Saturday saw Saintfield United Swifts play their last game of their first ever season. The Swifts have enjoyed a great first season together in which they picked up several good results and had a lot of fun throughout the season. The commitment and want to improve from a very young squad and management is also something to be commended. Although the season may be one to remember, Saturdays game is probably one to forget for the Swifts.
The Swifts made the journey to Ballyhornan to take on title contenders Celtic Bhoys. Both teams started the first half at a frantic pace with bothe teams creating several clear cut chances in the opening moments of the game. It was the Bhoys who had a considerable wind behind them and who struck first. A brilliant save from Darragh in nets was followed up by a Bhoys striker who put them ahead. The second goal came not long after but the Swifts continued to create and look competitive. It was the third however which took the wind out of the Swifts sails. A fantastic long range strike from the Bhoys midfielder nestled in the bottom corner to make it 3-0. Celtic struck twice more before the half to make it 5-0 at half time.
In the second half the Swifts had the wind behind them and they used it to their advantage. The Swifts were the first to strike in the second half when Roper delivered a very inviting ball to the back post which McClements guided sweetly on the volley into the bottom corner in off the post. The Saints continued to pile on the pressure and went on to strike home another not long after. This time McClements was the provider as he tirelessly hassled their back line and dispossessed their centre back on the edge of the box before slipping in Daniel Keith who slammed the ball home. Much to the annoyance of Celtic Bhoys, the Saints kept pushing for another and creating chances in hope of a comeback. Any hope of a comeback however was ended after Celtic Bhoys scored their sixth after a drop ball decision caught the Saints sleeping. The game was then controlled by the vastly experienced Celtic Bhoys with a few less than saviours off the ball incidents from the Bhoys out of the view of the ref. The Bhoys went on to score twice more and win the game.
Although the game may not have been the end the Swifts deserved to the season, they can still hold their heads high in what has been a fantastic first season as a team and to the majority of the boys, their first season of adult football.
Goal Scorer: Curtis McClements (1), Daniel Keith (1)