Goalkeeper Billy scores dramatic late equaliser

Terrell came forward for a corner and flicked Ollie Morgan’s assist past his Villa opposite number to earn the Cherries a share of the spoils at the hosts’ Bodymoor Heath training ground.

The 19-year-old became the second Cherries goalkeeper to score a headed goal in the past two years, Mark Travers achieving the feat in the Hampshire Senior Cup final in 2021.

Terrell added his name to a list of goalscoring goalkeepers with Cherries links, Jimmy Glass having netted to keep Carlisle United in the Football League in 1999 and Asmir Begovic scoring for Stoke City after just 13 seconds against Southampton in the Premier League in 2013.

Now in his second year with the development squad, Terrell, who signed his first pro contract last summer, attended an England men’s goalkeeping development camp at the start of this season.

His goal came just seconds after Villa had struck to edge into a 3-2 lead, Alan Connell’s team having surrendered a two-goal advantage in the first half.

With the teams both fielding a mix of under-18 and under-21 players, goals from Matt Burgess and Brooklyn Genesini inside the opening 12 minutes put the visitors in front before they were pegged back as Villa scored twice in quick succession midway through the opening period.

Development squad manager Connell told afcb.co.uk: “It was one of those moments you see quite rarely in football and you send a goalkeeper up in hope rather than expectation.

“Brooklyn Genesini delivered a corner into a good area and Ollie Morgan was alive to the second ball after it had been cleared to him just outside the 18-yard box before Billy flicked it over the goalkeeper like a seasoned striker!

“It was a really nice moment for Billy and all the boys. We spoke before the game about momentum and how hard it is to gather. As a group, we’re in a decent place and performances have been improving.

“While results are never the main focus, I think a last-minute equaliser will help keep the momentum going and give the boys even more confidence and belief for the remaining part of the season.”

The Cherries are due to visit Eastleigh in the semi-final of the Hampshire Senior Cup later this month.

AFC Bournemouth: Terrell, Morgan, Genesini, Kinsey-Wellings, Boutin (Rees-Dottin, 60), Williams, Burgess (Eagle, 60), Winterburn, Johnson, Adu-Adjei, Popoola (Dacosta Gonzalez, 30). Unused sub: Allan (g/k).