Students from the Community Sports Trust 's Female Football Education Programme (FFEP) studying at Brockenhurst College have advanced to the AOC National Championships following a successful regional event at Surrey Sports Park.
The seven-a-side competition took place earlier this month, with 16 colleges competing to represent the region at the main event at Nottingham University in April.
The AFC Bournemouth side made an impressive start by winning their group stage without a single defeat, securing a spot in the semi-finals against Farnborough College.
Despite challenging weather conditions on the day, the team showed no signs of letting it affect their game, winning their semi-final 2-0 to progress to the final against Barton Peveril.
The final proved to be a closely contested affair, with both sides coming close to victory. However, a goalless draw led to penalties being required to determine the winner. Barton Peveril took the opening penalty, but Lily Harris made a superb save, giving the Cherries the advantage.
They capitalised on this by scoring each of their penalties, with the winning spot-kick executed perfectly by Leah Harris, who also plays for AFC Bournemouth’s development squad.
Darcey Maxted, a player for both the Brock College FFEP team and the club's development squad, finished the tournament with eight goals. Reflecting on the event, she told afcb.co.uk: "The girls were excellent today and it showed in our play, both in attack, where we scored numerous goals, and in defence, where we didn't concede a goal all day.”
“We are thrilled to reach the finals and continue representing the football club and the college on a national level."
If you would like more information on how you can join our Female Football Education programme at Brockenhurst College for next academic year, please email David.staddon@afcb.co.uk
