Swifts got back to league action on Saturday as they hosted Ballyvea at Millbridge. The home team started strongly taking the game to the Kilkeel men and didn’t take long to create the first chance when a Luke Craig cross was met at the back post by Glenn Bennett but he was unable to finish.
The Swifts continued to probe with Stuart McMullan directing things from midfield whilst the back 4 of Cameron McKissick, Keith, Hamilton, John McMenamin and Matthew Tate protecting Stefan Graham well in goal.
Further chances would fall to John Stevenson, McMenamin and Glenn Bennett but a combination of wrong decisions or poor finishing left the game scoreless at the break.
It was Ballyvea who started the second half stronger with a couple of half chances created on the break but The Swifts soon got back into their stride, dominating possession. Patrick Harkin was getting a lot of space on the left and causing the away defence trouble but still Swifts couldn’t make the breakthrough.
Further chances fell to Stevenson, Bennett and Harkin but it took until the 65th minute for the breakthrough. A pass from keeper Stefan Graham was helped onto Glenn by Gareth Bingham, and he played a great through ball for Harkin in the left-hand channel. This time Paddy made no mistake as he fired a low drive across the keeper and into the bottom corner to the delight of the sizeable home crowd.
There was still time for more chances to finish the game but unable to make the game completely safe and this allowed Ballyvea to remain dangerous on the break as they looked for an equaliser.
One such break almost brought reward as a ball was deflected towards goal but Stefan was alert to get down and make a good save. A hard fought but well deserved 3 points for the home team.
Player of the Match: Stuart McMullan
Line up: Stefan Graham, Matthew Tate, Patrick Harkin, Keith Hamilton, John McMenamin [C], Stuart McMullan, Cameron McKissick, Gareth Bingham, John Stevenson, Luke Craig, Glenn Bennett (Ryan Rooney).
Subs: Liam Rogers, Matthew Lindsay