AFC Bournemouth
Saturday saw three youth teams in action; the under-10s and under-12s secured their place in the rewspective Inter-Cup finals, whilst the under 14’s picked up all three points in their league fixture.
Saturday saw three youth teams in action; the under-10s and under-12s secured their place in the rewspective Inter-Cup finals, whilst the under 14’s picked up all three points in their league fixture.
For their Inter Cup Semi Final, the under-10s travelled to Portsmouth in the Community. The game was evenly contested, and both teams scored first-half goals to see the game level at half time. Good passing play in the second half allowed for the Cherries to produce more goal-scoring opportunities, but Pompey were not out of the game, also netting.
Overall, goals from Phoebe, Kelcey and Tilly helped the under-10s book their place in the Inter-Cup Final.
Meanwhile, looking to continue their run in the Inter-Cup, the under-12s hosted Eastleigh Blues in the quarter-final. Much like the under-10s, the first half was very well contested, with the Cherries trying their best to break through a compact, well-organised defence.
The Eastleigh goalkeeper did well to deny AFC Bournemouth taking an early lead, as Lucy, Maya and Emily A. attempted to put the Cherries ahead. Despite AFC Bournemouth’s dominance in the first half, it was Eastleigh who took the lead ahead of half time.
The second half started brighter for the Cherries, with greater intensity both on and off the ball. Early into the half, Emily A’s individual brilliance brought the game level as she netted the first AFC Bournemouth goal of the day. Determined to get ahead in the game, Lucy’s relentless shooting paid off, as she went on to score her fifth hat-trick of the season, and in doing so secured a place in the Inter-Cup semi-final for the under-12s.
The final game of Saturday saw the under-14 girls travel the short distance to Mudeford Phoenix FC as they continued their Winchester and District League campaign. The start of the game saw both teams have equal amounts of possession, with the Cherries starting to find some rhythm and making some attacking runs towards the Mudeford Phoenix goal.
The girls created lots of chances but were unable to convert any, until Hannah F’s shot found the back of the Mudeford net, which settled down the play. As the half progressed both sides continued to create chances and as the play went back and forth the Cherries found the net again, with Hannah F. and Lucy ensuring the AFC Bournemouth side finished the half 3-0 up.
The second half started again in the Cherries' favour, as they dominated possession and created further goal chances through playing out wide. Lily, Mia, Kitty and Elle all scored, securing an impressive 7-0 league win.
On Sunday, the under-16s competed in the Women and Girls’ first cup final of the season. They travelled to Alton Town FC where they met Fleet Town in the Hampshire County Cup Final.
After the presentation and handshakes, the game started with both teams settling into the game well. Lily and Larissa had early chances to open the scoring, but neither were able to convert. Fleet, however, took the lead as they opened the scoring mid-way through the first half.
The AFC Bournemouth girls responded positively, with Morgan’s chance from the restart, just going wide of the goal. Lily and Erin continued to create chances for the Cherries, and it was Erin who opened the scoring as she finished Lily’s through ball. From the restart, the Cherries doubled their lead, this time it was Lily who scored, as she made a magnificent run from just inside the Fleet half, with the Cherries then leading 2-1 at the break.
In the second half, AFC Bournemouth continued to play some good football and looked in control. A change in personal saw Erin move from the wing to the main striker, which saw her complete her hat-trick, her first coming from a one-on-one with the Fleet shot stopper, whilst her second saw her finish a good team move.
The under-16 girls were crowned County Champions following a 4-1 win, and Erin named Player of the Match after scoring an impressive hat-trick during the game.
Finally, the Ladies Development Squad returned to their Hampshire League fixtures this Sunday as they hosted Bournemouth Sports Ladies at Bisterne FC.
The game started evenly with both teams creating a half chances, before Helen Corbin, fed from the right wing, was put through midway in the first half, slotting home from the edge of the penalty area. A few minutes later Bournemouth Sports did have the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside.
During the remainder of the half, AFC Bournemouth created opportunities to increase their lead with some good approach play, but shots were either put wide or well saved by the Bournemouth Sports keeper. Ten minutes into the half, Anastasia Hnatiw scored from the penalty spot after Helen Corbin was fouled in the area.
Both teams then had chances to score before Sports pulled a goal back with 10 mins remaining. From that point, AFC Bournemouth defended well and the game finished 2-1.
