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Swifts v Wick Groats  (18-05-09)

With both teams starting their respective league campaigns with 100% records something had to give between Swifts and Groats. Swifts had suffered the agony of a 5-4 penalty loss at the weekend after a great extra-time comeback in a hard fought 1^st round Highland Amateur replay with Castletown; whilst Groats were keen to get the recent scrappy Rovers games out of their systems with a good display against a tough team.

Groats achieved this in the 1^st 35 minutes of the game with some scintillating passing moves and off the ball running. Swifts looked slow and tired following their tough weekend, and the young Groats team looked keen to take full advantage. Groats could have and definatley should have taken a number of their chances early on, but a combination of some good goalkeeping, sloppy finishing and bad luck saw the Swifts somehow hang on at 0-0.

1^st Goal - Just as Groats were wondering what more they could throw at the Swifts goal, a moment of individual magic from the reigning golden boot Kyle broke the deadlock. From a long throw from the right Kyle cleverly spun over the defenders shoulder to get himself clear, just as it looked like he may have given the next defender too much of a look he poked the ball round one side and ran to collect the ball on the other. The keeper came to narrow the angle but Kyle rammed the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Groats extremely relived as it was beginning to look like they were never going to score.

1^st goal - Unfortunately for the away side this release of pressure result in a momentary lapse in concentration, and Swifts drew level. Some un-sure defending resulted in Swifts first real effort on goal being deflected into the back of the net.

This equaliser a serious blow for the away side who had dominated proceedings, and should have killed the game of early doors.

Half Time -Swifts 1 - Wick Groats 1

The goal just before half time seemed to affect both teams, Swifts got a lift and Groats seemed nervous in possession as if they knew they had blown their chance. However the away side still had a few more than decent opportunities in the 2^nd half but were unable to take them.

As the half progressed the game got stretched and both teams were finding spaces in behind. And the inevitable happened; Swifts took the lead.

2^nd Goal - Again some apprehensive defending aloud the Swifts front men a bit too much room and the ball luckily broke for midfielder Peaches who got his and Swifts second.

Groats pushed hard towards the last 20 minutes of the game but were able to draw level. An extremely harsh lesson to learn, but Groats will need to take their chances against the top teams as good football doesn't win football matches.

Full Time - Swifts 2 - Wick Groats 1