FOR the second consecutive week, Swanwick PR faced an MRA Premier Division side in cup action.
This time the Swans made the short trip to face a very experienced Holbrook St Michael's. Although the scoreline suggests an easy victory for the Saints, The main difference between the two teams was the finishing.  Holbrook took theirs and Swanwick didn't, otherwise the game would have been very different. Swanwick had to reshuffle their team, this time through the suspension of their captain Joe Sparham. Holbrook began with confidence with wide players Leigh Holbrook and the fast-moving Lewis Whiting causing problems for the Swans defence. On ten minutes, Whiting found himself in acres of space on the right and Jordan McRobie finished the move comfortably.

Almost from the restart, Swans went two behind, this time Leigh Holbrook, with time and space on the left, put in a pin-point cross and Ben Goddard finished easily.  Swanwick again showed plenty of character and fought their way back into the game, enjoying good spells of possession and forcing the Saints into plenty of defending. As the first half progressed, Swans created at least five clear-cut chances. First James Harrison watched a long ball over his shoulder and hit a terrific volley, only to see the ball go inches wide. Right back Ross Melis then had a shot which hit a post with the keeper beaten but no Swanwick player was able to react to the rebound. Swanwick were now on top and put the hosts under constant pressure.

Matt Phillips went on a surging run only to be crudely fouled by Chris Green, who was shown a yellow card for the challenge. From the resulting free kick, Swanwick had the ball in the back of the net, clearly seen by everyone except the referee and no goal was awarded. It was only a matter of time before the Swans did get their reward, Aaron Brady finishing from close range as the Holbrook defence appealed for a foul. Swanwick were encouraged to keep playing in the second half and for either side the next goal was going to be crucial.

Unfortunately for Swanwick, Holbrook increased their lead, Ben Goddard netting his second after a mix up between the Swanwick keeper and centre back Stocks. The goal appeared to demoralise Swanwick and the home team's confidence grew. Goal number four and the best of the game came courtesy of Leigh Holbrook who finished with a superb left-footed volley after some excellent build up play. Swanwick were now pegged back into their own half and conceded twice more as the tie drew to a conclusion. Holbrook scorers were Lewis Whiting and Dan Cummings but the Saints would probably agree the scoreline was slightly flattering in an entertaining game. With two successive defeats, the Swans have some confidence repairing to do. No doubt they will be working hard in training and looking to bounce back.

Midlands Regional Alliance

Division One

AS the score suggests, Colliers were second best as they fell to a first league defeat of the season against an impressive and strong Swanwick side last Saturday. The visitors had their keeper sent off near the end, but the three points were theirs well before that.
Swans showed their pedigree early and gained a corner in the opening minute which nearly caught Colliers on their heels, but eventually the danger was cleared.
Darren Scarle had to make a couple of early interceptions as both teams fought tooth and nail for supremacy although the flow of the game was spoiled by numerous free kicks.
Swanwick had big shouts for a penalty when Holmes appeared to resort to a spot of shirt pulling.
Colliers gained plenty of free kicks but although the quality of delivery was decent, the tall, experienced visiting defenders dealt with them relatively comfortably.
Wright brought a save from the Swans keeper with a cross-shot from the right but neither keeper had been required to extend themselves until on 39 minutes when Swanwick took the lead. A ball in from the right found Matt Phillips to the left of the area and he found the net via the far post.
Colliers responded well but had little threat up front as the half drew to a close.
Heanor manager Glen Clarence made a double change at the interval, replacing Wheeldon and Craig with Riley and Smith.
The pattern of the half was similar to the first with free kicks being the order of the day and the match official showing yellow cards at regular intervals despite the game being played in excellent spirit.
The visitors refused to let Colliers settle on the ball most of the time and Brady may well have doubled the advantage after Thomson, back in the side after injury, sold a back pass short.
Colliers kept hitting hopeful balls down the middle that were easily dealt with by a resolute defence.

Jablonski made the save of the game by tipping a piledriver from distance over the bar but Lee Cooper then missed the best chance of the game when Chris Smith showed good skill with a ball from the byline on the right that left Steeples for dead at the near post leaving Cooper unmarked at the far post only to head unbelievably wide of the post.
The last home substitution came on 70 minutes with Wright replaced by Brittle for his first game of any sort this season.

Still Colliers couldn't undo the Swans defence and it was the visitors who scored next to wrap up the local derby points.

The With home defenders appealing for hand ball, Matt Phillips ran on and rounded Jablonski before netting the crucial second goal on 83 minutes.
From the restart, Buxton was flattened on the edge of the area by Steeples who was shown a straight red card.
There was a lengthy delay before Colliers tried their best to get some consolation but the nearest was when Smith hit a post with a header, the ball travelling along the goalline before being cleared.