Afternoon kick-off for the boys as we braved the cold conditions to finish off 2019 with a visit out to 100% league leaders Crieff. Omens weren't good when Cammy called off sick and we had to have an outfielder in goal.

Both teams started sluggishly and weren't creating any chances of note until on 5 mins Crieff opened the scoring with a fine finish into the top corner. Soon after they extended their lead when a through ball was picked up and finished well. On 15 mins it looked like game over when we failed to clear our lines and the Crieff striker slotted home from close range. 3-0 Crieff . Game over? Not quite...the boys dug deep and started to get back into it with some crisper passing play and we pulled a goal back when Owen found himself in space at the edge of the box to fire one in. We were winning the midfield now with Casper and Ciaran linking up well and controlling it and it was no surprise when a cross field pass found Kyle wide right and after bursting through cut in to fire a trademark fireball into the net to reduce the home sides lead. Crieff were now on the back foot after their early play and we sniffed blood. With the break approaching, Ben on the edge of the box fired into the corner to restore parity. Half time whistle blew to give us our breath back with us very much in the ascendancy.

HT Crieff Juniors 3 Jeanfield Swifts 3

Second half began and we immediately started where we had finished the first half with some excellent pressing play and putting their defence under pressure. Owen was causing their big lads at the back some real problems and had a couple of chances to put us in front. No matter though as on 50 mins we took the lead when Kyle outstripped the defence and his cut back was stabbed home superbly by Dorian who wrongfooted the GK. Crieff being the good side they are were never out of it and had a couple of chances to level. However with 10mins remaining a rampaging Owen burst through to slot home for his second and our fifth. In true Jeanfield style we like to keep on our toes and with 5 mins left an indirect free kick almost on the goal line resulted in Crieff pulling one back. Squeaky bum time for the last 3/4 minutes but the boys held firm for a fantastic result.

FT Crieff Juniors 4 Jeanfield Swifts 5

Last game of 2019 and that was some performance by the boys. From 3-0 down to score 5 and win the game was just fantastic and fully deserved against a Crieff side who are having a great season. All the boys deserve credit for the excellent team performance and special mention to Callum who played in goals today as a late replacement and had a great game with some good saves and handling.

A great way to end the year and this type of result and performances should make us feel really optimistic for next year ⚽?