AFC Bournemouth women were defeated 3-0 by Southampton in the Hampshire Cup on Sunday afternoon. 

Goals from Sophie Rood, Ella Morris and Georgie Freeland secured the hosts a place in the final, where they'll meet Portsmouth after the fellow National League outfit dispatched Moneyfields at Westleigh Park. 

Despite the defeat, women's team manager, Steve Cuss, remained upbeat about his side's performance and admitted there were plenty of positives to take from the game. 

"I'm really proud of the players," he said to afcb.co.uk after the game. 

"I thought it was a good performance, obviously the challenge was a big one. We were playing against players with international appearances, some of which have got Super League experience and some who will be involved in the Euros in the summer.

"We changed our style a little bit and we worked hard in training, trying to really set us up to have a bit more control of the ball. That worked well to a certain extent and I felt that we made Southampton work hard for their possession.

"We kept possession well at times and I'm delighted overall with the attitude and the application of the players. It was a tough game against a very good side and we can't be too disappointed." 

"We've got ambitions to keep moving the football club forward and the players want to be a part of that. I said that to them before and they knew it was a challenge, and one that that had to attack with discipline.

"We couldn't just go out and play, they had to understand their roles and I was really pleased with that side of it. We put up a really good show and it was pleasing all round." 

Cuss added that, as his side bowed out of the final cup competition this season, the Cherries can be proud of their efforts against teams higher up in the football pyramid, with full focus back on the league.  

"That's it for us with the cup competitions this season and I think with all of them, we've been knocked out by good sides and we've pushed ourselves all the way." 

"I said to them after the game that they can take confidence that we were able to compete against a very good Southampton side.

"Now we can focus on the last nine league games of the season and looking after that league campaign." 

AFC Bournemouth are next in action at home to Larkhall Athletic on Sunday 30th January, with kick-off at 2pm. It's the first of four home league games for the side - full fixture information can be found here.