It was a convincing performance from the young Cherries at Canford, with goals from Luke Pardoe, Connor Kurran-Browne and Christian Saydee helping Alan Connell’s side to a 3-1 win over Cheltenham.

The visitors got the game underway in their red and white striped kit playing from left to right.

Connell’s side controlled the opening 15 minutes of the game and had the ball ruled out the net twice for offside.

However, a failed defensive clearance inside the box gifted the ball to Kurran-Browne who passed it to Pardoe, the striker smashing his effort into the top left corner past the ‘keeper.

After 20 minutes, the Cherries had continued their dominance, Pardoe this time trying to assist Brooklyn Genesini, whose effort fell straight into the keepers arms.

Minutes later they did manage to bag their second of the game. Kurran-Browne made an energetic run in towards the box before squaring to Saydee who squeezed it into the bottom left corner with a sliding effort.

As the game hit the half hour mark Saydee almost bagged his second of the game but was denied twice by the goalkeeper. First a thundering effort from the edge of the box was palmed away before an effort moments later low to the ‘keeper's right was well saved.

Toby Lawrence had one of their best efforts of the half after some clever footwork and passing allowed him to fire a shot goalwards, but Joe Besant calmly dived to deny him at the right post.

With ten minutes left of the half Cheltenham were offered a chance back into the game when a curling effort from Aaron Basford crept just past the outstretched Besant and into the bottom-right corner.

AFC Bournemouth got the second half underway and within a couple of minutes convincingly grabbed their third of the game.

Kurran-Browne played in Pardoe down the right side who pulled it back across the box to where Saydee was there to tap in his second of the game. 

The perfect chance to add a fourth fell in the 70th minute. Kurran-Browne lifted the ball over a defender on the halfway line and sprinted the length of half before taking it round the goalkeeper.

Unfortunately, good work from the visiting defence denied him yards out.

The visitors’ best chance of the second half came very late in the 89th minute when a header from defender Toby Lawrence just skimmed the crossbar following a corner.