SWIFTS 2 YATE 0
TALK of a top-six Dr Martens Western Division finish seems ambitious but Stourport may just have a chance if they can hang on to mercurial winger Anthony Robinson.
The former Kidderminster Harriers and Stratford Town forward may well move on to bigger things before the season is out but, after persuading him to sign at the eleventh hour, Swifts look to have made a solid gold investment.
Robinson was the one bright spot in a sluggish first half for the hosts who played second fiddle to their newly-promoted rivals.
A mesmerising run down the left flank in the first half left two defenders bedazzled and a spot of ball juggling on the edge of his own area in the second had Robinson's manager on his feet.
Add to that a brilliant disguised pass to Richard Ball and an audacious attempt to trick his way past David Lee, Robinson is an entertainer.
Whatever Swifts manager Dave Titterton said at the break worked with his side rejuvenated in the second period and taking a deserved lead when Ball lobbed a shot into the roof of the net in the 52nd minute.
Unsurprisingly, it was Robinson who settled the match in the 76th minute, albeit at the second attempt after firing a one-on-one straight at keeper Anthony Court.
But Swifts were indebted to debutant keeper Lee Evans who somehow stuck out a hand to keep out Paul Metheringham's goalbound close-range effort seconds before Robinson struck.
Yate faded badly after missing two good chances early on and Metheringham summed up their day when he completely missed an inviting David Elsey cross a minute from time.
SWIFTS: Evans 8, Jones 6, Ulfig 6, Newall 8, Davies 6, Harris 6, ROBINSON 9, Giddings 5, Ball 7 (Hill 69, 5), Wood 7 (Wright 76), Shirley 6 (Webb 74). Subs not used: Mulders, Sayer.
ATTENDANCE: 121.
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