AFCB

Under-18s

U18s win to unseat Saints

The under-18s earned an impressive 2-0 win in a friendly away at Southampton on Wednesday.

Ben Winterburn gave AFC Bournemouth an early lead after a positive start from Alan Connell's team, a lead which could have been added to ahead of half time.

The second period was more even, Saints having a penalty saved before both sides hit the woodwork.

Under-16s player Remy Rees-Dottin then made an impact from the bench when he scored calmly from Toure Williams' assist, the goal seeing the side to a strong away win.

Kitted in the 2020/21 away strip, the visitors made a positive start, Archie Harris with a promising run from left-back before Baylin Johnson won the ball back high up the field, allowing Daniel Adu-Adjei to face up his defender and get a shot away, pulled just wide.

The Cherries took a lead that their play had warranted, joy coming again down the left, Harris crossing low for Winterburn who struck first time with a true low finish that glanced off the post on its way in.

Johnson impressed again with a shot that was well saved by the Saints 'keeper, a free-kick then floated in that was headed wide with a flicked effort as the Cherries continued to carve out openings.

A Southampton set piece hit the wall and went behind for a corner, a rare attacking endeavour from the home side.

Next, Ferdinand Okoh struck in a shot that was held by the 'keeper after being teed up by Charlie Osborne.

The lead was comfortably seen into the interval, a strong first 45 minutes from the Cherries.

The second half started with a couple of Cherries defensive lapses opening the door for Southampton - the second leading to a low cross which should have been slotted home by a Saints forward, instead Josh Clarke watching the ball trickle wide.

Winterburn surged through into the box for the visitors, his pass just behind its target however.

Five or so minutes of high action followed, just past the hour mark. Substitute 'keeper Ollie Camis conceded a penalty but then made amends by saving from 12 yards.

At the other end, Williams then hit the woodwork - via a 'keeper's touch - with a sure shot for 14 yards.

Southampton then did likewise with a shot that came back off the upright, the Cherries soon quelling the danger by netting a second.

It was another bright piece of attacking play, Williams taking control and passing to Rees-Dottin who calmly slotted the ball home past the advancing 'keeper.

The match then became about control, and the Cherries were able to do that despite a number of substitutes coming on for both sides, seeing out the win to confirm a well-deserved result.