The Swifts continued their excellent form and made it 4 games unbeaten with victory over a very good Strangford side at Millbridge last Saturday.
It was the visitors who were on the attack from the start and their early efforts were rewarded by a goal on 15 minutes when a shot was deflected into the net giving keeper Johnny McGreevy no chance. The early dominance of the visitors dissipated after the goal and their goal was besieged by the Swifts and five minutes later Gareth Bingham controlled a cross from Ben Wilson, swivelled and fired the ball across the keeper into the corner of the net.
Ten minutes later the home side were ahead when Graeme McMullan was bundled over in the penalty area and Alan Massey converted the spot kick.
After 35 minutes the Swifts led 3 – 1 when Bingham scored his second from a Graeme McMullan pass after the teenager had two shots blocked. The visitors pressed hard to get back into the game and got a goal back shortly before half time.
In the second half the game turned on its head as a fluent Strangford side, who are one of the best teams in the division, placed the Swifts defence under constant pressure. Scott McNeill, Paul King, John McMenamin and Shaun Bonner had to work overtime as wave after wave of attack came their way. Veteran Ian Blackwood entered the fray for the injured McNeill and they held out until the 70th minute when Strangford equalised.
Substitute David Griffith entered the fray and very shortly afterward he made an instant impact. Following good work from Matthew Manly and a through ball from Craig McMullan David Griffiths ran onto the edge of the six yard area where he was upended by the Strangford keeper. Referee George, who had a fine game, pointed to the spot and Alan Massey sent the keeper the wrong way to make the score 4 – 3.
The Swifts held on thanks to some stout defending and a few good saves from McGreevy to secure the three points. Strangford will wonder how they lost this game as the youthful side played some excellent football however their defending was suspect and contributed to their downfall.
This Saturday the Swifts entertain Rossglass County at the Millbridge in what will be a difficult assignment.