AFC Bournemouth
Alan Connell felt his under-18s side was in a ‘privileged position’ after facing Reading in their U18 Professional Development League Cup opener.
The competition sees the Cherries pitted in a group against opposition of higher category academies in the Royals, Millwall and Birmingham City.
In yesterday’s clash at Bearwood Park, Bournemouth were beaten by the hosts despite Jonny Stuttle giving his team an early lead.
Speaking following the game, Connell told afcb.co.uk: “This is the first time, bar the FA Youth Cup, that a Bournemouth under-18s side has played a competitive game against a category one or two academy.
“So, I said to the boys that we were in a privileged position today to experience that.
“We’ve played them in friendlies, but that competitive edge gives the game significance and that helps the players’ development.”
While still producing players as a category three academy such as the first team’s match winner against Nottingham Forest in Jaidon Anthony, Connell felt the cup competition had the levels the club aspires to be at on show.
“We play as many friendlies as we can against category one and two academies, which are so important,” he explained.
“Especially at under-18s level, having that competition element to playing these sides as well makes the experience even richer.
“Today, we technically weren’t at the level and maybe there was a bit of us being affected emotionally by it being a competitive game.
“These are the levels that we aspire to be at week in, week out.”
With the Royals recording a 4-1 win at Bearwood Park, Aston Greaver, Abraham Kanu and a Caylan Vickers brace were on the scoresheet for the home side.
While clear on what the result meant for the Cherries, Connell remained positive on the side’s chances of qualification from the group stage.
He said: “It puts us on the back foot in the group but with two games to come against Millwall and Birmingham, we need to respond in those games.
“In the meantime, we have other league and cup games to come that are important and we need to get back to work on the training pitch.
“As always, we need to try and improve, and we will.”
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