Swifts hit 6 to progress

Jeanfield booked a GA Cup last 8 spot with a comfortable 6 goal win over Deveronside at Riverside Stadium today. This sets up a trip to Royal Deeside to face Banchory St Ternan with the date to be announced.

Player Manager Ross Gunnion made several changes to squad who had defeated Armadale in Swifts last game. In came himself, Stuart McDermid, Stevie McManus, Lewis Baker & debutant Alan Campbell. Lee Deans, Fraser Smith, Daniel Kelly, Scott Mollison, Chris Anton, Kevyn Fowler either dropped to the bench or were rested ahead of next weeks trip to Haddington.

The Banff based visitors are a Super League side but are currently in relegation zone but Swifts were still expecting a very tough game so were pumped up from the start.

Swifts pushed forward from the off and Baker had a good chance following a good turn after a McLeish pass but it was saved by the keeper. Baker made amend quite quickly when he opened the scoring. Mark Mitchell fooled the away team with a crossfield goalkick which found the unmarked Chris Dodd. He drove forward & slipped in Baker who toe bashed it past the keeper to open scoring.

Soon after it was 2 when Dodd crossed into the box & McLeish headed into the net at the back post for goal number 13 for the season giving Swifts a 2 goal lead inside 10 minutes.

Dodd was having a good game and it was his cross that Baker headed on to the post almost making it 3 goals for the home side. Baker was close once more when he turned well at the edge of the box but his effort was wide of the target. McLeish then hit the post after being played in by Robbie Holden. Dodd then ran from the half way line & the visiting defence pated like the Red Sea but the Swifts wide man dragged his shot wide on the post. The game was so one sided at this point that Mitchell in goal could have got the deck chair & table out!!

Swifts did make it 3 when Dodd received the ball on touchline and from there he made a mazy run beating several players before coolly clipping the ball past the keeper. He was once again involved when he played in McManus but his shot was deflected into the side netting meaning that Swifts went in 3 up at the break.

The home side took a while to get going in the second period but Baker was 1st to test the keeper but his shot from the angle was easily saved. McLeish then had a snap shot that went wide of the target. Baker then had a good chance from a Dodd cross but his header was weak & easily saved. The 4th goal did eventually arrive it it was scored by the player/manager.

Dodds corner was headed back across by Campbell & Gunnion was on hand to clinically head the ball into the net for his 1st goal of the season. Dodd then hit the bar when his cross caught everybody out and nearly sneaked into the net. McLeish then tried his luck after battling back & winning a tackle then driving a the away defence. He lew past the defender but the keeper palmed his shot away for a corner.

It was soon 5 when McManus & Dodd had shots blocked but it fell to Baker who smashed the ball into the net for his 5th goal of the season. McManus then made it 6 when he fired in after being set up by Gunnion and that finished the scoring for the day.

A good performance from the home side after being idle for 3 weeks ahead of a vital period with league & cup games coming up.

Before that we play Tayport at Seven Acres Astro on Monday night in a friendly.