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Clevedon Town V AFC Bournemouth Ladies
AFCB Ladies first away match in the SW Combination was a highly competitive affair against an established Clevedon Town side whose experience at this level is far beyond the newly promoted Cherries team. However, it was the slick and snappy play of Bournemouth that dominated the opening exchanges and their first opportunity fell to the feet of Kelly Merry but her shot from 8 yards ended up somehow in the arms of Town keeper, Baker. Cherries early domination provided the first goal of the game in the 8th minute when Baker spilled a cross under pressure and it fell to the reliable feet of Lindsey Roe who made no mistake with her calm finish.
Clevedon seemed nervous and relied mainly on long-ball tactics which were no problem for the outstanding Georgie Hoban at the heart of the Cherries defence; it was only when Town played the ball on the ground did they trouble Bournemouth
and following a counter attack down the right it was the unfortunate Kerry Weeks who put in a sliding tackle that was deemed a foul which provided the ideal opportunity for Clevedon to equalise from the spot but AFC’s keeper, Rachel Simkin had other ideas. She pulled off a brilliant save diving to her left, pushing the ball away to safety, much to the delight of her team mates. Half time Clevedon 0-1 AFC Bournemouth.
A high tempo start by Bournemouth meant that the second half began in the same way the first had ended, with the Cherries in the ascendancy.
Clevedon’s main threat came from their sprightly captain, Karen Evans but Bournemouth’s determination was sustained and it looked likely that they’d be taking all three points home as each wave of attacking play produced opportunities.
It was against the run of play and very harshly that Clevedon were awarded their 2nd penalty in the closing stages of the game and although Simkin saved the spot kick it was penalty taker, Evans who smashed home the rebound to save Clevedon’s blushes.
The Cherries could still have won the game in the dying minutes when Charlie Lanahan was presented with a chance inside the area but she couldn’t keep her volley under the bar. Substitute, Gillian Neill used her pace to get in behind the Town defence but her shot in the dying seconds was smothered with some desperation by Clevedon’s Braithwaite.
bravenet.com