AFC Bournemouth
Last weekend was set to be a busy one for the AFC Bournemouth girls, with a total of six league and cup fixtures to be played across both Saturday and Sunday.
All four teams were in Hampshire Girls League action on Saturday morning, with just the under-14s travelling away as they visited Rew Valley FC on the Isle of Wight.
The under-10 girls welcomed local side Mudeford Phoenix FC to Bournemouth School for Girls as the side met for the second time in three weeks.
The game, which was great for the many spectators, was evenly contested with both sides seeing plenty of the ball and creating some excellent opportunities. Tilly and Krystal both netted with some excellent finishes, whilst Charley opened her Cherries’ account scoring within the second half.
Olivia, Faye and Phoebe played well at the back for AFC Bournemouth, whilst Pearl was excellent in goal making plenty of saves throughout.
Meanwhile on the neighbouring pitch, the under-12s looked to continue their unbeaten start to the season in a home fixture against Winchester Flyers. The Cherries were slower to get off the mark in the first half, and Winchester defended effectively to deny any early goalscoring opportunities.
Amiee C. and Talulla were causing plenty of problems on both flanks, but AFC Bournemouth couldn’t connect the final pass to capitalise on their good possession.
However, the first goal came in the final five minutes of the first half as Aimee L’s long-range effort was well saved by the Winchester goalkeeper but she spilled the ball into the feet of Kelcey, who convincingly finished.
The second half was much livelier than the first, as the Cherries became more threatening in front of goal. Amiee L. doubled the lead as her long-range effort lobbed the Winchester goalkeeper.
Despite Talulla’s efforts on the left to create more chances from the team, the final goal for AFC Bournemouth was Holly’s to take. Countering superbly to suppress the Winchester attack, Kelcey supplied the through ball to Holly who finished well.
Winchester scored a consolidating goal in the final minute of the game from a well taken free-kick to finish the game 3-1.
In the only away game of the day, the under-14s travelled to the Isle of Wight to face Rew Valley FC in their first of two games over the weekend.
After a long journey, it was pleasing that the Cherries started well and within the first minute they took the lead, as Lucy received the ball behind the defence, rounding the Rew Valley goalkeeper before coolly slotting the ball into the net.
Some good quality possession following and making the dominance count, Maya finished first-time following some tenacious build up play in the seventh minute.
As the half wore on, the Cherries defence held firm against some quick play from the opposition and continued their attacking play with Lucy scoring her second with a driven shot nestling into the far corner of the goal.
The second half started in a similar manner, with Hannah. H getting into the tempo of the game, finishing with a stunning goal into the top corner from 20 yards. The game finished 4-0 to the Cherries and prepared the team well for their Surrey Cup fixture the following day.
The final game of the weekend saw AFC Bournemouth under-16s host Eastleigh at Bournemouth School for Girls.
The Cherries started the game lively, with Lily S. having an early chance on goal. As the play settled, both sides were playing some nice football, however it would be the Cherries who scored the first goal of the game. Maddie picked the ball up in midfield and played a lovely ball behind the defensive line for Lily S. to pick the ball up and round the ‘keeper for a neat finish.
On the half-hour mark, Eastleigh created a good counter-attack that ended with a good shot on goal that beat Cherries goalkeeper, Emily.
AFC Bournemouth reacted well, and from the kick-off won a corner. Abby delivered a good cross that was met by Be-Be, who scored for AFC Bournemouth to regain the lead. The half finished with a wonderful individual goal from Erin.
The second half started with Eastleigh pressing Bournemouth all over the pitch. The hosts started to get into a good rhythm of passing and moving and were soon rewarded. Erin accelerated away from the defence and rounded the oncoming keeper to score her second goal of the game.
The Cherries kept the pressure on Eastleigh, Lily H. and Mia got into some good positions out wide to deliver some strong crosses into the 18-yard box.
Moments later, the Cherries put the game to bed as Lucy picked up the ball outside the box, going on the a great run to slot the ball passed the Eastleigh keeper.
Straight from the start, Lily H. played in Abby on an overlap and delivered a good cross to the back-post that was met by Lucy to score her second goal.
The game finished 6-1 to the Cherries as they extend their unbeaten run to five games.
