AFC Bournemouth
Over the past two weeks, the AFC Bournemouth Ability Counts teams have travelled to Watford and Brighton to take part in various fixtures, with all the teams wearing their new match kit sponsored by Dairy Crest’s, Cathedral City.
First up, four AFC Bournemouth Ability Counts teams travelled to Watford to participate in the Watford Community Trust Tournament. The teams represented AFC Bournemouth at youth level in under-13 and under-16 age groups, whilst there were also two adult small-sided teams entered.
AFC Bournemouth's senior sides played a total of five games throughout the day, facing each other on one occasion. The AFC Bournemouth teams finished in third and fifth place overall, after a hard day’s football.
Within the under-13s tournament the Cherries performed well, finishing the day in second place overall. One notable performer of the day was Noah Feltham who scored an impressive five goals on his debut for AFC Bournemouth's Ability Counts.
The under-16s came home winners, as they remained unbeaten all day scoring an impressive 18 goals. Bradley Buckingham was unstoppable all day, scoring three hattricks in three games whilst Kadin Jacques was excellent in goal, only letting in one.
The following weekend, a selection of the senior players visited Brighton’s training ground for an 11-a-side friendly, a first for many of the Cherries players selected to take part.
The game was a close affair to start, with both teams dominating play at different times. It was Brighton who scored first, as their centre-forward rushed onto goal for a one-on-one with the Cherries 'keeper who had to come out and quickly to try claim the ball. However, the striker was clever, and took it around the goalkeeper to slot it into the bottom corner. This was the only goal of the half, and the Cherries went into the break behind.
As the second half kicked off, the Cherries passed the ball well and were able to build their play from the back, which allowed them to have many more chances on goal, all dealt with by the Brighton shot-stopper.
Despite the Cherries having more play than in the first half, Brighton were able to catch the Bournemouth side on the break a couple more times, and extended their lead to 5-0. However, this did not stop the Bournemouth team who continued to work hard. One chance was created as a lovely through ball from Jordan Jones set up Sam Harrod, one-on-one with the Brighton goalkeeper in the box. Despite the quick reactions of two Brighton defenders, Harrod was still able to shot past the goalkeeper into the back of the net.
Harrod, then became the provider for Jones. Following some good work down the right flank, Harrod was sent to the by-line with the ball and cut in to make the cross. The ball fell to Jones at the perfect height and a volley struck from the left of the goal was sent into the top right corner, making the final score 5-2.
