Swifts sink the Mariners & claim the 3 points

Two goals in each half saw Swifts claim their first ever home win in the East Region Super League and only the second ever by a Perth side with a convincing 4-0 victory over Camelon at Riverside Stadium.

Swifts made only one change to last weeks eleven with Lewis Baker replacing Anthony Holt who had been down with a bug. A late change was made just minutes before kick off when Keith Dewar replaced Fraser Smith who had pulled up in the warm up.

The visitors, managed by ex Swifts player manager Murray McDowell came to Perth sitting mid table having lost only 5 goals all season. Any team of McDowells would be hard working but Swifts settled almost straight away and took control of the game.

Lewis Baker dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box following a good run in the channel from Robbie Holden whose movement allowed the talented forward a shot on goal. Daniel Kelly then had a half chance when the ball broke to him following a free kick but he stabbed the ball wide of the target. The home side were on top and the goal that they were hoping for soon arrived.

Stevie McManus picked up the ball in the middle of the Camelon half and with the outside of his right foot played the ball over the top of the defence to Robbie Holden. The visiting defence were screaming for the assistant to put the flag up but this did not put the Swifts number 9 off his game as he fired into the far corner of the net to open his account for the season.

Once again Holden made a great run into the channel before passing back to McManus. He passing to Kelly inside who with a swivel of his hips lost his marker but shot wide of the target for what would have been an outstanding goal.

Up the other end Swifts were defending well but when the away number 11 broke into the box and hit the deck it looked like the referee was going to point to the spot. Thankfully for the home side he awarded a free kick and booked the wide player for simulation much to the distain of the visiting bench.

McManus was again involved when his free kick from wide was blazed over the bar and the tress behind the goal by Lee Deans. What looked like at training ground routine was more dangerous to overhead aeroplanes than it was the goal.

With the game heading towards half time Swifts doubled their lead.

Chris Scott powered down the wing before coming back then cutting inside towards the middle of the park, He passed to Kelly to then passed to Kiffy who was now in the box. He beat the defender before rounding the keeper and calmly firing the ball into the net to give Swifts a 2 goal lead at the break.

The second period was different to the first. Camelon had more of the ball as they looked to get that goal that would allow them to get back into the game. However the opening chance fell to Swifts.

Lewis Baker outmuscled his man on the halfway line and drove in the park towards the box before unleashing a shot that was deflected wide for a corner kick. Great play from the Swifts forward who was looking back to the player we all know he can be.

The away side started to create more and soon called the home keeper to make a top save. The ball was played inside the box to number 11 who had a clear shot on goal. Mark Mitchell made himself a big target and made a very good save as he hoped for his second clean sheet in a row. Despite last seasons success this was something that Swifts did not have.

Once again the visting number 1 was involved in a close thing. This time he passed inside to the number 9 Sneddon. The talented forward who Swifts played against last season when he was with Falkirk fired over the bar when he could have done better. The game was now heading all towards the Swifts goal and soon the away side came even closer to getting back in the game.

The ball broke free on the edge of the box and the number 2 who had moved forward from right back after a torrid opening half let fly but hit the top of the bar with Mitchell beaten. Mitchell then had to look sharp once more when a free kick from the edge of the box went under the wall but the Swifts number 1 got down well to hold on.

With Camelon throwing bodies forward in the hope to pull a goal back, Swifts were looking to it on the counter and the third and decisive goal came this way.

Kelly picked the ball up un the middle of the park before releasing Scott. The flying winger bore down on goal leaving the defenders trailing behind before toe poking the ball past the keeper to clinch a vital 3 points for Swifts after 2 heavy league defeats. The result was wrapped up with only minutes of the game remaining following a defensive mistake.

Daniel Kelly robbed the centre half and bore down on the keeper before unselfishly squaring the ball to Stevie McManus who had the easy task to knock the ball into an empty net.

A top performance from the home side who had every player on the top of their game today as they worked hard for each other as they claimed a vital 3 points.

Next up is an away trip to the City of Discovery to play old rivals from last season Lochee United.