The website dedicated to women's football across the country, at ALL levels of the game

@en

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Back to home page

Early goal seals it for Bournemouth

FA WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP FINAL

AFC Bournemouth 1 (Thompson 7) Plymouth Argyle 0  

at Queen’s Park Rangers F.C.

AFC Bournemouth claimed their first ever FA Women’s National League Cup title with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle at MATRADE Loftus Road on Saturday.

Bermuda international Kenni Thompson scored the only goal of the final, netting directly from a corner as early as the seventh minute to hand the Cherries the trophy. Helen Bleazard’s side then produced a resolute defensive display, keeping a clean sheet for the eighth successive game in the competition.

Goalkeeper Katie Scadding was in excellent form throughout, while midfielder Jess Hennessy was named player of the match for her standout performance.

The Cherries dominated the first half and could easily have been further ahead at the break. Plymouth Argyle improved after the interval and applied pressure, but they were unable to breach Bournemouth’s well organised back line.

Elena Cole went close for Bournemouth early on, striking the bar with a powerful 30-yard effort after intercepting a loose pass in the fourth minute. Bournemouth then took the lead shortly afterwards when Thompson’s inswinging corner from the right evaded a crowded six yard box and sailed over the head of Pilgrims goalkeeper Hermione Cull and into the net.

Argyle sought an immediate reply, with Tianna Teisar firing a well struck from the edge of the area, which Scadding saved comfortably. At the other end, Cull produced a fine double save to deny first Sophie Quirk’s free kick and then the follow up from Kelci Bowers. Quirk then sent a speculative shot wide, while Scadding dealt with efforts from Ellie Noble and Roisin Kivel.

Just before half time, Quirk’s clever footwork created a chance from a tight angle, but Cull turned her fierce strike behind for a corner.

Ten minutes into the second half, Quirk turned inside after being picked out by Thompson, only for Cull to save her low drive at the near post. Arabelle Suttie made a crucial interception to thwart Jenna Markham, before Plymouth thought they had levelled the scores, but Phoebie Poole’s strike was ruled out for offside in the 66th minute.

With Argyle pushing forward, Scadding then saved from Poole at the second attempt and did well to clear Olivia Francis’ dangerous cross-shot as two Pilgrims players lurked at the far post.

Bournemouth were fortunate in the 79th minute when a deflected cross from Francis fell to Noble, whose first time shot struck the post. Katie James produced a vital clearance to hack away a late cross from Paris Dalton, with Noble poised to pounce.

In the eighth minute of added time, Katie Wilson lifted a presentable opportunity high over the bar with virtually the last kick of the match and Bournemouth celebrations could finally begin.

The result avenged Bournemouth’s loss in the league to Plymouth seven days earlier and capped a fine cup run for the Cherries, who remarkably remained unbeaten defensively throughout the tournament. The result also marked a first trophy success for Helen Bleazard, at the expense of her one-time team mate Marie Hourihan.  

Both sides will now turn their attention to trying to land the Southern Premier Division title, although Watford are presently in the driving seat at things stand.

AFC Bournemouth: Katie Scadding, Amber Treweek, Jess Hennessy, Charlotte Harris, Kelci Bowers, Elena Cole (sub Phoebe Williams 76mins), Katie James, Kenni Thompson (sub Freya Meadows Tuson 69mins), Georgia Wilson (sub Molly Barron-Clark 68mins), Sophie Quirk, Jenna Markham (sub Gemma McGuinness 90mins). Subs not used: Erin Foley, Ellie Strippel.

Plymouth Argyle: Hermione Cull, Layla Proctor, Phoebie Poole, Roisin Kivel, Katie Wilson, Tamara Wilcock (sub Ella Stephens 45mins), Caitlin Smith (sub Paris Dalton 45mins), Ellie Noble, Olivia Francis, Tianna Teisar (sub Charlotte Whitmore 84mins), Arabella Suttie. Subs not used: Eilish Brogan, Panagiota Papaioannou, Chloe Ingrouille, Shana Dolbel.  

Referee: Ciara Barker.