdle, Bailey, Hylton
