U18s defeated away at Southend
AFC Bournemouth
- Attendance:
- 0
AFC Bournemouth were defeated on the road in Merit League One by Southend United, despite a double from Daniel Adu-Adjei in a 3-2 loss.
The game started quickly, as the visitors had an early chance, Kian Tydeman being picked out by Charlie Osborne for the first of the action.
However, the Cherries did go a goal ahead at the Shrimpers’ training ground shortly after, with Adu-Adjei on target in the fifth minute.
A sweeping move saw Lewis Brown found Remy Rees-Dottin on the right wing and his cross resulted in a sliding finish to put Alan Connell’s side ahead.
That advantage would last a little over ten minutes though, as a corner led to Mo Amir’s cross being headed home from close range by Henry Sandat.
Another ten minutes on and the home side had their second following a good spell of pressure, with Habib Bolarinwa hammering in from the edge of the box.
Despite a Cherries fightback over the final 15 minutes of the first period as the two teams grappled for dominance, they couldn't find an equaliser.
An end-to-end second half followed, with the away side resisting the Southend pressure well and continuing to carry a threat.
A good chance for a leveller came from Brown, forcing a Shrimpers mistake, but his shot was well saved by the ‘keeper as the pressure grew.
It wasn’t until the latter stages of the second half that Connell’s side drew level with Adu-Adjei again on target for his 25th goal of the season with an excellent header from 12 yards.
Baylin Johnson’s cross from the right-hand side teed up the attacker and he made no mistake in guiding his effort in off the left post.
Nevertheless, a late penalty proved the side’s undoing in Essex as Amir stepped up to a 95th minute spot kick for Southend and coolly steered the ball in.
Speaking on the defeat, manager Alan Connell commented: “We changed formation again, for various reasons including missing personnel.
“It was another game which gave players opportunities and I thought everyone took those opportunities really well; I was really proud of the performance.
“It was a long trip and an early start for us all the way to Southend, but I thought the boys’ mentality to go and compete was excellent.
“Out of possession, we had a right go, pressed high and regained the ball, and also had to fight for second balls, which I thought we did well.
“In possession, we were up against a team that was aggressive and on a difficult pitch, I thought the way the boys tried to play and some of the quality we showed was excellent.
“We created some good chances of the back of that, and I thought the attitude to come back into the game in the second half to get back to 2-2 just summed up the character and the quality that we showed.”
Despite the Cherries losing the tie late in Essex, the manager had no doubt that the side’s ability to see games out will come in time.
He said: “At the stage we’re at, at the moment, and where we are in our development with this young group, we’re probably not quite seeing games out how we would like to but that will come.
“I’m seeing so many encouraging signs for next season and beyond, so I’m really pleased with the day’s work.”
Connell also reserved a word for midfielder Toure Williams and forward Daniel Adu-Adjei, believing they both had impressive outings.
“I thought Toure Williams was man of the match,” Connell explained. “He was outstanding in central midfield.
“He knitted it all together, took the ball under pressure and he’s had a really encouraging few weeks.
“It was also great to see Daniel Adu-Adjei score two again, which is four goals in his last two games.
“So, there are lots of plusses from the game.”