CHERRIES boss Steve Cuss has “great trust” that his side will respond in the right fashion to their disappointing draw at home to Keynsham Town.

In front of 6,162 fans at Vitality Stadium, Cherries were left to settle for a point after a 1-1 tie with a resilient Keynsham side on Sunday.

It leaves Cuss’s charges eight points off league leaders Exeter City with seven games remaining, Cherries enjoying two games in hand over the Grecians.

The two sides will also meet on the ultimate day of the season, meaning Cherries still hold control of their destiny in the FA Women’s National League Division One South West title race.

If they win all seven of the remaining games, they will clinch top spot – and with it, promotion to the third tier for the first time.

They return to action tomorrow night, travelling across the county border to Hampshire to face Southampton Women (7.45pm).

Discussing the trip, Cuss began: “We've got to show something now.

“We've got to get back on that pitch.

“Fortunately fixtures come thick and fast now.

“So we're back out on the pitch on Thursday and we've got to get our standards back up to where they have been and try and get another three points.”

The visit to Southampton Women begins a gauntlet of three away games for Cherries, with Cuss’s side set to travel to Portishead Town and then Bridgwater United after Thursday’s clash.

“Three big tests, three away games,” continued Cuss.

“All going to be on grass pitches as well, which is always challenging at the end of the season.

“We've got to show something now.

“But we'll review the (Keynsham draw), we’ll reflect on it and I've got great trust in the group here.

“They'll bounce back from this and hopefully we'll see strong performances in the coming weeks.”