Frustrating loss at the Riverside
Frustration was the main feeling for Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion after Wednesday’s loss against Dundonald.
Missed chances came back to bite the Perth side with Ross Drummond’s second half strike proving to be the difference.
Gunnion was pleased with how his side passed the ball but knows there needs to be a more ruthless edge in front of goal.
“Frustrating is the word I would use - and I would say the same about Saturday,” Gunnion told the PA.
“I was saying to the players that, this time last year, I was very pragmatic. We were new to the Super League and it was a learning curve.
“We didn’t dominate possession last year or dominate teams physically.
“But on Wednesday we had all of the ball, the better of the chances and restricted them to long, hopeful balls up the park for the most part.
“We need to be more clinical. I know Rhys has had a couple of chances, which he normally would have scored. Their keeper was excellent.
“Being clinical is not just about putting the ball in the net, it’s the final pass in the final third which unlocks the defence.
“We got into so many good positions to unlock their defence but picked the wrong option.
“Players all over the park need to step up and take a little bit more responsibility. That will come.
“Knowing the strikers we have here, we’ll start taking chances. We just need to continue playing.
“The midfield three we had on Wednesday - Keith Dewar, Gary Fergus and Lewis Mackie - dominated the ball. We just need a wee bit more desire.
“No disrespect to Dundonald but I think we’re a better team than them.”
Swifts goalkeeper Mark Mitchell was called into action in the 11th minute to impressively shovel the ball around the post after Calum Smith had clipped an effort towards goal.
It was a fine save from the experienced stopper, who then dealt with the resulting corner.
Perth defender Lee Deans had to be alert not long after to produce a goal-saving tackle when Smith was planning to pull the trigger.
But the best chance of the opening stages would fall to summer signing Davies.
The powerful forward latched onto a defence-splitting Mackie pass, steadied himself, but fired his strike straight at the visiting keeper.
Swifts had stepped up a gear and James Yates tried his luck with a dipping 40-yard free-kick which required James Lennox to touch the ball behind for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece, Fergus delivered deep for Dewar who could only find the side netting.
Gunnion’s side were in the ascendancy and Davies was again slipped through on goal - this time by Chris Scott - but the outcome was the same as the Dundonald keeper saved with his legs.
The Fifers were having some joy when going direct with Smith making a nuisance of himself.
He directed towards goal on the turn in the 28th minute but it was easy for Mitchell to scoop from the turf.
Again Swifts would come forward Rhys Davies looks for options as Scott danced beyond three tackles before eventually being wiped out.
Chris Anton curled the resulting freekick inches wide of the mark.
As half-time approached, Scott Lawrie was gifted too much space in the box but his header was never troubling the home net.
The Perth men had the clearer of the chances in the opening 45 minutes - and the missed opportunities would come back to bite them.
Especially when Dundonald sneaked in front in the 55th minute when Drummond picked up a pass after overlapping down the left flank to then guide across goal and into the bottom corner.
As the sun began to descend over the Riverside, any home hopes of three points were fading too.
But Fergus did go close with a volley at the back post from a Yates deep cross.
The visitors went long to keep the ball away from danger in the closing stages and managed to hold on for the victory.
Swifts welcome Bo’ness to the Riverside on Saturday and Gunnion added: “Now all of a sudden we are playing Bo’ness and I’m wondering why we are sitting on one point. We should have at least four.
Lee Deans was solid at the back for Swifts
“We’re going to be playing one of the favourites for the league but it’s one I’m looking forward to.
“Last season Bo’ness passed the ball and took us out of the equation for a lot of the game.
“This year I have hope that we can go up and cause them a lot more problems.”
Tony Holt, Benn Blyth and Mark Duigan miss out for Swifts. But Daniel Kelly returns. Kick-off is 2.30pm.