From Christchurch head out up through fairmile towards the airport, go past the airport until you come to Parley Crossroads Lights. Turn right here heading towards Ferndown, go past the Porche garage and take the next left into Dudsbury Avenue, stay on until you come to a crossroad lights junction with a church on the opposite right corner. Go straight over into Church road and continue along until you come to some brown signs which show ferndown leisure centre and schools, turn left here into Cherry Grove road and continue to the end. If you park in the car park to the left looking at the leisure centre. The mini soccer pitches are normally to the left of the building down the slope, if unsure ask at the leisure center reception and they will direct you to the right pitch.

Click on the links below for maps of the area

Ferndown Leisure Center 1

Ferndown leisure Center 2

Ferndown Leisure Center 3

Last Sunday saw the U8s on their travels for the second successive week against New Milton Robins at Fawcetts Field. The Swans were back to full strength for this match which proved to be no contest. Drew started the scoring off with the very first attack when his left wing cross was missed by everyone and crept in off the back post. The Swans raced into a 4-0 lead in the first five minutes and scored another 5 before the break. H-T 9-0.

After changes at half-time the Swans rattled in another 4 goals with the Robins gaining a consolation goal to end the match at 13-1. Drew capped an amazing performance by bagging 6 goals whilst only playing for two thirds of the game, while Callum netted his fourth hat-trick of the season. Further goals from William(2) and fit again Louie (2) bolstered the Swans goal difference. This was a chance for several players to get a decent run out and George took full advantage and was named man of the match. Matthew took on goalkeeping duties which allowed Michael to play outfield for the first time this season. Final Score: New Milton Robins 1 Swans 13; Scorers: Drew (6), Callum (3), William (2), Louie (2); MOM: George

The under 9’s started the game with some fine passing putting Moordown under pressure from the start creating chance after chance hitting the post and their goalkeeper playing extremely well pulling off saves from Jack, Kenny, Nathan and Zac. The defencne looked solid with Charlie and Sebastian at the back and Tom C in goal having little to do but what he did do he did well. How the Swans didn’t score can someone please tell me because they deserved to be at least four up at half time but it was 0-0.

In the second half Ryan and Yan came on and we continued to be the stronger but as is often the case in football we went 1-0 behind after a scramble in our goal area with no one to blame but the boys kept their heads up (even if for a moment i didn’t) and pit them back under pressure and from a wide free kick Zac played a good short pass to Jack on the edge of the box he took one touch and hit it passed their excellent keeper for the equallizer which we deserved 1-1.

It was a well played game in good spirt to the end and it finished 1-1 man of the match was awarded to Jack Wyeth for his passing and team work but all the boys played really well and Mike and I felt it was our best performance so far and deserved to win but thats football boys.

Final score :- 1-1

Scorer and Man of the Match :- Jack Wyeth

Last Sunday saw the Swans travel to Chrictchurch for a top of the table clash at River way. A brilliant display by the boys saw them come away with all 3pts in a 3-1 win. A first half effort from William and an early second half goal from Callum put the Swans 2-0 up. Good passing and great defending were the platform for this result. Christchurch pulled a goal back midway through the second period but a quick reply from Drew restored the 2 goal advantage. The boys only looked in danger for a few minutes before Christchurch scored, replying quickly certainly dented any comeback hopes the home team may have had. MOM went to Drew although a few others could have had the honour. Full Time Score: Christchurch 1 Swans 3 (William, Callum, Drew)

MOM: Drew

U11’s

For the Swan’s 5th match of the season they travelled away to Broadstone looking to get their first victory and collect three points.

Unfortunately, only six players were available for the game; Josh Smith, Josh Peaty, Robert Sharpe, Sonny Gudge, Adam Morley and Mitchell Bentley who had their work cut out from the kick off.

All the boys looked sharp and were an even match for Broadstone’s team, Mitch’s first shot hitting the post.

The boys kept running and tackling and were unlucky to concede a goal after 15 minutes. Josh Smith made some outstanding saves in the first half. Robert put the ball through to Mitch who had his shot saved, the ball bounced out to Adam who tucked it into the net. A well deserved goal for the whole team.

A few minutes later, with Broadstone continuing the long ball to force our players to do more running, they caught the Swans out and scored their second.

The Swans continued to battle on and were unlucky to concede another goal before half time.

During the second half, Sonny replaced Josh in goal who took his place in midfield with his fresh legs! With some excellent defending by Josh Peaty and Robert Sharpe, Swans were still creating chances of their own. Again, the boys were unlucky to concede a cracking goal that shot past Sonny. Swans kept playing good attacking football, with some good passing between them. Broadstone were awarded a free kick just outside the area, forcing a superb save from Sonny, who was unlucky that it deflected to another Broadstone player who capitalised and scored.

Swans were starting to tire now, but kept their heads up and with continued pressure from Mitch and Adam, Smithy scored his first of the season!

In the last few minutes of the game, Broadstone played the ball over the Swans heads, who with their understandable fatigue, were unable to get back in time to help defend, another goal to the home side.

All credit to the six boys who worked together as a team and played their socks off and never let their heads drop.

Final score 6-2 MOM Josh Peaty

Last Sunday saw the Swans make the short journey to play Bransgore. With Drew missing, Bradley captained the team. Callum also made a dramatic appearance, seemingly “fit as a fiddle” after illness forced him to miss Saturday training. Izzy stepped into midfield and Sam lined up beside Danny in defence.
The Swans began sluggishly against an organised home team. The home side were pressing for an early goal but their shots flew harmlessly wide, although Michael did get his hands warmed by a couple of shots. Bransgore corners were causing the Swans defence a number of problems. Gradually the Swans got into the game, William began to dominate in midfield and with Bradley supporting Callum in attack they started to carve out openings. The home keeper made several great saves, one from a corner after William got on the end of Callum’s delivery. However it was goalkeeping error that set up the first goal, a slack goal kick fell kindly for Bradley who powered home his shot for 1-0. Bransgore pressed for an equaliser but the Swans held out to half time.
 

The second half began in much the same way as the first. Bransgore were pressing hard and could sense the game was flowing their way. Again the home side forced a number of corners but were caught by the classic sucker punch when Callum latched onto a Swans clearance and scored easily 2-0. Matthew then replaced Izzy as Bransgore tried in vain to get back into the match but the Swans tightened up and prevented the home side from scoring. Near full time, a Bransgore attack finished with a shot which was heading for the top corner until Michael produced the save of the season. Looking beaten, Michael somehow managed to get both hands to the ball and divert it round the post for a corner
 

Final Score Swans 2 Bransgore 0;
Scorers - Bradley, Callum
Man of the Match - Callum

Last Sunday saw the Swans play Lymington at home. Sam returned from illness and was named as substitute along with George. Danny and Izzy were tested early on, the away side were attacking in numbers. Poor finishing prevented Lymington taking an early lead. However from their first corner of the game they went in front. The corner was delivered to the near post which Drew attempted to clear, the ball spun off his foot and past Michael in goal. 0-1 Lymington.
The Swans then took the game to their opponents and began making chances. Callum was working tirelessly upfront supported well from the midfield trio of William, Bradley and Drew. From a corner the ball broke to Drew near the edge of the box, unable to get a strong shot away, Drew tried a chip which just narrowly cleared the crossbar. At the other end Michael was having a fine game. Near half-time the Swans forced a succession corners and from one of these Drew again showing awareness tried a lob which once again cleared the crossbar with the away keeper beaten. H-T 0-1
 

The second half began with the Swans under a lot of pressure, Lymington were breaking in numbers pulling Danny and Izzy out of their defence positions. William spotted this and filled in as cover. However this did not prevent Lymington from breaking through. Twice Michael pulled off excellent saves to prevent certain goals. Callum and Drew were working the flanks trying to probe for openings and both had half chances to score but went wide. Another Lymington break produced another fine one handed save from Michael. In the dying minutes the Swans were awarded a free-kick just outside the box, first Drew and then Bradley on the re-take had shots at goal but the equaliser just wouldn’t come.
 

Final Score Swans 0 Lymington 1;
Scorers -
Man of the Match - Michael

The Swans had two new boy in their squad for the game against Sway Juniors, twins Mathew and Thomas Chesters. The starting line up was Tom Clarke in goal Charlie McKenzie and Yan Brown in defence with Jack Wyeth, Nathan Smith and Zac Andress in mid-field and new boy Thomas Chesters up front supported by Ryan Hall and Mathew Chesters as substitutes.

The team started brightly with some nice passing but not threatening Sways goal and they broke away and scored with their first attack 0-1.

From the restart we again moved the ball well creating a chance for Jack to take a long shot which was saved by their keeper and Nathan just missed with the rebound and from the goal kick Sway scored again with a long shot 0-2.

The boy were soon back in it after Jack played a good one two with Thomas to put Jack in to score for the Swans 1-2. We continued to put Sway under pressure with repeated corners by Zac and Jack with their defence scrambling the ball away a number of times only for them to score again 1-3.

The Swans defence were trying their hardest with Yan repeatedly heading the ball away and Charlie tackling well in front of Tom who was trying his hardest in goal and Ryan now on in mid-field chasing back to defend but Sway scored again just before half time to make it 1-4.

The second half started with Mathew now in goal Charlie switched from defence to mid-field with Ryan and Yan looking much tighter and closing Sways attacks down quicker and despite this and Nathan again running every where and Jacks runs down the wing and Zacs battling away Sway scored again from an unlucky own goal which looked like the only way the could score past Mathew who look so safe in goal 1-5.

The team kept going with Charlie back in defence now and their efforts were rewarded after Zacs goal kick to Jack who put the ball through to Thomas who scored a really good goal on his debut 2-5 this was the final score.

Man of the match was awarded to Charlie for his hard work in defence and mid-field and doing the simple things well tackling and clearing the ball well.

Final score:- 2-5

Scorers:- Jack Wyeth and Thomas Chesters

Man of the Match:- Charlie McKenzie

Sunday saw the Swans play Sway in the New Forest. The U8s had lost Louie and Sam in midweek from injury and illness respectively. Louie will be missing for a number of weeks with a broken arm and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
 

The Swans once again started brightly but Sway proved they would be no pushovers despite no wins in their first three outings. The home side were cheered on by a huge New Forest following and could have took the lead when a left wing cross was diverted towards goal from close in but an outstanding point blank save from Michael prevented a certain goal. The boys began to get into their stride and a brilliant passing move from Danny to William and onto Callum on the wing saw Bradley convert Callum’s cross to put the Swans 1 up. Sway were still in the game and only some desperate defending kept the home side from scoring. Just before half time another passing move saw Bradley score again from close range.
Half Time 2- 0 Swans.
 

The second half started brightly for the home side and they began to exert pressure on the Swans backline. Danny and Izzy worked tirelessly to keep them at bay. Michael once again came to the rescue with a number of stops. The Swans forced a couple of quick corners but Sway held out as the boys peppered the home goal, the home keeper was having a great game. Sway then mounted a break away and the home forward raced into the box Danny made a last gasp tackle before he could get his shot away and unfortunately mistimed the tackle and a penalty was awarded. Michael could do nothing as the kick was well taken to his left hand side for 2-1. The response was swift and in their first attack after kick off Bradley shot but the keeper made a great save only for Drew to pounce on the rebound and score off the post to restore the two goal advantage. Sway were pressing hard to get back into the match but the Swans had other ideas, gaps were appearing in the home defence and Bradley took full advantage to score his third for 4-1 Swans. Still Sway kept coming forward, but the Swans defence were holding. Drew then got hold of the ball beat two defenders and passed to Callum who gleefully smashed the ball home for 5-1. The match should have been ended as a contest but full credit to Sway as they came roaring back in the last few minutes. A lapse in defence cost the Swans two goals at the end.
 

Final Score Swans 5 Sway 3;
Scorers - Bradley 3, Drew, Callum
Man of the Match - Matthew

Under 11’s

Taking to the field in their bright brand new kit, the Swans started off looking alert and fit.

Mitch and Freddie were subs on the line but their time would come after half time.

Ben, Adam, Sonny, Josh, Jamie and Joel and the outstanding Josh ‘Smiffy’ took his place in goal.

Both teams fought for the ball with shots at each end, the keepers were kept busy with their goals to defend.

With ‘Smiffy’ diving to the left and right, the Swans got the ball and began to fight.

A cracking free kick from Adam hit the bar, soon followed by a shot from Joel which didn’t miss by far.

The Pumas took the lead fifteen minutes into the game; the match finished at half time with the score the same.

With half time changes bringing on Freddie and Mitch, Joel and Josh stood on the side of the pitch.

Three minutes in and the Pumas score again, things are looking bleak just like the rain.

Keeping their heads high Mitch gets their first of the game, six mins later a great pass from Sonny means there’s more of the same.

Mitch gets his second and the score is two each, the game is no longer out of our team’s reach.

The Pumas score again to reclaim the lead but Freddie fires a long range shot and scores the goal the boys need.

The ref awards a penalty for an accidental hand ball claim, for the Swans it’s disheartening as it’s nearing the end of the game.

The ball goes into the back of the net but the Swans haven’t stopped fighting just yet.

In the dying seconds Josh slides a sweet ball across the box with a neat flick; Mitch slides in to get the fourth and his own hat trick.

Final score: 4 - 4

MOM Mitch Bentley

Match Report by Lucy Bentley