SOUTH CHALLENGE CUP: JEANFIELD SWIFTS 3-2 DARVEL

Flurry of Early Goals Earns Jeanie Quarter Final Place

Jeanfield Swifts hosted Darvel last night in the South Challenge Cup. Ross Gunnion’s side flew out the traps, storming into a 3 goal lead in just 13 minutes. However, Darvel were not down and out yet - with the visitors pegging Jeanie back to 3-2 before half-time. After a thrilling opening 45, a goalless second half ensured that it would be Jeanfield progressing to the next round, where they will face Spartans.

The home side got off to the best possible start, taking the lead inside the opening 2 minutes. Paul Simpson dispossessed a Darvel defender on the edge of the box, before then cutting in from the right hand side and curling the ball into the bottom left corner. Jeanfield had an early lead!

The blistering start did not stop there though, and Jeanie won a penalty in the 5th minute. McLeish closed down a Darvel defender in possession, who then lost control and wiped the Jeanie striker out. McLeish himself stepped up from 12 yards and converted the spot kick into the bottom right corner, with the Darvel goalie going the opposite way, to double Jeanfield’s advantage.

Jeanfield soon had their 3rd goal of the encounter when McLeish grabbed his second of the night in the 12th minute, after chasing down the keeper. He blocked the goalkeeper's attempted kick out, before slotting home from a difficult angle into an empty net. Within the opening 15 minutes it was, Jeanfield Swifts 3-0 Darvel.

However, Darvel refused to give up and pulled a goal back just before the 20th minute. They won the ball high in the Jeanfield half and then played Jordan Kirkpatrick through, he was able to slot it past Mitchell and into the bottom corner to give his side a fighting chance. The next goal felt crucial to the outcome of this tie.

McLeish was inches away from completing his hattrick straight from the restart, he found himself 1-on-1 with the keeper but unfortunately his shot dragged just wide of the post and out for a goal kick.

Darvel continued their comeback by scoring a 2nd goal. A through ball down the line found an attacker, who struck the post, with Andy Stirling being quickest to react to the rebound, scoring from close range into an empty net. There was a suspicion of offside, but the linesman remained unmoved and the goal stood.

After a lightning opening 25 minutes from Jeanfield the visitors now had their tails up. They ended the half the strongest of the sides, but could not create any more chances to score. Jeanie managed to close the first half out and go into the break a goal up.

The first half was a scintillating watch, with Jeanfield’s mesmerising start putting them in control of the game. The injury-hit Perth side were good value for their lead and easily could have been further in front.

Jeanfield were closing down the Darvel back-line well, with the Ayrshire side’s attempts to pass out from the back being punished. Jeanie’s high press meant that they had no time on the ball, forcing them into errors. This hard work was key to the 3 goals scored by the hosts. Despite conceding twice, to reduce the lead to a solitary goal, Jeanie still looked composed and they would need to remain that way if they could come out of the second half victorious.

Half Time: Jeanfield Swifts 3-2 Darvel

Darvel had the ball in the back of the net just 4 minutes into the second half. However, the linesman’s flag was up and the goal was disallowed for offside, to the dismay of the Darvel players.

Gary Fergus had Jeanfield’s first chance of the second half, but his effort on goal could not find the target and rolled wide.

Darvel had the biggest chance of the second half in the 69th minute, their number 9 was in goal and just had Mitchell to beat. However, his low drive at goal slid the wrong side of the post. That was the first clear cut, onside, opportunity of the half for either side.

Mitchell then made a great save to keep his side in front, with the goalkeeper diving high and palming the ball wide of the goal.

The visitors then made it 2 goals disallowed for offside with 15 minutes left of the game. The Darvel attacker latched onto a through ball in behind and lifted the ball over the on rushing Mitchell, just to see the linesman’s flag up once again.

Jeanfield then held on for the last 15 minutes, not allowing Darvel to create anything of note and actually coming close to grabbing a goal on the counterattack themselves on a couple of occasions.

After a nervy couple of minutes of injury time the referee blew his whistle for full time, allowing the riverside to erupt in celebration. The players and fans alike were ecstatic with a well earned win over some strong opposition.

Final Score: Jeanfield Swifts 3-2 Darvel

After an enthralling first half, and a tense second 45, a 3-2 win was probably a fair result for Jeanfield Swifts. Despite missing plenty of key first team players, including Dayle Robertson and Aaron Whitehead, they more than matched their opponents. Darvel are a quality side, and provided fierce competition for Jeanie - who rose to the occasion.

This result means that Jeanfield Swifts have progressed to the quarter finals of the South Challenge Cup, where they will face The Spartans on the 2nd of April, at the Riverside.

Ross Gunnion: Post Match Interview

RG: “People call it a game of two halves, I think it was probably a game of 4 quarters, the first quarter we were outstanding, pressed them, scored 3 goals in 12 minutes and as good a first half performance in terms of pressing as I’ve seen since I’ve been at the club.”

“They’re excellent, they are a very very good team Darvel and they gave us some problems”

“Half-time I think came at the right time, calmed us down a little. We were a bit gung ho, second half - came out a slightly more solid shape, looked to hit on the counter attack and I thought we done it really really well”

You can watch the full interview with the gaffer on our social media channels, @JeanfieldSFC on Twitter, and @JeanfieldSwiftsFC on Instagram.

Next up for Jeanfield is a trip south of the border to face Tweedmouth Rangers in the League Cup on Saturday. The bus leaves Riverside at 10:30am on the day.