AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth women’s team boss Steve Cuss is anticipating another tough examination when they renew rivalries with Swindon Town on Sunday.
The Cherries have beaten the Robins twice this season, edging a 3-2 win in the National League in October and squeezing past them 2-1 in the second round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup last month.
A goal from Katie James and two penalties from Helen Bleazard settled the league clash in favour of the Cherries, while Gemma McGuinness and Chloe Gilroy were on target as they came from behind to progress in the cup, the winner coming deep in added time.
While both keenly-contested games took place in Wiltshire, this latest instalment will be staged at the Ringwood Community Hub at Long Lane (2pm kick-off) – the Cherries’ first match of 2024 following the postponement of last week’s scheduled trip to Bridgwater.
The Cherries have won all nine league games this season and are currently three points behind table-topping Exeter City, although Cuss’s team have a game in hand on the Grecians who they host on 4th February. Swindon are third.
Previewing the game, Cuss told afcb.co.uk: “Swindon are a good side and will have aspirations to try to finish in the top two. They will also look to try to get some revenge for the two games we’ve had this season.
“From our point of view, they have been two of our toughest games and both times we’ve won by the odd goal.
“They have only lost to the top two in the league but have enjoyed a good run of success and have some good players.
“With the games against us being so close they will be looking to try to go that little bit further and beat us so we know we’ve got a tough game on our hands.
“We haven’t had a game for a month but the players have been working hard and we’ve tried to help them get back into game mode as quickly as we can so it’s going to be an interesting challenge.”
With the exception of long-term injury victim Holly Humphreys, Cuss has a full-strength squad at his disposal, including new signing Kenni Thompson, who joined from Spanish outfit Eibar earlier this month.
Cuss added: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Kenni with us. She has adjusted really well in training and has had a number of different sessions with us over the past couple of weeks.
“Due to the postponement of the Bridgwater game, she hasn’t played yet so it will be an opportunity for her to make her debut on Sunday.
“We’re looking forward to that because she provides us with even more competition for places and there are good options to go alongside her as well.”
