AFC Bournemouth host Cheltenham Town in National League | OneFootball

AFC Bournemouth play their first home match at the Bob Lucas Stadium in Weymouth as they welcome Cheltenham Town, aiming to build early momentum.

According to Bournemouth Echo, Bournemouth opened with a 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon, Jenna Markham scoring soon after the interval.

Cheltenham lost 3-1 to Real Bedford on the opening day, and Tom Davies’ side will look to respond.

Bournemouth had the edge last season, completing the league double, winning 2-0 at the Ringwood Community Hub through Gemma McGuinness and Georgia Wilson, then 6-0 away.

Former Robiness Clarabella Hall is set to face her old team in Cherries colours.

Cheltenham finished eighth in the National League Southern Premier Division last term, two points above the drop, after a final-day thrashing of bottom club Billericay Town pulled them clear. Hall hit a hat-trick in that game, and her former side will hope she does not repeat it.

Head coach Helen Bleazard said the squad is in a good place injury-wise, though Sophia Leonard was forced off at Wimbledon last Sunday. Kyra Robertson, Tilly Wilkes, Tia Young and Emilia Newton were not in the matchday group.

Bleazard added there is no timeline yet for Leonard, with assessments ongoing and medical staff leading the process to ensure she returns ready.

Kick-off is at 2pm on Sunday, 23 August.

Source: Bournemouth Echo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”