Jeanfield lose out to Rose
LINLITHGOW ROSE ...........................2 JEANFIELD SWIFTS............................0
Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion sensed there was a Scottish Cup hangover lingering over their defeat at Linlithgow Rose.
Swifts had travelled south the week prior but were disappointingly knocked out of the famous competition by League Two Annan Athletic.
The Perth side regained focus and returned to East of Scotland League Premier Division action on Saturday at a wet Prestonfield.
But Linlithgow struck twice in the first half through Conor McKenzie and Mark Stowe to run out 2-0 winners.
Gunnion told the PA:“I was disappointed with our first half performance and it definitely seemed like a hangover was in effect from the disappointment of exiting the Scottish Cup last week. We didn’t look at our sharpest.
“The preparation for the game wasn’t ideal with five players unavailable or missing from the previous week but the starting 11 we fielded were more than capable of performing.”
Gunnion continued:“Credit to Linlithgow Rose as I thought they were good first half. However, the first goal is a mishit cross that flies into the top corner and that element of good fortune went for Linlithgow but eluded us on the day.
“The second goal isn’t great defending from us and leaves us with a mountain to climb. That said, second half we dominated the game and the woodwork and three fantastic saves keep us at bay.
“All in all there wasn’t much in the game but the first goal at this level is crucial and, unfortunately for us, it went to the opposition.”
Swifts had been building up a positive run of form in the league until this point and, despite the setback, Gunnion will simply be encouraging his squad to piece together another string of victories.
“We had gone on a bit of a run in the league with four wins in a row,”he said.“It’s now up to us to go and try and bounce back and go on another winning run.
“We’re not even half way into the league season and going into the winter months a lot of points can be won and lost. We need to be focused on the next game and work to get back to winning.”
The heavy rain on Friday evening that continued to Saturday morning resulted in both of Perthshire’s Conference B sides being without a game.
Tulloch Park was deemed unplayable to host Kinnoull against Heriot-Watt University while Luncarty’s trip to Preston Athletic was also postponed.