U21s beaten late on by Maidenhead
AFC Bournemouth
- Attendance:
- 0
Two late goals at York Road meant AFC Bournemouth’s under-21s were defeated 4-2 by National League side, Maidenhead United.
Shaun Cooper’s side, who were missing a number of players due to involvement in the first team, battled hard against the experienced opponents and equalised twice, initially in the first half through Ben Greenwood.
After slipping behind again they were level in the final ten minutes through Ferdinand Okoh, only for two late goals to secure the win for the National League hosts.
The Cherries went behind within the first four minutes through an unfortunate own-goal but responded well when Owen Bevan forced a remarkable save from James Holden, his close-range effort being tipped wide.
Just minutes later Euan Pollock beat the offside trap and raced onto a lofted ball forward, but his attempt to chip the goalkeeper landed just wide.
The pressure did eventually amount to an equaliser though, Greenwood levelling the scores in the 33rd minute. He stepped up to take a free-kick at the edge of the area and his low, drilled effort found the bottom corner, via the post.
The left-back was proving a menace and almost gave Cooper’s side the lead just before the break, making a marauding run forward before forcing a decent save with a well-struck effort.
Jake Scrimshaw had arguably the best chance of the match just before the hour mark, Pollock’s strike was deflected into his path, but left-footed effort was just too close to the ‘keeper who managed to scramble it away.
Maidenhead were able to put more of a stamp on proceedings in the second half and were rewarded in the 69th minute when a trialist restored the lead. A cross into the box was cleared only to the Maidenhead man and he fired home with a well-struck volley.
However, the Cherries equalised for a second time on the 80th minute when Scrimshaw found substitute Okoh in the area with a clever reverse pass and the midfielder picked out the bottom corner with a cool strike.
But the game slipped away from our under-21s in the final four minutes as Maidenhead capitalised on some defensive mistakes with good forward play.
In the 86th minute, the home side won the ball back in midfield and Emile Acquah released Sam Barratt, who curled home from the edge of the box.
Three minutes later, Aaron Roberts’ pass was intercepted by Reece Smith who rifled his shot into the roof of the net to secure the win.
Nonetheless, the Cherries youngsters will take a lot from this experience against an established National League side.
Photo credit: Darren Woolley