AFC Bournemouth
Last weekend saw all four AFC Bournemouth girls teams in action.
The under-10s, under-12s and under-16 girls all played their League Cup semi-finals, whilst the under-14s faced Mudeford Phoenix in the Winchester & District Girls League.
Having enjoyed plenty of success already this season, the under-10s looked forward to hosting Southampton Saints to secure their place in the League Cup Final.
An exciting affair saw five different goal scorers net for the Cherries in their outstanding win.
Zara, Tilly, Georgia, Isobel and Kelcey all got their names on the scoresheet and helped to secure their place in the final.
With similar results, the under-12s secured their place in the final with a 4-2 win away to Winchester Falcons, whilst the under-16s won 4-1 at home against Romsey, ensuring that AFC Bournemouth are represented in three Winchester & District Girls League Cup finals this season.
After travelling to the Garrison Ground, the under-12s found themselves on the back foot after conceding early to a strong Winchester side.
However, sustained pressure and plenty of attacking play was rewarded as Emily A. and Lucy scored twice in the half to see the Cherries lead at the break.
A brighter start to the second half was quickly rewarded as Lucy drove through the middle of the pitch to give AFC Bournemouth their third goal of the day.
To round off the game, and secure their place in the League Cup final, Aimee C. netted a fantastic cross from Alice.
Back at Bournemouth School for Girls, the under-16s welcomed Romsey, as they played for their place in the second final of the 2017/18 season. The Cherries found themselves leading early, after Morgan scored two excellent team goals.
In the dying moments of the first half, Lily made a fantastic run past the Romsey defence to slot home the Cherries’ third goal of the half.
Whilst there was a little less action in the second half, Madison scored in the 80th minute to secure the victory for AFC Bournemouth. However, Romsey did fight to pull a goal back right at the end of the game as they converted a well-worked corner.
In the only league game of the day, AFC Bournemouth's under-14 girls faced local side Mudeford Phoenix. The game was very evenly matched, with both sides having early chances, but neither able to convert.
At stages, the Cherries dominated the possession and it wasn’t until late in the first half when a lead was taken for AFC Bournemouth. Lucy picked the ball up on the left and was able to cut in towards the edge of the penalty box to strike the ball into the back of the Mudeford goal.
AFC Bournemouth started the second half confident, and more goals followed through Sophie D. and Lily.
As the game drew to a close, there was one more goal for AFC Bournemouth under-14s, as Hannah F. unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box to see the Cherries go four ahead, before Mudeford retaliated quickly to score their first and only goal of the game.
This win sees the girls move up to third in the league table, level on points with Southampton Saints.
To sum up the weekend, Head of Community Steve Cuss commented, “It was a fantastic weekend of football as the girls and women secured four cup final places.
“Cup finals are always nice to look forward to as we enter the final stages of the season and are a great reward for the efforts of the girls and women throughout the season so far.”
