Saintfield Swifts travelled to play Dundum 2nds on Saturday, with a venue change to Ballykilner playing fields.
And amidst the rain, sleet, gale force winds and shots ringing out from the shooting range beside the match kicked off bang on 2pm with both sides raring to go.
The Swifts were buoyant after last weeks victory and they started out with that bounce in their step, creating early chances and taking charge of the match.
The first chance fell to striker Curtis McClements as he curled an effort onto the inside of the post, only for the ball to bounce away to safety for the Dundrum defence. That chance was quickly followed up with another for McClements only 2 minutes later, this time he blocked a goal kick, ran in 1 on 1 with the keeper only for his chipped effort to be well saved by the Dundrum keeper.
But the goal was coming as the Saints kept pushing, closing down the Dundrum defence and giving them no time to get the ball out from their own half.
With 8 minutes on the clock that goal did come, with Corey McGuire showing how finishing should be done! Corey ran from the midfield and latched onto a pinpoint pass from Philip Alexander before skipping through the Dundrum rearguard and slotting the ball calmly into the bottom corner giving the Dundrum keeper no chance.
With the wind behind the Saints they continued to control the game and more chances followed, however it wasn’t to be McClements day as his next 2 efforts failed to add to the scoring. The first was well saved down to the keepers left and the 2nd clipped the post as it slipped wide.
In the 29th minute Corey stepped up once again and what a strike it was! A ball played forward from the Saints defence was knocked down on the edge of the 18 yard box by McClements and Corey McGuire did the rest as he hit the ball on the half volley, like a rocket, into the bottom corner.
2-0 to the Saints and it was well deserved at this stage, with the Dundrum defence struggling to deal with the Saints high press and quick passing football.
10 minutes later the Saints made it 3-0 as they once again made their fast passing football count. A quick throw was played into McClements inside the Dundrum box, he was able to control the ball, turn and slide a perfect pass to Matthew Alexander at the back post. Matthew made no mistake as he unleashed a first time left footed strike past the Dundrum goalkeeper.
Half time came and the Swifts team talk was to ensure the focused remained, and to play with the ball on the deck as the wind was now going to be behind Dundrum for the 2nd half.
Just as discussed the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half saw an onslaught from Dundrum as they used the wind to push them forward and pen the Saints into their own half.
However whilst Dundrum did carve out some good chances they came up against Man of the Match Conor Darragh. With one in particular save from point range amazing even the Saints coaching team.
With that onslaught navigated and no goals conceded the Saints started to take control back. They got the ball on the deck and started to get their passing game going again, with the midfield of Andrew Porter and the returning Craig Millar once again dictating the play.
Both sides knew the next goal could be the most important of the day, with a goal back for Dundrum potentially sparking a come back. But it wasn’t to be as the Saints added the next goal to make it 4-0 and wrap the game up.
This time a free kick floated into the back post was driven across goal by Peter Kelly to Matthew Alexander coming in at the back post, however his shot was very well saved by the Dundrum keeper. Unfortunately for the keeper he couldn’t hold the effort and the ball spun across the goal line. McClements reacted the quickest but as he pulled back his foot to tap the ball home he was clipped and could only manage to divert the ball onto the post, but thankfully for the Saints Peter Kelly had followed in behind and was on hand to tap the ball home.
With 20 minutes left the Saints managed the game out, ensuring the clean sheet was preserved and a win on the road was secured.
Goal Scorer: Corey McGuire (2), Matthew Alexander (1), Peter Kelly (1)