Pre-season friendly
West Bergholt 5 Heybridge Swifts Res. 2

SWIFTS reserves' squad was much-reduced in numbers due to holidays, and with manager Wayne Bond absent, Ben Hull took the captain's armband.

It was an awful start for the new skipper, as poor marking from two corners gifted the hosts two goals in the first five minutes.

Hull's well-struck crosses and free kicks were to soon to become a threat, with no-one able to capitalise in the early stages.

Swifts pulled one back after fine work from the lively Julian Simon-Parson, with Adam Allen on hand to poke home from close range at the far post.

Bergholt restored their two-goal advantage with Swifts beaten for strength in the tackle and it was a stroll for their scorer.

Richard Bowyer worked hard up front but the game became scrappy, Swifts at times going too long. Another free kick saw the home keeper flap at the ball, but it somehow went safe. The keeper was once more found lacking from a Hull corner and Jack Humphrys kneed home.

Just before half time, Jamie Bowyer came on, but couldn't claim a long cross and the ball was hooked into the net to make it 4-2.

Swifts were under pressure after the break, with the greater strength and raw physicality of the homesters giving them the advantage. The Swifts youngsters kept working hard and tried to do the right things, never dropping their heads.

Another good free kick from Hull was headed just wide before sub Joe Ellis headed over the bar after fine work from Simon-Parson and Nathan Smith, who looked more dominant and at ease as the game went on.

A first-time cross was headed wide for a corner as Swifts created some opportunities but Bergholt finished the stronger, and Shane Hill produced an outstanding save to keep them at bay, Allen then heading off the line.

There were suspicions of a foul on Ellis from Heybridge in the build-up, but Bergholt completed the scoring with a fifth goal late in the game.

4:46pm Monday 4th August 2008

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