AFC Bournemouth secured their second piece of silverware of the season by defeating Southern Premier outfit Cheltenham Town 3-2 in the FA Women’s National League Plate final.

The match, held at the MGroup Stadium in Oxford, was an exciting contest as the Cherries claimed the double, having already won the National League Division One South West title. A brace of goals from Kenni Thompson, alongside strikes from Jenna Markham and Ellie Strippel, gave Steve Cuss's side a 3-1 lead at halftime. However, Cheltenham captain Emily Owen’s goal with 16 minutes remaining set up a tense finish, but Bournemouth held on to clinch the Plate title and their second trophy of the season.

The match got off to a rapid start, with Phoebe Williams seeing her 20-yard shot drift wide within the opening two minutes. Strippel then fired wide after being set up by Williams, while at the other end, Erin Foley comfortably saved Una Lue’s long-range effort.

The Cherries took the lead after 11 minutes, with Strippel winning a challenge, and the ball falling to Thompson, who calmly fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Cheltenham’s goalkeeper, Foley, produced a brilliant save to deny Henna Butcher after she seized on a misjudged clearance by Abby Jones. Thompson came close to doubling the lead with a free-kick that hit the crossbar from 25 yards out, while Lue’s shot flashed across Bournemouth’s goalmouth.

Midway through the first half, Bournemouth did double their advantage. Thompson’s cross was met by Gemma McGuinness, who played it into the path of Markham to slot home at the far post.

Cheltenham halved the deficit in the 31st minute when Lue’s cross eluded Foley and found the net. However, the Cherries quickly restored their two-goal cushion five minutes later. Strippel finished expertly with the outside of her right boot, finding the net past Cheltenham goalkeeper Carys Pugh-Jones.

McGuinness had a header narrowly miss the target just before half-time, while Thompson tested Pugh-Jones with a strike on goal.

After the break, Foley was called into action again, making a brilliant reaction save from Lue, while Strippel came close with a shot just over the bar following a cross from Kelci Bowers. The Bournemouth goalkeeper produced another fine save, this time denying Butcher’s shot from distance.

Bournemouth continued to push for a fourth goal, with Thompson heading against the post after a cross from Bowers, but Cheltenham reduced the deficit in the 74th minute. Foley was unable to prevent Owen’s header from finding the top corner after meeting Libby Bell’s corner.

Despite Cheltenham’s efforts, Bournemouth continued to search for a decisive fourth goal to secure the win. Thompson saw an effort cleared off the line by Ffion Llewellyn, and Williams missed an opportunity in added time, poking the ball over the bar. The match ended 3-2 in Bournemouth’s favour, securing the National League Plate and the double.

Next up for Steve Cuss's team is the Hampshire Senior Cup final, where they will face Southampton U21s on Wednesday, April 16.