Juniors through to next round

Jeanfield progressed into the 1st round of the GA Engineering Cup with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Blairgowrie today at Riverside Stadium.

This was Swifts first win in the competition since a 3-0 win over Montrose Roselea in May 2013 saw the Perth side win the cup for the second year running.

Both teams came into the game top of their respective leagues. Blair the North League and Swifts the Premier League.

Swifts made 2 changes to the team which claimed 3 points last week. In came Under 21s players Stuart McDermid and David McPhee for the unavailable Anthony Holt while manager Ross Gunnion dropped himself down to the bench.

The home side nearly opened the scoring in the opening minutes. Chris Anton swung in a free kick which was flicked towards goal by Lee Deans but it was cleared to safety. Chris Dodd then had a great chance to score but he wanted too many touches following good work from Daniel Kelly. Kevyn Fowler was then played through on goal by Chris McLeish but fell as we rounded the keeper and the ball rolled out of play. Chris Anton then fired wide of goal following a break of the ball at the edge of the box.

The visitors best chance of the half was a header which caused no real danger to Mark Mitchell in the goal.

The Swifts number 1 then created a chance for Daniel Kelly when his long kick was fired over by the forward. David McPhee, who was impressing in the wide area then played in Daniel Kelly but O'Brien in the Blair goal saved well. Swifts thought they had taken the lead just before half time when Daniel Kelly headed in a miscued Chris Anton shot but he was blown up for offside.

From the opening whistle of the second half it was the home side who attacked. Chris Dodd crossed for David McPhee but the youngster volleyed wide of the target. David McPhee then broke forward and passed to the open Chris Dodd. He shot for goal but it went agonisingly past the far post.

Blairgowrie nearly took the lead when Axworthy crossed from the left and it was met by Maloney whose header went over the bar.

Daniel Kelly was close once more when he headed wide following a Chris Anton cross from the wide area. Fraser Smith then played wide to Chris Dodd who cut inside but sadly shot wide of the target. Mark Mitchell then had to look lively when he parried away an Axworthy shot away from the goal.

Swifts finally did open the scoring in 76 minutes when following a quick free kick Chris Anton drove forward. He passed though to Chris McLeish who was forced wide by the Blair defence. He found Chris Dodd who took on his man and fired into the far corner for a well deserved lead for the home side.

The home side continued on the attack and Chris McLeish went close once more when he broke forward but shot wide of target.

The decisive goal came not long after from a free kick following a foul on Daniel Kelly. Captain Chris Anton stepped up and curled the ball into the corner of the net.

Chris Dodd then had another chance when he latched on to a Chris McLeish flick but his goal bound effort was touched wide by O'Brien. Fraser Smith then had 2 chances to finish the scoring. First he cut inside from wide but shot past the both. Next he was played in by Chris McLeish but fired over the bar when it looked easier to score.

There was no more scoring and the home side moved into the next round.

Overall a good win ahead of next weeks trip to Dundee to face second placed Lochee United.