AFC Bournemouth
Young full-back Ollie Morgan shared that the AFC Bournemouth under-18s are relishing a crunch tie with Birmingham City ahead of Blues’ visit.
The midlands club’s youngsters travel to Canford Park Arena on Saturday for the final group stage game of the U18 Professional Development League Cup (12pm kick-off).
With Alan Connell’s team having won one and lost one in their opening two group games, progression hangs in the balance.
Speaking ahead of Birmingham’s visit, Morgan told afcb.co.uk: “It’s a must-win game.
“It will be a tough one but coming to Canford is always a tough game for any club. We’re really looking forward to it and, hopefully, we can qualify.”
The cup offers Cherries an opportunity to play academy teams of higher categories in competitive fixtures.
Having been beaten by category two Reading in early September to kick off the team’s involvement in the competition, a resounding 3-0 win over category two Millwall followed at Canford.
“We showed that we can play anyone at Canford and, on our day, we can beat anyone,” Morgan said on the victory against the Lions.
“If we put on our best performance, we can get through. It’s important because we always want to play the best.
“Sometimes you don’t get that in the category three games, but you just have to give your all against who you’ve got on the Saturday.”
Not only do the under-18s see their Canford base as an advantage over other academy sides, but team spirit offers as another weapon in their arsenal.
Confidence is also proving key for Connell’s team having now gone six matches unbeaten in league and cup competitions.
Asked if the team is feeling a boost after recent form, the first-year scholar returned: “Massively. We’re growing as people as well as footballers at the same time.
“Even before the game, we’re not as nervous, we’re relaxed going into it but not too relaxed.
“We’re all together and there’s a big family element, which we always talk about.”
He added: “We’re getting on well away from the pitch, at lunch, hanging around in pre-hab, we’re always talking to each other.
“It’s not just the first years and second years separate, we’re all hanging around together and bonding.
“That’s definitely showing on the pitch.”
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