U18s fight back to secure Cheltenham point
AFC Bournemouth
- Attendance:
- 0
Alan Connell's under-18s fought back to draw 3-3 away at Cheltenham Town in their final Youth Alliance League game before Christmas.
Daniel Adu-Adjei bagged a brace, while Owen Palmer also got on the scoresheet in an entertaining match.
The hosts took the lead with just ten minutes gone, heading home from the back post to give the Cherries work to do.
The lead was then doubled shortly after, with a knock-down from a corner finding the Robins' striker on the edge of the box, his effort hitting the back of the net from 18 yards.
However, Connell's side had a route back into the game when Michael Dacosta Gonzalez's shot with half-an-hour gone was parried by the Cheltenham 'keeper, Adu-Adjei reacting quickest to poke home.
Despite the visitors' efforts, the Robins had their third moments later, the young Bournemouth side failing to deal with a long ball forward which left the striker in on goal and able to slot beyond Ollie Camis unchallenged.
Nevertheless, the Cherries gave themselves a lifeline with the last kick of the half. Dacosta Gonzales was involved again after his corner was headed back across goal by Owen Bevan, leaving Adu-Adjei ready to pounce for his second of the afternoon.
After the interval, Connell's side dominated and Adu-Adjei was close to getting his hat-trick, latching onto a through-ball from substitute Ben Winterburn, only to be denied by a superb save.
With the pressure mounting, the all important goal came 65 minutes in, this time Owen Palmer reacting well after a dangerous corner to poke home for his side's equaliser.
As time ticked away, chances came and went, Adu-Adjei going closest with a header over the bar, but neither side could find a winner and had to settle for a point apiece.
After the game, Connell shared his thoughts with afcb.co.uk and admitted he was pleased overall with the point gained.
"We had an early departure and I felt we looked a big leggy at the start of the game, not coming out with our usual energy and front-foot approach," he began.
"Credit to Cheltenham, they pinned us back and started the game really well. We found ourselves in a difficult position due to the poor start and the goals that we gave away, I thought they were avoidable.
"As soon as we put moments of quality together, we looked capable of scoring but there just wasn't enough in the first half. To score just before half-time was a big lift for us and gave us momentum.
"We made a substitution at half-time which I thought was necessary with Ben [Winterburn] and he had an impact on the game. We passed it better on a difficult pitch in the second half and every time we got in the final third, I fancied us to create something.
"I'm delighted for Owen Palmer that he scored the equaliser and we were the team in the ascendency, I thought we could go on and win it!
"It wasn't quite to be and we were left a little frustrated. Having said that, we can be pleased with the fightback and character shown. There's lessons to be learnt from the slow start but overall I'm pleased."
Connell continued by commenting on the impact of Adu-Adjei, who signed from Fulham in the summer and is already well into double figures for the campaign.
"As a 16-year-old, he's come in and led the line for us," said the former Cherries forward.
"He's played pretty much every game for us and scored 16 goals which is a decent return.
"His all round game is developing nicely, he's a fantastic boy with an exemplary attitude.
"Today he scored two poacher's goals and he had two other chances. It's up to the team to keep creating those chances for him and for him to keep putting them away and being in the right place.
"There's definitely more to come from him, but we're so pleased with him."