AFC Bournemouth
Coach Alan Connell hailed his AFC Bournemouth under-18s for delivering a “very mature” second-half display in their 3-2 win against EFL Youth Alliance rivals Yeovil Town yesterday.
Goals from Euan Pollock, Luke Pardoe and Khavarn Williams saw the visitors race into a 3-0 lead in Somerset, only for the Glovers to score twice in quick succession before half-time.
But a solid rearguard effort after the break ensured there would be no repeat of their FA Youth Cup wobble when they conceded three times in eight second-half minutes before holding on against Barnet.
Connell told afcb.co.uk: “I thought we started the game really well on a tricky pitch and in difficult weather conditions.
“We were on the front foot, both in and out of possession, we moved the ball really well and created some good chances.
“It was a very pleasing first half-an-hour. Maybe we could have had one or two more but, overall, they did everything I had wanted to see.
“We passed the ball well out from the back. Yeovil made it difficult at times but the boys kept trying to play which was really pleasing.
“Then, we conceded two poor goals just before half-time when Yeovil hadn’t really had a sniff up until that point. To let them back in the game was disappointing.
“We spoke at half-time and just tried to settle them down. We used the Barnet experience where we were in a similar position with a comfortable lead and the opposition pegged us back.
“The response in the second half was very mature. The wind picked up and the pitch cut up and, while it wasn’t a free-flowing second half, the desire, attitude and character of the players really shone through.
“We had to defend a lot more in the second half but those attributes meant we didn’t concede again.
“It was another really good day for the boys. They had a lot of different scenarios thrown at them but I thought they handled it really well.”
Pollock drew first blood when he finished an excellent team move in the fifth minute, the striker registering his 11th goal of the season.
Pardoe doubled the Cherries’ lead with a finely-executed goal, his 14th of a productive campaign, and Williams netted to make it 3-0 inside the opening 20 minutes.
And although the hosts reduced the arrears with two goals before the break, the Cherries deservedly held on to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
Cherries: Terrell, Genesini, Seddon, Bertrand, Greenwood, Pardoe, Wadham, Burgess, Adams (Gidaree, 70), Pollock (Murray, 80), Williams (Oliver, 65). Unused subs: Channell, Roberts.
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