AFC Bournemouth
Manager Alan Connell expressed delight after seeing his AFC Bournemouth development squad triumph against a vastly-experienced Bristol City team on Tuesday.
Daniel Adu-Adjei netted the only goal as victory saw the Cherries draw level with leaders QPR at the top of the South Group of the Professional Development League.
The hosts included midfielder Andy King, a Premier League winner with Leicester City (pictured below), striker Nahki Wells, a prolific goalscorer in the Championship, and defender Ross McCrorie, who has played in Scotland’s top flight for Rangers and Aberdeen.
King and Wells were both on the bench when Bristol City held West Ham to a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup on Sunday, while McCrorie was making his comeback having been sidelined since the start of the season due to a serious bacterial infection.
Adu-Adjei, who made his first-team debut for the Cherries in their FA Cup win at QPR on Saturday, bagged his 15th goal of the season as Connell’s team completed a league double over the Robins at their training ground in Failand.
Connell, who played alongside Wells (pictured below) during their time together at Bradford City, told afcb.co.uk: “Bristol City went strong, as a lot of teams do when they are at home.
“It’s a good opportunity to give valuable minutes to first-team players and we have done the same once or twice this season.
“They had some highly-talented players who have had great careers and it was a great experience for our lads.
“When we told them some of the names who were playing, there was a little bit of ‘oh, okay, this is going to be a different challenge to what we initially thought’.
“It certainly helped with my team-talk because I told our lads these are the levels you want to be playing against.
“These players have done things our lads are looking to achieve and it was an opportunity to show that they can compete and do well against them.
“It was a very tough game but I was pleased we had the ball for large spells and created some good openings.
“In saying that, Bristol City had a couple of opportunities as well but the willingness to block and get behind the ball to help each other defensively was again on show.
“I was really happy with the clean sheet. Cam Plain made a couple of important saves and we defended well as a team.
“As I’ve said all season, when you’ve got a goalscorer in your side, you’ve always got a chance.
“Jack Wadham put in a lovely delivery for the free-kick and Daniel arrived and finished the opportunity well.”
Only goal difference separates the Cherries from QPR with Connell’s team hosting Cardiff City in their game in hand at Wimborne Town’s New Cuthbury on Friday (1pm kick-off). Entry is free to supporters.
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