Hargreaves: We were in a battle

AFC Bournemouth development squad manager Chris Hargreaves believes it will be a tough year ahead for his squad.

Hargreaves side lost 2-1 to a Forest Green Rovers reserves side which included a number of first team players with Conference experience.

The Cherries squad included Liechtenstein international Goalkeeper Benjamin Büchel, behind a defence of Case, Bowles, Strugnell, Cargill.

The midfield included Mark Molesley alongside AFCB Vital sponsored Josh Wakefield, Jamal and Gilkes.

Up front was Chiedozie and AFCB Vital sponsored Jayden Stockley.

Stockley initially put the Cherries ahead when he headed home a rebound after Jordan Chiedozie's original header had been deflected on to the crossbar.

But in the final ten minutes two goals from Zak Messenger and Phil Marsh meant the game finished 2-1.

Hargreaves told afcb.co.uk...

"We were in control for 65 minutes but at 1-0 there`s always the chance that other team can get back into it. Suddenly one of their players found the top corner from 25 yards and we were in a battle,"

"We were playing against six or seven players who had played in the Conference pretty regularly, so physically the standard was tough.

"It`s going to be a season of men against boys, but we want our boys to become men very quickly."

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