AFC Bournemouth Women have the opportunity to go top against Swindon - Match Preview

AFC Bournemouth face off against Swindon in a game where a win will see them go top of the league.

Katie Scadding, Katelyn Wort and Abby Jones Training in front of The Vitality Stadium

The Cherries’ first game in Division One South West was against Sunday’s opposition. Cuss’ side performed well however were pegged back in the dying minutes of the game to make it 1-1.

Becki Bath, the club’s top goal scorer, is expecting a tough and potentially frustrating game as she said: “They don’t give up. When any player gets a touch, they’re straight on it and they fight until the end.”

She also added: “They sit with four defenders with two midfielders who literally sit in front of them. They almost park the bus as such so we’ve been focusing on how to break them down and hopefully we’ve hit the nail on the head.”

Last time these two teams came up against each other it ended 1-1 with Swindon scoring late on. This Bournemouth side has had a few unique results like this where they have played well but failed to get the desired result.

Cuss commended the desire and commitment of his side when he said: “The first two games of the season where we were leading 1-0 and got pegged back both times. You walked into the dressing room, and it felt like a defeat. That probably said a lot about the group because they were our first games in the division, and we didn’t know what to expect. We got two draws, but it wasn’t enough for the team, they wanted two wins and it was a clear indication of the ambition of the team. We know this time around against Swindon we’re going to have to play better and be at our best to get the three points.”

Sunday’s game will be a high pressure one for the Cherries as a win will take Bournemouth one point above league leaders Southampton. Bath was confident in the squad’s mentality, saying: “Personally, I cope with the pressure by not thinking about it and just going out and doing my thing on a Sunday. As a team we listen to the manager and trust in him.”

Cuss seconded Bath’s opinions when he said: “I think we’ve had pressure all the way and that comes with playing for AFC Bournemouth because I think teams want to try and beat us and we’ve had that from the first game of the season. If you’re asking me, I want to be top of the league and that’s where we all want to be. We want to get there as quick as we can, and the pressure will be to stay there but that will just be another challenge that comes our way.”

The manager revealed his five-year plan for the women’s team as: “Each year of trying to get promoted but the long-term plan is to be in those top two divisions.”

If the club wants to fulfil this plan, opportunities to go top of the league must be grasped with two hands.

On Sunday Steve Cuss’ brilliant Bournemouth take on the Swindon’s secure defence. When the referee’s whistle blows at 2pm, you will not want to miss a moment.