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'Special day, special season, special team': Cuss on 'tremendous' league win

Cuss’s side has won 18 out of 18 games so far this season, seeing them win the league with four games to play.

They beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 in front of more than 7,000 fans at the Vitality Stadium to confirm their league win.

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the game, Cuss said: “It's not just about today, it's about the whole season.

“To put the records that we've put together this season and to bounce back from last season, the players have been tremendous.

“It's been a really special day, special season with a special group of players and they deserve everything they get today.”

(Image: Richard Crease) It has been a big week for the Cherries.

A week before the league game at Dean Court against Rovers, they beat Moneyfields 3-0 to reach the Hampshire Senior Cup final.

Then, they beat Moneys again on Wednesday night, this time in the league, to set up a potential title win on Sunday.

That game in particular was dramatic – goalkeeper Erin Foley saved a stoppage time penalty to preserve a 2-1 lead for the Cherries.

“I think if someone said you're going to win three games in eight days to win the title, we’d take it,” Cuss said.

“But we know we weren't probably at our best [vs Rovers], but there's a lot of tired legs in there, but we got the job done. I thought the goals came at the right time as well.

“Again, not letting in goals, keeping a clean sheet like we've done for most of the season, so vital in our performances.

“So to get another clean sheet and to get the goals and win, it's just been a great day.”

Jenna Markham was a threat throughout at striker for the Cherries and was rewarded with the opening goal after 35 minutes.

(Image: Richard Crease) Asked about her performance, Cuss said: “Jenna's had a great season.

“She started off so strong, scoring lots of goals, unfortunately got injured and had to work her way back to this and I thought she was a real handful today, took her goal well and led that line really well.”

The second goal was scored by Katie James, volleying home from close range after a wonderful Ellie Strippel cross from the left.

On the second goal, Cuss said: “It was a great delivery.

“We talked at halftime about trying to get a few more deliveries into the box and Ellie delivered that. And Katie James loves scoring at the Vitality Stadium, it was a great finish at the far post.”

Reflecting on the campaign as a whole, Cuss said: “I don't think anybody could envisage that we were going to go 18 out of 18, concentrating on bouncing back from what happened last year.

“We got off to a great start and we've been on this roll, and they just keep going, but the squad's got huge belief and they just keep going and they deserve their moment today.”

Looking to next season in the National League Southern Premier Division, and asked about the prospect of back-to-back promotions, Cuss said: “Well, we'll have a little bit of a rest, recover and see what happens!”

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