AFC Bournemouth Women were denied a late winner against Keynsham Town Ladies at the Vitality Stadium and missed the chance to keep pace with promotion rivals Exeter City in the FA Women’s National League Division One.
Gemma Hillier 73rd minute strike equalised Vicky Vipond’s first-half goal for Keynsham Town but the Cherries passed up a flurry of opportunities to claim all three points in the time remaining including nine minutes of stoppage time.
Cherries dominated the first 15 minutes of Sunday’s match as they saw a few chances come down the channels on either side, which were saved by the outstanding Keynsham keeper Charlotte Haynes or headed out for a corner.
But Keynsham Town went ahead in the 20th minute from their first shot on goal after a foul was committed against one of their players in their attacking third of the pitch.
A deep free kick swung in from Naomi Clipston from the left hand side found Vicky Vipond at the back post who was able to hit the ball first time past Cherries goalkeeper Daniela Kosinska.
A roar of noise came from the 6,162 fans that attended the match in the 31st minute of the match as Cherries midfielder Molly Barron-Clark went down in the box after losing the ball, however no foul was given.
Yet another great run came from AFC Bournemouth left back Abby Jones where she was eventually able to cut inside to set herself up for a shot, however it was deflected away for a corner by a Keynsham defender.
Some late chances in the first half for the Cherries saw tensions rising as they were pushing for the equaliser but Keynsham were able to keep the ball away from their net as the half time whistle went.
Boss Steve Cuss made two half-time substitutions with Erin Bloomfield and Olivia Venditto brought on for new signings Kelci Bowers and Ellie Butler.
The first main chance in the second half came from Lucy Cooper after Gemma McGuinness played a great through ball to her on the left hand side but Cooper’s shot hit the post and was eventually cleared by a defender.
Another close chance came in the 63rd minute as a cross into the box found the head of Erin Bloomfield who hit the crossbar but no one could get on the receiving end to put the ball in the back of the net and it was yet again cleared away by Keynsham.
With so many close calls the Cherries finally equalised in the 73rd minute as the ball was unsuccessfully cleared away by Keynsham, finding Gemma Hillier on the edge of the box who drills the ball low on a first time touch past Haynes.
A few late chances in the nine additional minutes played, including clear openings for substitute Kenni Thompson and Cooper, still weren’t enough for AFC Bournemouth to secure the late win.
Cherries’ Women will face Southampton Women on Thursday night at Test Park in Southampton where they will hope to secure three points which would close the gap between them and first placed Exeter City.
AFC Bournemouth Women set to host Keynsham Town Ladies at the Vitality Stadium in BU Big Match