AFC Bournemouth Women were defeated 8-1 by Portsmouth Ladies in their opening pre-season friendly.

Steve Davies’ side won promotion to the Southern Region Women’s Premier League last season, with the campaign kicking off in September.

Portsmouth, who play in the Women’s National League, took the lead seven minutes in as Hannah Geer latched onto a ball over the top, before controlling and slotting home for 1-0.

Six minutes later and the visitors had doubled their lead, this time through Danielle Rowe, who won the ball back and soon finished.

The third and fourth goals both came from Daisy McLachlan, her first effort finding the bottom right-hand corner and second going in off the crossbar.

Following the interval, the Cherries started strongly and soon had a reward for their efforts.

Meg Vella hit a great strike from the edge of the area to find the top corner and consequently reduce the deficit.

However, 12 minutes later and Pompey had a fifth, this time through substitute EJ May, who finished after a squared pass into the box.

Portsmouth’s next two goals came through Rachel Panting to make the score 7-1, before May bagged her second and Portsmouth’s eighth through a curling effort.

Following the game, Steve Davies reflected on the defeat.

“This was our first pre-season friendly and understandably we looked a little rusty as we got back into match action.” he began. 

“Overall, this was a good workout for the players, including our three new signings, in advance of the start of our season on Sunday 2^nd September.”