Swifts did ‘Well despite defeat
Jeanfield boss looks at positives
Jade McDonald netted Jeanfield’s first Jeanfield Swifts Ladies’ head coach Jason McCrindle focused on the positives after watching his side suffer a 3-2 defeat against Motherwell.
Perth players appeared to have the Scottish Women’s Premier League 2 wrapped up before a late fightback resulted in zero points.
The North Lanarkshire squad netted twice in the closing seven minutes to leave Swifts with a sense of Sunday evening disappointment.
McCrindle said: “If my main focus was solely on the result then it’s not a good one. But I think after analysing the game I have to take all the positives from it.
“I thought the football, especially in the first 45 minutes, was breathtaking. The passing, movement, chances we created and the goals we scored were excellent.
“We maybe didn’t play as well in the second half but we are still creating chances.”
Swifts had started the McDiarmid Park clash on the front foot as Rachel Todd’s strike sailed narrowly over the crossbar in the first minute.
That positive opening was built on when Ellie May Cowie crossed from the flank for Jade McDonald to slot neatly into the back of the net. The close range finish had home fans in celebratory mode but, not long after, ‘Well were level with a low strike.
Undaunted, Swifts continued to press forward and they got their reward in the 26th minute.
McDonald picked up possession on the right side of the pitch before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box.
And determined Todd, who had started the move, made no mistake in nodding beyond the visiting goalkeeper from close range.
Motherwell became more resilient in the second half and were up for the battle in the middle of the park.
Rachel Todd was on the scoresheet for Swifts in the first half
Warning signs were soon flashing, but Swifts stopper Corrie McIlraveyDavidson pulled off a clever stop to tip around the post.
The Perth side were still creating chances and Eilidh McIntyre was twice denied by the woodwork as the advantage looked to be extended.
In the 83rd minute, Motherwell struck a leveller before they netted a dramatic late winner to seal the comeback.
McCrindle concluded: “For me, the most important thing is we keep believing in how we are trying to play.
“I feel Saturday’s result didn’t match the performance.”