Swifts’ boss delighted with battling win
The manner of Jeanfield Swifts’1-0 Super League victory against Forfar West End was pleasing for manager Ross Gunnion.
For it showed that the Perth side are more than capable of digging in when times get tough to pick up a valuable win.
A first-half strike from Lewis Mackie was the difference between the teams and allowed Swifts to nail down their second victory of the season.
“It was a big win, even at this early stage in the season,”said boss Gunnion.
“We set up with a plan to get on top early and press Forfar West End. The players did exactly that and I felt we were worthy of our lead at half time.
“We dug in and battled to ensure we didn’t concede and from front to back everyone did their jobs.
“I’ve no doubt in my mind we didn’t pass the ball as well as we could do but the effort levels were the most pleasing aspect and if we can maintain that we’ll definitely improve on our creative side with the players we have.
“But the result was the most important thing and moving into the wetter months it’s good to know we have the battling qualities that you need on heavier surfaces. You could see the way the squad was buoyed by the result and now we must try and continue build on this.”
Picking up a clean sheet on the road lifts confidence and Gunnion added: “A clean sheet away from home in this league is never easy to get.
“While the back four and Mark Mitchell in goal all performed well, the credit for the clean sheet goes to the whole squad. We held our shape incredibly well and pressed all over the park.
“We limited West End to one or two chances and when we needed to rely on our goalkeeper, Mark was alert.”
Luncarty defeated local rivals Scone Thistle 3-0 on Saturday – but Bleachers boss Jon Kelly still wants more from his squad.
The triumph has the Brownlands Park side sitting joint top of the North Division, level on points with Dundee Violet.
Kelly said:“I’m delighted with three points first and foremost, but I said to the players after the game that we were not happy with our all round performance. We let our standards drop and that is not what we want.
“On a positive note we had a lot of boys missing on Saturday and again our depth of squad helped a lot.”
Striker Richard Doig was the hero for Luncarty as he came back to haunt his old club and net a hat-trick.
Kelly said:“I was delighted for Richard Doig as he has had a stop-start season with his wedding. It was just the type of performance we were needing from him.
“That’s two clean sheets in a row and that pleases me too. Credit goes to the boys at the back along with Gordon in goals.”
Coupar Angus were marked as strong outsiders at the bookmaker for their clash away at Newburgh – but the Foxhall Park side had the last laugh.
Logan McConachie’s men delivered a fine performance to run out comfortable 5-1 winners and bag their first league win of the season.
Goals from Stuart Banks, Tom Casey (2), Euan McIlvenny and Allan Leith delighted the travelling support.
Boss McConachie said:“I got a good laugh from the supporters this week who had told me they’d won big on Coupar as a particular bookmaker had us down for a doing.
“We were unplayable in phases of the game and showed real quality in front of goal. If it wasn’t for the heroics from Warender between the posts, it could have been more if I’m honest.
“We were disappointed to concede a cheap goal towards the end through a lapse of concentration but the lads put a lot into the game and we’re focused on keeping the momentum going.”
McConachie says his side will not be getting carried away with the result and added:“It’s the old cliché of one game at a time for us.
“We’ve got back-to-back fixtures with Luncarty, and if last season’s anything to go by we are in for a cracker.
“We’ve both improved our squads so it will be interesting to see how we match up.”
Kinnoull netted their first win of the North Division season on Saturday by hitting the road to down Brechin Vics 3-1. David Gray got the ball rolling for the Perth side before Ben Ragan scored a double to wrap up the three points.
Blairgowrie recorded a convincing victory away to Lochore Welfare, winning 4-1. Darren Neave, Danny Millar, Matty Adam and Ian Plenderleith were on target.