Swifts snatch a late leveller

A Daniel Kelly strike in injury time earned a point against a good Arniston Rangers side but Swifts still remain unbeaten.

The home side went into the game joint top of the East Region Premier League but after a hard fought 90 minutes dropped down to 2nd place following Lochee Uniteds victory over Haddington Athletic.

Swifts made 1 change to Dundonald starting 11 with Fraser Smith coming in for unavailable Chris Anton meaning that Sean Fleming took over the captaincy. The Gorebridge side came to Perth full of confidence following 3 wins in a row.

It was the visitors who started better and had the opening chance of the match in the opening minutes. A deep free kick was headed towards goal by Kerr but Mark Mitchell pulled off a tremendous save to keep the score blank. Swifts took a while to get their game going but soon threatened when a dangerous cross from Sean Fleming just missed several bodies in the box and away to safety. Daniel Kelly then produced a cross from the left which wad dropped under pressed by Cornet in the goal. It fell to Chris Dodd but his strike was cleared to safety. Chris Dodd was once again to try his luck following a pass from Anthony Holt but his strike was easily saved by the keeper.

Rangers then got a corner which was crossed into the box and met by a header which smacked off the Jeanfield bar and fell to Kataleza and his deflected effort was dipping in only to be tipped over by Mark Mitchell.

Chris McLeish then had his opening effort of the day but it went wide of the target. John Anderson then headed wide following a Daniel Kelly cross. The away keeper was then called into action once more when a Chris Dodd cross shot had to be saved again after he had parried it away. Chris Dodd then had the best chance of the match when he broke through from a Chris McLeish pass but as happened on Wednesday night the keeper came out on top and saved. Twice John Anderson went close following Chris Dodd corners but both times he headed wide of the target meaning we went in goalless at the break.

Chris Dodd has the opening chance of the second half when Chris McLeish, who was taken out by a late tackle not for the only time yesterday, playing him in but his effort was straight at the keeper. John Anderson then got the slightest of touches on a Sean Fleming free kick but it drifted wide of the target.

The visitors then took control of the game and came close when Callaghan headed over following a corner. They then hit Swifts on the break after a corner for the home side but Mark Mitchell in the goal saved well again.

Swifts then came close when Chris McLeish toed the ball through to Daniel Kelly who chipped the keeper and it looked in all the ball but went agonisingly over the bar.

Arniston then piled on the pressure with a series of corners and crosses into the Swifts box but the home rear guard defended well and blocked several attempts on goal.

Arniston took the lead soon after when once again the broke following a Swifts corner. Lucas broke in to the box and was brought down by Lee Deans and the referee pointed to the spot. McFadden stepped up and sent Mark Mitchell the wrong way to give Rangers the lead. This was the 1st time Swifts had been behind all season so it was good to see a reaction from the players who pushed forward in hope of a leveller.

Their hopes were aided in injury time when Lucas was sent off following a late tackle on Lee Deans.

Chris Dodd then got in behind the full back and crossed for Daniel Kelly who took a touch before smashing past the keeper to give Swifts a well deserved point and keeps the unbeaten run going.

Overall disappointed not to win our home games but 5 games in 14 days with a small squad and a lot of players playing 90 minutes this was not a bad result.

Hopefully have a few bodies back next week when Edinburgh United visit the Riverside.