Saintfield United Swifts welcomed Tollymore Forest to Killyleagh on Saturday and amidst the beautiful back drop of sun shining over the Killyleagh Castle the Saints were dealt some killer blows as they slumped to their first defeat in 8 weeks!
The match started with the Saints on top as their quick passing was getting wingers Matthew and Philip Alexander in behind the visitors defence, but they failed to carve out any clear cut chances with a few half chances and long range shots falling to Curtis McClements and Cal Rowland.
However the early pressure failed to get converted to goals and in the 10th minute Tollymore took advantage of a slip at the back and gained an unexpected lead.
Whilst the goal came from nothing and was from Tollymore’s first venture in to the Saints half, it seemed to change the whole momentum of the game as the Saints struggled to recover from the blow.
That was further compounded in the 17th minute when the experienced Forest striker struck a second with a clever left footed finish.
This time the Saints did react and started to fight their way back into the match as they took control of possession, but again clear chances where few and far between.
McClements took a ball in the box from an Alexander throw, a touch to set himself and then swivel to smash a shot, but he could only manage to send it over the bar.
Peter Kelly was next to get a chance as he stayed up from CB after a corner, the ball was floated into the box and Kelly did well to control the ball in the box. But as he went to pull the trigger the Forest left back done very well to come across and block the effort.
The remainder of the half was spent watching the ball travel from one end to the other with a lack of quality passing and some sloppy play from both sides.
The half time team talk was as expected for the Saints as the management team reminded the players they weren’t there to enjoy the nice sunny day, but rather to try and win a football match!
It seemed to do the trick as the Saints came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half, with efforts on target from McClements, Rowland and Hammerton. However they were all from outside the box and none that really tested the visiting keeper.
As the Saints fought on in search for a goal to get back in the game they were again caught out by a mistake at the back. A failed effort to clear a corner left the ball at the feet of a Tollymore player with the freedom of the Saints box. He made no mistake and it was 3-0.
Again the Saints rallied and a goal from Cal Rowland following a lovely cross from McClements was harshly ruled off side.
Then it was McClements turn to feel hard done by as he broke free only to be denied by a smart save from the keeper, but the ball bounced up off the keeper and McClements reacted quickest to head the ball home. Only for the ball to knick the post, roll along the goal line and somehow stay out of the net!
All that pressure lead to nothing and as the Saints pushed forward they were caught out at the back as long clearance was picked up by the Forest striker and he lobbed the advancing keeper.
That was it for the match, but there was still time for a very smart penalty save from Saints keeper Conor Darragh as he guessed the right way and got two hands to the ball to keep it out.
Then Tollymore did add a 5th as the Saints were pushing to try and get something but in doing so left gaps at the back, which again were exploded by a long clearance.
And finally as the clock came towards the end a smart cross by Philip Alexander was cleverly prodded home at the back post by Daniel Keith for a very late consolation goal.
Over all it was a harsh lesson for the Swifts, but one they can learn from and improve on as they look to bounce back next week.
