Tale of 2 keepers at the Riverside

It was a tale of 2 goalkeepers at Riverside Stadium as the home side made it 2 wins from 2 with a hard fought 3-1 win over Thornton Hibs.

Mark Mitchell pulled off a world class save to keep Swifts ahead in the 2nd half while Rowbotham in the Hibs goal had a night to forget as 2 errors resulted in goals for the home side.

Thornton travelled to Perth on the back of a 5-1 win over Bathgate at the weekend and a long unbeaten run from last season that saw them clinch the East Region North title ahead of Kennoway Star Hearts.

Swifts, back in the black and white stripes sponsored by Scottish Electric Group, were forced into 1 change from the weekend 5-0 win at Armadale with Lee Deans coming in for the injured Scott Mollison. Lewis Baker came on to the bench while Fraser Smith and David Carr were still unavailable for selection due to holiday and injury.

Swifts started the game well and were first to threaten when Tony Holt played the ball wide to Chris Dodd. The winger cut inside but his shot went over he bar. Dodd was again involved when good play between him and Fleming on left saw Dodd chip ball into the box only for Holt to head over the bar. The home side were dominating the play and Chris McLeish was next to try but after he received a Fleming pass his effort was easily saved by Rowbotham in the goal. McLeish once more tested the visiting keeper when he turned inside the box and shot towards goal but his effort was palmed away to safety by the keeper. Dodd was then fouled on the edge of the box and Holts effort went agonisingly past the post having looked in all the way with the keeper stranded.

Thornton settled into the game with the ever dangerous Gay causing problems in the wide area with his direct running approach. He set off on a good run down the right and his cross was met by Ireland but his header was high and wide of Mitchells goal.

Swifts once again went on the attack when Holt crossed from the right but a Daniel Kelly header from a tight angle went over the bar.

The home side took the lead in 35 minutes when DODD cut in from the left and shot towards the goal. It looked all the world a comfortable save for the keeper but the ball rolled through his hands and into the corner of the net. This setback seemed to kick the visitors into action and Mitchell had to look sharp to hold on to a 25 yard volley from Sheilds to ensure Swifts went in 1-0 up at the break.

Thornton kicked off the second period and went straight on the attack with McNab firing over the bar from distance. The visitors then started to control the midfield and pressed the home side back but Swifts battled away and kept defending well limiting Hibs to crosses and shots from distance which were not causing any problems. The home side were looking to counter attack at this point and had a half chance when Dodd crossed from the left and Kelly headed towards goal. Sadly for the home side there wasn't enough power on the header to test the keeper.

Just before the hour McNab crossed into the Swifts box and this cross was met by Hepburn around 6 yards out who headed towards goal. This looked like the equaliser for Thornton but Mitchell threw out his left arm and turned it behind for a corner. A top save from Swifts number 1 who is in his 3rd spell with the club. The home side got a massive lift from the and grabbed the game by scruff of the neck and started to put the visitors on the back foot.

The impressive McLeish played the ball wide to Chris Anton. The skipper crossed into the box for John Anderson but the big strikers header went wide of the target. Swifts doubled their lead on 70 minutes when McLeish picked the ball up on the right and ran across the park to edge of the box before passing to Dodd. He then beat his man on the bye line before crossing into the box where ANDERSON was on hand to volley into the net. This was the formers skippers 1st goal since returning to the club in the summer.

Swifts then went looking for the next goal to kill off the game and came close when Kelly cut back from the right to McLeish who touched the ball past his marker but his shot across the keeper struck the outside of the post and away for a goal kick. Mitchell then had to look sharp when the impressive Crighton crossed from left and Gunnion sliced towards goal but the Swifts number 1 got his chest in the way and Gunnion cleared the danger.

In 75 minutes the home side did get that 3rd goal when Dodd once again crossed from the left and Rowbotham came to claim the ball but he dropped it at the feet of KELLY who gratefully stroked the ball into the net to open his Jeanfield account. Anderson was then replaced by Baker who came on to make his debut for the club.

Thornton then pulled a goal back in 82 minutes when the Swifts midfield allowed a deep cross to come into the box and Gay came in at the back post to head past Mitchell.

Swifts held on for the final few minutes to claim a vital 3 points and start their home campaign with a win.