Swifts held to a draw in friendly

THE Swifts hosted Warrenpoint in a friendly on Saturday past after their scheduled Marshall Cup game against Glenavy had to be postponed due to their involvement in the Gerald Kennedy Cup final on Friday night.

Once again appearing as a somewhat changed Swifts team, they were up against a youthful looking Warrenpoint squad who they will face in the league campaign later in the season.

And within the opening 10 minutes they were a goal to the good with good work from Conan Power on the left as he hit a defence splitting pass into the path of the lightning quick Heslip who calmly slotted past the Warrenpoint keeper.

A further 10 minutes passed and a little confusion between the ‘Point defenders allowed Heslip to regain possession and he played a one-two with O’Reilly, sending the latter in on goal.

He gobbled up his chance, burying the ball past the keeper to take the score to 2-0.

Rathfriland had Curran in nets to thank for keeping the scores as they were when he made a couple of smart stops but they should have stretched their lead when Power arrived in the box but fired his snapshot wide of the target.

The second half was all Warrenpoint, who used their six subs to good affect in the soaring heat, pinning the Swifts back for most of the half.

They got a goal back when the left winger turned to fire a cross into the back post only to see his cross soar into the far top corner, giving Curran no chance.

Right at the death disaster for Rathfriland when a shot from 18 yards was palmed away into the path of the grateful centreforward who slammed the ball home.

A draw was probably a fair result as this really was a game of two halves.

With no competitive football this Saturday for the Swifts the next fixture for them is still to be confirmed at time of going to press.

Team: Curran, McConville, Maginess, K.Megaw, Johnston, Gilmore, Gibbons, A.Megaw (capt.), Power, Heslip, G O’Reilly, Mark, D. O’Reilly.

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