AFC Bournemouth
It’s been a month to remember for AFC Bournemouth under-18s’ defender Jack Holman.
While teammate Jonny Stuttle may have grabbed the headlines for his hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup victory against Newcastle United, Holman also took centre stage at St James’ Park.
With the Cherries leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Ash Clarke and Stuttle, Holman stepped forward and netted a stunning 25-yard free-kick which made it 3-0 just before half-time.
It was a strike Kieran Trippier would have been proud of, with right-back Holman going on to play his part in the Cherries keeping a clean sheet as they secured a famous 5-0 win.
A second-year scholar at Vitality Stadium, Holman had further cause to celebrate just days later when he made his debut for the development squad in the Premier League Cup.
He replaced Max Kinsey in the 79th minute of their 5-1 win over Wolves at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium, a result which guaranteed qualification to the knockout stage of the competition.
Holman also came off the bench in Saturday’s Premier League Cup win against Charlton and could again be involved when Alan Connell’s team host Millwall in the Professional Development League at Wimborne’s New Cuthbury on Tuesday (1pm kick-off).
He is one of a number of James Lowy’s under-18 squad to have gained valuable experience at the next level as the Cherries academy continues to see players progress in its first season at category two.
Also a talented cricketer, Holman has been on the books since he was seven and attended Twynham School in Christchurch, whose notable alumni include Jamie Redknapp and Neil Moss.
Discussing his whirlwind few weeks, Holman told afcb.co.uk: “It’s been really good and it’s been a great experience playing for the development squad in the Premier League Cup.
“Just like the under-18s, the togetherness is really strong and it shows on the pitch with how the team is progressing this season.
“A few lads from the under-18s have been involved recently and it’s great to get some minutes at this level. It’s a step in the right direction for all of us.
“The FA Youth Cup against Newcastle and West Brom in the previous round were both brilliant experiences.
“Winning at West Brom set us up for the Newcastle game. We prepared really well and our mindset was to be hard working off the ball and I thought we did that. Our counter-attacking was ruthless, we scored five goals and it was a well-deserved win.
“I wasn’t really meant to take the free-kick. I was standing near the halfway line and Ollie Morgan, our captain, called me forward. He thought it was a good range for me to strike the ball with my power.
“To be honest, I didn’t really think too much about it. I just stepped up, hit it as hard as I could and, thankfully, it nestled in the back of the net.
“It was amazing and I couldn’t believe I’d scored. It was like ‘what do I do now?’
“It was a great moment for me, one of the best feelings I’ve had in football.
“We’ve got Tottenham in the fifth round and they are doing really well in their league so we know it will be another tough game. But we will be ready for the occasion.
“I’ve been here ten years and the past few weeks have been a rollercoaster ride. I’ve enjoyed every minute.”
The Cherries will be hoping to complete a Professional Development League double over fourth-placed Millwall after goals from Balraj Landa and Dan Adu-Adjei earned them a 2-1 win in South London at the end of October.
New Cuthbury is situated at the end of Ainsley Road and car parking and entry are free to supporters (postcode: BH21 2FU).
The Cherries' Servio Hampshire Men's Senior Cup quarter-final against Folland Sports, postponed due to a frozen pitch earlier this month, has been rearranged for Tuesday 7th February (7.45pm kick-off).
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