CHERRIES under-18s continued their preparations for the upcoming season with victory in Rangers’ under-18 invitational cup.

Alongside their equivalents from Middlesbrough, Alan Connell’s young charges travelled to Glasgow to face the Old Firm giants in a three-team tournament, with the sides facing each other in a round-robin format with games lasting just 60 minutes.

In the opener against Rangers Daniel Adu-Adjei handed Cherries the lead from the spot, before a second goal came on the stroke of half-time.

Cherries’ high-press caused the Gers’ defence to panic, leading to an own-goal and a comfortable two-goal lead.

That was how the first game ended, with Cherries straight back into action against Middlesbrough.

Again Adu-Adjei was on hand to convert a second spot-kick in the first-half of the second game, and that proved enough for Connell’s side to pick up a second win.

Cherries are next in action this Saturday when they visit Birmingham City, before hosting Chelsea the following weekend.

Watford and Reading are set to visit Cherries in late July to partake in a similar style-tournament to the competition up in Scotland.

Connell’s young team will then face senior opposition at the end of pre-season, when they travel to Cherries’ non-league neighbours Wimborne Town on Saturday, July 30.