Nicholas praises squad’s togetherness after Boco secure SWWFL Premier safety
AEK Boco Ladies First Team Manager Abi Nicholas has praised her side for their togetherness and ability to learn on the pitch, after they secured their safety in the SWWFL Premier Division.
A double from Meg Bloomer and a strike from Jess Dobbins helped Boco claim a 3-2 win away at Bishops Lydeard, who can still catch Nicholas’ side despite being in the bottom two.
But due to Poole Town Ladies only being able to reach 20 points, the win secures a second season in the Premier Division for Boco.
Following the news, Nicholas spoke to Severn Sport about the squad’s achievement.
“We are absolutely buzzing [to secure survival]! It was the only expectation set out to the girls this year, the only pressure was to stay in the division so we could build on that solid foundation going forward and gaining the key experience we need to grow,” Nicholas said.
“We knew it was going to be easier said than done though, as the standard is very high, but to have done it with a couple of games to spare couldn’t make me any prouder of our achievements over the past two seasons.
We’re exactly where we want to be right now and we’ve put ourselves in a perfect spot to kick on again,” added the Boco boss.
Boco went into the 2024/25 season having lost striker Aimee Clark to Whitchurch, albeit retained her registration in the league and saw goalkeeper Leah Whiffen ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
Nicholas had to add experience and quality to the squad and brought in the likes of Bloomer from Bristol Rovers and Natasha Hibbert from SGS Olveston United amongst others and her new-look team stuck to the task of building on their double winning campaign last term.
“We’ve loved it [this season], the feedback from the girls is they have enjoyed the challenge moreso than our title winning year,” Nicholas admitted.
“You get to understand quickly that every single game is a test and it’s a league of very fine margins, the league standings quite frankly don’t matter – anyone can get a result anywhere in this division and I think that is what we’ve enjoyed the most.
We’ve had some outstanding results and we’ve also had ones we look back on wondering how & why, but that’s the beauty of football and for me personally, seeing the team grow from the first day of the season to right now, we’ve come so far in a short amount of time I’m proud of that,” said Nicholas.
Alongside the new players to the club, Nicholas has had to utilise her full squad over the course of the season and she admits that the most rewarding part of a season that has included some overnight away days is seeing the bond the players have developed during the campaign.
“One of my favourite parts of my role is welcoming new players, seeing them bed into the squad as the games tick over, make bonds and friendships with those around and seeing what an impact they can have on the pitch,” said Nicholas.
“One thing I always hear from new players is how comfortable they feel from a minute they join, this allows them to express themselves and we get the best out of those players, the fact that all new players bought into the expectations this season just proves they want to be here into the future.
It’s been great having them on board and seeing the whole squad come together in the way they have. It is promising for next season,” Nicholas added.
Boco conclude their first season in the Premier division with a trip to Pucklechurch in April, but they play in their final home game of the campaign this weekend, when they welcome Sherborne Town to Greenbank Road.
Ahead of their final home outing, Nicholas says it is a great chance for the players to celebrate another positive season in front of friends and family.
“The last home game of the season always feels special and we’ve had some unbelievable days at Greenbank Road during my time as manager, we love playing there.
It will be a tough one against Sherborne, but like I said previously, who knows on the day – we’re full of confidence and why shouldn’t we be?!
We’re going to enjoy our last two games of the season as much as we possibly can before a long rest heading into next season.
I’m sure a few drinks will be had Sunday afternoon if I know the girls and we will celebrate together achieving what we set out to do this year – it’s been another fantastic season for Boco Ladies and I’m super proud of everyone involved!” Nicholas added.
AEK Boco Ladies face Sherborne Town Ladies at Greenbank Road on Sunday 30 March; kick off 14:00
