Juniors remain top after hard fought win

Jeanfield had to come from a goal down inside 5 minutes to claim all 3 points today in a hard fought encounter against Montrose Roselea.

Manager Ross Gunnion only had 1 change to make from last weeks win at Dalkeith with Daniel Kelly coming in for the injured Lewis Baker.

It was the visitors, buoyed by last weeks win over Falkirk, who started on front foot and forced 2 corners in quick succession the second of which was headed wide by the unmarked number 4. They kept pressing and took the lead when a ball to the back post found Sean Fleming outnumbered, though he looked to be fouled and the ball fell to Watson who fired past Mark Mitchell to give the visitors a fantastic start inside 5 minutes. The goalscorer was lucky to stay on the park not long after when a late challenge caught Lee Deans but a yellow card was issued by the referee.

Swifts then started to take control of the game working hard to move the ball quick against a well organised side who seemed happy to defend the 1 goal lead. Last weeks hat trick hero Anthony Holt came close when his free kick from 25 yards was well saved by McLeod in the goal.

The equiliser did come and it was from a well worked Swifts move. Fraser Smith played the ball wide to Chris Anton. The skipper crossed into the box for Chris McLeish who volleyed into the net despite the efforts of the goalkeeper.

Swifts came close later in the half when Fraser Smith picked up the ball outside the box and shot for goal. It looked in all the way but was touched on to the bar by the keeper and away to safety. Chris McLeish then had an effort but it was easily saved by the keeper meaning the sides went in level at half time.

It was stressed to the players at half time that they must start the second period better than the opening one and it seemed to do the trick.

Tony Holt danced his way through several challenges and looked to be fouled inside the box just as he was away to shoot for goal but no penalty was given. Next Daniel Kelly passed the ball across the box to the onrushing Chris Anton whose shot was well saved by the keeper.

Swifts did get that penalty when Daniel Kelly was fouled as he was in the action of shooting towards goal. Anthony Holt stepped up and fired the ball high into net the to put the home side ahead. Holt was the hero at the other end soon after when he headed off the line following a corner with Mark Mitchell beaten.

Jeanfield then scored a third which a goal as good as any you will see this season. If this was Ronaldo or Kun Aguero who scored this then you would be talking about it for years to come. I don't think you will see a better goal scored in the juniors this season. Sean Fleming threw the ball in from the left touchline and without touching the ball Chris McLeish turned his marked and fired into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

Montrose started to push forward and came close twice. Mark Mitchell had to be sharp to make 2 saves with Chris Anton clearing the ball off the line after it had beaten the Swifts number 1.

Mitchell then tipped a strong effort from outside the box over the bar late on but the home side held on to keep their place at the top of the East Region Premier League.