Swans 2nd XI dominate match against Blandford and Sturminster Newton

Fresh from a stinging defeat away at Poole, Swans Ladies 2nds hoped for better in a home fixture versus Blandford and Sturminster Newton Ladies 2nd XI

The first 15 minutes proved a foretaste of the entire match with both teams sparring for possession and superiority with plenty of hard running and similarly hard tackling. Slowly but surely Swans started to get the upper hand with forwards Wright, Binns and Ashworth spending plenty of time in the opposition 23 metres area probing the Blandford defence supported by a strong midfield. This pressure produced several short corners but scoring was proving a little tricky against the Blandford goalkeeper who saved every effort with great skill.

The fast and committed play continued with Blandford breaking on a number of occasions testing the resolute defence of Paterson, Evans and Maynard and the goal keeping of Grenville-Cleave who had to pull off several saves from strong shots. In the last 15 minutes before half time Swans pushed forward in waves passing in triangles and wrong footing the goalkeeper, Wright smashed the backboard with a powerful shot.

The second half proved as exhausting for both teams as the first half with Swans exerting even more pressure and some really great attacking moves ending in shots on goal only to be foiled by excellent goalkeeping time and time again. Crook came on for Wright and went to left back whilst Evans went to centre forward and had great fun skirmishing to great effect in the opposition 23 metre area. Swans pretty much camped in the Blandford half helped by a great press, Maynard and Selby-Grace combined with great running and tackling by a gritty and determined Barnes. Young and Lagden worked hard in the middle of the pitch tackling and harassing players applying pressure to unsettle just at the right time both getting stronger the more the match went on. Finally the pressure paid off and the Blandford goalkeeper got the ball caught in the crook of her arms following a lifted shot. A penalty flick followed which Barnes neatly put away at knee height to the goalkeepers left.

So 2-0 to Swans at the final whistle but Blandford never gave up, counter attacked several times and really tested Swans resolve. Swans prevailed through great team play, determined tackling, harassing and running back, some really tidy passing in triangles and through balls and never giving up despite trying to score past a rapidly moving brick wall in the Blandford goal.

Team: Nikki Grenville-Cleave, Olivia Ashworth, Lizzie Barnes, Evie Binns, Angie Crook, Sian Evans, Bev Lagden, Jill Maynard, Emma Paterson, Paris Selby-Grace, Katy Wright, Katy Young.