Vital win delights Jeanfield manager
Deans and Davies on target as Swifts stun Penicuik
Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion hailed the heroics of his squad following Saturday’s shock 2-1 win against Super League title-chasers Penicuik.
The Riverside men eased drop fears with a three points success described as “vital” heading into the final third of the campaign.
Defender Lee Deans nodded Swifts into the lead before a Rhys Davies strike from 25-yards doubled the home advantage with only 16 minutes on the clock.
Penicuik did pull one back in the first half when Perth goalkeeper Mark Mitchell turned into his own net while attempting to deal with an inswinging corner.
But, from there, Swifts battled admirably and Gunnion said: “I was delighted with the performance of the whole squad on Saturday.
“The result may have surprised some people but I had confidence that we were capable of winning the game and, in all honesty, we thoroughly deserved the victory.
“Penicuik are an excellent side but first and foremost they are incredibly hard working. But we matched and in some cases outworked them which was great to see.
“The three points are absolutely vital when you look at the league table. But more important is the manner of the performance.
“It gives us a platform to build on as the players can now see what they are capable of.
“I’ve always thought this squad is capable of pushing higher up the Super League.
“We have one of the youngest squads Rhys Davies (right) netted Swifts’second against Penicuik
in the league with an average age of around 24 or 25, so there is definitely more to come from them.
“But they know now that the minimum required to achieve anything in this league is 100 per cent effort.”
Gunnion believes the result will do wonders for his side’s confidence.
He added: “With the weather improving and the fixtures coming thick and fast, it should give us a huge boost going into the final third of the season.
“We’ve got one or two other teams
just above us and in our sights now. The target is to push our way up the table.”
In the North Division, Scone Thistle recorded a 3-1 away victory against Brechin Vics to continue a positive campaign.
The Jags went behind early on but Max Avolio’s double flipped the script before Arran McKay secured the three points for Derek Lawson’s men.
Kinnoull went agonisingly close to defeating league leaders Dundee North End at Tulloch Park, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Ryan Smith gave the visitors a fifth minute lead but Jack Hutchison soon levelled the contest to swing the momentum back in the Perth side’s favour.
It got even better for home fans when Tom Whyte struck to give Noull the lead in the 78th minute.
But North End showed their fighting spirit with Kieran Sturrock netting a late equaliser.
Blairgowrie, who had Gordon Norrie sent off, were defeated 2-1 by East Craigie in Dundee at the weekend.
Nick Mann opened the scoring but 10-man Blair battled back and levelled the match in the second half through Darren Neave.
There was heartbreak in the final minute when Conan Howett neatly finished to nick the points.
Coupar Angus were downed 2-1 by a Ryan Robb double as Arbroath Vics returned with three points from Foxhall Park.
Stuart Banks had levelled the match but the east Perthshire men couldn’t capitalise.
“It was frustrating to take nothing from the game when we were in complete control for 90 minutes,” said Coupar boss Logan McConachie.
“It was an excellent performance from Ryan Robb and the heroics of their young goalkeeper, who helped take the three points back to Arbroath.
“Both goals we conceded were from our players switching off and being too eager to make the break through.
“It was looking like the game was always going to be ours to win. I think those are the games where our squad are most vulnerable.
“It’s unfortunate because the standard of football played on Saturday was high from our side but we had nothing to show for it.”