FGR Women travel to Bournemouth in the FA Cup

Match Preview – FGR Women travel to Bournemouth

FGR Women travel to Bournemouth on 23 October to try and secure a place in the first round proper of the Women’s FA Cup.

Venue: Ringwood Town Football Club, BH24 3EB

Time: 2pm

The Womens FA Cup and dreaming of Wembley

The Women’s FA Cup started in 1970 with 71 teams entering from across England, Scotland and Wales. The trophy was first lifted by Southampton who defeated Stewarton Thistle of Scotland 4-1.

In 2021/22 Chelsea who won their 4^th FA Cup in front of a competition record crowd of 49,094 fans in an electric atmosphere at Wembley. Arsenal hold the record for winning the competition the most times with 14 victories.

This season FGR Women are one of 438 clubs who have entered the Womens FA Cup, dreaming of lifting the title at Wembley. A good cup run this season can make a huge difference for clubs, with the prize money pot being increased from around £400k last season to £3m this year, with prizes for winning matches in each round increasing.

Last Time Out For FGR

FGR continued their strong start to the season with a 3-2 victory over Poole Town, to move FGR level on points at the top of the South West Womens Premier. Another goal for Charlie Rowlands, who has affectionately become known as Charlie Goalands this season, sees her stay joint top of the leagues golden boot race. Goals also came from captain Hattie Jones and a first FGR goal for talented youngster Poppy Mortimer who has made a good impression since joining FGR. But there were strong performances throughout the side in what was a good team performance.

The Opposition

Bournemouth are one of 48 teams from the fourth tier of Women’s Football who enter the competition in this round, playing in the FA Womens National League Division One South-West.

Managed by Steve Cuss, the Cherries have made a strong start to the season, sitting third in the table behind Cardiff and Exeter. Cuss, who has been part of AFC Bournemouth Community for 20 years was appointed Bournemouth Women’s manager at the start of the 19/20 season and has led them to the National League Division One South West. In their first ever season in the 4^th tier of Womens football Bournemouth finished 2^nd place behind Cheltenham Town. They also reached the 2^nd round of the FA Cup for the first time, before losing to third tier Portsmouth 2-1/

Ones To Watch

Forward Shannon Albuery has recorded ten goals from 10 appearances this season and will be someone who needs close attention on Sunday. The experienced striker joined in the summer from south coast Portsmouth and has also previously played in the WSL for Yeovil.

Likewise, Cherries number 9 Lucy Cooper will look to add to her 7 goals so far this campaign. The talented striker had to wait until she turned 16 last year to feature in the first team, but quickly made an impression scoring many goals in her first senior season, earning her a call up for England Age Group. She also won the clubs Goal of The Month competition in February, beating Dominic Solanke and Siriki Dembele by taking over 50% of the vote.

In defence Helen Bleazard will look to draw on all of her experience. The defender helped Bristol City reach the Champions League and appeared in an FA Cup final for the Robins. She then moved to Chelsea where she again played in the FA Cup final a year later. Bleazard is also a Welsh international.

Midfielder Molly Clark is another player who represented Bristol City in an FA Cup final and has played at the top of English football. The midfielder is capable of scoring goals and who wears number 10 has also represented Team GB at beach football.