AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth's under-12s and ladies development squad were in action for the first time in 2018 last weekend.
Four different goal-scorers consolidated the first win of 2018 for AFC Bournemouth's under-12 girls.
Finishing 6-2, the opening game of the New Year was a well-matched test against Portsmouth YOUnited Royals in the Premier Division of the Winchester and District Girls under-12s league.
The game got off to a flying start, with Portsmouth having the first chance. The shot tested goalkeeper Maddie early on, but she parried it wide to keep the score level.
The match was very end to end as Aimee C. was causing Portsmouth problems down the right-hand side, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring, with a well-placed corner that was deflected goalwards.
However, the Cherries continued to play their game, building well through Amiee L. in the centre of the pitch. Their persistence paid off as a half clearance fell to Georgia, who struck the ball from outside the box to find the bottom corner.
Momentum was building for AFC Bournemouth, as Emily S. found the net a further two times before the break, to see the Cherries leading 3-1 at the switch of ends.
Following the interval, the Cherries continued their goal-scoring form, with Lucy netting her first and Georgia her second to further add to the girls' advantage.
Nevertheless, Portsmouth continued to work hard and netted a good goal for their second. Striking from long-range, the shot narrowly beat Maddie to close the gap on the Cherries.
From the restart, India claimed her first AFC Bournemouth goal, as her superb strike from 25-yards out lobbed the Portsmouth goalkeeper to secure the win.
Despite their secure lead, AFC Bournemouth still had to defend well in the closing moments of the game. Portsmouth mounted the pressure as they searched for their third goal, but India and Imogen worked tirelessly at the back to snuff out any late opportunities.
The following day, AFC Bournemouth Ladies development squad welcomed Moneyfields Ladies in the Hampshire Women's League.
On an unbeaten run so far this season, the Cherries had a tough test on their hands as they faced the Portsmouth outfit for the second time this season.
The Cherries worked hard in the first half to stop any attacks, with goalkeeper Katie Scadding making a cracking double save to keep the score level at one end and Helen Corbin’s first-half shot being ruled offside at the other.
With the scores even at half time, it was all to play for. Moneyfields got the early advantage, after an error from Scadding in goal allowed them to go 1-0 up with just 20 minutes remaining.
Corbin, looking to get the Cherries back into the game, was on the attack again, but unfortunately fell injured in a one-on-one with the Moneyfields’ shot-stopper.
In the dying moments of the game, an excellent finish from the Moneyfields striker consolidated their win.
