70 minutes 8 goals and an awful lot of rain!

Marlborough ladies travelled the long way down to fellow mid table team Swanage on the back of two strong wins and with their sights firmly on making that three. The pre match pep talk was conducted in the changing rooms as the rain hammered down outside.

Marlborough started the stronger of the two sides ploughing into the Swanage half and applying wave after wave of pressure but the all important first goal evaded the visitors. Swanage suddenly came to life and started moving the ball around themselves trying to find gaps in the Marlborough midfield and putting pressure on the defence. The play bounced back and forth from the Marlborough end to the Swanage end with both goalkeepers being called upon to make crucial saves. Then what happened next left Marlborough reeling ....3 Swanage goals in the space of 10/15 minutes two from free play in the goalmouth and the third from a nasty bouncing short corner shot which sneaked in just inside the post. The rain came down heavier and the whistle blew for half time.

After an inspiring team talk at half time Marlborough left the pain of the first half behind them and showed Swanage they were not down and out. Every member of the Marlborough team came out fighting and the team spirit was incredible. Marlborough upped the ante and won a short corner and with a well worked routine Neve Beer calmly slotted in a goal. 3/1 and the game was on! The rain fell heavier but Marlborough started playing their own style of hockey the defence held firm, the midfield feeding the forwards who in turn worked tirelesssly passing the ball and peppering the Swanage goal and finally the ball went in thanks to Catherine Manley's dogged persistence. Now Swanage were getting worried and so they should as Lottie Colquhoun on a one on one with the keeper brought the game back to 3/3. The rain continued to bucket down but Marlborough smelt victory and Swanage were in no mood to lose the game. The drenched spectators on the sidelines willed their sides on. Swanage managed to make a couple of solo runs into Marlborough's D each snubbed out efficiently by the ever vigilant and determined Vicky Moxham in goal. Then just when Marlborough thought they were getting the upper hand Swanage managed to sneak a shot just inside the Marlborough post 4/3 . Less than 10 minutes to go and Marlborough piled on the pressure once more and with Milly Dawson not giving up in front of goal and watching her first shot saved she then smashed the rebound into the back of the net. 4/4 and so the game ended.

The Marlborough News Online man of the match went to Lottie Colquhoun who worked tirelessly making attacked after attack.