Balmoral United v Jeanfield Swifts AFC Match Report

Jeanfield went into the game short of a team with 8 key players missing looking to bounce back on last weeks disappointing loss.

The game started fairly frantically and within 5 minutes Balmoral took the lead. The ball went out to the winger who was not closed down quick enough allowing a free man, who made a run from deep in midfield, to slot the ball home GOAL 1-0 Balmoral.

Disappointed at losing a slack goal, Jeanfield came out fighting with a couple of glorious chances to equalise. Booth managed to get in front of the defence and skilfully flick the ball past the keeper from an acute angel only to hit the side netting. McCleary then broke past the defence one on one with keeper doing all the hard work but unfortunately could not finish and his effort went wide.

Just as Jeanfield seemed to be getting back into the game on 26 minutes a Bal midfielder seemed to breeze past the four Swifts around him playing a long ball into the corner crossing to the striker who nipped passed his Marker and slotting it past a helpless Morrow GOAL 2-0 Balmoral

This put the wind into the sails of the home side which saw a sustained period of pressure until halftime with Morrow pulling off a string of outstanding saves to keep the Swifts in the game.

Half Time 2-0 Balmoral

Kelman’s teamtalk focused on the easily preventable goals and Jeanfields missed opportunities.

Jeanfield started the second half strongly and were dominant for 25 minutes but found it difficult to get many clear cut chances. McCleary was the closest as he drove with the ball from his own half excellently beating two Balmoral players, he then squared the ball to Bell who could not get the ball out of his feet quickly enough and only managed a tame effort.

On 75mins, Balmoral killed the game with a rocket which was hammered from 25 yards and caught Morrow routed to the spot GOAL 3-0 Balmoral.

In the dying embers of the game the Swifts were to rushing things which led to a Penalty as the Balmoral player was brought down by Brown. Good penalty sent Morrow he wrong way GOAL 4-0 Balmoral

Full Time
Balmoral 4
Jeanfield Swifts 0

The scoreline was not reflective of the game but Balmoral walked away deserved winners.

Man of the Match was Josh McCleary who worked his socks off the whole game and caused problems for the Bal defence. He was also unlucky not to be on the scoresheet.

COYJS