AFC Bournemouth won the FA Women's National League Cup for the first time after battling to a 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle at MATRADE Loftus Road.
Kenni Thompson grabbed the winner direct from a corner early in the first half, and the spectacular effort proved to be enough for the Cherries to take the spoils.
Plymouth nearly found an equaliser with ten minutes remaining, but Ellie Noble could only guide the ball onto the post, as Bournemouth were left to celebrate come full time.
Bournemouth, who lost 2-1 to Plymouth in the league six days ago, started the brighter of the two sides in West London and almost took the lead after just four minutes when Elena Cole’s rasping drive from 40 yards struck the crossbar.
But the Cherries weren’t to be denied for long as four minutes later, Thompson opened the scoring from a corner after her looping cross found the net beyond Hermione Cull’s reach.
A fine double save from Cull in the 23rd minute kept her side just a goal behind while Phoebie Poole had two good chances, but her first was claimed by Katie Scadding and her second went over the bar.
Cull was called upon again on the stroke of half time as she denied Sophie Quirk with a fine save after the forward had beaten two defenders.
With so much on the line for both teams, the opening exchanges of the second half was a cagey affair.
Bournemouth had two opportunities through Georgia Wilson’s shot and the late arriving Quirk, but the latter couldn’t connect with the cross she attacked.
Poole did find the net in the 66th minute but her effort was ruled out for offside after Ella Stephens’ shot was parried into her path.
Marie Hourihan’s side continued to try their best to find a leveller as Olivia Francis’ cutback was only partially dealt with by Scadding, but the loose ball agonisingly evaded Poole and Layla Proctor.
Noble came close in the 80th minute to restoring parity but her effort hit the woodwork after Francis’ cross was flicked on by Tianna Teisar.
But despite the pressure they were under, Helen Bleazard’s outfit held on to claim victory, with joyous celebrations following the full-time whistle.
The win marks back-to-back FA WNL Cup triumphs for Jessica Hennessy, having won it last season with Nottingham Forest, and the Player of the Final was delighted Bournemouth could get the job done.
She said: “It's unbelievable. I'm so lucky to win [the Cup] last season and then to win it again this season. It's surreal, and to win it with this group of girls as well, it is very special. I just can't thank the club enough for everything they've done for us and put us in this situation.
“It's what dreams are made of to be honest. You always want to win and it's always a bonus to get a clean sheet in a match. Everyone was unbelievable. It's a special feeling having all my family here as well; my little niece came over from Ireland. It's a great day and we’ll celebrate.
“Plymouth were so resilient and never stopped. But defensively, I thought we were so strong and Scadds [Scadding] made some unbelievable saves.”
Bleazard, in her first season at the helm of the Cherries, added: “I said to the girls, fuel off the back of last week’s defeat. We had a really good performance but it didn't go our way.
“But we knew the best way is to bounce straight back and the girls have been phenomenal this week. They fuelled it, they put everything in and we got the result we wanted at the end of the day. They were unbelievable and it’s a great feeling.”