More than 5,800 fans turned out to see AFC Bournemouth Women go top of the league with a 2-1 win over Oxford Utd.
The result at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday puts them top of the third tier of women’s football following their promotion to the division this summer.
Cherries Women usually play in Ringwood – the last time they played at the stadium was in March when they beat Bristol Rovers to secure the league title with four games still to play.
More than 7,000 tickets were sold for that fixture, which was heavily expected to end with Bournemouth lifting a trophy.
It was manager Helen Bleazard’s first game on the touchline at the Vitality as she continues her side’s unbeaten league run that stretches back two-and-a half years.
Speaking after the match, the former player said “a massive thank you” to the fans, saying they were “unbelievable”.
“I said to the girls, don’t take it for granted, just enjoy it. As a player, you might not get this opportunity again and you’ve just got to enjoy the moment.”
Left-back Charlotte Harris, who opened the scoring in the 11th minute, said the team was “really appreciative” of all the people who came out.
“The pitch is huge. It’s an amazing opportunity to play here but definitely different than playing in Ringwood.
“It was so loud. Playing under the lights is something that’s really special and I hope we get more opportunities like this because it really fuels us as a team to put on our best performance.”
Harris cut in from the left touch line to stroke the ball into the top right corner of the goal, registering her first goal of the season.
The strike was bettered by that of Sophie Quirk, who transferred from Portsmouth FC this summer, moving down a tier in the process.
A 90th minute corner threatened to pour cold water on the home fans’ celebrations, as Oxford substitute Shaunna Jenkins nodded the ball into Erin Foley’s otherwise undisturbed net.
But Cherries held their nerve to see out the win.
