Swans 2nd XI lose 6-0 in hard fought match

On a bright and breezy afternoon Swanage travelled to Poole for the 2nd league match of the season. Depleted by unavailability they were gratefully supported by a number of enthusiastic and keen to learn, third team regulars.

The first half started with Swans on the attack in a move pushed down the centre of the pitch by Maynard, Hobbs, Selby-Grace and Pilgrim. Attacks were to be short lived though with Poole scoring in the first 10 minutes and Swanage battling in defence. Swans held on until the last 10 minutes of the first half but then conceded two further goals after concerted pressure.

The second half started disastrously with Poole scoring directly from the restart but Swans kept their heads up and dug in for the fight to prevent a potential rout. In truth at 4-0 down Poole should have run all over Swans but the resolute defence and determination from a mainly young and inexperienced team was incredible. Led by Maynard (Man of the match) in the midfield and Burt at right back the defence produced some real backs against the wall team play. Grenville-Cleeve made save after save as Poole, rotating their 3 subs regularly, surged forward against Swans 10 players. Plenty of goal line scrambles followed with Porter saving at least one Poole shot on the line and getting the ball away from danger. Tackling and interference with ball carriers frustrated Poole and they began to lose shape. The forwards put plenty of hard metres in running back to support the defence during short corners and the surging Poole attacks. Binns, Hobbs, Davis and Morris finding the energy from somewhere.

The defence was incredible, Swans simply did not want to role over, but in the end the Poole attacks found their way to two more goals in the last 10 minutes. Never say die Swans managed to get two more attacking moves together but tired legs and strong Poole defence stopped them before the 23 metre line.

So, Poole 6 – Swans 0, but the scoreline does not fully tell the story! The character and determination shown by the whole Swans team in defending against a Poole side much stronger then them and the very positive way in which 3rd team players got stuck in and ran and ran bodes well for the future all Swans ladies teams.

Team: Nikki Grenville-Cleave (Capt/Goalkeeper)
Evie Binns
Ailsa Burt
Ellen Davis
Jordon Hobbs
Jill Maynard
Georgie Morris
Fay Pilgrim
Jo Porter
Paris Selby-Grace