A Josh McQuoid hat-trick gave AFC Bournemouth a comfortable pre-season victory against Winchester City at the Denplan City Ground on Saturday afternoon.
He produced a dynamic performance supplemented by the energy of Donal McDermott and Mark Molesley to grab all three goals inside 47 minutes.
Following a lively first 45 minutes, the momentum slowed in the second-half but the visitors always looked in control as some of the development squad were tested in first team conditions, as promised by Paul Groves.
The Cherries boss fielded a strong starting eleven and his men almost found an opener within three minutes as McDermott’s corner found the head of Joe Partington. But the midfielder’s header could only find the woodwork.
Despite the Cherries enjoying the majority of possession inside the opening ten minutes, Winchester City took the lead as a defensive mix-up from the away side allowed Citizens’ striker Michael Charles to calmly slot the ball to the left of a helpless Daryl Flahavan.
Bournemouth had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Shaun MacDonald was brought down in the area following Molesley’s cross. McDermott piled on even more pressure when his mazy run down the right flank almost found a Cherries’ head in the centre, but was collected by the goalkeeper.
McQuoid grabbed the equaliser after 27 minutes when McDermott played him through one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he slotted the ball to the goalkeeper’s left hand side.
A lively McDermott almost put Bournemouth ahead four minutes later but his free-kick was denied by the acrobatics of Jon Webb in the Citizens’ goal.
Just before half-time McQuoid doubled his tally and sent the visitors ahead as he produced a superb curling free-kick from 22-yards out which found the top corner of the net.
Half time: Winchester City 1-2 AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth came out all guns firing after half-time and extended their lead as McQuoid completed his hat-trick. McDermott’s clever dink found the 22-year-old striker unmarked at the back post and he rose to head the visitors 3-1 up.
Mark Molesley came close to extending the lead midway through the second-half but saw his long-range effort soar over the crossbar following a skilful run through the middle of the park.
It was another Molesley run that created another good chance for the Cherries as he picked out Jayden Stockley. The striker’s powerful effort forced a brave save from Webb from only yards out.
Once again Molesley was in the thick of the action as a third dazzling run finished in a curling attempt that produced an outstanding fingertip stop from Webb who tipped the ball on to the post and behind for a corner.
Bournemouth showed spells of brightness throughout large periods of the second-half but ultimately could not find the net again and concluded the afternoon 3-1 winners over the Southern League Division One side.