North Wilts 2 - 2 Swindon 2

Match report from Becky:

This was the first league match of the season and a great start and improvement since our friendly match last week which we lost 7-1.
Swindon put pressure on N.Wilts from the whistle and had some early opportunities from Meg Poole, Kim Taylor and Jasmine Heppenstall but a counter attack midway through the half left Swindon chasing, Angela Tovey made a great first save but the luck of the bounce gave the ball straight back to the N. Wilts player who made sure she put it away with her second chance.

North Wilts kept the pressure up but Katie Miles and Joops were in fine form repelling their attack. N. Wilts second goal was scored from a short corner in the last play of the half with a well taken drag flick.

After dominating the second half with some great passing within the midfield from Fernanda Davila, Rachel King, Erin Hughes and Meg Poole who linked up launching attack after attack, this saw Swindon rewarded when Kim Taylor dodged the N.Wilts defence to fire low into the corner to draw one back. This gave Swindon confidence and we started to press which nearly led to a second goal when Faith Jolleys latched onto a Meg Poole pass, only for it to ping off the cross bar.

N.Wilts started to get frustrated which gave Swindon the opportunity to capitalise and with 8 mins remaining Kim Taylor found herself on the left with limited space she managed to nutmegged the keeper and Olivia Thomas was waiting on the far post to see it home for her first senior goal and draw the game level. Swindon dug deep and some fine hassling by debutant Sarah Hafner and well timed jabs by Rebecca Davies thwarted the N.Wilts attack. The defence held their nerve at the end to see off 2 short corners at the final whistle. Swindon held on for a draw despite both Fernanda and Rachel receiving late green cards.

Player of the match - Megan Poole