Lowy: “We lacked a bit of belief in ourselves”

After AFC Bournemouth U18’s 1-3 loss to Norwich City U18’s in the FA Youth Cup, manager James Lowy feels his side came away “a little disappointed.”

He said: “I think we probably just lacked a little bit of belief in ourselves tonight.

“Which was a shame from previous rounds in games where we’ve been very front foot, very aggressive from the start.”

This was evident in their previous game in the competition where the young Cherries led Ipswich Town by two goals before half-time.

Praising the Norwich City team, Lowy also mentions how moments changed the game.

Lowy added: “We didn’t really have that real instinct to get after a good Norwich team tonight.

“We talked about it in the dressing room just now, about how moments can change games.

“Going from almost creating a golf swing opportunity for us really early in the game to then conceding the penalty.

“But, I think it’s about how we can really try and respond back from that and show a good reaction.”

Despite being behind going into the break and conceding a third goal right on the hour mark, the Cherries spirit didn’t waiver, as homegrown talent Charlie Stevens slotted a penalty to grab a consolation for the home side. 

“The third goal was a disappointing one to concede but, again even the fact that we’ve got a goal on the back of it, we still could have had the belief to go on and get another goal.”

Whilst unhappy with the result, Lowy insisted that his team had to be prepared for a busy January period and be ready to go again.

In their game, the U18’s travel away from home to face Brentford on Saturday 25th January.