Swanage & Wareham (I) 4 - 4 Salisbury (II)

Swans were held to a hard-fought 4–4 draw at home against a Salisbury 2s side firmly in the promotion hunt.

The visitors settled quickest, asserting early control and capitalising with an opening goal in the first half to take a 1–0 lead. With Salisbury looking sharp and purposeful, it briefly appeared the home side might be on the back foot, but Swanage & Wareham had other ideas.

Refusing to concede momentum, the hosts fought back through two moments of individual brilliance. Charlotte GC produced not one but two sublime reverse-stick finishes, turning the game on its head and sending Swanage & Wareham into half-time with a deserved 2–1 lead.

The second half began in dream fashion for the home side. Jess Meteau extended the advantage with a well-taken goal to make it 3–1, putting Swanage & Wareham firmly in control. However, with rain driving relentlessly towards the Swanage goal, the balance of play shifted.

Salisbury seized the opportunity, piling pressure onto the home defence, striking twice in quick succession. One goal came from a penalty flick, levelling the scores at 3–3, setting up a tense final phase.

With just eight minutes remaining, Charlotte GC completed a superb hat-trick, latching onto a perfectly weighted assist from Nai Blowes before firing home to restore Swans' lead at 4–3. But Salisbury were relentless. Wave after wave of short corners followed, testing the home defence to its limits.

Despite heroic resistance, Salisbury finally found a gap in the back line in the dying moments, converting with just 30 seconds left on the clock to snatch a dramatic equaliser and secure a 4–4 draw.

Player of the Match for Swanage & Wareham went to goalkeeper Leah Rutter, whose outstanding performance kept the team in the contest. Her bravery on the ground, combined with a string of vital saves, proved crucial in earning a hard-fought point.