Jeanfield Swifts AFC V Letham CC Match report

Jeanfield went into the Semi final of the Perth & District Cup as favourites as they remained undefeated against the visitors all season. Letham CC came to the Riverside Stadium with intent and looked to have a totally different team from the past games. This didn’t worry jeanfield who were on a high scoring 21 goals in the last 4 games.

Both teams were finding their rhythm in the first 20 mins when Letham opened the scoring. A long ball from back to front put the left winger through and he cut it across goal for a simple tap in for the striker who was unmarked GOAL 1-0 Letham CC

The Swifts woke up after a poor start and dominated for 20 mins with lots of attempts. On the 40th minute McCabe threw in a corner which found the head of Sime. His header landed at Hopes feet and he smashed the equaliser home GOAL 1-1 Jeanfield

This lead was short lived as Letham took the lead for the second time in the game 1 minute into stoppage time. This time a ball over the top from left to right found the striker through on goal for a 1on1 with Morrow. The striker threw a faint and then slotted it past the keeper GOAL 2-1 Letham CC

Halftime
Jeanfield 1
Letham CC 2

The halftime team talk was clear. Get control of this game, work harder and it will come.

On form McCleary was determined to get the game back on track. Booth picked up the ball on the 55th minute and played a brilliant ball between the defence to McCleary who rounded the keeper and calmly slotted home GOAL 2-2 Jeanfield

Both teams continued to push for the win but good defending and keeping from both sides kept the score the same. Closest chance was when Sime scored from a brilliant ball in but the ref deemed it offside. On the 85th minute after a few dirty tackles, things erupted. The Letham winger fell onto the ball and somehow won a free kick. As he got up there was a bit of handbags. For some reason the Letham coach made his way onto the pitch. When everything settled down the coach was sent to the stand and McCabe was given a red. The ref deemed McCabe to have raised his hands.

The ref then played 9 minutes of injury time even though it was starting to get dark. Jeanfield were desperate to make it to the whistle to allow them to sort the tactics and managed to survive.

Full time
Jeanfield 2
Letham CC 2

Extra time
Both teams looked to have heavy leg in extra time which meant less chances for both teams. Jeanfield won a corner on the 97th minute, this time T.Young swung it in and Hope went up like a salmon to head it home GOAL 3-2 Jeanfield

5 minutes later another Letham ball over the top found left winger who put it into the box for the striker who looked offside. There was no whistle from the ref and the striker brought Letham back into the game GOAL 3-3 Letham CC

The Letham CC celebration was very provocative towards the Swifts bench and it was one that was only going to bite them on the bum.

Extra time Halftime
Jeanfield 3
Letham CC 3

Extra time Second half
The 10 men of Jeanfield pulled together and had one thing on their mind, the final. 5 minutes into the second half C.Henderson played a pass down the left. McCleary beat 2 defenders with some fast feet and his shot was unstoppable from a tight angle GOAL4-3 Jeanfield

Letham pushed to get the equaliser which created space for the Swifts who were on a high after some fantastic celebrations for the last goal. With 5 minutes to go Sime played a ball into McCleary’s feet, he out muscled Nelson and his turn put him past the defender. With McCleary through on goal there was only going to be one outcome as his shot was smashed from the right into the bottom left corner GOAL 5-3 Jeanfield

The celebrations were unbelievable as the whole team ran for the corner like they had made it to the final. The ref blew his whistle and the job was done.

Extra time full time
Jeanfield Swifts AFC 5
Letham CC 3

⚽️⚽️⚽️McCleary
⚽️⚽️Hope

Man of the Match was McCleary who’s hat trick and never ending running won Jeanfield the game

COYJS