In a historic afternoon at Coventry City’s Coventry Building Society Arena, the development squad kicked off the new season with victory.

Alan Connell’s side are taking part in the Professional Development League for the first time and Michael Dacosta Gonzalez appropriately marked the occasion with a superb opening goal.

Daniel Adu-Adjei wrapped up the points in stoppage time with a cool finish from inside the area, following a rapid counter-attack.  

It was the home time who started brightest in front of more than 300 supporters, fashioning the first opportunity of the game.

Danny Cashman, who was a dangerous outlet throughout the game, fired narrowly wide of Cameron Plain’s post, having cut inside onto his right foot.

Ben Greenwood could have opened the scoring on 15 minutes when he rose highest at the post, following a good cross from Daniel Adu-Adjei. He was only able to find the side-netting.

Coventry forward Justin Obikwu had back-to-back chances to put his side in the lead, but first skewed a close-range header wide of the target before missing the goal with a drilled shot.

The Cherries were the team to make the breakthrough and it took a moment of magic to do so.

After being felled around 25-yards from goal, Dacosta Gonzalez stepped up and fired beyond the outstretched Bell.

Connell’s side started to control the game from that point and could have easily extended their advantage on another afternoon.

Toure Williams, who constantly looked to get on the ball, turned brilliantly in midfield and picked out Dacosta Gonzalez on the right. He found Adu-Adjei with his cut-back but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper.

The second half began in much the same vein as Adu-Adjei was the target of substitute Baylin Johnson’s excellent cross but he was unable to get enough purchase to turn his header home.

Johnson, who’d replaced Jack Wadham at the interval, was a livewire for the visitors and twice went close, first drilling an effort wide of the near post before seeing a second effort fall wide of the far post.

As the game reached a climax, Coventry began to apply more pressure as Cashman placed an effort the wrong side of the post following a clever one-two at the edge of the box.

Cameron Plain was called into serious action for the first time with five minutes to go, making a sublime one-handed save from Cashman’s effort to retain the lead.

That save proved ever so crucial as Adu-Adjei got his reward for a selfless display. Archie Harris led a quick counter attack and found the Cherries number nine, who slotted home from inside the area.

It was just deserved for a positive display and was the perfect way to begin the club’s first-ever Professional Development League campaign.

AFC Bournemouth: Plain (GK), Tonks, Greenwood, Wadham (Johnson HT), Kinsey-Wellings, Bevan, Williams (Winterburn 66), Sadi, Adu-Adjei, Dacosta Gonzalez (Harris 83), Tydeman (Okoh 76).

Unused subs Allan (GK).

Coventry City: Bell (GK), Perry, Lusala, Stretton, Rus (Costello HT), Howley, Trialist (Smith 71), Eghosa, Cashman, Obikwu, Andrews.

Unused subs: Lines, Trialist, Trialist.