CHERRIES under-23s fell to their second defeat of pre-season this weekend, losing 3-0 at the hands of West Ham at Canford Arena.

A goalless first-half was followed by three strikes from the visitors, with Thierry Nevers grabbing a brace after Junior Robinson opened scores shortly after the break.

After a narrow 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in a behind closed doors friendly on Saturday, July 9, Shaun Cooper’s young charges eased past senior opposition in the form of Poole Town last Thursday, winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Jake Scrimshaw and Marcus Daws.

Ferdinand Okoh made way as Nathan Moriah-Welsh returned to the starting XI after a trial with League One Burton Albion, whilst Jack Wadham and Finn Tonks were also handed starts in place of the trialists who began the game with Poole Town.

The opening 45 minutes so both sides enjoy spells of control without truly threatening either goalkeeper. A fluent Cherries move saw Marcus Daws’ shot at goal saved and held by ‘keeper Brian Kinnear, before the hosts were hemmed back by some pressure from the Hammers at set-pieces.

Visitors West Ham would take the lead via Robinson on 51 minutes. The midfielder was on hand to stab the ball home after former Cherry Remy Coddington’s initial effort was saved.

The Hammers’ second came with 15 minutes remaining, as Nevers grabbed his first via the underside of the bar.

In injury time he added to his tally, drifting past Cherries to tap home after a cross was deflected off the post.

Cherries are back in action in three days’ time, when they face League One Wycombe Wanderers at Brockenhurst’s Meaden Skoda Arena.

Cherries: Terrell, Tonks, Kinsey-Wellings, Francis, Gidaree, Boutin, Wadham, Burgess, Moriah-Welsh, Daws, Scrimshaw.

Rolling subs, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Adu-Adjei, Dacosta Gonzalez, Johnson, Okoh