Poole town Denied Victory as Pucklechurch Fight Back to Share the Points
Poole Town Women were left frustrated after a 2–2 draw at home against Pucklechurch, despite leading by two goals in a hard-fought encounter — the first of back-to-back fixtures between the two sides.
Poole made a confident start, controlling possession and keeping Pucklechurch penned deep in their own half for much of the opening quarter. The home side carved out several good chances, only to be denied repeatedly by the visitors’ outstanding goalkeeper.
After weathering the early pressure, Pucklechurch began to grow into the game and went close with a break through the middle, their striker flashing a shot narrowly wide. Poole continued to threaten, though, and their persistence was finally rewarded with a moment of real quality.
Georgia Kemp won the ball and found Maddy Kemp, who slipped a neat pass inside to Bebe Smith. Smith showed great awareness to lay the ball off to Alice Fisher, who unleashed a stunning 30-yard strike into the top corner to give Poole a deserved lead.
The goal gave Poole confidence going into the break, and they continued to battle well after the restart. Pucklechurch came out stronger in the second half, but Poole doubled their advantage through Lucy Coalter, who curled home a brilliant free kick from the edge of the box to make it 2–0.
That goal sparked the visitors into life. Pucklechurch pushed forward in search of a response and were handed a lifeline when a free kick found its way through the wall and into the net to halve the deficit.
With momentum on their side, Pucklechurch pressed high and snatched an equaliser late on with a long-range effort that bounced awkwardly over the Poole keeper. Despite further chances at both ends, neither side could find a winner in the closing minutes.
The draw will feel like two points dropped for Poole after such a strong performance, but the team can take plenty of positives from their attacking play and overall control of the match. The focus now turns to next weekend’s return fixture away at Pucklechurch — where Poole will be eager to turn dominance into victory.
