Quirk nets hattrick as Cherries smash Cheltenham to keep pressure on top of league

THE Cherries demolished Cheltenham to maintain pressure on Plymouth and Watford at the summit of the National League Southern Premier Division.

A rapid start from Helen Bleazard’s side saw them take the lead through Jenna Markham after just eight minutes, and they flew to a 5-0 lead after 33 minutes, an advantage they held at halftime.

Goals from Georgia Wilson and Katie James along with a Sophie Quirk brace gave them a commanding lead at the interval, before Quirk completed her hattrick shortly after the hour mark.

That was to complete the scoring for the Cherries, as they romped home to a big 6-0 win to keep the pressure on the two sides above them, with games in hand.

It was a dream start for the Cherries at Bishops Cleeve FC, as Markham finished brilliantly with eight minutes on the clock to give them the early lead.

Bournemouth kept coming at their hosts and five minutes later it was two, as Wilson finished from an excellent James corner to give them control.

James then got on the scoresheet herself as she produced a beautiful finish from range to make it 3-0 after 28 minutes.

Sophie Quirk (Image: Newsquest)

Just moments later, Quirk got her first of the afternoon and the Cherries’ fourth as they continued to heap misery on their hosts.

Brilliant work from Kelci Bowers saw her fire the ball into the prolific Quirk, who finished well to make it four.

Four minutes later and the Cherries’ top scorer went through one-on-one and slotted home cooly to complete her brace before the break and to make it 5-0 to the visitors with 33 minutes on the clock.

Bleazard made a chance at the break as Jessica Hennessy was replaced by Freya Meadows Tuson.

The Bournemouth advantage was extended after 62 minutes and Quirk netted her hattrick as she burst through and clear of the defence to finish well and make it 6-0 to the visitors.

Quirk was replaced three minutes later by Zoe Barratt having moved onto 23 goals for the season.

Sophie Quirk (Image: Richard Crease)

Amber Treweek, Bowers and James all came off for Anya Lucas, Gemma McGuinness and Elena Cole before the whistle, as Bournemouth saw out a convincing 6-0 victory on the road.

The Cherries move onto 39 points and remain in third place in the league, after Watford smashed bottom-placed Billericay 14-0 to stay top and Plymouth beat Lewes 2-0.

Bournemouth are one point behind Argyle, with two games in hand, and two points behind the Hornets with one game in hand.

Up next, they travel to Devon to face Exeter City, before back-to-back games against Plymouth in the league and National League Cup final later this month.