AFC Bournemouth
Long-serving AFC Bournemouth women’s team player Maisy Smith believes both the Cherries and Exeter City “deserve” to be promoted from the fourth tier of the National League.
The teams both boast unbeaten records this season and do battle for the Division One South West title at Exwick Sports Hub in Devon on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
Exeter, who lost out on promotion to Cardiff City due to an inferior goal difference last season, are currently two points ahead of Steve Cuss’s team who must win to go up.
With just one promotion place throughout the Women’s National League setup, only the Grecians or the Cherries will ply their trade in the Southern Premier Division next season.
Smith, who is in her sixth season with the club, told afcb.co.uk: “When the fixtures came out and we saw we had Exeter on the final day, we joked that it could all come down to that game and it’s crazy that it has.
“It’s exciting and it makes the game so much bigger. It’s mad to think both teams are unbeaten with one game to go. In any other league, you would already be promoted with a record like that.
“It seems a little unfair that one team won’t go up and, if you look at our respective seasons, we both deserve to go up. It’s such a massive game and with so much at stake.”
The Cherries head to Devon on the back of a six-match winning run which followed a disappointing 1-1 draw with Keynsham Town in front of a bumper crowd of 6,162 at Vitality Stadium in March.
Smith added: “We’ve had an unbelievable season. There were a couple of times when it didn’t look like we would take it to the last game. Scoring twice in the last few minutes to beat Bridgwater and the equaliser against Keynsham at Vitality Stadium.
“We could have lost confidence during those games but, instead, we dug deep and showed what we’re about. Everybody is super-excited to play this game.
“This is one of the hardest leagues to get out of because only one team goes up and whoever wins on Sunday will deserve to be promoted.
“Exeter lost out on goal difference last season and have absolutely smashed that this season. They have scored 114 goals and only conceded 14. We aren’t too far behind having scored 103 and conceded just 12.
“There’s everything to play for and these are the games you want to be involved in. We need to go out there on Sunday and try to get the job done.”
