Strathearn Grove V Jeanfield Swifts AFC Match report

Jeanfield were hoping to extend their winning streak after a convincing Scottish Cup win as they travelled to a competitive Strathearn team in the League Cup quarter final.

Jeanfield did start the brighter of the two sides but on the 24th minute a loose ball unfortunately bobbled over Morrow’s boot leaving grove striker with a free shot at goal which he slotted in GOAL Strathearn Grove 1 V 0

This goal lifted the spirit of the home side who made it difficult for Jeanfield to make any clear cut opportunities, on 37th minute Strathearn doubled their lead when the Jeanfield defence got drawn to the ball in midfield leaving a gap. A simple pass put the Grove player clean through, he rounded the keeper and slotted home GOAL Strathearn Grove 2 V 0

Minutes later an identical situation caught Jeanfields defence out again which led to Groves 3rd of the game GOAL Strathearn Grove 3 V 0

Then end of the first half saw Greive and Young pull up with injury and replaced with McCleary and Booth.

Halftime
Strathearn Grove 3
Jeanfield Swifts 0

Half Time left Kelman almost speechless with where to start, it was so unlike what we have seen from Swifts. After a rousing speech from player manager Scott McCabe Jeanfield were fired up for the second half.

Jeanfield started off brightly and on the 52nd minute substitute Booth won the ball high up the park playing in Phillips. He slotted the ball past the keeper towards on target and Hope finished it by firing the ball into the goal on the goal line GOAL Jeanfield 3 V 1

Jeanfield were pressing high up the park in an attempt to get their 2nd of the game but were caught out with the counter attack. The Grove striker found himself through on goal against Morrow with no option but to charge the ball and was lobbed GOAL Strathearn 4 V 1

Shortly after this Henderson found himself free in the box and his shot was saved by the keeper who parried it into the path of McCleary who was looking for the second ball and put it away GOAL Jeanfield 4 V 2

Jeanfield were on the ascendancy and hope of a comeback was on when the ball came to Booth in the box who managed to find Mcleary in a congested penalty area to slot home from close range on the 77th minute GOAL Jeanfield 4 V 3

No sooner had Jeanfield got back in the game they conceded another on the counter attack. The Grove striker nipped past the Jeanfield Keeper him leaving him 1on1 with Mathieson who couldn’t stop the ball being finished into the bottom corner GOAL Strathearn 5 V3

Jeanfield continued to press and with less than 10 minutes they put 3 up top and piled on the pressure. With a penalty shout a few close calls it looked like all was lost until McDonald managed to get on the end of a smart cross from Ferguson on 90th minute head into the net GOAL Jeanfield 5 V 4

With minutes to play It turned out to be to little to late for the Swifts as they failed to find the equaliser and force extra time.

Full Time
Strathearn Grove 5
Jeanfield Swifts 4

Failing to capitalise on early chances gave the home side belief and with a bit of luck and some poor defending the home side were 3-0 up and almost beyond reach. A spirited performance in the second half for Jeanfield was not enough to claw back the deficit from a really tricky opponent. A lot of credit needs to go to The Grove who were excellent in spells and a completely different side that we won 6-1 against a few short weeks ago.

Very little to choose from for Man of the Match but for a man who gave 100% never shying out of a tackle and scoring a goal goes to Colin McDonald.

Out of the Perthshire Cup but hopefully that lesson can help us improve for the league.