Match Report: AFC Bournemouth Women start their league campaign with a resounding 3-0 win

Bournemouth Women got to a resounding start in their opening game of the season against AFC St Austell Ladies, winning 3-0.

AFC Bournemouth Women huddling before kick off | Photography: Zach Sampson

The game got off to a quick start for the Cherries, when, in the ninth minute, Lucy Cooper sent debutant Shannon Albuery through in on goal who then bobbled the ball into the back of the net. Her elation was quickly cut short as the linesman ruled the goal as offside.

This didn’t put the former Portsmouth striker off, as in the 20th minute she picked up the ball on the edge of box and curled the ball into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 1-0.

In the 30th minute, Molly Clark intercepted a lazy pass from St Austell’s right centre back and quickly struck the pall from 25 yards, smashing the inside of the right post but cannoning out of play.

A minute later, in almost an identical scenario, Clark intercepts the ball and fires from distance, however this time the ball sails into the top left corner making it 2-0.

With St Austell continuing to not learn from their mistakes, Clark intercepted a poor pass from the defence, in the 34th minute, and smashed the ball onto the inside of the right post, however it once again bounces away from goal.

In the dying moments of the half, Katie James’ corner is met at the back post by the head of Bournemouth’s #4, Bleazard, making it 3-0.

Molly Clark, Best Women's Beach Soccer Play of the Year 2021, stood over a free-kick | Photography: Zach Sampson

St Austell came out a lot stronger in the second half, with them making life very difficult for The Cherries.

Lots of little fouls stopped Cuss’s side from playing their usual free-flowing football. However, one of the biggest chances of the half came in the 75th minute when a Katie James free kick caused a scramble in the box resulting in Bleazard taking a left footed shot which was comfortably caught by the keeper.

Another big chance fell in the dying embers of the game as Molly Clark stood over a freekick from distance and smashed it towards goal, however it was caught by St Austell’s keeper.

The full-time whistle blew on Bournemouth’s campaign opener as it sent them to third in the league only behind league leaders Exeter City on goal difference, who beat Keynsham Town 7-0.