Jeanfield returned to Almondbank for the second time in four days, facing Bridgeton once again—this time with a place in the Ashleigh Cup Final on the line. It marked a gruelling run of six games in thirteen days, and with a few enforced changes to the squad, the Swifts took time to find their rhythm.

Early on, it was Bridgeton who looked the more threatening. They applied pressure in the opening 20 minutes and came close to breaking the deadlock, only to be denied by a stunning save from J. Welch, who plucked a goal-bound effort out of the top corner and made it look routine.

But just when it seemed the sides would head in level, Jeanfield exploded into life with a devastating spell before the break—scoring four goals in just five minutes.

On 41 minutes, R. Shillan delivered a pinpoint corner that J. Jardine met with a free header to open the scoring.

Two minutes later, A. Smith won possession and slipped the ball to A. Phillips, who fired low from outside the box into the bottom corner.

By the 44th minute, Jardine turned provider, flicking on a long ball for B. Calderwood, who produced a superb first-time volley from the edge of the box.

Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, another Shillan corner found B. Blyth unmarked to head home and cap a remarkable turnaround.

Bridgeton were left stunned, having been firmly in the contest until that late first-half blitz.

The Swifts carried that momentum straight into the second half and showed no signs of slowing down. Just three minutes after the restart, a corner was flicked on by Calderwood, touched by Jardine, before Calderwood smashed home to grab his second of the night.

On 52 minutes, N. McNicoll fed Jardine, who danced past defenders—and the keeper—before calmly finishing.

A minute later, the pair combined again, with Calderwood supplying Jardine for a first-time finish to complete his hat-trick in ruthless fashion.

Jeanfield continued to press, though the intensity of recent fixtures began to show and changes disrupted the flow slightly.

Still, there was time for one more on 73 minutes, as A. Smith drove down the left and squared for Calderwood, who finished to seal his own hat-trick.

A relentless attacking display from Jeanfield, turning a tight contest into a one-sided affair in a matter of minutes—and booking their place in the final in emphatic style.

Fulltime
Bridgeton AFC 0
Jeanfield Swifts AFC 8

B.Calderwood ⚽⚽⚽
J.Jardine ⚽⚽⚽
A.Philips ⚽
B.Blyth ⚽

Man of the match could have gone to a number of players after a superb all-round team performance—standout individual displays, plenty of goals, and another clean sheet. In the end, the award goes to Benn Blyth for a composed showing at the back, marking his return with a full 90 minutes after four weeks out through injury.

#coyjs