AFC Bournemouth Women go to second in the league after 1-0 win against Selsey

AFC Bournemouth Women moved to second in the FA Women’s National League South West after winning 1-0 at home to fifth place Selsey, thanks to a first-half goal from Jess Treweek.

Abby Jones running down the left | Photo by: Zach Sampson

The first chance of the game came in the 10th minute when Maisy Smith sent Jess Treweek through on goal and she lifted the ball over Selsey’s diving keeper, Amelia Atterbury.

The pressure continued three minutes later as Katie James picked up the ball on the right-hand side, taking a touch then crossed the ball, evading all the defenders and came to Molly Clark at the back post however she headed the ball over the bar.

In the 15th minute, Lucy Cooper was played through in on goal and rounded the keeper however the angle became too tight, forcing her to turn around and play the ball to Abby Jones who was waiting on the edge of the box. The right back attempted to curl the ball into the top right corner however her effort hit the roof of the net.

Selsey missed a golden opportunity to get back into the game in the 18th minute as the ball fell to Skye Bacon at the front post from a corner however her toe poke edged just past the post.

The final chance of the half fell to Bournemouth in the 38th minute as the ball bobbled to Jess Treweek in the middle of the box; her shot rebounded to the edge of the box and to the feet of Elle Elkins whose 20-yard curling effort cannoned off the crossbar.

Molly Clark | Photo by: Zach Sampson

The second half kicked off and four minutes later Bournemouth’s first chance of the half fell to Molly Clark when she curled the ball towards the left corner however the keeper made an excellent save as she flew across the goal to get a hand to it.

The majority of the second half was dominated by the home team with them spending the majority of their time in the Selsey half; however, they struggled to convert their chances.

Selsey’s best chance of the game came in the 81st minute through a free kick from 25 yards out. Taylah Sibley player took a speculative shot from the free kick forcing a good save out of Joyce, but nothing came of it.

Bournemouth were able to withstand the remaining pressure from Selsey. The away team dominated the ball however they weren’t able to convert the pressure into chances.

Three players stood out for player of the match: Elle Elkins, Maisy Smith and Kelly Fripp but I have to give it to the club captain. She was the heartbeat of a defence that had the kitchen sink thrown at them in the second half, and popped up with an assist in the first half.

The Cherries have a two week break until they're back in action where they travel to bottom of the league St Austell, who are yet to win a game.