Co Fermanagh 0-3 AFC Bournemouth
Premier section
Monday 28th July 2025
A dominating display saw AFC Bournemouth secure a comfortable win to kickstart their debut campaign at this year’s SuperCupNI.
A minute’s silence was held prior to kick off in memory of local manager and former Co Fermanagh player Michael Kerr, who sadly passed away earlier this year. A great gesture from all involved at The Warren including staff, match officials and supporters.
It was a dream start for the English side, it only took them two minutes to break the deadlock which all began from a quick corner. A wonderful deep cross from Levi Tindall met the head of an unmarked Jay Austin-Burrows at the back post which opened the score sheet for AFC Bournemouth.
The Erne men had a chance to reply a few minutes later with a great piece of footwork from Jay Largo Elis down the right hand side, the ball was driven low into the box towards Alfie Jones, who failed to test the keeper with his shot blocked by an AFC Bournemouth defender.
The cherries saw plenty of the ball in the first half, some great link up play led to multiple chances but the attackers failed to put the ball in the back of the net. Co Fermanagh dealt well with the constant pressure and were able to keep themselves in the game for the time being.
Just before half time the boys in blue won a corner with a chance to equalise. A great corner taken by Alfie Jones which then led to a scramble and a missed kick from defender Oisin Morris, who had the opportunity to draw his side level before the break.
A great start to the second half for AFC Bournemouth as Levi Tindall with another brilliant cross this time meeting an unmarked Alfie Thomas who headed home for a convincing 2-0 lead.
A few injuries and many substitutions caused a disruption of the flow of the game, after many intervals AFC Bournemouth sprung into life again. Newly substituted Divine Madueke showed some impressive dribbling to beat his opponent, he then sent an inviting ball into the centre of the box. However Adam Magee the Fermanagh keeper bravely came out to punch the ball and claimed a free kick for his team.
The game was in a flow state now with both teams trading attacks one after the other, a nice through ball from Joshua Humes created an inviting chance for Jay Largo Ellis.
Unfortunately he couldn’t direct his shot towards goal.
Shortly after AFC Bournemouth retained the ball on the left hand side until it was brilliantly switched to Armel Gbajumo, a brilliant overlapping run saw him linking up with Divine Madueke who beat his opponent once again and fizzed the ball into the box. This time the cross was met by Ben Rukiza who passed the ball into the net to make it 3-0 to the Dorset side.
The full time whistle blew as a dominating performance led to a first win and a great start to AFC Bournemouth’s SuperCupNI campaign. With Co Fermanagh needing to pick themselves up in order to score points on the board later on this week.
By Alex Little