Swifts back on top of the League

Jeanfield came from behind to once again top the East Region Premier League with a 4-2 win over Armadale Thistle at Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

Goals from Chris Dodd, Chris McLeish, Robbie Holden and Tony Holt were sandwiched in between 2 goals for the visitors as the home side battled back from going behind with an excellent second half performance to blow away the East Lothian Side.

Manager Ross Gunnion made 3 changes to the side which had dropped points in our last game. Fraser Smith, Holden and Daniel Kelly all came into the starting line up with Lewis Baker, Keith Dewar and Holt all dropping to the bench.

Swifts started with lots of possession but the visitors were working well to stop the home side creating chances and had a half chance when Swifts fell asleep at a throw in and a cross was flashed across Mark Mitchells goal but caused no problems for the home defence.

Jeanie then started to take control of the game and the visiting keeper had to be quick off his line to stop Dodd reaching a ball from McLeish that could have resulted in Swifts taking the lead. McLeish was involved soon after when he seemed to be barged in the box by a defender but the referee didn't listen to the home sides appeals. Dodd then had a great chance to give the home side the lead.

He collected a weak header near the penalty spot and looked to pick his spot in the corner but the keeper got down well to palm the ball wide for a corner. From the resulting Mollison corner, Holden header over the bar under a great deal of pressure. Kelly then made his way to the bye line and cut back to the unmarked Dodd who looked like he would score but the defence got back to clear his effort off the line. Kevyn Fowler was next to try his luck when he picked up a loose ball at the edge of the box and drove towards goal but his effort went wide of the target.

Mitchell then had to look sharp when a poor Fleming pass was intercepted and Downie was released one on one with the Swifts keeper. The Jeanie Number 1 stood up well and made a great block to deny the visitors taking the lead. Not long after they did take the lead when a cross from the left was headed into the net by Patrick. Surely Swifts couldn't dominate another game but throw away points???

Kelly was then close with a header from near the penalty spot following a good cross from Chris Anton. The visitors nearly doubled their lead when 10 danced past a few players on the bye line but Swifts got back to clear the ball just before he was away to pull the trigger.

With the game approaching half time Kelly was first to a ball in the box but was taken out by the defender who was in the act of clearing the ball and the ref pointed to the spot to give Swifts a lifeline. With regular taker Holt on the bench Smith stepped up to take responsibility. His well struck effort was well saved but rolled out towards Dodd who was quickest to react and he stroked the ball into an empty to give Swifts some momentum heading into the second half.

Swifts were on the front foot straight way and following good work from McLeish and Kelly the ball fell to Dodd on the edge of the box. He turned his man but his effort went over the bar. Kelly then headed into the side netting following a Dodd corner with the home keeper in no mans land as the ball when towards the back post.

Swifts did take the lead and it was the perfect counter attack. Dodd broke down the right and crossed for McLeish who smashed the ball past the keeper much to the delight of the home players, management and support. The lead was soon increased to 2 goals when Holden scored his second goal since returning. I must admit that I missed it due to my wee boy needing the toilet but it is believed that he received the ball at edge of the box, moved away from goal and curled the ball into the far corner of the net. Sounds like a good finish. Maybe we should get someone to video the games then I wont miss anything!!!!!

Minutes later the game was out of the visitors reach. Fowler broke up play in midfield and it broke to Holt who had come off the bench. The Swifts top scorer drove forward and from the edge of the box he found the corner of the net to make it 20 goals this season for the ultra talented midfielder.

Mitchell then had to look sharp as he moved his feet and got down well to a well hit drive palming it away to safety. Baker then had a chance when he pounced on a weak back pass but the keeper stood up well to stop the striker from making it 5. It nearly was 5 soon after when a Holt free kick from the side of the box was well saved once again by the keeper and cleared.

The visitors pulled a goal back in injury time when number 10 was allowed space to take several touches before shooting into the corner of the net with no Swifts challenge in sight!!!

Overall a good win for the home side who still looked rusty in stages due to lack of game time over the last few months. Hopefully now the weather will improve and we can get a run of games going and keep up the good work that we have done so far.

Next week we are away to ever improving Bathgate who currently sit 5th in the table after having a summer of discontent with a new manager and several new players coming in.