Jeanfield Swifts defender Kieran Sweeney feels he is learning all of the time and is determined to impress further.
The youngster played his part in Saturday afternoon’s 4-2 East of Scotland League Premier Division win at Blackburn United.
He was required to switch from right-back to centre-half early doors after the sending off of Ewan Moyes but made a seamless transition as 10-man Swifts rallied to secure victory.
Sweeney even set the ball rolling for goal number four with a delightful long, but accurate, diagonal switch.
“I received the ball and I’m always looking for the diagonal ball as I know the runs are going to be made,” Sweeney said.
“Luckily it came off this time and Paul (Simpson) was there to set up Chris (McLeish) with a lovely cross.
“My passing has always been one of my strong attributes in my game but I’m always looking to improve it which I feel is happening.”
Sweeney added: “The result was excellent after going down to 10 men for so long in the game.
“The way we started gave us a good two goal advantage which made us work even harder to hold on but we never sat back after going down to 10 men which was good from the boys.
“I’ve been playing centre back and right back all season - switching about when needed to help the team - so it was nothing new to me.
“The way the boys defended after going down to 10 men was very good, pressing at any opportunity and not giving their man any time on the ball.
“To have people like Aaron (Whitehead) and Ewan (Moyes) with their experience is something that has helped me since moving up to the seniors. They are always talking to me during games and keeping me right.
“I’ve learnt a lot from them so far and everyone in the team, which has really helped my game improve.”
While his performance across the afternoon was strong, Sweeney admits he got it wrong for Blackburn’s second goal for which he gave away a penalty.
“Every game I’m learning from how I played,” he said. “I look back at the games and see what I could’ve done better.
“On Saturday, there were a few times I missed the timing to win headers over the top which led to them going through on goal.
“One of their penalties came from me missing a header, which then led to me having to get back in.
“I was determined to stop the cross but my opponent did well and read I was going to slide in and got the better of me.
“But I’ll definitely learn from that. Not just the tackle, but being more switched on when the ball is being played over the top.”
Swifts, second in the table, welcome Hill of Beath to the Riverside on Saturday afternoon and keeping hold of that winning feeling is certainly the plan.
“We started the season very well going a few points clear at the top but we then had a wee dip in form which put us down the table,” Sweeney said.
“The boys have done really well to get back to winning ways. A wee run of winning games before ending the year was exactly what we needed.”
