AFC Bournemouth’s under-18s saw out the season in impressive fashion with a 3-0 victory over Exeter City at Canford Arena.

After settling into the fixture early on, the side had a good chance to take the lead shortly following the 10-minute mark.

Michael Dacosta Gonzalez latched onto a weak back pass and raced towards Harry Lee’s goal, but the goalkeeper was out quickly to prevent a shot.

Further half-chances would come and go for the Cherries before the opener, with Daniel Adu-Adjei, Baylin Johnson and Dacosta Gonzalez again going close.

When the first goal did finally come it was five minutes before the break, with Kian Tydeman picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box before placing a superb finish into the top right corner.

With the score at 1-0 going into the break, it took just three minutes from the restart for Tydeman to strike again.

A floated corner into the box beat everyone and found the Irish midfielder at the back post before he controlled well and coolly finished.

A quick-fire set of chances for Adu-Adjei were to follow as the forward was first was denied from a one on one before later going close with an audacious overhead kick.

With less than 20 minutes to go, Dacosta Gonzalez did get his goal, as Adu-Adjei picked up the ball high up the pitch before sliding it across to his attack partner for him to power the ball in.

Before the game was out, the Grecians went a whisker away from a goal of their own from a squared pass.

The ball was drilled across the Cherries box into the path of Alfie Clark but he struggled to get a touch to send a shot in.

With the chance having gone begging, Bournemouth saw out the 3-0 win to end the Merit League One season.

Speaking to afcb.co.uk on the victory, manager Alan Connell said: “Exeter are always difficult opponents, they’re probably similar to us in already looking at next season.

“I thought it was a really competitive game and we had to be patient, we had to be brave to play out with their press; I thought we did that.

“I thought we controlled for the majority of the game and we created a lot of chances, especially as the game wore on. We wore them down a little bit.

“Some of our forward play and some of our combinations were really incisive, meaning we scored three really good goals.

“Also, to keep a clean sheet, which we haven’t done for a little while, I thought was well-deserved not just for the efforts today but the efforts in recent weeks.

“It’s one where it’s another good performance, and I think we’ve been consistent with that over the course of the season but especially in this nine-game mini league.

“We’ve been a little bit naïve in moments which have meant that we probably haven’t won as many games as we did in the earlier part of the season but overall, I’m really pleased with everyone’s efforts and the quality that we’ve shown.”

Connell was also impressed with the balance which his side was able to create against the Grecians.

“Obviously, we’re a team that want to dominate the ball and Exeter have always given us problems with their press and their physicality, today was no different,” he explained.

“I thought we got the balance right all over the pitch and technically, we were at a good level, albeit there was still lots to improve on.

“Concentration to the end was really important and I thought people made blocks and did the things you had to do to keep a clean sheet.”

With impressive performances throughout the team, several players stood out to the manager in the victory.

“I thought within the game, there were some standout individual performances; Baylin Johnson on the left-hand side was a threat all game.

“Max Kinsey-Wellings had a stop-start period after Christmas through injury, but I thought he led the backline really well, he makes a big difference for us.

“I’m also really pleased for Kian Tydeman with his two goals, he’s had to be really patient this year as he’s had a couple of injuries that have held him back.

“He’s still got a way to go in lots of areas and his fitness is one of them, but we’re slowly building him up and I was delighted for him and his goals today; he’s a great lad with a great attitude.

“His first one was high quality and his second one was a poacher’s finish, so there was lots to be encouraged about today.”