AFCB

Development Squad

Date set for PLC last 16 encounter

AFC Bournemouth development squad will be hoping to pen a new chapter in the club’s record books when they face Leeds United in the Premier League Cup on Friday.

The Cherries meet the Yorkshire outfit at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium bidding to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in their history (7pm kick-off).

Alan Connell’s team qualified for the knockout stage after topping Group C with the best record of the 32 clubs which entered.

The Cherries did the double over Charlton and Norwich as well as beating and drawing with Wolves to end their campaign unbeaten with 16 points from a possible 18.

They were the only category two club to remain unbeaten during the group stage and one of three teams not to lose a game along with Chelsea and Aston Villa.

As a result of finishing top, the Cherries earned home advantage in the last 16 and will host a Leeds team which finished with the best runners-up record in the group stage.

They were second to Group D winners Chelsea after beating both Colchester and Luton home and away and drawing and losing against the Blues.

The Cherries finished as group runners-up in their first two seasons in the competition and were knocked out in the last 16 by Newcastle (2017/18) and Nottingham Forest (2018/19).

In 2019/20, the Cherries topped their group with 13 points and were due to host Wigan Athletic in the last 16 before the competition was curtailed due to the pandemic.

Entry to the Silverlake Stadium is free to supporters.