AFC Bournemouth Women progress to the semi-final of the Hampshire FA Cup after beating Moneyfields

AFC Bournemouth Women beat Moneyfields 2-0 to progress to the semi-final of the Hampshire FA Cup, a competition they reached the final in last year.

Beth Everson on her home debut | Photo by: Zach Sampson

Bournemouth started the game in control, having the lion’s share of possession however they struggled to make chances.

The first chance of the game came in the 25th minute as there was mayhem at the back for Moneyfields as the keeper received a pass and had the ball at her feet only for Everson to dispossess her and fire the ball into an empty net, scoring on her home debut.

Moneyfields’ came close in the 32nd minute as their striker’s side footed attempt took a deflection and looped towards the crossbar, past the outstretched keeper but unfortunately also past the post.

Just two minutes later, Bournemouth’s defence was cut open as Moneyfields’ Beth Burgess picked up the ball on the edge of the box, directly opposite the goal, and played through Ellie Kirby on the left wing. She side footed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. However, the celebrations were cut short quickly as the linesman raise the flag for offside.

Abby Jones battling for the ball | Photo by: Zach Sampson

Three minutes after the second half started, Bournemouth thought they had doubled their lead after Lucy Cooper picked up the ball on the halfway line and then flicked the ball over her head and round the Moneyfields defender; she then played the ball to Everson who carried the ball into the box and rolled it past the keeper and into the bottom right hand corner but, once again, the linesman ruined the party and raised his flag, calling offside.

Moneyfields had a great chance, in the 67th minute, when Kimberly Whitcombe played the ball to an unmarked Ellie Bloomfield from a free kick however, the shot was poor and was easily caught by the keeper.

The game was sealed for the Cherries in the 86th minute when Molly Clark picked the ball up on the half-way line, turning the defender; the ball was then played to Maisy Smith on the right-hand side of the box who fired the ball in the back of the net, making it 2-0.

There were a few contenders for player of the match with Maisy Smith, Abby Jones and Elle Elkins all putting in notable performances however I have to give it to Beth Everson. On her home debut, she was a nuisance for the opposition defence and even got herself a goal, making it two in her first three games for Steve Cuss’ side.