Overview of TRIP TO MONEYFIELDS FOR CHERRIES WOMEN IN THE CUP - Can AFC Bournemouth Make Their Mark In Pompey
This episode is a preview of AFC Bournemouth Women’s upcoming National League Cup match away at Moneyfields on Thursday night, with a major side discussion on the FA’s decision to introduce development teams into Tier 3 of the women’s pyramid. The host argues strongly against the move, then shifts to Bournemouth’s cup campaign, opponent background, and the competition format.
Main Topic: FA Decision to Add Development Teams to Tier 3
Host’s reaction
- The FA has announced that from next season, four women’s development teams will be placed in Tier 3.
- These teams will be split into north and south, and cannot be promoted, though they can be relegated.
- The host calls the plan “absolutely ridiculous” and unfair to existing clubs.
Why the host objects
- He argues it creates an uneven system where development sides have:
- better facilities,
- direct links to bigger clubs,
- no promotion pressure.
- He compares it to a situation in the men’s game and says fans would never accept top-club reserve/development teams entering the football pyramid.
- His broader point: the English football pyramid is what makes the game special, because any club can theoretically rise to the top.
Match Preview: AFC Bournemouth Women vs Moneyfields
Fixture details
- Competition: National League Cup
- Match: Moneyfields vs AFC Bournemouth Women
- Date/Time: Thursday, 7:45 PM kickoff
- Venue: John Jenkins Stadium
- Tickets: ÂŁ6
- Offer: Children go free with every full-paying adult
Bournemouth’s cup status
- Bournemouth Women are the current National League Cup holders.
- They won the competition last season by beating Plymouth 1–0 at QPR’s ground.
National League Cup Format Explained
The host gives a quick breakdown of how the competition works:
- There are 22 mini-leagues, each with 4 teams.
- Teams come from:
- Tier 3
- Tier 4
- 16 Professional Game Academy (PGA) teams
- The top 22 group winners and 10 best runners-up advance to the main knockout cup.
- The remaining teams and third-place sides compete in a Plate Cup knockout.
Bournemouth’s group
- AFC Bournemouth
- Moneyfields
- Bournemouth Sports
- Southampton PGA
The host notes that results in the other group games will matter, but the immediate focus is on Moneyfields.
Moneyfields: Club Background and Form
Quick history
- Moneyfields are a relatively new club, founded in 2017.
- They progressed quickly through the leagues:
- Reached Tier 4 in 2022–23
- Became semi-professional in 2024–25
- They reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2023–24.
Recent achievements
- Last season they:
- Reached the League Plate Cup final
- Missed out on promotion on the final day after a defeat to Swindon
- Their home ground is the John Jenkins Stadium
Current season form
- Strong start this season:
- 4–0 vs Maidenhead United
- 5–1 vs Abingdon United Women
- The host expects them to be serious promotion contenders again and says Bournemouth will need to be prepared for a tough match.
Key Takeaways
- The episode is both a match preview and a football pyramid debate.
- The host is highly critical of the FA’s plan to add non-promotable development teams into Tier 3.
- Bournemouth Women are entering the match as cup holders, but Moneyfields are in strong form and should provide a real test.
- The match is being framed as an important early step in Bournemouth’s group-stage path.
Call to Action from the Host
- Share your opinion on the FA’s development-team decision.
- Leave feedback if any players or details were missed.
- Attend the match if possible and give the host a wave.
