WEYMOUTH SECONDS 2 POOLE 4

A LATE rally from visitors Poole saw Weymouth’s first game back after Christmas end in defeat.

In what is usually a close contest between the two sides, it was Poole who were first on the scoreboard after rounding off a well-executed short corner.

Weymouth then picked up their efforts and came back fighting with some strong attacking play.

Their desire was rewarded after a well-worked attack. Jemma Brunell spotted Claire Thomasson free on the edge of the D, she struck at goal and Anna Dencher managed to push the ball past the goalkeeper to level things up.

Good defensive play from Bernie John, Carolyn Schofield and Jo Ray frustrated the Poole attackers and Olivia Culbreth went on a superb run to strike at goal.

She was denied but Weymouth continued to attack and went into the break at 1-1.

The Seasiders came out strongly in the second half and Chloe Carter-Miles was unlucky not to score from some excellent attacking play.

Isy Gulliver and Annalise Dive combined well on the left to continually push the ball forward into the D.

Dencher then struck the post with a fierce shot but got her goal moments later after latching on to a well-timed pass from Thomasson.

Poole raised their game and Weymouth tired, allowing far too many counter attacks from the visitors.

Anna Neish made some excellent saves but Poole eventually broke through, scoring twice from open play and then a short corner to end up winning the game 4-2.