STOURPORT Swifts stormed back from their surprise Worcestershire Senior Urn exit to West Midlands League side Worcester Raiders by securing a fabulous 2-0 win over fourth placed Newark Flowserve in the Midland League.

Swifts have now soared up to ninth place thanks to second half strikes from Joe Billingham and Jack Downing which sealed the points.

Delighted Swifts boss Quentin Townsend said: "We couldn't have played any better against Newark.

It was the complete opposite to our game with Raiders.

"I knew it was always going to be tough against Raiders, who play at a level lower than us, because they contain a number of former Swifts players and that gave them extra motivation. I did make two or three changes but I still put out a side which should have been capable of beating them.

"But against Newark, we just showed what a Jekyll and Hyde side we can be."

Townsend was able to call upon AFC Telford loanee Jack Downing who is back at Walshes Meadow following previous loan spells at both Redditch United and Worcester City.

Townsend added: "I didn't want Jack to leave in the first place and I strongly believe he'd have been better off remaining with us.

"As a result, he's hardly played over the last six months, you could say he's been out in the wilderness.

"I imagine it's very hard for a young player to train all week and then have no game at the end of it.

"Since Jack's come back to us, he's really got the bit between his teeth and that can only be good for us."

Swifts are set to make the long trip to deepest Leicestershire this Saturday to face Selston and Townsend warned: "Selston have struggled this season and are currently stuck in the bottom three.

"It will probably take two hours to get there and I don't want to drive all that way and back again for no points."

Townsend is forced to rule out Dean Waldron with a twisted knee while Lewis Clarke will be missing after picking up a one match ban as a result of accumulating five bookings.

But Townsend can welcome back goalkeeper Dom Richards and Jamie Clarke.