Swifts Secure 6th Place

In a match that was more or less a play-off for 6th place, Swifts entertained a Glasgow Girls side who had beaten them soundly earlier in the season. It was however Swifts who were to have the upper hand on this occasion and emerge relatively comfortable winners against subdued opposition.

Swifts started the game with a very strong wind behind them but the severity of the conditions meant that no great advantage was gained. The early play was however towards the Glasgow goal and Swifts got a deserved lead when Foote played in Shaw who beat a couple of opponents and when met by the advancing keeper unselfishly squared the ball for McGinley to finish.

McGinley than almost proved the provider when her cross was met by the onrushing Foote who saw her close-range effort pushed over the bar brilliantly by the Glasgow keeper.

Smith then twice tested the keeper and on both occasions she did well to keep the score at 1-0. The home side were not to be denied and doubled their lead with an excellent goal. When McGinley broke up play and fed MacLean in the left back area she quickly found Smith with an accurate pass. She dropped off to Shaw who then lifted an inch-perfect pass for the advancing Foote to crash a top class finish past the on-rushing keeper. A great move and a great goal.

Glasgow were struggling to get up the park in the conditions but did eventually break through and an excellent drive looked destined for the top corner until McIllravey tipped it onto the crossbar.

After Nicholson had gone close with two long range efforts it was Shaw herself who got the third. Having initially flicked on a McGinley long-throw she reacted quickly and lobbed over the keeper from close range.

The Swifts deserved their 3-0 half-time lead and were very aware that a strong second half performance was required as Glasgow would come out of the blocks with the wind and something to prove.

However to their credit the Swifts performed with great composure against the wind with captain McDonald marshalling the defence well. With MacLean, Robertson and Todd linking well the home side were still a threat going forward and McGinley just failed to force home a vicious Todd cross, and then Shaw increased the lead further when she collected a clearance 25 yards out and struck a sweet left foot shot into the roof of the net.

Shortly afterwards when the visitors broke clear McIllravey again proved up to the task with a smart front-post block.

Swifts continued to press and with McIntyre introduced and linking up well they were in search of more goals. However, despite the pressure the score remained 4-0

Both teams deserve great credit for an entertaining match in terrible conditions. It was a deserved victory for the young Swifts side that had shown a great maturity in sticking to their game plan and had always tried to play their normal passing game despite the conditions. The result secures a very impressive 6th place in their first season at this level and continues their record of improving results in the second half of the season.

Very tough final game of season next week away to Celtic