Tomorrow’s match at the AFC Bournemouth Performance Centre presents an opportunity for the large majority of the squad to get their first minutes of pre-season in the tank, after a fortnight of intense and productive training sessions.
Last Saturday, a team consisting of predominantly academy players swept aside a youthful Selsey side at the Seal Bay Resort Stadium with a 3-0 victory.
U18s regulars Ignas Azuolaitis and Brean Plaku found the net early on, with 16-year-old Charlie Davidson also etching his name on the scoresheet inside the opening quarter of an hour.
On Friday, the squad is expected to be filled with a combination of several National League South title winners, academy prospects and trialists.
For Bournemouth, it’s a chance for their youngsters to test themselves against senior opposition as they gear up for another campaign of development.
THE OPPOSITION
Guided by former Bournemouth striker Alan Connell, the Premier League side’s academy has enjoyed one of their most fruitful periods in recent seasons.
Clearly an intentional and deliberate strategy, Bournemouth’s U21s playstyle try to mirror the first team’s approach and have become renowned for their high pressing, fast transitions and encouraging technically comfortable players to play out from the back.
Back in the 2024/25 season, the Cherries were crowned the Professional Development League South champions, while also recently finishing as runners-up in the National Professional Development League, losing the final to Brentford after topping the South Division.
Overall, Bournemouth’s U21s is regarded as one of the stronger Category 2 development squads in England.
ONE TO WATCH
The 18-year-old wide midfielder has progressed through the academy ranks after joining as a 12-year-old in 2020.
Since then, he has continued his development with a loan spell at Dorchester Town in the second half of the 2025/26 season where he netted three times in 10 Southern League Premier South appearances.
Born in Winchester, he represents Georgia internationally and even featured in the qualification for the UEFA Under-17 European Championship.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Despite this friendly being played Behind Closed Doors, AFC Bournemouth have granted the club permission to broadcast live radio commentary of the match. Alternatively you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official X account and read the Match Report after the final whistle.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗