SOUTH CHALLENGE CUP: JEANFIELD SWIFTS 3-4 THE SPARTANS

Jeanfield welcomed The Spartans to the Riverside yesterday in the South Challenge Cup, with a Semi-Final place up for grabs.

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Jeanie got off to a good start, going in front before being pegged back from the spot soon after, the teams went into the half-time break level. Jeanfield then raced into a 2 goal lead, before the visitors once again drew level - forcing the game into extra time, where Spartans managed to grab a goal and in turn the victory.

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Swifts started the game on the front foot once again, with another quick start as has been the norm lately. Connor McLaren could have had his side 1-0 up in 5 minutes, after he was picked out at the back post, but his effort from close in unfortunately flew over the bar.

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Jeanfield took a deserved lead 26 minutes in through Chris McLeish. A McLaren flick on wasn’t cleared by the defence, giving McLeish a chance to steal in front of his man and power past the goalie, who could only get a slight hand to it, unable to deny the ball from finding the back of the net.

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The hosts were on top now and almost doubled the advantage a minute later. The Spartans goalkeeper was forced to get down low and stop a cut back from reaching a Swifts player, before a McLeish shot was then deflected narrowly wide for a corner.

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The Spartans were still well in this game though, and a long ball from the keeper was headed on to an attacker, with Reid going to ground and taking him down the referee awarded a penalty kick.

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Spartans converted from the spot, with Henderson calmly rolling the ball into the bottom left corner, sending Mitchell the other way. The sides were now level at the half hour mark.

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Jeanfield responded well to conceding and actually looked more likely to go back in front. Chris Dodd came close on 2 occasions just before half-time. His first attempt was a drilled shot aimed into the bottom corner, forcing the keeper to get down low to keep it out. The second attempt was a sweetly struck volley from range, which provoked a good save, right on half-time.

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Jeanfield had enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes, certainly having more chances than their opponents, and looking quite comfortable in possession.

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Half-Time: Jeanfield Swifts 1-1 The Spartans

Jeanie started the second half as they had ended the first, playing with real intensity and drive. McLeish came close to putting his side back in front only a minute into the half, but his shot went just wide.

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Swifts were causing real problems on the wings and a Reid cross into the area almost found the back of the net, but nobody was able to get on the end of it, and his delivery went agonisingly wide of the post.

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In the 64th minute Jeanfield were back in front! A looping Dodd ball from deep was met by Gary Fergus, who managed to chest it into the back of the net, past the keeper who was stranded on the line.

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Jeanie were not done there though, and soon doubled their advantage. McLaren and McLeish linked up for the 2nd time of the afternoon, with the former lobbing the ball forward for McLeish to run onto. The in-form number 9 lobbed the onrushing keeper on the volley, with the ball then nestling in the back of the net, putting Jeanfield Swifts in control of the tie.

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2 minutes later it was game on again, with the visitors winning their second penalty of the afternoon. Mitchell rushed out to a long ball into the box, accidentally getting the man instead and the ref was pointing to the spot once more.

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Henderson stepped up from 12 yards once again and powered his penalty into the bottom right corner this time, leaving Mitchell no chance of saving it.

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The Spartans had the momentum now and had their tails up. They were pushing further forward and it felt as though the equaliser was coming. The visitors got that elusive goal soon after.

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A free-kick from far out was lumped into the box, with a Jeanie player heading it away, but only as far as a Dishington - whose looping header managed to find the back of the net. The teams were back on level terms again.

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Following the goal neither side were really able to create any chances, and it felt as though extra-time was now inevitable. The last 15 minutes of the game were intense and scrappy, with no one able to produce that moment of quality to win the game.

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Full-Time: Jeanfield Swifts 3-3 The Spartans

Spartans started extra-time the stronger of the teams, forcing Mitchell to deny Henderson his hattrick by smothering the ball.

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However, this was simply delaying the inevitable. The Spartans grabbed the eventual match winner in the 94th minute. A Dishington corner into the box was missed by Mitchell and his defenders at the front post, allowing Whyte a free header inside the box, he would not pass up on this opportunity and thumped the ball home. Devastating for Jeanie, and the visitors had the lead for the first time of the contest.

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After being pegged back on 2 separate occasions this seemed like a bridge too far for Jeanfield Swifts, the team had clearly given their all and were now beginning to tire. After such a monumental effort against a quality team, gaps were beginning to appear.

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Despite a late push, Jeanfield were unable to grab a goal in extra-time, with Spartans just having too much for the hosts. Only one team looked like scoring another goal and sadly it was not Jeanie, who deserve immense credit for what they put into the game.

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Full Time (After Extra-Time): Jeanfield Swifts 3-4 The Spartans

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Jeanfield Swifts bow out of the South Challenge Cup at the Quarter-Final stage. Ross Gunnion’s side probably deserved to progress to the Semi-Final based off of the performance in the 90 minutes, but once the game went to extra-time it was always going to be a big ask.

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Jeanie play again on Wednesday, as they welcome Glenrothes to the Riverside Stadium.

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