Jeanfield headed across the North Inch to face St Johns in league action, aiming to continue their dominance of their neighbours after winning all seven encounters last season

The Swifts started brightly and made their pressure count on 16 minutes. After sustained possession, an R. Shillan corner found N. McNicol, who rose like a salmon to power his header home and give Jeanfield a deserved lead.

St Johns responded with a handful of opportunities from set pieces, while the Swifts looked dangerous on the counter but were wasteful in front of goal. As the half drew to a close, another St Johns free-kick proved costly for Jeanfield, with the hosts finally capitalising to send the match into half-time level.

The message at the break was clear: get on the ball, cut off the supply to the St Johns front line, and go win the game. The Swifts did exactly that. St Johns began to tire, and Jeanfield shifted up a gear, launching wave after wave of attack while limiting their opponents to efforts that rarely troubled the goalkeeper.

St.Johns had a chance to take the lead early on in the second half but A.Smith pulled off an unbelievable block and from there Jeanfield started to dominate, playing some great football.

On 63 minutes, a long kick from the Jeanfield shot-stopper sparked the breakthrough. A. Abboud flicked it on, and although St Johns expected it to run through to their keeper, J. Jardine had other ideas. He timed his run perfectly and produced a delicate lob over the advancing keeper to restore the Swifts’ lead.

Just two minutes later, Jeanfield put the result beyond doubt. After great work from R. Gillies down the flank, his cutback found Abboud six yards out. He calmly slotted home, sending the two defenders on the line the wrong way—much to the delight of the touchline. The striker made sure the St Johns players who had earlier called him “hopeless” were left eating their words.

Jeanfield could have added more, with one chance from a yard out somehow hitting the post and trialist M.Gillies lob missing the target by inches, but the Swifts comfortably saw out the game. As the final whistle went, they headed into the changing room to loud music and well-earned celebrations after securing all three points.

Fulltime

St.Johns AFC 1
Jeanfield Swifts AFC 3

N.McNicol ⚽
J.Jardine ⚽
A Abboud ⚽

Man of the match was Aidan Smith whose relentless energy in both defence and attack was outstanding throughout.

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