JASON MCCRINDLE has urged his Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts players to "play with freedom" as they chase an historic cup final place this weekend.

On Saturday, the East of Scotland League, Premier Division team travel to Broxburn Athletic in the last four of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, with the winners going on to face Dunipace or Dunbar United in the showpiece.

Swifts, established in 1996 with a view to offering boys and girls the opportunity to play football, first fielded a senior team in 2018, when they joined the East of Scotland League.

Reaching this stage of a cup competition is new territory for the senior side, which has been achieved thanks to wins over Whitburn, Pumpherston, Fauldhouse United and, impressively, Lowland League Gala Fairydean Rovers.

That 3-2 away win has set them up for a second trip to Broxburn's Albyn Park in the space of two weeks, having lost there on league business on March 9.

Although the runaway Premier Division leaders won 5-2, Swifts led by two goals with 20 minutes to go, and McCrindle hopes their performance on that occasion will give his players confidence that they can spring a surprise.

"I shouldn't need to say too much to get them up for Saturday," he said.

"I believe it's the first time that the club have been in a cup semi-final. It's great to be part of it, but it will be tough. I hope that the last time we were through there can give the players confidence in terms of the performance.

"We'll be underdogs but we've got good quality. Hopefully, on the day, we get a bit more luck than we did the last time. We need to sustain it a wee bit longer, show better game management, be more streetwise and not be as naïve.

"Hopefully the players go and play with freedom and enjoy it."

Kick off at Albyn Park is at 2.30pm.

Meanwhile, the club have announced the appointment of their first full-time employee.

Greg Allwood has taken on the role as the Swifts' club development officer, in which he will help develop a number of programmes, including working closely with the SFA and McDonald's to provide free football for girls in P1-5.

The club said: "With his expertise and dedication, we're confident he'll play a key role in shaping the future success of The Swifts."