AFC Bournemouth are the only side still unbeaten in the National League Southern Premier Division but sit third in the league, albeit with three games in hand over Plymouth and Watford above them.
They travel to Oxford tonight as they get their league campaign going again, with their last league game a 1-1 draw against Hashtag United on January 4.
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Reflecting on the season to date, captain Jones told the Daily Echo: “I think when we started this season, we never thought we would be in this position.
“I think we're very lucky to be where we are now, and that just comes with the team and the players. And the players that the club have brought in have been brilliant, even from experience, bringing in their mentality, their experience, and helping all the younger ones, the old ones.
“Everyone started the season off at different stages and to have everyone come together and have such a good collective squad has been brilliant.
“I'm really proud of the girls, the way that they've conducted themselves the whole season so far. And we've got a long way to go yet with a lot of games left.
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City in FA Cup 4th round match at The Snows Stadium at AFC Totton. (Image: Richard Crease)
“But yeah, I think the season as a whole has been brilliant. And if you told us we would be in this position at the start of the season, I don't think anyone would have believed it, to be honest.
“I mean, we spoke about that [promotion] recently and said, look how far we've come and what success means to us, and we've definitely had a successful season so far.”
On potential promotion, Jones continued: “I think we've touched on that a bit as a team.
“We don't like to talk about it too much because we don't want to put pressure on ourselves. It's obviously something that we've looked for to each other, and getting promotion would be a massive, massive thing for us.
“But also we have to look at the success we've had in the competitions that we've played in as well.
“We've had success in the FA Cup playing Man City; yeah, we lost that game, but it was probably one of the biggest games of the season, and some people will never have that opportunity again.
Abby Jones (Image: Richard Crease)
“And then now being in a final of the League Cup as well. That's just a brilliant opportunity for us. And to still be unbeaten in the league this far through the league and have lots and lots of games left is just amazing.
“So success would be promotion, yes, but we've also had a brilliant season so far.”
Jones has seen a slight shift in her role as she has started fewer games this term, with ten starts in 17 appearances compared to 29 in 31 last season.
Asked about her personal experience in the step up to tier three, Jones said: “The step up between tier four and three is a huge change.
“Even just the teams we play against is just so massive, and I think it's really important to have the squad that we have.
Abby Jones (Image: Amy Maidment/AFC Bournemouth)
“I know that that's definitely something we strive for as a club, to have a team that we can lean on, whether it's the starting 11 or the subs coming off the bench.
“I think we've done that really well so far this season, utilizing our squad.
“For me personally, I found it quite difficult and hard. It's challenging trying to step up from into a league that you've never played in before at that level. And yeah, it's been hard.
“I've had my own challenges, but definitely been focusing on the team as a whole as well as trying to improve myself away from the training ground. So yeah, that's something that I strive for.
“I think, like we've touched on with the mentality thing, I think it's really hard. There's obviously a lot of pressure to do well in this league, a lot of pressure to perform.
“And if you're not performing, then we don't win games.
“Luckily, we've got a squad that can help us do that and each game we change the team, the team changes around, it's never the same team playing, it's all based on tactics.
“I think that's what's got us the edge so far.”