Connell pleased with squad’s character after cup win

Goals from Jonny Stuttle and Baylin Johnson saw the Cherries two goals ahead of the Cobblers at Canford Park Arena before a second-half fightback.

The visitors drew level over the second 45 in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup tie through Reuben Wyatt and Kiantay Liqorish-Mullings to tee up a penalty shoot-out.

Four of the five Bournemouth takers then converted, while Ollie Camis made two saves to seal progression.

Speaking to afcb.co.uk after the game, Connell said: “At the end, I thought we had to dig in because they had the momentum to score the two late goals.

“They’re situations that we want the players to face. As much as it would have been nice to go on and score three, four or five, the boys aren’t getting tested.

“When we concede those goals, you see the boys’ character come out and the challenges they go through.

“As a group, I thought the players on the pitch and off the pitch were together.”

With the cup offering as a change of pace from league action, Connell felt his team had key lessons to learn from the tie with the Cobblers.

“Credit to Northampton,” he explained. “I thought it was a very competitive game and it was on the edge at times, but in the right way.

“It made for a really good cup fixture and a great experience for both sets of players.

“We’re delighted to get through but there are lessons to be learnt from today and knowing the players like I do, I’ve got no doubts that we’ll take them on board.”

The coach also reserved a word for his goalkeeper as Camis’ shoot-out saves proved vital in the victory.

Not only was Connell pleased for the stopper, but also revealed that the side had been preparing for the eventuality of penalties.

He said: “We practice penalties a lot in training and I said to the players, this was why we do it. We did it on Friday and made it as realistic as we could.

“Ollie, like most goalkeepers, enjoys it and he’s produced two important stops for us; I’m pleased for him.”