An early kick off on Saturday, when the conditions were more suited to cricket rather than football.

Manager Robbie Nihill was back from holiday and was forced to make changes with both Nicky Simpson and Tony Adcock injured, whilst Alex Fiddes & Ross Taylor were both unavailable.

Swifts started with Christian McClean up front adding some sorely needed height to the attack and Swifts started brightly with McClean and Parker causing the home defence problems.

The home keeper Preddie was forced to rush out of his goal on a number of occasions as Swifts attacked and it seemed only a matter of time before the deadlock was to be broken.

The breakthrough came on the half hour - a superb ball from Dave Streetley was fed through to McClean on the left and he homed in on goal with just the keeper to beat.

His shot was well saved by Preddie but fortunately the ball rebounded back to McClean who guided the ball into the empty net.

Swifts boosted by this goal continued to push forward and the pace of Simon Parker tested Chesham's ex-Swift Mark Sinfield twice in the latter stages of the half and the highly rated young striker will have been disappointed not to have extended the Swifts lead with two good chances - the First well saved by keeper Preddie.

Chesham started the second half more strongly and secured an equaliser in the 61st minute - an unnecessary free-kick on the left was conceded and Boothe headed home when left unmarked in the six yard box.

Chesham were now looking the more likely winners and only superb goalkeeping by James Pullen kept the Swifts level with one double-save being outstanding - showing exactly what has been attracting the scouts to Scraley Road in recent weeks.

Chances for the Swifts were few and far between although Swifts were unlucky when McClean held off the challenge of Sinfield in the 76th minute and his shot was deflected by the keeper onto the crossbar.

On Saturday Swifts are at home to Carshalton Athletic in a Ryman League match (kick off 3pm).

In the AXA FA Cup Saturday week (September 18, Romford visit Scraley Road in the second qualifying round. Currently in the Ryman League Division One they have beaten Maldon Town 1-0 and Southend Manor 4-1 in the competition so far.

On Tuesday next week Swifts are at home to Harrow Borough in a Ryman League Cup First Round tie.

Heybridge Reserves suffered a 7-1 home defeat against a strong Dagenham & Redbridge side on Saturday - Swifts goal coming from David McKrory.

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