Battling Swifts do Perthshire proud Ross Gunnion’s side play their part as Galabankies edge cup game
ANNAN ATHLETIC ....................3 JEANFIELD SWIFTS...................1
As five buses pulled away from the Riverside early on Saturday morning, there was an air of optimism and excitement.
Players, coaching staff, committee members and an incredible support all joined together daring to dream of continuing a Scottish Cup adventure that had captured the imagination of the wider Perth public.
For many higher up the footballing pyramid reaching the second round of this famous competition is par for the course.
For some it is just another day in a busy fixture schedule.
But for Jeanfield Swifts, it was everything. Years of hard work building a squad of local players who have strived to put the little club based in North Muirton on the map deservedly led to an opportunity like this.
And such has been their rise in recent times, Swifts arrived at League Two Annan Athletic with every right to believe that progression was a distinct possibility.
They were backed by more than 200 travelling fans who had enjoyed a couple - perhaps more - of pre-game refreshments and what a noise was made when the teams appeared from the tunnel.
It was hairs standing on the back of the neck kind of stuff for the Jeanfield lads.
The first huge cheer of the match arrived in the opening well-timed run of Scott Smith.
Smith chested beyond the onrushing goalkeeper Ryan Adamson but the angle was against the crafty midfielder and he could not steer towards the required target.
Adamson got his timings wrong for that one and moments later the home shot-stopper was incredibly fortunate to remain on the park when he handled outside of the box as Swifts waited to pounce.
Referee Steven Reid, strangely, decided that a yellow card was sufficient punishment.
Just shy of the half hour mark another key decision went against the Perth side after big defender Jake Dolzanski had nodded a beautiful header from a Chris Dodd delivery into the back of the net.
The away support erupted, players celebrated but the referee’s assistant had his flag up for offside. Dolzanski looked onside.
Swifts, while surely frustrated, continued to push forward and Chris McLeish soon whacked a left-footed strike from a tight angle off the outside of the post.
Annan had a chance as the whistle for the break approached when Tony Wallace was sent racing through on goal. Mitchell, however, blocked impressively to keep the score level.
The optimism and excitement that had been evident way back when the buses left the Fair City was still very strong as the players headed inside for a short rest. All were still daring to dream.
Annan set about crushing those dreams early in the second half and reappeared as a team with greater determination and fight.
Quickly Reid was needed to provide cover and clear off the line to keep the score level.
There was nothing Swifts could do in the 50th minute, though, when Wallace converted from the penalty spot. He would add a second just after the hour mark with a strike into the ground that looped over the head of Mitchell.
Annan put the result beyond doubt when Rob McCartney embarked on a solo 85th minute run to tee up Owen Moxon, who had the simple task of guiding over the line from close range.
Swifts - still backed by their fans - battled until the final whistle and were rewarded with a goal. Substitute Fraser Smith’s terrific free-kick delivery was nodded in by McLeish on 88 minutes. It was a special moment but, unfortunately, too little too late.
The disappointment was clear to see at full-time but there was also a realisation that this is the kind of stage Jeanfield Swifts will certainly be returning to in the years ahead.