In a game full of drama and twists, Swanage Town & Herston fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw against unbeaten Bournemouth Sports.

The match began with the Swans on the front foot, and just 4 minutes in, Ocean Smith had a chance from 20 yards out. Two minutes later, Marcus Smith also threatened, but his effort was well saved. Swanage dominated the early exchanges, with Bournemouth Sports struggling to get out of their half.

The flow of the game shifted in the 18th minute when Sam Clarke suffered an injury, forcing Swanage into a reshuffle. Charlie Dyke dropped into the back four, with Charlie Pitt stepping into midfield. The absence of the influential Clarke saw Swanage lose some momentum.

In the 22nd minute, Swans started to threaten, with Cody Moore beating his man down the right but firing a weak shot wide. Moore came close again two minutes later, but his shot was well saved. The deadlock was broken in the 31st minute when a mix-up in Swans defence allowed Bournemouth’s Matt Ellis an easy finish after a ball over the top and put his side ahead. Swans nearly equalised through Ogun Gundogdu, but his close-range effort was blocked keeper Knibbs.

Sports began to look dangerous as the half wore on, with Bergin volleying wide from a deep cross in the 38th minute and a header going over the bar soon after. Swans pressed again just before half time, but another defensive error left Matt Ellis free to complete his brace. However Sports should consider themselves fortunate to be going in to the break with a 2-0 lead. H.T. 0-2

Swans came out of the blocks quickly in the second half and just a minute in, Ocean Smith reduced the arrears, finishing neatly after Paul Best flicked on a throw-in. This revitalised the home side, and in the 50th minute, however a Sports’ free kick from 25 yards was well saved by Brad Smith. Swans continued to press, and in the 67th minute, Cohen Lee had a golden chance to equalise, but his shot went just over. Three minutes later, Cody Moore levelled the match for the hosts, slotting home from a crowded box after the ball fell kindly with a header from Gundogdu.

Both sides pushed for a winner in the final stages. Ocean Smith came close in the 72nd minute, shooting just over, while Cody Moore sent a dangerous cross across the box a minute later, but no one was on hand to convert. In the 82nd minute, Sports had a chance to retake the lead, but their header went inches wide. As the match neared its conclusion, both teams had chances, with Stephen Pryor making a vital goal-saving interception for Swanage in the 86th minute. The last opportunity fell to Cohen Lee, who fired from distance but missed the target.

Swans will feel they deserved at least a point after battling back and controlling large parts of the game. While Bournemouth Sports were fortunate to be ahead by 2-0 at half time, Swanage’s resilience and determination earned them a deserved draw, with a few missed chances potentially costing them a victory. The 2-2 draw extended the Swans unbeaten run to six league games.

Swans boss Craig Adams said "A fantastic effort from the lads today, 2-0 down half time. Their response was terrific to come back and gain a hard earned point!. We learn and move on."

Swans Star Man - Ocean Smith
Special Mention Conor Magnier

Team: B.Smith, C.Magnier, S.Clarke (C.Pitt 18), O.Gundogdu, S.Pryor, C.Dyke, C.Lee, P.Best (I.Clarke 76), M.Smith, C.Moore, Ocean Smith.
Subs: C.Butler, I.Clarke, C.Pitt, L.Sullivan.