🧡 Performance Over Results 🧡

After an unbeaten run of five wins from our first six games, the Swifts have earned their place in one of the top groups.

We absolutely deserve to be playing at this level, but we knew that stepping up against some of the strongest teams would bring a completely different challenge.

So, before kick-off, the message was simple:

The performance is far more important than the result.

And once again, the boys gave us plenty to be proud of.

🆚 Barnhurst Lions

Our first game produced some of the best teamwork we’ve seen from the Swifts.

The boys were moving the ball brilliantly, particularly when playing out from the back, with some excellent passing and movement creating opportunities for us to attack.

Our wingers were also making some fantastic diagonal passes into dangerous areas, and we were creating plenty of chances.

Barnhurst’s goalkeeper had to produce some excellent saves to keep us out.

So, when Barnhurst took the lead, it felt slightly against the run of play.

But the response from the Swifts was fantastic.

A brilliant move down the left-hand side eventually saw the final pass find Chester, who timed his run perfectly before finishing brilliantly.

It was thoroughly deserved, particularly given how many forward passes Chester had already played earlier in the game to help create opportunities for his teammates.

Unfortunately, just before half-time, Barnhurst produced a moment of individual quality to put themselves back in front.

The boys went into the break behind, but there was plenty of encouragement because the overall performance had been excellent.

Second Half

The second half followed a similar pattern.

We continued to knock on the door and create opportunities, but Barnhurst were just that little bit more dangerous when they attacked and extended their advantage.

Then came a moment of pure Naeto.

Picking the ball up around the halfway line, Naeto did what Naeto does best — powered forward, drove towards the opposition defence and unleashed an absolute rocket into the far top corner. 🚀

A fantastic individual goal.

Barnhurst added further goals as the game progressed, but the scoreline didn’t really reflect how competitive the game had been.

The Swifts kept fighting until the end, and Joey deservedly got himself on the scoresheet late on following another good attacking move.

The result wasn’t what we wanted, but the performance was something we were incredibly pleased with.

Against a very strong side, the boys played some excellent football and showed exactly why they belong in this group.

🆚 Pelsall Villa Colts Aces

Another difficult game followed against one of the strongest Pelsall sides.

We knew we’d have to work incredibly hard, and from the beginning the boys showed exactly the attitude we were looking for.

We held our shape brilliantly and battled for every ball.

Pelsall were quick, strong and gave us very little time on the ball, which made it difficult to play our usual style.

The important thing was that we adapted.

Rather than becoming frustrated, the boys recognised the challenge and became a little more direct when necessary.

We still created opportunities and remained fully involved in the game.

Pelsall eventually took the lead from a free-kick just outside the box — their first real shot of the game.

The boys continued to battle, but just before half-time a player was left behind our defence and a blocked clearance unfortunately fell straight to him, allowing him to finish.

Going into the break, we were behind, but the scoreline felt harsh considering how hard the boys had worked.

Second Half

The only thing we could do was come out and improve in the second half.

And that’s exactly what they did.

The Swifts competed for everything, created opportunities and continued to look for a way back into the game.

We came close on several occasions, with Pelsall’s goalkeeper making some good saves and a few of our efforts narrowly missing the target.

The boys really deserved something to cheer about for their efforts, but unfortunately it just wouldn’t happen on this occasion.

The result wasn’t what we wanted, but once again, the performance and attitude were excellent.

🏆 Players of the Match

🧡 Parents’ Player of the Match – Bligh

A very busy day for Bligh in defence, and he stuck to his job throughout.

We knew we needed him to be disciplined with his positioning against these opponents, and he did exactly that.

He played a big part in helping us stay competitive and keeping the games as close as they were.

A really solid performance.

Well done, Bligh! 👏🏼🧡

🧡 Managers’ Player of the Match – Chester

100% deserved.

When the managers choose their Player of the Match, we’re looking at much more than goals.

We’re looking for teamwork, hard work, listening to instructions, taking what we practise in training into games and showing individual improvement.

Chester ticked every single box today.

Some of the passes he played forward to create opportunities for his teammates were excellent, while he also showed good judgement in knowing when to take the ball forward himself.

It was particularly pleasing to see his teammates return the favour and find him with the final pass for a fantastic team goal.

That’s exactly the kind of football we’re trying to develop.

Well done, Chester! 👏🏼🧡

🧡 Performance Over Results 🧡

Two tough games against two very good sides — exactly the kind of challenge we expected when we earned our place in this group.

And while the results weren’t what we wanted, the performances gave us plenty to be proud of.

The teamwork, passing and movement in the first game were particularly encouraging, while the way the boys adapted and competed in the second showed another important part of their development.

The next few weeks aren’t going to get any easier.

But that’s okay.

These boys have earned the opportunity to play against the better teams.

These are the games that will help them improve far more than easy wins ever could.

They’ll learn how to deal with pressure, how to adapt their football, how to compete against stronger and quicker opponents and, most importantly, how to keep believing in themselves.

As always: