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Foley 'speechless' after Cherries seal title - with another clean sheet

Erin Foley (right) sprays her teammates in celebration after the Cherries won the title. _(Image: Richard Crease)_

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CHERRIES goalkeeper Erin Foley could barely find the worlds to capture the moment the [Cherries](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/) were crowned FA Women’s National League Division One South West champions.

AFC Bournemouth beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 on Sunday at the Vitality Stadium to take the title with four games to play.

The 19-year-old keeper has played a crucial role in a historic campaign.

“I’m speechless, honestly,” Foley said, overwhelmed after her team continued their perfect winning record with 18 wins from 18 this season.

“This is what we’ve dreamed about all season. This is what we wanted to achieve, and we’ve gone and done that.”

Despite admitting the team’s first-half performance wasn’t their sharpest, Foley said the message at halftime was clear.

She said: “I think we wanted to come out and put on a show for the fans but also secure that win today and I think we did that.”

Foley’s impact this season has been nothing short of remarkable.

The Chippenham-born shot stopper has featured in all 17 of the league games since she joined the club in August after the Cherries' opening game of the season, conceding just three goals all campaign.

One of those goals came last week, against second place Moneyfields, snapping an extraordinary run of more than 22 hours without conceding – dating back to the reverse fixture against Moneys on September 1.

That kind of defensive dominance has been the bedrock of the team’s flawless league campaign and Foley’s calm presence in goal has given the squad a quiet confidence.

“I think it’s incredible,” she said on the campaign as a whole.  

“Coming into the season, we knew we wanted to perform. I don’t think we knew the extent of getting 18 out of 18, but we were really pushing.”

As the celebrations begin, Foley’s focus is already beginning to shift. The National League Plate and Hampshire Senior Cup finals await the Cherries.

Foley said: “We’re going to celebrate tonight, and we'll look forward to our two cup finals and the rest of the league.”

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