Swifts flying high with six-goal scoring run on debut at 4G pitch

The venue - provided by Kilcluney LOL 222 and Markethill District - will offer a base for the Swifts’ matchday operations alongside training across the club’s nine teams.

The Swifts kicked off life at the facility with a memorable result as Simon Andrews had the honour of scoring the Markethill side’s first goal.

Sunnyside hit back to level the match but Neil Shaw left the Swifts back on top despite sitting on the backfoot for sustained spells against the visitors.

The impressive attendance had plenty to celebrate in the second half as the Swifts cruised home.

Andrews added a second of the afternoon early in the second half before Shaw wrapped up his hat-trick with a brace.

Scott Cully’s injury-time header closed out the scoring.

“Neil deserves a mention, of course, thanks to his hat-trick,” said Markethill Swifts manager David Andrews. “However, aside from the strong team display overall I was especially impressed by Scott Cully, Mark Dickson and Kyle Irwin.

“We were maybe a bit nervous early on and the match attracted plenty of support.”

A minute’s silence was held before kick-off in memory of Andrew Gass and Mark Hutcheson, the two teenagers who died last week following a road accident.

“Andrew was a player with our under 17s,” said the Markethill manager. “It is a tragedy which has left the whole community devastated.”

MARKETHILL SWIFTS: Aaron Dickson, Matt Black, Steven Cully, Carl Wilson, Jordan Boyd, Ian McCracken, Adam Cooke, Mark Dickson, Kyle Irwin, Neil Shaw, Simon Andrews. Subs: Jordan Stephens, James Boyd, Jason Ross.