Reserves Lose Away

Swanage reserves were on the road once again, this time travelling to high flying AFC Blandford.

The game started in a down pour and didn't improve much for the Swans. Blandford ,with quite a few ex DPL players, started well and for the first 20 minutes it looked like men against boys. Blandford took the lead after 15 minutes with a well taken goal by the Centre forward wearing the number 77 shirt. Blandford doubled the lead on 25 minutes when the centre forward headed in a deflected cross. 2-0. Swans at this point could have given up or dug in and luckily the team showed spirt and matched the hosts until half time.

After a half time talk from coach Paulo, we noticed the referee in deep conversation with our manager Dawson Russell. Dawson took over refereeing as the designated ref had torn something in his knee.
Swans stated the second half brightly with Yerby, Jack Miller, Ryan Moss and Billy Russell playing lovely football from the back. However, the centre forward capitalised on a mistake in the Swans midfield and ran through to make it 3-0 after 60 minutes. Against the wind and in yet another down pour Swans dug deep again to stop a rout that the host's chances probably deserved. It was 4-0 after Jack miller made a lovely tackle on the edge of the Swans box only for the ball to deflect to a Blandford player whose shot deflected off Yerby and into the net. 4-0. Nick Taylor saved 3 goal scoring opportunities late on to keep the score reasonable.
Swans netted a beautiful consolation goal on 80 minutes when Glen Ward hit a lovely shot from well outside the box which flew in the net. 4-1.

Today was a very hard game, it was clear to see why AFC Blandford were unbeaten this season. They were all 6ft ish and could clearly play football. We chased the game and showed great character in not conceding many more goals. The younger guys in the squad played possession football as Paulo requested and AFC Blandford were quick to recognise how well our young squad had played. Thanks to Barry Audley for his support and for running the line.

MOM : Paul Yerby

Taylor, Moss, Yerby ,Miller, Russell, Grace (c) Brassington ,Bartley, Peacock, Troy, Littleford,
Subs: Paulo, Ward , Paul