Swifts Impress as McGinley reaches a Milestone

Swifts travelled to Inverness with depleted numbers but with a squad which underlined the strength and depth that Jason McCrindle has built during an impressive year. They gave the Head Coach an impressive performance full of entertaining football which yielded a 7-2 win.

Swifts were positive from the outset and within the first twenty had over 10 efforts on target. McLean and Scobbie were dictating play. McIntyre, McGinley and Todd produced a list of excellent efforts with Jappy in the Inverness goal standing up brilliantly with a string of excellent saves, with one double save from McIntyre almost beyond belief. Steedman then struck a vicious shot that just missed the top corner.

Swifts got their just reward on the half hour mark when McIntyre twisted and turned inside the box leaving her marker for dead and scored with a cool finish into the far corner. This was a deserved lead and was the Swifts 100th goal of the season in all competitions.. a fact that underlines the attacking intent of the team this year and the major part that the classy McIntyre has played in that.
With only one goal to show for all their efforts a little bit of frustration crept into their play and Inverness who were always looking to play the right way got some encouragement. However Grossi and young Cowie were coping well with the threat down the right and the experienced Shaw was a commanding presence at the back.

The home side did almost equalise when a great effort crashed off the crossbar .

HT: Inverness 0 Jeanfield Swifts 1
Swifts will have been very pleased with their performance which was full of good movement and attacking intent, but wary of only having a one goal lead against an Inverness side that was applying itself well and looking for an opportunity to get back into the game.

The second half however would see Swifts continue their form and add a more clinical finishing touch. McGinley started the rout with a carefully placed left-foot shot after a sharp turn and then within a minute a blast from the edge of the box after a corner. Remarkably se got her hat-trick a few minutes later with a neat finish. In between these goals Jappy still found time to make a couple of remarkable saves.

Swifts were now on fire and Todd and Fleming were producing some excellent football and exchanges on the left and providing a continuous supply of inviting crosses. Todd having had an effort ruled out for offside in the first half was unfortunate not to have a goal for her efforts and Fleming was producing her best attacking performance for the senior side and showcasing what an outstanding talent she is.

MacLean then made it five with a wonderful long range strike which she despatched almost nonchalantly left-footed from 25 yards straight into the top corner, keeping up an incredible record of only having ever scored for the senior side from at least 25 yards. She doesn't do easy goals !

The home side were still contributing to the game and got a goal back from a corner. Foote, returning from recent injury was now providing a threat on the right, with support from Flynn-Scott and the home side were being stretched. But it was now all about McGinley and her quest to reach 100 goals for the club and Jappy's performance. Number 99 arrived when the striker took down a great Fleming delivery on the chest, turned and finished, and then a combination of Jappy and woodwork and then both suggested that it wasn't going to be. However minutes later McGinley latched onto a through ball from Shaw, rounded Jappy and slid the ball home. Her fifth of the game was her 100th for the club in only her third season - an excellent return for a player who has applied herself to her own development personally and within the team structure. We all extend our congratulations and also to her teammates for providing consistent quality supply.

Swifts continued to push but the only other goal was from Inverness with an easy tap home after a wonderful run from the winger who beat six defenders before crossing.

FT: Inverness 2 Jeanfield Swifts 7
A great result and performance for Swifts.

Head Coach McCrindle was in positive mood "Firstly I want to dedicate today's victory to Billy Smith. He was a huge supporter of the Ladies and he did so much for us. I think today's performance was a fitting tribute.
The game itself I thought we were outstanding today especially with the ball. We maintained possession well and lots of good movement. The level of individual performances from everyone was as good as Iv seen. it's the 2nd last game of the season and you could maybe forgive them if they ran out of legs especially after a long hard season but they are as focused now as they have ever been. A few milestones today. Eilidh Got our 100th team goal of the season and Danni got her 100th for the club great achievement as a team and individuality al