On a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, City started at a good pace and the lively Tesfaye Bramble caused alarms in the Swifts defence, Kingsley Banks foiling him at the near post after a good run.

John Walton, deputising in the City goal for the unavailable Paul Catley, needed to be at his best to stop a Parker effort, a left foot shot from Neil Grice .

Nicky Simpson continued his good series of friendlies, causing problems down the right side, and on the other flank Ross Taylor continued to bed in well.

The long ball was not working for Swifts, the City rearguard of John Bishop and John Girling picking them off, and the ball was given away too often for comfort.

Few chances were created against a hard working City team, and it was goalless at half time.

The interval allowed the management team to add to the mix and it was Swifts who came out firing, mixing the pattern of play, using the short ball to good effect.

A sweet interchange of passes between Grice, Tony Adcock and Ross Taylor set up Simon Parker to score the first goal, and all the creativity was now coming from the homesters as City began to look tired.

Ben Lewis exuded confidence in the Swifts rearguard, stopping Bramble in his tracks; then at the other end Parker did not hesitate when a half chance presented itself in the City area and he finished in style for his and Swifts second goal.

Grice was then put clear by Adcock and should have done better, and a fine Simpson strike hit the post, Swifts continuing to dominate.

Young Swifts' substitute Terry Warwick showed his ability, turning Bishop well which lead to a Swifts penalty.

Mitchell Springett, back at Scraley Road in his familiar midfield role, duly converted with ease.

A win for Swifts, confirming their superiority, and one that bodes well for the coming season to come with confidence high and good habits installed.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.