Bournemouth top the table over Christmas after tight contest with the Golden Girls

AFC Bournemouth Women host Watford FC Women in their final FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division clash of the year.

Bournemouth came into this game knowing a win would put them in a strong position for the title, having a game in hand over the two closest contenders (Watford and Plymouth Argyle). However, the Golden Girls (their opponents today) will be looking to bounce back from their last match in the league - a 3-2 defeat to Lewes.

Starting XIs 

Bournemouth: Foley (GK), Jones (C), Hennessy, Meadows-Tuson, Barron-Clark, Quirk, James, Cole, Markham, Treweek, Harris

Watford: Sideras (GK), Peacock, Chandler (C), Lyon, Filbey, Georgiou, Wilson, Haines, Perry, Fisher, Gray

Bournemouth’s Sophie Quirk will be looking to add to her impressive tally of ten goals in as many matches in the league this season - a stat which is also held by Watford’s Madison Perry. 

New dual signing for Bournemouth (from Southampton PGA), Anya Lucas, is featured in their squad for the first time, taking her place as a substitute. 

First Half

Bournemouth kicked off the match here in a drizzly Ringwood.  

The Cherries started brightly and applied early pressure to the Watford backline, resulting in a free-kick just outside the box - the effort from Quirk, parried away by Sideras in the Watford goal. The corner which followed was turned in by the onrushing Quirk, after the Watford defence scrambled and couldn’t find a clearance. 1-0 Bournemouth in only the 2nd minute of this top-of-the-table clash. 

Just moments after the restart, the Golden Girls found an equaliser through Poppy Wilson. All square at 1-1 in the 3rd minute.

Watford followed this up with a brilliant ball into the 6-yard box by Coral-Jade Haines, Isabella Fisher couldn’t find the desired connection. A few minutes later, the visitors looked to break (through Perry), her eventual effort easily gathered by Erin Foley. 

With Jenna Markham striding towards the byline, Amber Treweek awaited the ball at the back post - the eventual cross had too much on it.

Eva Gray (Watford’s number 14) delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the box just moments after Bournemouth’s chance, nestled into the bottom corner by Haines - 2-1 Watford as the 30 minute mark was passed.

Another promising breakthrough came for Watford, this time, their effort was cut out by the Cherries’ captain, Carly Jones. 

Approaching half-time, Watford looked to extend their lead. The chance came through Haines, who tried to pick out Gray, not the ball either of them were hoping for. The referee, Gareth Dunn, blew the whistle for the break just after this, the Golden Girls heading in with a deserved 2-1 lead.

 Second Half

Watford’s captain, Megan Chandler, was withdrawn at the break after picking up a booking in the 37th minute for a careless tackle - her replacement, Anna Meiwald.

Less than three minutes into the second 45, Quirk drove a hard shot towards the goal, which slipped through the grasp of Sideras: a fast start by the Cherries who levelled up this enticing encounter to make it 2-2. 

Watford looked to retake the lead through Perry, her strike from distance rattled against the frame of the goal. 

Quirk came agonisingly close to a hattrick, her effort parried away from the bottom corner.

Watford made their second change of the match, with Andria Georgiou being replaced by Ava Kuyken. A few minutes later, a double substitution was made by the hosts: Molly Barron-Clark and Jones withdrawn, replaced by Gemma McGuinness and Zoe Barratt - Barratt coming on to make her debut for the Cherries, after arriving from Charlton Athletic.

Bournemouth were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area, following a hand ball. The effort from Quirk took a deflection off the wall and was gratefully edged past the post by a diving Sideras. 

A corner came for Watford as stoppage time began, which was well defended by those wearing red and black. 

Down the other end, a corner was won by the Cherries right at the death. The ball was bobbling around inside the area, before being driven in by Markham. That was the final action of the match as the referee blew his whistle, signalling full-time.

Final score: AFC Bournemouth 3-2 Watford FC

This is an all-important victory for the Cherries, as they top the table at Christmas. This win and performance will surely give them the confidence they need to push on for the rest of the season as they aim for the FAWNL Southern Premier Division title.

As for Watford, they sit in 3rd place, three points behind Bournemouth (who also have a game in hand).