Swifts Pressure Pays Dividends

Swifts travelled to Boroughmuir hoping to maintain their place at the top of a very close pack. Despite an unfamiliar line-up and a spirited performance from the home side, it was the Swifts who prevailed showing a great team effort.
The home side started brightly and went ahead when a long ball over the top was met by the on-rushing striker. She sent a superb strike from the angle of the box over McIlravey's head and into the corner.
This was a massive setback for the Swifts who were finding the home keeper, very effective as a sweeper, nullifying their threat. Todd was proving effective on the wing and a couple of inviting crosses just eluded the strikers, and then McFadyen too provided an inviting cross. Todd then missed with a strike from the edge of the box. Just as it looked as if the home side were to hold out to half-time the Swifts equalised with an excellent goal. With the keeper cutting out an attack her clearance found Maclean 35yards out. The midfielder kept her composure and sent a delightful lob sailing over the keeper to give the Swifts the equaliser that their efforts deserved.
The second half started with Swifts on the front foot and they were close to finding the lead when McGinley chased a ball and beat the keeper to it. Forced wise McGinley's cross cum shot just missed the back post.
The striker wasn't to be denied when Rigden found her with a pass and she drew the keeper and slid the ball home. With 30mins remaining the Swifts were looking to close the game out. However to their credit the home side hadn't given up and were now giving as good as they were getting with their long ball game causing the Swifts some trouble.
Swifts then missed great opportunity when McFadyen was brought down just as she was about to score. Unfortunately for the striker justice wasn't done when the keeper saved her penalty.
The keeper then foiled McFadyen again when she dived low to her right to stop the strikers effort.
To their credit Swifts continued to press and were rewarded when Smith beat the centre back with a nice bit of skill and then smashed a fantastic shot home from the edge of the box. It was fitting reward for the striker who worked tirelessly in her return from injury.
The home side continued to look to get back into the match and to their credit took the fight right to the end. It was Swifts however who held on for a very valuable three points. The win keeps the Swifts at the top of the league with only 4 points separating the top 4 sides.
Steve Grossi was delighted with the win "Credit to Boroughmuir who made things very difficult for us with a very spirited display. However I must congratulate the girls on staying patient despite going behind and continuing to trust that their football would tell in the end, and they got their just rewards. It was a great team effort and the girls really dug deep to claim the three points and maintain their position at the top".