On the back of a busy pre-season, Jeanfield travelled to Luncarty for the opening game of the new campaign, eager to make a statement. Luncarty were the only side to take points off us last season, and the boys were determined to put that right.

It didn’t take long to get going. Just six minutes in, a pinpoint ball over the top from B. Blyth found J. McCleary, who turned his man and back-heeled into the path of K. Mitchell. His effort was miscued, but A. Philips was on hand to slot home the opener. A minute later, A. Abboud broke free and lofted a ball through to K. Mitchell, who calmly slipped it past the keeper for 2–0. By the ninth minute it was three, when Abboud turned sharply and released Philips, who twisted the defender inside out before smashing into the top corner at the near post.

The pressure continued. On 16 minutes, Mitchell picked out K. Brown with a clever pass. Brown’s touch was superb and, instead of shooting, he unselfishly squared to Abboud for a simple finish. Soon after, in the 24th minute, A. Hay intercepted at left back and drove forward. After finding Abboud, he continued his run into the box, where Abboud squared across goal for Hay to tap in at the back post. Luncarty pulled one back in the 34th minute after a rare lapse at the back saw a Jeanfield defender caught on the ball, their striker laying off for a midfielder to curl home into the far corner.

Jeanfield reasserted control straight after the restart. Three minutes into the second half, Philips delivered a perfect corner for Blyth to rise highest and head in at the back post. On 62 minutes, Hay slid a through ball into J. Jardine, who shrugged off his marker before lifting a brilliant lob over the advancing keeper. Then, with twenty minutes left, Abboud surged down the right and whipped in a first-time cross for Jardine, who tucked away his second of the afternoon.

Fulltime
Luncarty AFC 1
Jeanfield Swifts 8

J.Jardine ⚽⚽
A.Philips ⚽⚽
A.Hay ⚽
A.Abboud ⚽
K.Mitchell ⚽
B.Blyth ⚽

Man of the Match went to stand-in left back Allan Hay, who put in a brilliant performance at both ends of the pitch and capped it off with a well-taken goal.

#coyjs