Swifts handed away-day start

11:00am Thursday 17th July 2008

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STOURPORT Swifts have been handed an away trip to Woodford United in the opening game of the BGB Southern League Division One Midlands.

The Walshes Meadow side travel to Northamptonshire for a tough start to the season on Saturday, August 16.

Swifts kick-off their home campaign on Tuesday, August 19 against Sutton Coldfield Town (7.45pm kick-off), before welcoming Soham Town Rangers five days later.

They then face a tasty derby on Monday, August 25 when they go to manager Neil Hunt’s former side Malvern Town.

Swifts fans will be able to savour some Worcestershire rivalry over Christmas when they take on Malvern at home on Saturday, December 27 and Bromsgrove Rovers away on New Year’s Day.

Hunt admitted to being unfazed by the fixtures.

He said: “I don’t mind when we get teams really, because you have to play the teams twice anyway.

“Although I am pleased that we have a couple of local games over christmas for the fans to enjoy.”

The manager cast an eye over a host of players in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Ledbury Town on Saturday.

Trialists Des Cox and Ashley Edwards hit the back of the net for Swifts.

Hunt fielded 22 players over the 90 minutes, including Nathan Jukes and former Bromsgrove, Worcester City and Redditch United defender Matt Gardiner.

Swifts’ goalkeeping position may be filled by highly experienced shot-stopper Chris Taylor, who attended training at Walshes Meadow last week.

Taylor fell out of favour at Bromsgrove last season but played an integral part in their promotion-winning campaign the previous season.

“Our friendly on Saturday was a good run out and I think it helped me make my mind up about a few players," said Hunt.

“We still have a few friendlies to go and I think it will become clearer over the next two or three games.”

John Snape and striker Richard Burgess may also be available to play for Saturday’s pre-season friendly trip to Redditch United (3pm kick-off).

BGB Division One Midlands 2008-2009
Sat Aug 16 Woodford A
Tue Aug 19 Sutton H
Sat Aug 23 Soham H
Mon Aug 25 Malvern A
Sat Sept 06 Arlesey H
Sat Sept 20 Aylesbury A
Sat Sept 27 Leighton H
Sat Oct 11 Chasetown A
Tue Oct 14 Leamington A
Sat Oct 25 Romulus H
Sat Nov 01 Dunstable A
Tue Nov 04 Nuneaton H
Sat Nov 8 Marlow A
Tue Nov 11 Bedworth H
Sat Nov 15 Sudbury H
Sat Nov 22 Bury A
Sat Nov 29 Chesham H
Sat Dec 06 Atherstone A
Sat Dec 13 Rothwell H
Sat Dec 20 Barton A
Sat Dec 27 Malvern H
Thu Jan 01 Bromsgrove A
Sat Jan 03 Woodford H
Sat Jan 10 Soham A
Sat Jan 17 Aylesbury H
Tue Jan 20 Sutton A
Sat Jan 24 Leamington H
Sat Jan 31 Romulus A
Sat Feb 07 Dunstable H
Sat Feb 14 Nuneaton A
Sat Feb 21 Leighton A
Sat Feb 28 Chasetown H
Sat Mar 07 Marlow H
Tue Mar 10 Bedworth A
Sat Mar 14 Sudbury A
Sat March 21 Bury H
Sat Mar 28 Chesham A
Sat Apr 04 Atherstone H
Sat Apr 11 Arlesey A
Mon April 13 Bromsgrove H
Sat April 18 Barton H
Sat Apr 25 Rothwell A