Under-18s stopper Mack Allan has been biding his time to get regular minutes for the young Cherries side.
Having been backup to Ollie Camis throughout the EFL Youth Alliance campaign, Merit League One has afforded the 17-year-old that chance of regular action.
Preventing two spot-kicks over six matches and delivering some strong performances, the goalkeeper is feeling the benefit of his stint in the team.
“I had to be patient because I didn’t get any minutes in the EFL Youth Alliance, so I’m buzzing to get minutes in the Merit League,” Allan told afcb.co.uk.
“I think I’ve done alright – making two penalty saves isn’t too bad, is it!
“Decision-making is the biggest thing as a goalkeeper, so without that game experience you struggle a little bit.
“In the first couple of games, I was getting myself into it and now I feel confident on the ball and I feel good.”
With only one on the pitch at any time, goalkeeper is a position like no other and the gravity of taking your chance when it comes is not lost on Allan.
He explained: “When you get your chance, you’ve just got to perform and sometimes you might have a bad game and then all the pressure is on you.
“You’ve just got to keep your head up and go again the next week, you’ll then get those good performances and that’s what you need to build your confidence up.”
Dan Carroll’s under-18s are now six matches down with four remaining in their Merit League One campaign, with Plymouth Argyle away next up.
Having recorded three victories and three defeats in those games, Allan feels the team’s togetherness has been another driving force for the young team.
“All of the boys are stepping up,” he said after the second-year scholars moved on to train with the development squad.
Allan continued: “I think we all have to do that and organise each other and the young players that are coming up.
“We’re all stepping up and we’re all talking, which is good because we’re missing that big voice from Lewis Brown.
“I think someone has to step up because of that and all of us are helping out.”
Carroll’s team kick off against the Pilgrims at 11.30am on Saturday morning, with the game taking place at Harpers Park.
