AFC Bournemouth Women fail to keep pressure on Cardiff after shock defeat to Keynsham Town

Steve Cuss’ side started the day in 2nd place, just five points behind league leaders Cardiff City, however they failed to make it five wins on the bounce, after losing 2-0 to Keynsham Town at home.

Molly Clark on the ball | Photo by: Zach Sampson

Bournemouth’s biggest chance of the half came in the 23rd minute when Molly Clark picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and lofted it to debutant Amber Treweek, who flicked the ball over head, ran to the by-line, crossing it into Lucy Cooper however her attempt sailed over the crossbar.

As the teams went in for half-time, The Cherries would have been happier out of the two teams having dominated possession. However, you feel they would have been frustrated at the fact it was 0-0 at the break.

The second half started with a bang as Lucy Cooper ran through the whole team straight from kick off however her left footed effort was fired into the side netting.

In a bid to change the game, Cuss made a triple substitution in the 60th minute, bringing on Maisy Smith, Abby Jones and Jess Treweek.

Straight after coming on, Abby Jones picked up the ball from right back and played Helen Bleazard in behind the defence. She played an exquisite cross into the back post which found Lucy Cooper however she was unable to put the ball into the back of the net.

Abby Jones | Photo by: Zach Sampson

Bournemouth’s closest attempt of the game came in the 71st minute when a Katie James freekick cannoned off the inside of the post, resulting in a goal mouth scramble which saw Keynsham eventually saw Keynsham clear the ball.

In the 83rd minute, Cooper was played through on goal with the keeper rushing out of her box; the Cherries striker made it to the ball before the keeper however her touch took her too wide and she could only cross the ball into an empty box.

Just two minutes later, against the run of play, Keynsham put themselves 1-0 up after the ball loops over Katie Scadding and slips through her hands and into the back of the net.

Bournemouth’s immense amount of pressure once again came undone in the 91st minute when Keynsham hit them on the counter and lifted the ball over Scadding’s head to make it 2-0 and seal the victory for the visitors.

The Cherries will be very disappointed knowing they went into today seven places above the visitors, dominated 95% of the game yet failed to convert their chances. Bournemouth host 6th place Swindon Town next weekend.