Everything’s starting to click for Jeanfield

Swifts’boss Ross looking forward to hectic fixture spell

Jeanfield Swifts boss Ross Gunnion reckons his squad of players will relish the busy fixture run-in to Christmas.

The Perth men advanced into the third round of the GA Engineering Cup at the weekend after seeing off Lochee Harp 3-1.

A double from Fraser Mills and a Chris Scott strike ensured that Swifts returned from Dundee in celebratory mode.

There will be little time for rest, however, with the schedule across the next couple of months set to be a hectic one.

“It sets us up nicely for a busy fixture list leading into the Christmas break,” Gunnion told the Perthshire Advertiser.

“We play Broxburn this week in a big league game followed by the Scottish Cup.

“Players are starting to make claims for a regular place in the team and I can see the team improving in all aspects of our game.

“We brought in a few players in the summer and now they are fully aware of the standards we’ve set and are rising to the challenge.

“The hunger is there to do well over the next four or five weeks and set ourselves up for a good second half of the season.”

That hunger was evident in Saturday’s victory and Gunnion was delighted with the manner of the performance.

He said: “I thought we performed excellently throughout the game and could, and probably should, have scored more.

“We controlled the game from start to finish, but credit has to go to Lochee Harp for defending well and making life difficult for us.

“They scored a fantastic individual effort to get themselves back on level terms but aside from one or two attempts from distance they didn’t threaten us and the majority of the game was played in their half of the pitch.

“We moved the ball quickly, especially in the second half and were efficient in our pressing of the game.”

Also in the GA Cup, Kinnoull were knocked out of the competition after losing 2-1 at Dundee North End.

The hosts carved out a two-goal advantage at the beginning of the second half before Noull’s Allan Ferguson had a penalty saved.

Greg Whyte did find the net for the Perth side but his 90th-minute goal was too little too late.

Blairgowrie were also on the receiving end of a 2-1 defeat as East Premier side Kirriemuir Thistle advanced into round three.

Abi Njie – formerly of Scone Thistle – and Greg Fairweather netted for Thistle before Blair attempted to stage a late comeback.

Darren Neave converted from the penalty spot in the 75th minute but, despite having chances, the Davie Park men couldn’t find a leveller.

EAST OF SCOTLAND CUP

Coupar Angus manager Logan McConachie believes a lapse of concentration resulted in Saturday’s 2-1 East of Scotland Cup defeat.

The Foxhall Park men nudged into the lead in the 51st minute through Allan Leith but, before the hour mark, Dunbar United had turned the game on its head.

“It was a tough result to take on Saturday,” McConachie said. “We switched off for only a couple of minutes in the game and it has cost us a place in the next round.

“We’ve got to take a lot of positives from the game though. We competed well and for the majority of the game looked like the side who would be in the next round. It’s a huge positive that we limited Dunbar to four attempts at goal but they were more clinical in the final third.

“If we perform like that every week we’ll be on the right side of the result more often than not.”

Luncarty’s East of Scotland Cup clash at Fauldhouse United was postponed.

NORTH LEAGUE

Scone Thistle were the only Perthshire team in league action on Saturday – and continued their charge towards the top of the table.

Derek Lawson’s men sit one point from the summit after comfortably defeating Lochore Welfare 4-1 in Fife.

Despite falling behind, Scone re-grouped with goals from Andrew McKenzie, Arran McKay, Ross Mitchell and Ben Moffat.