McGinley Injury Time Winner decides Close Contest

McGinley Injury Time Winner decides Close Contest

Swifts travelled to Glasgow Girls expecting another very hard test. Matches last year between the teams were high scoring and one-sided but this game was to be much tighter, with the Swifts taking the points through an injury time winner.
The first half was very keenly contested and Glasgow created the first opening with McIllravey forced into an excellent save low down to her right. Swifts however slowly started to gain the advantage in terms of possession although they struggled to find the final pass, with Glasgow defending bravely.

A McIntyre snap shot was saved onto the post, and the same player fed McGinley whose long range effort was well saved. With MacLean impressing down the left and Robertson getting on the ball the Swifts looked most likely to take the lead and that was indeed the case on the stroke of half-time. Leiper fed Robertson who slipped the ball to McGinley and the striker turned sharply and swept home a great left-foot strike from 25 yards.

Swifts deserved their half-time lead as they had more of the possession in a tight match with both teams giving very little away.
The second half was to prove a more open contest and Glasgow equalised within minutes of the restart when Curtis stole down the right cut in and beat McIllravey at her front post. The game was now more open with both teams looking to regain the lead. McGinley was thwarted twice and then McIntyre with strikes from the edge of the box and the Foote saw a left-footed shot from the edge of the box strike the post.

Smith had now been introduced and her pace was causing the home side some problems, and was giving the advantage back to the Swifts. As the game entered the last quarter they regained the lead when a McGinley throw dropped to Thatcher who took a touch and forced the ball home from an acute angle.

Swifts looked to close the game out quietly but the game was to burst into life in the closing minute. First Glasgow forced their way into the box and while they were claiming for a penalty for MacDonald's last gasp tackle, MacLean was beaten to the loose ball and Falconer flicked an excellent lob over McIlravey. It looked as if this was going to be a last-minute equaliser for the home side but straight from the kick-off Mearns played a searching ball in behind the defence and McGinley had set off, and reaching the ball before the advancing keeper, kept her nerve to send a lob into the far corner.

An incredible end to an absorbing game. Glasgow will feel deflated having worked hard to get the equaliser, but Swifts left with the points that their overall played just merited. Hard working off the ball and patient on it, the Swifts showed their management and coaches a great response after the previous week's disappointment.

Next week the Ladies face another stern test in the form of league-leaders Buchan .