AFC Bournemouth Women’s latest pre-season friendly saw them play Chichester City Ladies from the Women’s National League, another challenging fixture against good quality opposition.

The Cherries were impressive and looked strong in the first half, opening the scoring through Meg Vella, who fought hard to get on the end of a Jade Hockey through ball, before coolly slotting home after just ten minutes of play.  

The Women’s lead was soon doubled thanks to Rosie Eden. ‘Keeper Kate Guthrie won the ball from a Chichester corner to start the move, with Eden played through one-on-one before finishing well into the top corner.

With the Cherries 2-0 up at the break, there were plenty of positives to take against a side competing nationally week-in-week-out.  

Following the interval, Chichester came out strongly, netting from and corner and a through ball to bring the score back to 2-2.

Midway through the half and the hosts had a third, before a final goal was scored in the dying moments, with the Cherries pressing for an equaliser, to make the score 4-2.

Following the game, manager Steve Davies admitted that there was plenty to be encouraged about.

“It was a really pleasing performance,” he began.

“I was really pleased with how the players came out in the first half and battled for every ball.

“Our new signing, Keely Fitzgerald, looked really good at the back and picked up the Player of the Match, whilst Jade Hockey was also excellent in midfield.”