The 1sts have 16 points after 10 games and are currently in 2nd position of the Northern Amateur Football League Division 1B.
The Swifts currently sit in 11th position on 3 points after 4 league games of the Northern Amateur Football League Division 3D.
With 5 points after 5 games The Albion are in 9th place of the Newcastle & District Football League Division 3.
The Swifts fell to a second successive home defeat this time against Suffolk 2nds in a game that they really should have and perhaps deserved to get something out of.
The visitors took the lead on the half hour with what can only be described as the most outrageous of shots. A Suffolk player cut in to the edge of the Swifts penalty area and unleashed a shot that looked for all the world to be going wide but it suddenly swerved to cut inside the post to give Stafford no chance.
This was really a goal against the run of play because had it not been for some extremely fortuitous defending when shots from Stevenson and Boal were diverted over the bar and past the post by a goalkeeper who really didn’t see them as they came through a sea of bodies on both occasions.
In the second half the Swifts battled gamely and again were out of luck when a right wing cross from Stevenson came off the cross bar and post to rebound off forward Gareth Bingham and out for a goal kick.
Late in the game Suffolk secured all three points when they were awarded a late penalty for hand ball.
The Swifts played their first home league game of the season and fell to a defeat to a strong Colin Valley side who will surely challenge for honours this season.
The visitors went in front after ten minutes and for the remainder of the first half the Swifts endeavoured to get back into the game creating numerous half chances but a goal would not come. Colin Valley increased their lead midway through the second half and a dubious penalty sealed the Swifts fate. Defensively Majury, Greene, Dunlop and Craig McMullan performed well while Nelson worked hard in the centre of midfield with Alan McMullan and Darren Fitzsimmons working hard up front.
This week the Swifts travel to Groomsport in the league.
The Swifts traveled away for the second match in a row, however their performance was much better than the previous weeks as they rattled in six against Kilroot Rec’s second eleven with goals from Darren Fitzsimmons [3] Alan Massey [2] and Aaron McCaffrey.
This week the Swifts entertain Colin Valley 2nds in a league fixture at The Millbridge.
The Swifts got their season off to a disappointing start when they were defeated 6 – 1 away to a very strong St Lukes team while a very youthful Albion lost to Moneyslane Thirds in the Bobbey Dalzell Cup. Both teams were without key player through injury and illness which did not help.
