Victory is so sweet for Gunnion’s Swifts
Vital win for Perth side
Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion hailed his battling players after a “vital” victory against Carnoustie Panmure on Saturday afternoon.
The Perth squad were forced to play a large chunk of the second half with 10 men after John Anderson was sent off for picking up two yellow cards.
Prior to that reliable Tony Holt had fired home a penalty for Swifts to give them the advantage - and that proved to be the winner.
With Newtongrange Star and Musselburgh winning, teams either side of Jeanfield in the standings, the result held even greater importance.
“Given the fact the teams around us won it was vital that we took three points,” Gunnion told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“I keep using the word determination and that certainly shone through in the performance.
“I often feel the Scottish game, and at our level in particular, places too much emphasis on words like character, heart and desire which take away from focusing on tactics and technical ability.
“But there is no doubt that the players showed all the above characteristics to dig out a scrappy win when down to 10 men.
“But they also performed well tactically and made the right decisions at the right times to ensure we kept a clean sheet.
“I thought it was a very tight game and both teams were limited to a handful of chances. We probably had the best of the first half but didn’t really dominate.
“The defensive display as a team was excellent however and gave us the platform to build on. In the second half we were a little more measured in our approach and a good passing move led to the goal.
“I’ve seen the replays and it’s a clear penalty which gave us the opportunity to take the lead.
“Tony Holt, as he always does, made no mistake from the spot.”
Gunnion was left bemused at Anderson’s sending off and added: “We stayed compact and defended comfortably with only a moment of disbelief in John Anderson’s second yellow causing us concern.
“What was even more confusing was the fact his first yellow was for a foul in which the assistant informed the referee that it was actually John being fouled.” Luncarty knocked THIRTEEN past bottom of the table Forfar Albion without reply to continue a strong run of form on Saturday.
Richard Doig and Jamie Reid both netted hat-tricks for the Bleachers, Bally Whytock a double, with Darren Gray, Lewis Allan, Dan Walker, Jon Kelly and an OG rounding off the scoring.
Forfar ended the contest with only eight players on the field as frustration started to take its toll.
Bleachers boss Kelly was delighted with how ruthless his side were and he said: “I was pleased with the players’ attitude second half on Saturday.
“We had a word at half time with them because we felt they were not moving the ball quick enough.
“They certainly did this from the start and we quickly found ourselves five or six up. Another pleasing thing to see was the hunger and desire to keep scoring more goals.
“We have been telling the players all season you must be more ruthless and they certainly were on Saturday.
“We now look to next Saturday as we play Thornton Hibs at home, a game which I’m really looking forward to.
“We aim to keep this run going and the game can’t come quick enough for us.” Kinnoull kept their North Division promotion hopes alive on Saturday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at East Craigie.
Both teams headed into the contest in impressive form and, in the early stages, Perth forward Robbie Norrie went close to opening the scoring.
But the hosts would hit back and Nick Mann nodded wide of the mark with the goal at this mercy.
Into the second half and there were penalty claims waved away at either end of the park before Kinnoull struck the decisive blow.
With 70 minutes on the clock, Sean Burton’s corner was met by Norrie, whose header ended up in the top corner of the net.
Tony Holt’s penalty was enough to clinch three points for Jeanfield Swifts Coupar Angus returned home empty-handed from their North Division clash with Dundee North End at the weekend.
The Foxhall Park side trailed by a solitary goal at the break before losing a further two in the second half.
Meanwhile,Blairgowrie showed character to record an exciting 4-3 win over Newburgh at Davie Park.
Gary Axworthy, Darren Neave, Stefan Brown and Gordon Pirie were on target for Blair.