AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth development squad boss Alan Connell insisted players and staff must continue to strive for more following a memorable weekend for the club’s academy.
No fewer than eight past and present members flew the flag for the academy with some achieving significant career milestones on either Saturday or Sunday.
Four development squad players were named on the bench for the Cherries’ Premier League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion with Dominic Sadi coming on to make his top-flight debut.
Academy graduate Mark Travers registered a second successive clean sheet in the 3-0 win against the Seagulls, the goalkeeper following up his shutout against Wolves in midweek.
Teenage striker Daniel Adu-Adjei signed off his loan spell with Leyton Orient by scoring his first goal in the EFL during their 3-1 win over League One rivals Shrewsbury Town.
Midfielder Jack Wadham played his part as Worthing reached the National South play-off final and striker Jonny Stuttle featured in Wimborne’s promotion to the top flight of the Southern League.
Connell told afcb.co.uk: “It was certainly a significant weekend for everyone connected with the academy and everyone associated with the club.
“Seeing the first team reach a Premier League record points tally was an incredible achievement and it’s a great time to be a part of this club.
“In terms of the academy, what I particularly liked about the weekend was the variety. You had an established first-team player in Mark Travers keeping a second clean sheet on the trot and four development squad players on the bench.
“Dom Sadi making his Premier League debut was a significant moment in his career, as was Daniel Adu-Adjei scoring his first goal in the EFL. It was also great to see Jack Wadham and Jonny Stuttle being involved in their respective loan clubs’ successes.
“These are the milestones and events we strive for in our jobs in the academy, so I am delighted for every player who achieved something significant over the weekend.
“It has come about as a result of a commitment from the club with regards to the new training ground, the infrastructure in the academy which has grown over the years and a continued investment.
“As staff and players, it’s important that everybody continues to strive for more because these weekends are what it’s all about.
“The continual search for improvement has to be our mindset because we want every player and staff member in the academy to have more weekends like this to benefit the club in the short and long term. With everything that’s happening at the club, the future is very bright.”
ROLL OF HONOUR
DOMINIC SADI
The talented frontman made his Premier League debut as a late substitute in the Cherries’ convincing 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Vitality Stadium.
Sadi, 20, who has hit 14 goals for the development squad this season, joined the club in May 2022 having been on the books at West Ham, Stoke City and Wingate & Finchley in the Isthmian League.
CAL MCKENNA, MAX KINSEY, MICHAEL DACOSTA GONZALEZ
The development squad trio were all named on the bench for the Cherries’ 3-0 win over Premier League counterparts Brighton & Hove Albion at Vitality Stadium.
Goalkeeper McKenna, defender Kinsey and frontman Dacosta Gonzalez all train regularly with Andoni Iraola’s first-team squad and have been in previous matchday squads.
MARK TRAVERS
The Republic of Ireland international kept successive clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time during the Cherries’ 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Travers, who has made 17 appearances in the top flight since joining the club’s academy ranks in 2016, followed up his shutout in the 1-0 win at Wolves in midweek.
DANIEL ADU-ADJEI
The 18-year-old striker netted his first goal in the EFL to pave the way for loan club Leyton Orient’s 3-1 win over League One rivals Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.
Adu-Adjei, who has bagged 20 goals for the development squad this season, made two starts and eight substitute appearances during his spell with the Londoners.
JACK WADHAM
The gifted midfielder made his 18th start for Worthing as they defeated Maidstone United 2-1 at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium to reach the National South play-off final.
Wadham, who has turned in a series of impressive displays and netted twice for the Rebels, will be hoping to keep his place when they host Braintree Town in the final on Monday 6th May.
JONNY STUTTLE
Striker Jonny Stuttle started Wimborne Town’s 3-1 victory against Melksham Town as the Magpies were crowned champions of Southern League Division One South.
Stuttle, who is among the leading scorers for the Cherries under-18s, made six starts and one substitute appearance for the Magpies, netting twice during his stay at New Cuthbury.
