Jeanfield Swifts First Team

MATCH REPORT

Blackburn United FC 2 Swifts 2

Another road trip, another draw today , in another "game of two halves" . Those spectators at the pavilion end of the ground got their money's worth as large passages of play took place in front of them.

Swifts lined up with Gary Fergus and Fergus Coutts replacing the unavailable Liam Strong and Matthew Cullerton, with Kiffy Scott moving to left back . They were on it from the first whistle , the Referee today officiating solo , with no Assistants - a rare sight at this level. Three corners in 7 minutes, a Gaz Fergus header saved , a Payne header millimetres wide - then an attack down the left , a good ball accross and Lewis Payne was on hand to crack his shot home from 15 yards for a deserved lead, 11 minutes played.

Swifts continued to dominate, with home keeper Komocki having a great game, 3 fine saves in as many minutes denied a second goal. Blackburn had some attacking play soon after , the Swifts defence having to work hard to clear one particular spell of pressure.
However it was Swifts who got the long-overdue goal on 43 minutes - a ball cleared from a crowded box was returned by a thumping JJ Henderson effort . The keepers acrobatics seemed for a second to have denied the goal, but the ball clearly crossed the line - 2-0 at half time, but not before a Swifts appeal for the keeper appearing to handle outside the box with Coutts in close attendance , the Ref explaining that any ricochet onto a hand was unavoidable.

The second half began with the homesters seeing more of the ball , shooting just over then bringing Ben Swinton into action as the territorial battle swung very much their way .
A Ryan McManus attempt from a very acute angle was a welcome sight as Swifts managed a short break out, before another home header skimmed the bar.

Liam Kelly took over from Gaz Fergus , but the home pressure intensified , finally paying off on 73 minutes when Mortimers' effort beat the keeper after another set piece - crossing the line without hitting the back of the net , but no complaints and it was game on at 2-1.

It was practically all Blackburn now, Swinton saving a header , before a ball in was cleared only as far as home sub Robertson who crashed a beauty home , a deserved equaliser on 83 minutes.

Still time though , for an intense final 3 minutes as Swifts chased the winner. The flashpoint arrived as Kiffy was heading towards the goal at pace before being wiped out by a tackle that looked to be from behind as he was away from the defender- no card . The resultant free kick hit the bar , and in the last moments of the match , Liam Payne shot past the keeper only for the post to deny him the winner.

So 6 games unbeaten , 3 wins and 3 draws in a topsy turvy League so far - only Camelon with a 100% record and Swifts the only other unbeaten side.

A break from the League next week , as we travel to play Craigmark Burntonians F.C. in the Challenge Cup , before home sweet home at last for three vital games in a week mid-month.

A second half comeback , goals in the last 15 minutes and it ends 2-2
Two Swifts efforts off the bar /post late on

A wee half time caption competition anyone??

HALF TIME
Swifts full value for a 2-0 lead, Payne and Henderson on target. Home keeper on form.

30 minutes until kick off, a few wee changes from last week.

Arrived at Blackburn United FC , team news to follow.....but first of all, it is a Happy Birthday to Caden, 18 today@

MATCH PREVIEW
Blackburn United FC v Jeanfield Swifts
East of Scotland Football League
Premier Division

Saturday 29 August
New Murrayfield Park EH47 7LL
Kick Off 2.30pm
£10/£6 , u16 free

The Swifts "August Roadshow" makes our final stop of the month with a second League visit to West Lothian , this time heading for Blackburn after our trip to Whitburn earlier.

As the song goes , we will in fact have driven ( not walked thankfully) just over 500 miles in the month . 506 in fact - next month looks a bit better as 3 home games and a short trip to Thornton are on the schedule.....oh , and a 220 mile round trip to Dalmellington next Saturday for a Challenge Cup tie!

A huge thanks to everyone who has followed the club on the road in a very busy month.

Tomorrow will see us facing Blackburn for the first time since Hogmanay 2022, as United were relegated at the the end of 22/23 with 30 points - a tough one to take as that has been a comfortable return in many a season. Interestingly , both games between us that season finished 4-2 to Swifts.

Blackburn have played at New Murrayfield Park , adjacent to their previous home which now hosts Youth and community teams, since 2013.

A 3G surface was installed in 2015, with a 60 seater stand erected in 2024.

The team were promoted last season , 5th of 6 to come up from the First Division - finishing with 50 points and , unusually, a goal difference of 0 , 49 scored , 49 conceded.

Thus far this season , they are 10th , with 2 wins and 4 defeats; one of the wins being against very near neighbours Whitburn , at Whitburn , by 5-2.

Last week, United were in Scottish Cup action , and marched on to the next round with an 10 - 1 win over St Cuthbert Wanderers who had travelled all the way from Kirkcudbright.

As noted above , the team have really appreciated the support this month with so many away games - we look forward to seeing you oncd more tomorrow .

Thanks again!

👕HOME STRIP SPONSOR
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⚫️⚪️MATCHDAY ANNOUNCEMENT

This Saturday the team are on the road AGAIN…this time through to West Lothian to face Blackburn United.

As always your support is greatly appreciated, come along and give the boys your backing.

🆚Blackburn United FC

📍Purdie Worldwide Community Stadium

🗓️ Saturday 29th August, 2.30pm

🏆 East of Scotland Football League

🎟️ Adults £10 | Concessions £6 (cash or card) | U16s £FREE

🥧 Matchday catering open

Huge thank you again to our:

👕HOME KIT SPONSOR
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👕CLUB SPONSOR
CRAIG SWINTON ELECTRICAL LTD

FIXTURE RE-ARRANGEMENT

We have received notification that we will now play Thornton Hibs FC , at home, on SATURDAY 12th SEPTEMBER.
This replaces the original date of 18th November. This game now follows our upcoming trips, firstly this Saturday Blackburn United FC and the the following Saturday 5th September Craigmark Burntonians F.C. We will now have three home games in a row from 12th to 19th September.

MATCH REPORT

Sauchie Juniors FC 1 Swifts 2

Swifts took the scenic trip to Sauchie this afternoon , as a wee change from recent forays over the Bridge and along the glorified car park that is apparently the City of Edinburgh Bypass.

The sun was out , the pitch looked nice and green , and Swifts looked for early control as they sought to continue the unbeaten League run . There were two changes from last Saturday , Lewis Payne for Ben Stewart who started on the bench , and Charlie Denton for the injured Gary Fergus. From the off , it was apparent that Charlie was dropping into centre-back , allowing Ryan McManus to move into centre midfield alongside JJ Henderson. Scott, Cullerton and Payne supported striker Muirhead.

An early goal is always welcome , and after 5 minutes it came , great build up play from deep , Kiffy Scott got the ball out wide , and played it across for Cammy to finish.

The hosts responded , with balls into the box dealt with , before a ricocheted ball was parried by keeper Swinton and was bundled home by Connor Kelly for 1-1 - I was told by spectators down that end that there was a fairly muted shout for a handball , mainly from off the field.

All square after 10 minutes, but Swifts regained control without too many concerns from the Sauchie defence, some good play being nullified by a busy back four.

However , late in the half , the equally busy Matthew Cullerton was alert to a loose ball , took it into the box and his shot beat the keeper and rolled in via the right had post - 2-1 after 38 minutes.

The second half saw a lot of effort but little finesse , as the home team went direct , but Swifts did have chances to put the game to bed - a fine save from Collumbine denied Kiffy , who later lifted a shot over the bar , as did Cammy .

A full 5 minutes of added time was negotiated , and the win means 3 victories and 2 draws in the first five league games, only one of which was at home.

Swifts are on 11 points - Camelon with 5 out of 5 on 15, Dunbar and Armadale both on 12 from 5, then Haddington joining us on 11 from 5.

Another road trip next Saturday , to face Blackburn United .

Huge thank you to our away strip sponsor
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