BOURNEMOUTH V 2 WEYMOUTH II 1

WEYMOUTH battled bravely but ultimately came up just short at high-flying Bournemouth.

The first 15 minutes of the Channel Division Two game started with play going from end to end and several chances falling for the visitors.

Midfielder Katie Ninham and forward Izzy Gilliver both had chances that were quickly snuffed out by the solid Bournemouth defence.

The home side opened the scoring on the half hour when a cross from the left wing met a Bournemouth forward’s stick and the ball found its way past Weymouth keeper Anna Neish before she could do anything about it.

A slightly downcast Weymouth team managed to keep Bournemouth from scoring again and the hosts went into half-time just the one goal to the good.

Bournemouth came out strong at the start of the second half, passing the ball into the D and creating several opportunities to double their advantage.

However, Weymouth’s Alice Craven stood tall and successfully linked up with Annabel Canavan to put Bournemouth’s defence under pressure.

Those two also had help from midfielders Annalise Dive and Jemma Brunell.

Both teams continued to pile on pressure at each end of the pitch and Bournemouth were finally rewarded with a short corner.

Although Weymouth defender Jo Ray was able to clear the ball from the D, Bournemouth put together some swift passes and had the Seasiders under the cosh again.

The hosts then managed to score another goal to make it 2-0 midway through the second half and put themselves in a great position going into the remainder of the game.

Weymouth did not give up and after a surge up the middle of the pitch they too were awarded a short corner.

This was driven superbly past the Bournemouth goalie by Craven, who used a textbook shot to bring the score to 2-1.

Although they had several more short corners and kept the ball in the Bournemouth half, Weymouth couldn’t find an equaliser.

The result means Weymouth stay sixth, just one point above Salisbury but four behind Wimborne Wayfarers and Swanage & Wareham’s second team.

The Seasiders are home to the Wayfarers at Redlands tomorrow before a trip to Yeovil and Sherborne a week later.

Man of the match: Alice Craven