U18s lose in second half thriller
AFC Bournemouth
- Attendance:
- 0
The youth team lost 5-3 at home to Forest Green Rovers in the Youth Alliance on Saturday, with all eight goals coming in the second half.
In an even first period, Ferdinand Okoh went close with a shot that went just wide, Forest Green hit the crossbar from a wide free-kick hitting the woodwork and Jake Adams saw a one on one saved.
Within five minutes of the restart Forest Green hit the front with a back-post effort, soon equalised by Adams who won and scored a penalty.
The visitors then hit three goals in quick succession, the Cherries responding when Owen Palmer headed home a Jack Wadham corner.
Rovers snuffed out hopes of a fightback with a fifth, though Abdi Mohamed completed the scoring when he connected well on the volley from Wadham's diagonal pass.
After the match, manager Alan Connell spoke to afcb.co.uk about the result and performance at Canford Arena.
"We had quite a few injuries today, and without Euan Pollock, our only out-and-out striker, we had to tweak things with regards to the way we played- and it was a system which I felt got everyone playing in their best position.
"We started quite brightly and had some good opportunities in what we knew was going to be a difficult game Forest Green have only lost three games all season and have been in good form.
"It was an even first half, a little bit scrappy at times from our perspective with not enough fluidity on the ball. At half time I thought we'd gathered momentum in the game and we wanted to come out fast and impose ourselves.
"Unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way, though after Forest Green scored the first we equalised which was pleasing.
"We then had a spell where we lost our way and Forest Green seemed to take every chance that came their way. As happens players start to get frustrated and take too many touches. Credit to Forest Green, they played well.
"We got back into the game and just as we thought we would rally into the last period of the game we shot ourselves in the foot, conceding almost straight away at the other end.
"The response and going to the very end was pleasing. Even on a difficult pitch we started to produce more of the football that we thought might hurt Forest Green and we created chances off of that, but it was then too little too late.
"The best way to describe today - off the back of the Exeter game where we were playing really well, leading 2-0 and then losing - is that we've been hit hard in the last few days and it's a reality check for us.
"These moments are what happens in all players' careers and it's a time to stand up and be counted and take responsibility for the last two results and make sure that we come out fighting.
"We go again on Monday and prepare for another tough game at Swindon on Tuesday."