Swifts shaping up–but loseout
Callum believes luck will change
Football teams across the region enjoyed another weekend of friendly action as the planned return of competitive football nears.
East of Scotland League sides Jeanfield Swifts, Luncarty and Kinnoull were all out on the field of play to sharpen up following the COVID-19 shutdown.
Swifts, who will hope to challenge for the Premier Division title, went down 2-1 at the Riverside against Perthshire Junior side Blairgowrie.
Paul Simpson had opened the scoring for the hosts but goals from Matty Adam and Cammy McManus earned Blair a morale-boosting victory.
“It was a good run out and gave us a third game in a week which put the players’ recovery levels under strain,” said Swifts manager Ross Gunnion.
“It was a good test and Blairgowrie did really well and made life difficult for us, containing us to only one goal during the first half.
“The second half was similar and after an hour we made a few changes and managed to introduce some of our U20 squad.
“Dillon McIntyre and Joe Jeffers came on and showed up really well against experienced opposition.
“And Rannoch Ramsay has shown again he’s knocking on the door of the first team dressing room.”
Luncarty banked an impressive 3-1 victory against Dundee U20s at Brownlands Park.
Fraser Mills grabbed the first of the afternoon with a clever lob before Chris Anton and Kevin Sinclair added the other goals.
Bleachers boss Robbie Holden said: “It was a great workout against a fit, organised young side.
“They worked the ball from the back and the set pieces were all well prepared, as you would expect from a pro club.
“Playing a team with the shape they had was a good test once again to work on our style against a different challenge.
“The most pleasing thing is the way the players are taking on the system we are playing and taking pride in defending as a unit.
“We have played five games, scored 23 and conceded two. Although these games are about fitness and prep, we want to take those types of numbers into the league campaign. It’s all been positive so far.”
Kinnoull ran out 2-1 winners away at Forfar West End thanks to goals from Dale Smart and Shaun Simpson.