Swans’ Wembley Dream Is Over After Home Defeat By Vase Newcomers

Swans 0 Dorchester Sports 1

Match report by Gareth Davies, chief sports writer at the Sunday Independent newspaper.

Ten years since Swanage returned to the FA Vase after a significant absence, Tim Brown’s side suffered another Day’s Park disappointment as their Wembley dreams was dashed before they had even properly started against Dorchester Sports. It was 2009 all over again.

Back then, Swans were drawn against then South West Peninsula side Plymouth Parkway and in a rip-roaring cup tie on home soil, the side, managed by Jason Phillips, came within a whisker of causing a major upset.

The Swanage side that day had one survivor from that which took the field in 2019 as defender Andy Bartlett started in his familiar centre back role. Bartlett and his team mates went toe-to-toe with Parkway and midway through the second period, substitute Liam Currell was upended in the box and skipper Aaron Corby duly tucked away the spot-kick.

Sadly, for Swans, in the dying embers, Parkway snatched a leveller and despite extra-time, the match finished 1-1 and a replay at Bolitho Park ensued. A depleted Swanage outfit, which included a then teenage Paul Best and current Poole Town defender Will Spetch were outclassed and lost 4-0.

Bar the 2013-14 season, Swanage have entered the FA Vase every year since and under current boss Brown (2017) and Phillips (2012), during his second spell in the Day’s Park hot-seat, Swanage have gained notoriety for causing a number of upsets.

However, in the last two campaigns, in games where perhaps the side were expected to win, they have come up short against Western League side Longwell Green last season and against Dorset Premier League rivals Dorchester Sports this time around.

Home boss Brown was forced to shuffle his pack from that which defeated Bournemouth Sports 2-1 at Day’s Park on Wednesday evening. Lynchpin midfielder David Best was ruled out with a knee injury and goal scoring hero from the mid-week win Graeme Rose was unavailable.

Brown’s opposite number Ashley James was handed mixed news prior to kick-off as Adam Wash and Ash Weeks missed out, whilst Jamie West returned after missing the 3-1 away league triumph at Bridport reserves on Tuesday.

In a cagey opening 20 minutes, both sides took time to settle before Swans went close to opening the scoring through Cody Rose-Moore and Paul Chilvers. Cody Rose-Moore was then involved again as Swanage threatened further when his centre was headed towards goal by Paul Chilvers, only for Sports’ custodian, Nick Hutchings, on-loan from landlords Dorchester Town, to somehow keep the score at 0-0.

Swans suffered a blow when the inspirational Ogun Gundogdu suffered a groin injury and had to be substituted. Gareth Will had the best chance for Sports before half time, although his drive went narrowly wide as the deadlock remained unbroken after 45 minutes. H.T.0-0

After the break, Sports roared out of the traps and scored the all important winning goal on 55 minutes when Jamie West headed past home stopper Ben Hodder. With Sports
looking to increase their advantage, Will rattled the bar and Hodder came to Swans’ rescue on two further occasions.

However, 1-0 was nearly not enough for Sports as home skipper Paul Best had a great chance to force extra-time, but he could not direct his free header, just six-yards out from Callum Young’s cross, towards goal in the dying embers.

The win for Sports will see the Avenue Stadium based side host Wessex Premier outfit Christchurch in the Second Qualifying Round after the Priory defeated Amesbury Town 4-1

Swans Star Man - Cody Rose-Moore

Team:343
B.Hodder
J.Harlowe, A.Bartlett, O.Gundogdu (T.Hibbs 42).
C.Dyke (J.Johnston 60), P.Best, C.Barnes, S.Dando.
P.Chilvers (C.Young 72), J.Clark, C.Rose-Moore.
Subs: T.Hibbs, C.Young, J.Johnston.