Kenni Thompson was the toast of the dressing room after grabbing the winner in AFC Bournemouth’s 1-0 triumph over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Women’s National League Cup final on Saturday.

The Bermuda international netted the game’s only goal directly from a corner in the seventh minute to give the Cherries the lead which they preserved to the end to claim the spoils.

Remarkably, Helen Bleazard’s team lifted the trophy without conceding in eight games in the competition this season and produced another defensive masterclass when it mattered most against the Pilgrims at Loftus Road.

After the game Thompson revealed that she was trying to score direct from a corner.

“It was one of those where if you put it in a good area things can happen,” Thompson said.

“I was really happy that it went in and got us off to a great start but for it to be the goal that won the game is an incredible feeling.

“We have a very strong team and it doesn’t matter who we play, we back ourselves on the day.

“It’s been a long season and to go and get this trophy is something that’s going to push us on for the rest of the season.”

While the Cherries dominated proceedings in the first half and probably should have been further ahead at the interval, Plymouth came on strongly after the break.

However, they were unable to find a way past a well-drilled Cherries backline with goalkeeper Katie Scadding producing a thoroughly deserved clean sheet and Jess Hennessy named player of the match.

Elena Cole went close to making the breakthrough for Bournemouth in the fourth minute with a 30-yard piledriver which struck the woodwork.

Thompson then scored what proved the winner three minutes later with an inswinging corner that flew over the head of Pilgrims goalkeeper Hermione Cull into the back of the net.

The Pilgrims responded with Tianna Teisar having a shot from the edge of the box comfortably saved by Cherries goalkeeper Katie Scadding.

The Cherries pressed on in search of more goals with Cull pulling off a brilliant double save to keep out Sophie Quirk’s free-kick through a crowd of players and the follow-up from Kelci Bowers from close range.

The Pilgrims finally broke their opponents resistance in the 66th minute but Phoebie Poole’s effort was flagged offside.

The Cherries breathed another sigh of relief in the 79th minute when Olivia Francis’s deflected cross found Ellie Noble whose first-time effort struck the post.

Katie James then made a crucial clearance to hack away a probing cross while Katie Wilson squandered a chance with virtually the last kick of the game in stoppage time as the Cherries held on to lift the cup.