Swifts Let Lead Slip

Swifts met East Fife at Letham in what was to be a game that ebbed and flowed with the Fife side prevailing after a stirring comeback.
Swifts started in good form and were moving the East Fife side around. The away side were content to sit in and frustrate, but found the Swifts in determined form. The home side took an early lead when Rigden met a McGinley free-kick with what seemed to be her arm, but the goal stood. Buoyed by this the Swifts continued to press and Smith fired wide when she had time to compose herself. They doubled their lead when McGinley latched onto a Rigden pass and slid the ball home past the advancing keeper.
Swifts were in control with Rigden showing excellent skills in midfield and Todd causing danger on the left. Playing good possession football they were in control of the match and were looking to close it out.
On the stroke of half-time the away side pulled a goal back when Skivington outpaced Nicholson and blasted a shot in at McIlravey's front post.
A one-goal half-time lead was not what the Swifts deserved as they had dominated proceedings and exhibited some excellent football.
The second half however was to see a turnaround. The away side equalised when Anderson escaped from Shaw and headed home a corner. Minutes later and they were ahead when Skivington evaded Todd and looped a header into the back post. Swifts having in complete control were now behind and up against it.
The game had now turned and it was the away side who were dominating with Guppy a threat playing further forward. Swifts almost equalised when a Todd cross was touched away from the on-rushing McFadyen who was hoping for a tap-in. East Fife were however in no mood to give up their lead and were now showing a greater desire and were in control. As the Swfits pushed bodies up the park Skivington broke wide, evaded two tackles and her cut back was met sweetly by Guppy at the front post, and her finish ended the match.
The Swifts will be frustrated having dominated the first half to have allowed East Fide back into the game. The visitors however deserve immense credit for never giving up and showing a great attitude when behind.
Coach Jason McCrindle was understandably frustrated. "I was delighted with the first half. The players were in good form, moved the ball well and earned a deserved lead. However the second half was very disappointing. The girls didn't continue the good work and allowed East Fife back into the game, and then didn't show enough desire to get back into the game when behind. East Fife tend to cause us problems when we meet and it was no different today. Hopefully next week the girls will give us their first half form for 90 minutes next week".