Jeanfield welcomed Letham CC to the Riverside, with heavy rain before kick-off leaving the pitch inspection in doubt. Thankfully, the surface held up superbly, and the game went ahead in excellent condition. The Swifts were aiming for two wins to top their League Cup section.

It took just 10 minutes for the breakthrough. A dangerous corner from K. Mitchell found A. Abboud unmarked a yard out, and he powered home a header to open the scoring.

On 26 minutes, Abboud turned provider, laying the ball off for A. Smith who curled a fine effort into the far corner from 15 yards.

Letham threatened a response on the half hour, breaking away, but J. Welch was alert to make a brilliant save. Just two minutes later, Smith picked out Abboud’s clever run, and after a superb first touch to beat his man, the striker smashed a left-footed finish past the keeper to make it 3–0.

Abboud looked to have earned a penalty on 36 minutes after being brought down in the box, but the referee waved play on.

Early in the second half, on 56 minutes, J. Jardine slipped through Mitchell, who slotted calmly under the keeper from close range. Nine minutes later, Mitchell returned the favour, sending in a low cross for Abboud to tap home and complete a perfect hat-trick – header, left foot, and right foot.

Once again, Abboud was denied what looked a clear penalty in the 69th minute, the referee deciding against awarding it for a second time.

At 76 minutes, a lapse in concentration gave Letham a clear sight of goal, but Welch produced another outstanding save. Four minutes later, he repeated the heroics, somehow keeping out a free header from five yards.

The Swifts weren’t done yet, and in the 81st minute Jardine threaded a pass into J. McCleary, who skipped past a defender before smashing home to round off a dominant performance.

Fulltime
Jeanfield Swifts AFC 6
Letham CC 0

A.Abboud ⚽⚽⚽
A.Smith ⚽
K.Mitchell ⚽
J.McCleary ⚽

Man of the Match was Ali Abboud who takes the honours after a superb performance, capped with a perfect hat-trick, assist and relentless work rate off the ball. It was a close call though, with both Jordan Welch who pulled off several outstanding saves and Robbie Green who dominated the midfield, broke up play, initiated the attacks and threw in a couple of fancy skills.

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