Vital 3 points for Swifts

Keith Dewar scored the third and decisive goal as Swifts gained a vital 3 points on their travels at Thornton last night.

His strike killed off any hope that the home side had of claiming anything from the game.

Fluent passing was difficult on the long dry grass meaning passes had to be over hit or more direct and it took Swifts a little while to get used to the pitch but once they did they started to create chances.

Fraser Smith fired the 1st chance wide following good work from Robbie Holden in the wide area. Swifts then broke from a Hibs attack and Kevyn Fowler was played in on goal by Tony Holt. He took the round the keeper, who got a hand to it and touched it towards the open goal but the home defender got back to clear off the line. The opening goal did come soon and once again it was Swifts pace on the break which did the damage.

Scott Mollison found John Anderson who sent Holden clear on the wing. The Swifts forward drove towards goal and slotted past the keeper to give us the lead.

It was almost 2 soon after. Great play from Mollison saw the ball come to Holt. Swifts top scorer got his dancing feet on going past a few defenders but the ball got caught in the long grass and the keeper easily collected. The home side came close just before the break when a short free kick was played to number 11 who fired just past the top corner.

Swifts started the second period on the front foot and came close to extending the lead through Chris Dodd. The winger breezed past him man and from the angle clipped the top of the bar. He was almost in again soon when he chased a poor headed back pass but the keeper just got a touch as Dodd was away to go past him.

Mark Mitchell then came to the rescue as he has done in recent games after number 10 broke through several challenges but the Swifts number 1 came up trumps again. There was nothing he could do when the home side levelled the scores with just over 20 minutes left.

The Swifts defence had blocked several shots on goal before the ball fell to Chris Ireland who fired into the net from edge of the box.

This gave Swifts a kick up the backside and they went on the attack straight away. Dodd played into Holt on the edge of the box and he turned his man but dragged his effort past the post.

Minutes later Fraser Smith again played Holt who touched past his marker and passed the ball past the keeper for goal number 25 of the season.

Mitchell had to look sharp once more when a looping header looked to be heading into the net but Mitch tipped the ball away for a corner which was easily dealt with by the defence.

The clinching goal came with 8 minutes remaining and it was similar to the last. This time Stevie McManus found Dewar who like Holt slotted past the keeper for his 1st Jeanie goal and sparked wild celebrations on the pitch, touchline and front the larger than normal away support who backed the team throughout.

Massive 3 points as for 1st time in a while we were playing while our rivals were not allowing us to move 3 points clear with a game in hand.