A fiercely competitive game at Days Park in Swanage saw both sides come away with a point. The hosts were very much on the front foot in the early stages of the first half, but for their possession didn’t trouble Sports goalkeeper Ryan Knibbs.
Against the run of play the visitors from Bournemouth went ahead when a pin point pass from midfielder Gabriel Spennato picked out winger Matt Ellis who outpaced the Swans full back, rounded Swanage goalkeeper Brad Smith to finish. The Swans almost replied immediately, but Knibbs denied Swanage central defender Ogun Gundogdu from close range.
Sports winger James Bergin went close in the 38th minute, but saw his volley from a right wing cross go wide of the target. However shortly afterwards the visitors would find themselves 2-0 ahead when Gabriel Spennato broke the Swans off side trap and raced through on goal before passing to Matt Ellis to convert from close range. HT 0-2
Into the second half and the Swans scored early following a throw in and a flick on which the Sports defence didn’t react quickly enough to and striker Ocean Smith fired home. Sports striker Sam Darlow went close in the 50th minute with a fierce left footed shot from a direct free kick that Brad Smith did very well to keep out.
Cohen Lee went close for the hosts in the 67th minute before the Swans levelled 3 minutes later from a set piece as the tall Gundogdu won the flick on and the Bournemouth players failed to clear resulting in Cody Moore firing home from close range.
Both sides went looking for the winning goal and Ocean Smith went close for the hosts moments later whilst late on in the game at the other end a superb cross by Sports substitute Dan Edwards was met by Jamie Trimble and his glancing header went just wide of the far post.
A very competitive game on a warm sunny afternoon in Swanage which was a great advert for the Dorset Premier League.
FT 2-2
Sports – Ryan Knibbs, Jake Perch, Max Norris, Eddie Myers, Tommy White, Taylor Edwards, Gabriel Spennato, Jamie Trimble, Sam Darlow, James Bergin, Matt Ellis
Substitutions – Dan Edwards for Gabriel Spennato (60) Taylor Webb for Matt Ellis (80)
Picture – Sports goalscorer Matt Ellis
