DEFENDER Abby Jones described the experience of playing at Vitality Stadium as “quite normal” after Cherries’ 0-0 draw with Maidenhead United.

The 18-year-old had previously played at Dean Court last April, playing the full 90 minutes as Cherries eased past Chesham 4-1.

Whilst this time she helped her side record a clean sheet, Cherries were unable to break the deadlock, despite controlling large portions of the game.

Apart from playing in unfamiliar surroundings, there was also a record crowd watching on at the Vitality.

3,067 fans watched the women's second-ever game at the home of Cherries, almost double the 1,600 that watched the fixture with Chesham.

Asked how she was feeling in the build-up to the game, Jones told the Daily Echo: “Felt a bit more comfortable because obviously I was used to it from last season.

“At the same time, knowing there was probably double the amount people coming in my head made me a bit nervous.

“But I stuck to my normal routine on a Sunday morning, we stuck to our normal routine when we got here as well, chatting, listening to music.

“I think that all played a part in it being quite normal for us.

“We just sort of used it as a normal game, normal league game, and just tried to focus in on winning really, but we just fell short, unfortunately.”

Jones frequently bombed down the left-flank, offering Cherries an attacking outlet.

However, she also contributed defensively, with the youngster taking pride in her work at the back to earn a clean sheet.

“I think the most important thing as a defender is keeping a clean sheet.

“And as a back four, keeping a clean sheet is a win for us because we never want to let goals in. Neither does our keeper.

“As a team as a whole, we don't want to let goals in. And to not concede in a game which is very close, we could have easily lost 1-0 or easily won 1-0, but luckily we just kept it level.

“I think it was a pretty even game today.”