Youth Maintain Unbeaten Run - Roach full of praise for Partington

Cherries Under 18s went five matches unbeaten this season with a 1-1 draw against Brentford at the weekend. It was the second match of the Youth Alliance Cup and although Joe Roach had special praise foe Joe Partington, he emphasised the strong team ethic that has led to this impressive run of form.

Going back to last season, the youth have lost just three games in twenty-six and Joe believes a change in attitude from most of the players has paid dividends.

He said, "We work hard to play football and we need to learn to retain ball in final third. If we look back to last season we've lost three in twenty-six so from that point of veiw the lads are working very hard to work as a team.

"A few of the attitudes have changed from schoolboy football to working at the next step through my requirements of them and that of reserve team football. If they continue to listen and learn they'll reap the rewards."

Carl Preston equalised for Cherries from Cooper's delivery having gone behind from a defensive error. Speaking about the match Joe added, "It was a good football match, a good exercise for the lads and an enjoyable game of football.

"Both teams tried to get down and play. We had a few players missing with injuries and first team involvement so some lads got an opportunity to come in and show what they could do.

"There were pleasing performances from Whittingham, Queree, Hutchings, but everyone played their part. Joe Partington was released of the captaincy ahead of the game.

"In previous matches he's been looking too much at everyone else rather than his own game and he was back on song at the weekend. It worked a treat and he was back to how we know he can play."

Cherries travel to Luton next week and host Brighton on October 6th at Canford Magna. Click here for the youth page of afcb.co.uk.