29/08/2026
MATCH REPORT
Blackburn United FC 2 Swifts 2
Another road trip, another draw today , in another "game of two halves" . Those spectators at the pavilion end of the ground got their money's worth as large passages of play took place in front of them.
Swifts lined up with Gary Fergus and Fergus Coutts replacing the unavailable Liam Strong and Matthew Cullerton, with Kiffy Scott moving to left back . They were on it from the first whistle , the Referee today officiating solo , with no Assistants - a rare sight at this level. Three corners in 7 minutes, a Gaz Fergus header saved , a Payne header millimetres wide - then an attack down the left , a good ball accross and Lewis Payne was on hand to crack his shot home from 15 yards for a deserved lead, 11 minutes played.
Swifts continued to dominate, with home keeper Komocki having a great game, 3 fine saves in as many minutes denied a second goal. Blackburn had some attacking play soon after , the Swifts defence having to work hard to clear one particular spell of pressure.
However it was Swifts who got the long-overdue goal on 43 minutes - a ball cleared from a crowded box was returned by a thumping JJ Henderson effort . The keepers acrobatics seemed for a second to have denied the goal, but the ball clearly crossed the line - 2-0 at half time, but not before a Swifts appeal for the keeper appearing to handle outside the box with Coutts in close attendance , the Ref explaining that any ricochet onto a hand was unavoidable.
The second half began with the homesters seeing more of the ball , shooting just over then bringing Ben Swinton into action as the territorial battle swung very much their way .
A Ryan McManus attempt from a very acute angle was a welcome sight as Swifts managed a short break out, before another home header skimmed the bar.
Liam Kelly took over from Gaz Fergus , but the home pressure intensified , finally paying off on 73 minutes when Mortimers' effort beat the keeper after another set piece - crossing the line without hitting the back of the net , but no complaints and it was game on at 2-1.
It was practically all Blackburn now, Swinton saving a header , before a ball in was cleared only as far as home sub Robertson who crashed a beauty home , a deserved equaliser on 83 minutes.
Still time though , for an intense final 3 minutes as Swifts chased the winner. The flashpoint arrived as Kiffy was heading towards the goal at pace before being wiped out by a tackle that looked to be from behind as he was away from the defender- no card . The resultant free kick hit the bar , and in the last moments of the match , Liam Payne shot past the keeper only for the post to deny him the winner.
So 6 games unbeaten , 3 wins and 3 draws in a topsy turvy League so far - only Camelon with a 100% record and Swifts the only other unbeaten side.
A break from the League next week , as we travel to play Craigmark Burntonians F.C. in the Challenge Cup , before home sweet home at last for three vital games in a week mid-month.