Collins goal but U's lose out
A young United side were beaten 4-1 at AFC Bournemouth in a friendly this afternoon. Michael Collins' late goal proved just a consolation but Coach Chris Allen believes there were definite positives for the U's' Development side.
"The game started with both sides being a bit cagey" he told us. "We settled really well and moved the ball nicely and we know that Bournemouth are a good side when they have possession so it was a tactical start to the game. But for at least 25 minutes of the first half we were on top in the game and we had a fifteen minute spell within that when we created some excellent chances to open the scoring. Sam Humphreys did really well and had two chances, Mickey Collins had a good shot and Josh Ashby had a chance from midfield as well. But from that chance they broke on us, rushed up the other end and scored with a sidefoot, a good move but a goal we could have prevented.
"A little bit of poor defending, trying to be clever when we just needed to clear our lines, gave them another goal to make it 2-0 at half time but we had played well enough and had just been caught by two soft goals really.
"In the second half Bournemouth had the momentum and pressed us high up the pitch to make it 3-0 and then scored from a good cross to make it four.
"Credit to the lads because they didn't let their heads go down and we had another good spell which ended with Canice Carrol flicking on and Mickey Collins finishing well to make the final score 4-1
"A disappointing scoreline but we gave all of the players the full 90 minutes, the first 90 of the season for a lot of them. There is another game next week where we will try and give them 90 again, and then the same the week after. That's more to do with fitness but today we also learned a few lessons about playing against sides like Bournemouth who are a talented side on the ball and took their chances really well."
UNITED
Crocombe, Welch-Hayes, Cundy, Carroll, Grant, Hawtin, Ashby, Collins, Humphreys, George, Roberts