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Wilson and Markham strikes see Cherries beat West Brom to reach League Cup final

Goals from Georgia Wilson and Jenna Markham were enough to see AFC Bournemouth progress, where they will meet Plymouth Argyle in the final.

Wilson’s strike midway through the first half gave the visitors to Rugby Borough the halftime advantage, before Markham struck nine minutes before the end to seal the Cherries’ spot in the final.

West Brom threatened early on at Kilsby Lane through Taylor Reynolds, as she charged down the right and had a shot, but it went over Katie Scadding’s crossbar.

The best early Cherries chance went the way of Amber Treweek as Kenni Thompson’s corner fell her way, but her effort was blocked.

But the visitors took the lead eight minutes later as Wilson arrowed a shot into the bottom corner past Charlotte Clarke in the West Brom net.

Georgia Wilson (Image: Richard Crease)

The hosts went in search of an equaliser and Monique Robinson shot just wide, but the Cherries continued to threaten too, as Molly Barron-Clark drew a save out of Clarke.

Bournemouth held the lead heading into the interval, and there were few chances to speak of for either side in the opening exchanges of the second period.

Helen Beazard went to the bench shortly after the hour mark, introducing Elena Cole in place of Katie James, before Wilson shot over the bar after Thompson’s header back across goal.

Robinson had a shot blocked for the home side with 12 minutes to play, but three minutes later the Cherries doubled their advantage to book their spot in the final.

Jenna Markham (Image: Richard Crease)

Sophie Quirk, ever the threat, went on a good run and she delivered a dangerous ball which Markham met to steer the ball home and make it 2-0.

Bleazard made a quadruple substitution five minutes after the second goal, as both goalscorers Wilson and Markham were replaced, along with Thompson and Charlotte Harris.

On came Gemma McGuinness, Phoebe Williams, Kelci Bowers and Abby Jones, as the Cherries sought to see out the victory.

And that they did, continuing their best-ever run in the National League Cup to reach the final.

There, they will meet Plymouth Argyle at QPR’s Loftus Road Stadium on Saturday, March 28.

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