CHERRIES vice-captain Abby Jones is looking forward to once again playing at Vitality Stadium as her side prepares to face Keynsham Town Ladies on Sunday (2pm), stating the “feeling never changes”.

It will be the 20-year-old’s fifth time gracing the Dean Court turf, with the right-back detailing the growing excitement in the Cherries dressing room ahead of the game.

After a 0-0 draw with Maidenhead United last season, Cherries’ two games at Vitality Stadium this season have ended in contrasting fashion – a comprehensive 4-0 win over Portishead was followed by a 6-0 defeat to professional outfit Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup.

Discussing the upcoming game, Jones began: “I think the feeling never changes.

“I've done it four times, but each time it's a new experience and walking out with music on, with cheerleaders out on the pitch with 5,000, 6000 people cheering you on.

“It's totally different to playing at Ringwood, where we just walk out on the pitch.

“There's a few people clapping about 300, 400 people, but to have a bigger crowd like that is just so surreal, and it's a feeling you never get over being in the tunnel waiting to go out.

“Keynsham are a good side and we've played them so many times before, so we know a lot about them, but they also know a lot about us.

“And being in good form is really important.

“We want to put on a good performance for everyone watching, but at the end of the day, we're there to get three points at the end of the game.

“It's a massive occasion for us.

“We speak about it all the time.

“As players, we know that it's something that we look forward to all season and we've played there three times now this year.

“Last season we only played there once, so it's a big upgrade, I'd say, and just being around everyone is just really positive and helps with that as well.”