Young Cherries fall to disappointing defeat

AFC Bournemouth Under-21’s fell to a 2-1 defeat at Colchester United Under-21’s in the Professional Development League this afternoon.

Second half goals from Kaion Lisbie and Kai Martin had the hosts 2-0 in front, before a late own goal from Lennox Emery gave the Cherries hope, but it wasn’t to be.

Top of the league Bournemouth were dominant for the majority of the match against the side rooted to the bottom of the table, but Colchester, who hadn’t won since August, were clinical to come away with three points.

Koby Mottoh struck the bar inside the first minute with a stunning curling effort from outside the area, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Colchester goalkeeper Frankie Beckles made a good save on the 20th minute to deny Mottoh from inside the area.

Three minutes late, Balraj Landa missed a glorious chance to open the scoring, but his header when unmarked in the area was well over the bar.

Both had good efforts again in a one sided first half, Mottoh’s area from outside the area being comfortably saved down low by Beckles before Landa struck the post after connecting with a Finn Tonks cross.

The Cherries would have been frustrated to go into halftime level – those frustrations multiplied when in the 52nd minute, Adrian Akande crossed to the back-post for Kaion Lisbie to tap home.

That goal continued Alan Connell’s side poor defensive record away from home in the PDL this season, failing to keep a clean sheet all campaign on the road.

Michael Dacosta Gonzalez blazed over after neat link-up play with Dominic Sadi in the 75th minute, before another good Beckles save down low to his left denied substitute Eugene Nyarko a minute later.

Colchester doubled their lead in the 84th minute, with Kai Martin cooly finishing into the bottom corner after Alfie Merritt failed to clear a cross into the area.

Good work from Noa Boutin forced an own goal in the 89th minute, Boutin latching onto a through ball, rounding the onrushing keeper before his cross was deflected in by the unfortunate Emery.

Koby Mottoh did have the ball in the back of the net minutes later, but he was flagged offside, and the Cherries were unable to create any other chances, leading to an unexpected defeat.

Connell’s side remain top of the PDL, but Brentford’s win against QPR means they sit just one point behind the Cherries with two games in hand.