Swifts show Heart but end pointless

Once again Jeanfield gave away cheap goals from set plays thus costing them the chance of claiming a point against the undefeated league leaders Kelty Hearts in a cracking game at the sun baked Riverside last night.

Following Saturdays win at Newtongrange, Manager Ross Gunnion made no changes to the starting 11. The only change to the squad was the inclusion of Lewis Baker who signed a new contract following a training spell with Alloa Athletic.

Kelty travelled up the M90 with an experienced squad full of players who have played at senior level including the ex Hearts midfielder Craig Thomson but it was Swifts who had the first chance of the match. Chris Scott drove in from the wing before passing to Daniel Kelly who fired his shot over the bar. Not long later the visitors took the lead.

Thompson floated a corner in from the right and O'Neil rose above Lee Deans, though he did look to be holding his shoulders down and bulleted a header past Mark Mitchell and into the net. Recently when Swifts have gone behind that lead doubles but this time the home side worked hard not to allow that to happen and actually took the game to the visitors. Scott flew down the right and crossed for Kelly in the box. DK got to the ball ahead of the keeper but there was not enough on the touch and it was cleared.

The leveller did come and it was from the penalty spot. Deans was fouled following a cleared corner and up stepped stand in captain Tony Holt who sent to keeper the wrong way to level the game up. Being level didn't last long as soon Kelty retook the lead and once again the home side defended poorly. A long ball towards the box was headed back out and a shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Mitchell but the home defence did not react quickly enough and Dalziel was on hand to slide the ball into the empty net.

It was nearly 3-1 when Thomson unleashed a shot from the edge of the box but it just went past the post. Swifts last action of the half was a powerful run from Scott whose shot was blocked after he drove into the box.

Into the second half and the home side looked to press forward to get the equiliser but poor defending from a free kick cost them another goal. the cross was not properly cleared and Courts smashed the ball home from around the penalty spot making it harder for Swifts against the 2015 Super League Champions. However this Jeanfield side never give up and soon brought the deficit back to only 1 goal.

Stevie McManus released Kelly through on goal with a wonderful pass and the Swifts forward took a touch before firing the ball across the keeper into the far corner. GAME ON.

Kiffy Scott so nearly levelled when he volleyed a Keith Dewar ball over the defence just past the post from a tight angle with the keeper well beaten. Up the other end Mitchell made a great spreading block to stop Campbell who had come on a substitute from putting the game beyond the home sides reach.

McManus then tested the visiting keeper with a free kick but it was just down the middle of the goal making it meat and drink for the Kelty custodian. The last chance to level came when Baker strode down the left before cutting inside and shot agonisingly wide of the far post.

Once again Swifts pushed an established Super League side close but we will have to cut out the errors if we are to start taking points off these teams.

Next up is Bo'ness United who like Kelty were one of the pre season title favourites. Swifts will have to be on the top of their game at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.