AFC Bournemouth’s women kept up their push for the National League South title after battling to a 3-1 victory at Keynsham Town.

Steve Cuss’s side struck twice in the opening period through Molly Barron-Clark and Lucy Cooper, before the hosts pulled one back through Vicky Vipond in the second half.

Amber Treweek’s late goal ensured the Cherries made it 11 victories from 12 league games played.

After being in control of the opening exchanges, the away side took the lead with nine minutes on the clock.

Following good work from skipper Gemma Hillier, Barron-Clark unleashed a fierce drive which nestled in the bottom corner past diving home keeper Charlotte Haynes.

Two minutes after the opener, the visitors came within inches of a second. Kenni Thompson cut in from the left and saw her clipped effort bounce off the top of the crossbar.

But the Cherries struck their second on 19 minutes. Alisha Buckingham’s precise through ball found the run of Lucy Cooper, who finished with aplomb.

Bermuda international Thompson was still searching for the net herself. After gathering a cross from the right, she swivelled away from her marker and forced a sharp save from Haynes.

With both in search of their second goals of the game, Cooper fired off target before Barron-Clark drew another save before the interval.

The Cherries went in search of a third following the break, centre-back Treweek powered a header just wide after meeting Barron-Clark’s free-kick.

The hosts then responded and pulled one back just before the hour mark. A cross from the right was eventually steered in by Vipond.

Back came the Cherries in an attempt to put the game to bed. Substitute Erin Bloomfield saw her strike denied from close range after Katie James had initially hit the bar.

The visitors did wrap up three points in added time when Treweek turned in at the back post.

AFC Bournemouth: Kosinska, Venditto, Smith, Treweek, Jones, James, Barron-Clark, Hillier (Gilroy, 68), Buckingham (Bloomfield, 68), Cooper, Thompson.

Subs: Scadding (g/k), McGuinness, Fripp.

AFC Bournemouth women are also in action at Vitality Stadium against Keynsham on Sunday, March 24th. You can book tickets and select your seat here.