Swifts Dig Deep to Keep Mill Out

Swifts travelled to Hamilton to meet the talented Mill United in the last of their re-arranged matches. After the weekend League Cup success it was always going to be a test of the side's character to come to a difficult venue midweek so soon after. To their credit the Swifts responded in defiant manner and secured a very creditable 2-1 win despite a huge effort from the home side.
The game started at great pace with the play moving from end to end. Mill were looking to get in behind at every opportunity with their pace in the forward areas, with the Swifts impressing with their link play through McIntyre. The home side were impressing but after surviving the early onslaught the Swifts came into the game with McIntyre and McGinley both going close. It was the Swifts who took the lead after 25mins when McGinley collected and layed off to Grossi whose powerful 25 yard effort beat the keeper with the aid of a slight deflection - reward for a positive start from the winger.
Mill came storming back and created some good chances and a mix of wasteful finishing and good goalkeeping from McIlravey kept them at bay. Swifts were also making their own chances and it seemed only a matter of time before the next goal. It arrived for the home side after 35mins when a goal-kick was collected and popped in behind Swifts defence and the striker finishing well. Swifts responded in style by retaking the lead within a minute. With the home side looking for a throw-in McIntyre stole in behind and reached the ball before the advancing keeper and beat her with a neat finish.
The half-time whistle ended a fierce first half which had seen some excellent attacking football from both sides with the Swifts deservedly ahead due to their superior finishing.
The second half was to prove a more one-sided affair with the home side pressing for an equaliser and the tiring Swifts having to cover injuries. Chances were still being created at both ends. Gallagher twice came close with close-range efforts that cleared the bar, and at the other end McIntyre on two occasions and Smith were denied by the home keeper. With Mill pressing aggressively it was McIlravey who came to the Swifts rescue with two outstanding saves, and when another shot was parried Grossi was on hand to thwart Mill with a brave goal-line block.
With Leiper and McGinley both withdrawn injured in addition to missing captain McDonald, the Swifts were now operating with a makeshift back four marshalled by Martin and receiving excellent cover from Thatcher.
Still the home side looked for the equaliser and in the 5th minute of injury time a 30yard Fleming free-kick smacked off the underside of the crossbar and ultimately to safety.
Swifts were delighted to hear the sound of the final whistle. The home side had proved a very tough opponent, had tested the Swifts and will have believed they deserved something from the game. Swifts will be delighted with the good football they played despite the physical nature of the game and the organisation they showed when under pressure. The ability to stay focused and adapt to different challenges continues to reap its rewards and with Swifts now find themselves as the latest new league leaders.
Jason McCrindle was delighted with the win. "It's been a huge 3 weeks for the club to win our first major honour and to be top of the league at this stage of the season is truly an unbelievable achievement. There is still a long way to go but I think we should enjoy these moments as its reward for all the hard work that everyone puts in. Tonight was a huge result. It's a very tough place to go and to come away with a win is fantastic considering they absolutely battered us in that 2nd half but a combination of good goalkeeping and great defending got us the points. With another difficult game away to an on-form Dunfermline on Sunday the games just keep on coming however we go there sitting top of the league.