Fergus thrilled with Scottish Cup odyssey Swifts are in main draw again
He played a starring role in booking Jeanfield Swifts a ticket to the main draw of the Scottish Cup.
And Gary Fergus hopes their name being up in lights can help attract more support and backing in the coming months.
Swifts defeated Whitehill Welfare 4-1 in the preliminary round of the famous competition at the Riverside on Saturday.
“As a club everyone is really excited playing in such a massive competition,” Fergus told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“Seeing Jeanfield Swifts in a Scottish Cup draw, you can’t help being proud.
“I hope our result can attract more attention to us and, with St Johnstone being successful last season, Perth is looking pretty good.
“The Scottish Cup always brings an atmosphere to the dressing room and during the week at training.
“We knew we had to start well and get on the front foot, which we did. I was happy we got a goal early doors.”
Striker Chris McLeish had netted that opener before Fergus scored twice to secure a comfortable 3-0 half-time advantage.
The visitors did pull one back after the break but Scott Smith put the tie beyond any doubt.
“It had been a while since I’d last scored,” Fergus smiled.
“This season I’ve had chances - like quite a lot of the lads - but thankfully I took these ones.
“The gaffer expects the midfield to chip in with the goals and I hope I can get a few more.
“With the 3-0 lead we felt comfortable but the coaching staff told us to remain focused.
“We expected them to change a few things which they did and as a whole we coped well, apart from a lucky break they scored from.”
All eyes turned to Sunday’s first round draw and Swifts were handed an away tie against Highland League side Inverurie Loco Works.
There are, like last year, dreams of advancing far in the competition and setting up a glamour tie further down the line.
Fergus said: “With our squad we feel we are more than capable of progressing in the competition and I hope we do.”
Meanwhile, in the East of Scotland League on Saturday, Luncarty breezed through to the third round of the Alex Jack Cup.
The Bleachers defeated
Edinburgh United 4-0 away from home thanks to goals from Sean Fergus (2), Dale Smart and Scott Sutherland.
Manager Robbie Holden said: “We started slow and were poor in possession.
“Our work-rate wasn’t good enough in the first half but we got the goal to lead at half-time.
“The second half was a different story and we dominated possession and were clinical in the final third.
“I was happy with the way we lifted the performance and, at 4-0, we were still talking to them about the importance of not conceding.”
The disappointment of the day was a bad injury to Richie Montgomery.
“Richie has ruptured his Achilles,” Holden confirmed. “He’s going to be out for six months.
“It was the disappointment from a good win and we are all thinking about him and hoping for a speedy recovery.”