BOSS Steve Cuss says he has been on hand to “reassure” some of his players ahead of a huge title showdown with Exeter City, urging them to “play with a smile on your face”.

Cherries and Exeter are both unbeaten in 21 league matches this season, ahead of facing each other on the final day at Exwick Sports Hub today (2pm).

The hosts are two points clear, meaning only victory will be enough for Cherries to clinch the title and promotion into the third tier, which is a big ask given Exeter have not lost a home league game since January 2022.

“We’re on a journey here as AFC Bournemouth women,” Cuss told the Daily Echo.

“We know that the big games are coming as we’re getting better results, climbing up the league and being top of the table.

“Every player will be different. We’ve got experienced players that perhaps have been in this position before and we’ve got those younger players who are going to be experiencing it for the first time.

“I’m glad we’re in this position, because it’s all part of our journey of where we want to ultimately get to and all the players will be better for this experience.”

He added: “We haven’t changed anything. We had a few different options to do things differently this week, perhaps travelling down overnight or doing something different in one of the training sessions.

“But I wanted to keep it as normal.

“I think that’s probably where my experience comes into it.

“It might be nice to go down overnight and stay there. But for me, it’s just about keeping things as normal as we can and be supportive to the players individually.

“Even the experienced players, if they need a chat, a bit of advice or anything, me and my staff are there for them.

“But the younger players as well, just trying to picture what it might look like for them come Sunday and be there and be supportive for them.

“I think we want them all to play with a smile on their face.

“To be involved in a game like this at the end of the season is a privilege.

“Yes there’s going to be one successful team, but I’d much rather be in this position of this winner-takes-all game than being in mid-table.

“So credit to the players that they’ve got us in this position, now we want them to go out and enjoy it and perform to the best of their ability.”

Cuss, who previously guided Cherries women to promotion to this level for the first time and had a spell managing non-league Wimborne Town, doubles up his role as boss by also working as head of community at the club.

Asked where promotion to the Southern Premier Division would rank among his career achievements, Cuss said: “I’m trying not to think of it too much on a personal level, if I’m being honest.

“All my thoughts have been with the players, as they are every single week.

“But people know what AFC Bournemouth means to me and if I can get promotion with this team, it would be right up there in some of the things I have achieved.

“But the time for that is a little bit later on and reflection time afterwards.

“There is a time for review, but we are looking at being there and supportive for the players and just trying to keep things as normal as we can this week, but understanding it is what it is.

“It’s a very big game and the winner takes all.”

He added: “It is a slightly different week, in terms of support of the players.

“We’re there should they want a chat or talk through anything.

“That has popped up on a few occasions this week and we’ve dealt with a few conversations, just to clarify a few issues and reassure a few players.

"I’ve said to the players this week about embracing it, focusing on performance and play with a smile on your face.

“These are great times, they’ve got to enjoy them.

“The chance to play for a title on Sunday is one that doesn’t come around every season and we’ve got to enjoy it, along with being focused and trying to be at our very best.

“This weekend provides a real showcase for the league that we play in.

“A real showcase for the women’s game and it’s not often you get the two teams that are fighting for the league title to play each other on the last game of the season.

“So it’s quite a unique situation and I’m sure both sides are looking forward to it.”