Bournemouth overpower Yellawomen in 6-0 win.

Three goals in each half condemned Ascot United to a heavy home defeat by AFC Bournemouth in the League Cup on Sunday. The higher-level visitors consequently won their league cup group, with results elsewhere meaning Ascot finish third, and will likely now play in the second-phase plate competition having taken four points to finish third.

Biggest test in Yellawomen’s history

This final league cup group stage game provided Andy Cox and his side the sternest examination in their history. Admittedly, The Yellawomen had played step-three opposition previously – a home FA Cup defeat against Chichester & Selsey Ladies when playing at step-five – but The Cherries are a notch above and sit top of the National League Premier Division after five games.

And, their squad includes players with International experience, plus striker Sophie Quirk with tier-two experience, making this a formidable task for Ascot against a side who have already sold over 2000 tickets for their forthcoming midweek league game at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.

Fast-starting Cherries blow Ascot away

The visitors set out with intent – having watched Ascot enjoy possession for around one minute – and it was quickly a one-sided affair with Bournemouth threatening to run away with it following a trio of early goals.

The first of them came after two minutes and fourteen seconds when Quirk rifled home from 15 yards past Cherry Preisner at the near post.

Jessica Hennessey’s pin-point header from Katie James’s seventh minute corner doubled the lead, before Jenna Markham raced onto a through ball, cut onto her right and fired home with home defender Hattie Kettle unable to sort her feet out on the goal-line.

Fortunately for Ascot, they managed to restrict any further damage before half time although Markham blazed high and wide of a gaping target after Quirk had terrorised the home defence, before Katelyn Wort’s fine block on the same player one minute before the break deflected another goal-bound shot wide for a corner.

At the other end, Ascot didn’t get a sniff, with the visitors’ defence possessing too much pace.

Second half – more of the same

Cox had changed his formation earlier in the game to mitigate further damage, but when Quirk capitalised on Erin Huntley’s error after 51 minutes, Markham blasted home despite Preisner getting strong hands to the effort.

Freya Meadows-Tuson then released Quirk in the 57th minute – on came the after-burners – and she cut in from the right before blasting into the roof of the net to make it 5-0; almost unplayable, and should be playing back at tier two.

Markham volleyed wide from Quirk’s deep cross before the latter saw a low shot chalked off for offside – and even impressive defender and captain Abby Jones got in the act with a cross-shot tipped over – but Markham would have the last word by sealing her hat-trick in the 90th minute when she headed home from another corner.

It was both an impressive watch and a good learning opportunity for both sides and their fans.

Ascot United: Preisner, Machado, Cox, Huntley (Glover 73’), Kettle, Wort, Maxted, Fox (Dias 73’), Delaney (Goulden 46’), Harney (Gladwell 46’), Lane (Luscombe 73’). Subs unused: Lloyd, Curr.

Entertainment: 4

Reporter’s Star Player: Sophie Quirk (AFC Bournemouth), Anna Machado (Ascot United)

Attendance (estimate): 150 (40 away)