This weekend, AFC Bournemouth Women’s Development Squad opened their Hampshire Women’s Division One League campaign with an away trip to Sholing Ladies FC.
Goals from Helen Corbin, Morgan Hill, Emily Phillips and Sofia Sinaguglia secured a thrilling 7-3 win to kickstart the season.
However, despite the result, the game didn't start as planned for the Cherries, who found themselves trailing within the opening two minutes. A failed clearance was picked up by the attacking side, who managed to produce a cross to the back post for the onrushing player to tap in.
The young AFC Bournemouth side responded well, yet it would be the home side who doubled their advantage, adding their second goal of the day on 25 minutes.
Despite the difficult start, the Bournemouth side showed immense character to respond to the second goal, and within one minute Corbin registered her first of the game after slotting the ball past the Sholing goalkeeper.
A swift turnaround saw the Cherries find another level, going on to net five more goals in the next 13 minutes, as Corbin added two more to claim a first-half hat-trick. Hill also hit a brace, while Philips got her name on the scoresheet too.
However, the away side were to add to their own tally before half time, as a defensive mix up allowed an easy goal to be scored on 45 minutes.
The second half was to be less eventful and only the single goal was added by the away side after Sinaguglia, on as a second half substitute, finished off an excellent team goal with 75 minutes on the clock.
There was to be little trouble to the Bournemouth back-line who stood firm and produced a professional second-half display.
Speaking after the game, coach David Staddon commented on his teams performance.
“I am really pleased with the character the side showed to come back and win very convincingly after being 2-0 down,” he began.
“It was particularly pleasing to score seven goals, with six of these coming from players who have progressed through the youth system.”
