KIFFY TO THE RESCUE

An injury time wonder strike from Chris Scott secured a point as Swifts twice came from behind on the opening day of the new East Region Super League.

The winger latched on to a long kick from Mark Mitchell and fires high into the net giving Swifts a deserved share of the points. The winger also got an assist to his name when he set up debutant Rhys Davies just before half time.

Swifts travelled to Albyn Park with memories of a 7-3 defeat on the artificial surface last season and were minus 4 players, Mark Duigan, Lee Deans, Fraser Mills & Daniel Kelly through injury and suspension. This saw the return to the side of the recently retired manager Ross Gunnion and 4 of the 5 new signings were handed Super League starts for the 1st time.

It was an even beginning to the game and Gary Fergus was first to threaten for Swifts with a snap shot from 25 yards which went wide of the target. Swifts were having a lot of possession without causing the home defence much problems before the frailties from last season struck again and saw us go a goal down.

Slack marking at a throw in saw Kieran Anderson pick up the ball, he flicked it over a Swifts head and then smashed the ball past Mitchell from nearly 30 yards. Good goal for the neutral but from a Swifts point of view it should have been stopped at source.

This did not effect Swifts as they kicked on and went on the attack straight away with Robbie Holden and Fergus showing some neat linkup play that ended with the veteran number 9 shooting on goal put it was a simple save for Connor Wallace in the goal. Holden was involved once more when he received a pass from Scott and drove forward before slipping the ball to Davies but once again it was meat and drink for the home custodian. The visitors kept going and new signing Benn Blyth almost made it a dream debut. A free kick from the right hand side found Gunnion at the back post who passed to his fellow centre back who showed quick feet in the opposition box before firing on goal but it was saved by Wallace.

The home side then forced a save from Mitchell when a short free kick between Anderson and Jack Beesley saw the summer signing from Spartans shoot for goal but saw his effort touched over the bar. With 5 minutes of the opening 45 of the new season remaining the home side had a great chance to double their lead.

Lewis Mackie handled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Anderson stepped up to double his tally but smacked the penalty off the post and away to safety letting Swifts off the hook. Within minutes the home side were made to pay.

Scott received the ball and proceeded to go on a fantastic run before passing to the unmarked Davies. The big striker took a good touch before despatching the ball past the keeper into the corner of the net for what we hope is the first of many goals in the Black & White.

That goal just minutes before the break saw the sides go in level after an entertaining first half.

A heavy downpour during the break saw the surface, a poor one in my opinion compared the Keltys, become wet and saw more and more players losing their feet but it was Swifts who started well and almost took the lead.

James Yates took a free kick roughly 35 yards out and using the knuckle ball technique almost beat the keeper at near post but the big lad got down well to touch it round the post. Scott and Davies were linking up well and almost produced a goal when Davies headed to Scott but he volleyed wide of the target while stretching to reach the ball. The game was now going end to end but the final ball from both team was lacking until Broxburn created an excellent change.

Richards was slipped through but Mitchell made a great block to stop the ball from going past him. this however did not stop Swifts from going behind as the home side took the lead from the same phase of play.

Mitchells save ended up at Anderson in the wide area and as he done the whole game he cut inside and crossed to the far post. The cross had too much on it for Chris Anton and Zander Miller touched inside before knocking the ball past Mitchell and into the net. Somewhat against the run of play but it seemed to knock Swifts off their stride and Locke almost increased the lead but Mitchell once again saved Swifts and with that gave us a chance of getting something.

That we did in the 2nd minute of added time from sumptuous effort from Scott who had one of his best games in a Swifts shirt and we almost nicked the 3 points and the end when sub Richard Donovan broke away on the right and passed inside to fellow bench warmer Tony Holt whose shot was blocked and almost broke to him but was smothered by the home keeper.

A deserved draw for Swifts but we need to cut out the silly mistakes as we will get punished at this level.

Next up is a home game versus old foes Dundonald Bluebell at the Riverside on Wednesday night with a