CHERRIES women manager Steve Cuss shares his player’s excitement ahead of tomorrow’s title decider with Exeter City in the FA Women’s National League Division One South West.

Second-placed AFC Bournemouth head across the county border into Devon to face league leaders Exeter City, knowing that only a victory will be enough to secure the league title, and with it, promotion to the third tier for the first time.

Both sides are unbeaten in the league after 21 games, with the previous encounter between the two teams ending in a 1-1 draw at Cherries’ Long Lane home.

Discussing the upcoming game, Cuss shared: “It's hugely exciting.

“I'm exactly the same as the players, I'm excited by it.

“I'm looking forward to it.

“We know it's going to be a really tough game.

“You're going to a really tough Exeter side that haven't lost at home for 16 months, haven’t let a goal in the last seven games and we have to win.

“But every challenge that we have, the players will know me well, they know we like a challenge.

“I've got to know the players really well this season, and they've really embraced every challenge that they've had as well.

“So we're very much looking forward to it together as a squad, and we know that we're all going to have to play our part to be successful.

“I think that's what a big part of our squad is, that they all know their roles and their responsibilities and they understand what they need to do.”

Whilst Cherries are under the pressure of having to win in order to earn promotion, Exeter will arguably be under more, a sell-out crowd of 800 at their Exwick Sports Hub expecting the Grecians to get the job done.

Asked if that was the case, Cuss told the Daily Echo: “It's an interesting question.

“I hadn't thought too much about the pressure on Exeter, to be honest.

“I think that we're very clear we have to go and win the game.

“A draw is not good enough. We have to win the game.

“So I suppose you could look at it like that.

“But, you will almost might say as well that playing at home, familiar surroundings, that gives (Exeter) a little bit of advantage.

“So I'm not sure it works either way.

“What you've got is two good teams that will go toe to toe, and I'm sure it'll be hugely competitive.

“It will be whoever performs well on the day.”