Perthshire junior football update

May 10 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE Jeanfield Swifts versus Kirkcaldy YM game started off in a sprightly mood.

In eight minutes, Swifts’ Steve McManus was put through and his shot from the edge of the penalty box was right on target but was blocked by a defender and was cleared.

Play swept right to the other end and YM striker Chris Ireland was left with only keeper Mark Mitchell to beat but his shot had too much elevation and went over the bar much to Swifts relief.

Swifts came close again to taking the lead when a cross into the YM penalty box was met by John Anderson.

His shot was blocked and went out for a corner which McManus fired into the heart of the goalmouth where it was met by Jamie Reilly and his strong header went inches past the post.

YM came close when a 25 yard rocket from their skipper Tommy Carr whistled just past the post.

The YM were becoming more dominant now and on the half hour mark they broke the deadlock.

A cross into the Swifts penalty box was picked up by Craig Smith who turned his marker and shot low into the left hand corner of the Swifts net to score a well taken goal to give his side an interval lead, which on the balance of play they deserved.

Swifts went on the offensive from the start of the second half and after five minutes they came close to levelling the score when Scott McManus played the ball through to Tony Holt who shimmied his way past his marker only to see his shot, which looked netbound, cleared off the goal line by the YM centre half Arron McDonald.

Swifts kept up the pressure and in 59 minutes they were back on level terms.

They were awarded a free kick which Tony Holt flighted to just inside the penalty box where it was met by McManus who flicked it on to Anderson and the striker responded by beating the keeper with a strong header from the edge of the six yard box.

Three minutes later Bryan Scott who had come off the subs bench from the start of the second half ran on to a through ball and cracked a shot which seemed to have goal written all over it but it came crashing back off the post, Bryan met the rebound but hit it past the post.

There were only two more minutes on the clock when Swifts took the lead.

In another attack Mark Gordon was brought down in the penalty box and Holt stuck away the resultant spot kick and they were 2–1 ahead.

Swifts were completely dominating the game and little was seen of their opponents as an attacking force and it was no surprise when Swifts increased their lead to 3–1 in 71 minutes.

An excellent three man move between Anderson, Scott and Jamie Reilly saw Jamie nearly finishing it off with a well struck shot but it came rattling back off the bar fortunately Mark Gordon was following up and he was left with the easy task of knocking it over the goal line.

YM in one of their sporadic raids on the Swifts goal had a chance when a cross in the Swifts goalmouth and was met by Chris Ireland but the striker somehow managed to hook it over the bar when it seemed easier to score. Swifts wrapped the game up with a fourth goal in 87 minutes. They were awarded a free kick which McManus hit into the penalty box and Anderson dived to head it past the keeper for a well taken goal, his second of the game.

A couple of minutes into stoppage time YMs Tommy Carr was red carded after receiving a second caution.

Bankfoot were away to league leaders Oakley and they came close to taking the lead after two minutes when they swept up the park and the ball was played across their opponents goal and Shaun Fergus was only inches away from connecting with it.

Bankies keeper Mike Whyte came out the victor twice in one to one situations, firstly with Murray McDowell and then Ryan Blackadder. Mike blocked both their attempts and the score sheet remained blank at the interval.

The second half had only been in operation for five minutes when Oakley took the lead.

Their striker Charlie Scarborough ran on to a pass that had opened up the Bankies defence and he dispatched the ball into the corner of their net.

Bankies had hardly recovered from this setback when they found themselves two goals behind. Gavin Gray who had just come on as a sub scored with what was virtually his first touch in 55 minutes.

Murray McDowell laid the ball off to him and he promptly hit it past Mike Whyte.

After this double setback Bankies strived hard to get back into the game but they were dealt a blow when they were reduced to 10 men in 70 minutes when Bally Whytock got his marching orders after a tackle on an opponent.

Not long after this Oakley came close to increasing their lead with a 25 yard attempt from Lee Dair that cannoned off the woodwork and was cleared. Bankies to their credit never gave up and they huffed and puffed around the Oakley goal but they were held at bay by a resolute defence.

Scone Thistle were at home to Newburgh and the Thistle they took the lead midway through the half. Paul Anderson broke down the right and crossed the ball into the Fifers penalty box where it was met by Kenny Hynd and he swept it past the keeper.

Newburgh levelled the score in 39 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for handball which Scott Findlay converted.

A few minutes later they were reduced to 10 men when Scott Bisset was sent off but it didn’t deter them from cruising into a 3–1 lead by midway through the second half with goals from Lewis Elder and a Steve Page free kick.

Max Smith brought Thistle back into the game when he made it 3–2 in 75 minutes and 10 minutes later saw Chris McLeish square the game when he beat the keeper with a lob to make it 3–3, but with the game into stoppage time Grant Skinner grabbed the winner for Newburgh which was really tough on Thistle when they deserved to take something from the game.

Coupar Angus wound up their season with a home game against Arbroath Vics which didn’t finish in the way they had hoped.

Coupar got off to the best possible start with a goal in the opening minute.

Fraser Smith was the scorer he riffled home a 20-odd yard free kick. Unfortunately it was all downhill for Coupar after this as they finished losers by 6–1.

Blairgowrie were at home to Brechin Vics and in what was a keenly contested game they finished winners by the odd goal in three all the goals were scored in the second half.

Blair drew first blood in 55 minutes Euan Murray was their scorer.

Vics got back on level terms 10 minutes later.

Stewart Nicol scored what proved to be the winner for Blair with a long range free kick in 77 minutes.

The Lochore–Luncarty game was called off as a mark of respect after the passing of a long serving member of the Lochore committee. A minute’s silence was held at the games.

Midweek fixture

TOMORROW (Wednesday) – Dundonald Bluebell v Bankfoot Athletic. Kick off – 7.15pm

SATURDAY’S results in the ACA Sports Leagues: Central League – Jeanfield Swifts 4, Kirkcaldy YM 1; Oakley United 2, Bankfoot Athletic 0; Scone Thistle 3, Newburgh 4.

North League – Coupar Angus 1, Arbroath Vics 6; Blairgowrie 2, Brechin Vics 1.

Game cancelled – Lochore Welfare v Luncarty.