Swifts Early Dominance Secures Third Away Win in Succession

Swifts travelled to Humbug Park to meet an on-form Dunfermline side whose recent strong run had included an excellent win v Cumbernauld Colts. It was to prove yet another close affair, and an old-fashioned game of two halves with Swifts just pipping the home side by one goal.
Swifts started the game in great fashion. First to the tackle and moving the ball quickly they went ahead when a Martin header was diverted home by an alert McIntyre for her third goal in as many games. After 10mins the lead was doubled when McLeod found McGinley in space 30yards out. The striker turned and sent a brilliant left foot strike past the helpless keeper.
Smelling the chance to kill the game off Swifts continued to push for goals and the home keeper had to be smart to prevent McIntyre and the dangerous Todd from increasing the lead, and had to be alert to Robertson's delivery from set pieces.
It was an excellent performance from Swifts but to their credit the home side continued to work hard and just before the break took advantage of a little hesitation from MacLean with the striker scoring with an excellent shot over McIlravey and into the top corner.
Swifts will have been disappointed with only a lender HT lead as they had performed very well. They will have been wary of the boost that that the late goal will have given the home side.
The second half was to be a much closer affair with the Pars having the majority of the play. They penned the Swifts back and were now delivering balls into the danger area. Swifts however were well served by the back 4 of McLeod, Martin, Leiper and Maclean who remained organised in front of the composed McIlravey. The turning point perhaps came when the Pars created a chance but the close range header slipped agonisingly wide when it seemed easier to score.
As the game drifted towards the conclusion Swifts created some excellent openings. First an excellent Grossi cross-ball evaded the on-rushing Todd and then McGinley was thwarted twice brilliantly by the home keeper.
With the game ending 2-1 it was an excellent win for the Swifts after an entertaining game that saw both teams really go for the win. Swifts should be congratulated for their efforts after a gruelling midweek match, with their early-match play deserving of the points.
Jason McCrindle was understandably delighted with another hard-fought win "today was a huge psychological test for us as we have never been in the position that we are in. It's been an incredible week to win the league cup, go top and stay there with a win today was a great test and they came through it today. I was delighted with the start we made where we played really well and were 2 goals up after 11 minutes, but we lost a sloppy goal just before the break. 2nd half we were happy to let Dunfermline have the ball and they continued to play long balls into our box, but our two centre backs won headers time and time again. Overall its been a week that we will enjoy for now, being League Cup winners and sitting top of a very close and well contested league.