SHAUN Cooper’s young charges fell to a 2-0 defeat in the New Forest against a more experienced Wycombe Wanderers.

Staged on neutral ground at Wessex League outfit Brockenhurst’s Meadens Skoda Arena, an early strike from Brandon Hanlan seemed decisive, but Wycombe made sure of the win late on with a second from the spot via Ali Al-Hamadi.

Wycombe had previously announced earlier this month that they had signed promising teenager Christie Ward from the Badgers, with the midfielder playing over 50 games for Brockenhurst prior to his move to the pro-ranks.

Although the game was billed as Wycombe’s first-team against Cherries under-23s, there was a youthful look to the Chairboys, who named three trialists in their starting line-up.

D’Mani Mellor, who joined Wycombe this summer after being released by giants Manchester United, was given a start by first-team manager Gareth Ainsworth, who was in attendance at Grigg Lane.

There were returns to the development squad for Christian Saydee and Dominic Sadi, after the duo were involved in the first-team’s training camp in Portugal over the past week.

Cherries, playing in their away strip of white, were quickest to begin, with Saydee coming close early on.

Tarik Gidaree managed to produce a cross into the Wycombe box that was half-dealt with, the ball falling at the feet of the arriving Saydee just inside the area.

His powerful effort was just about matched by the trialist in the Wanderers’ goal, the ‘keeper steering the ball past the post and out for a corner.

Despite Cherries creating the first proper chance of the game, it would be Wycombe who would draw first blood.

First-team striker Hanlan used his nous and experience to effectively bully a young Cherries backline, allowing the 25-year-old to blast home past Billy Terrell from close range, giving Wycombe the lead after just four minutes of action.

Wanderers continued to control possession throughout the first-half, nearly recording a second just before the half-hour mark, with a mad scramble in the box almost allowing Hanlan to fire home again.

However, the linesman’s flag was raised for offside, ensuring that the deficit remained at just the one goal.

Terrell was called into action again later on into the half, stooping down low a strong wrist to deny Hanlan on the turn.

The second-half was a quieter affair, with neither side generating much of note.

Nathan Moriah-Welsh almost produced a moment of magic when he almost caught out the Wycombe ‘keeper with a whipped cross that evolved into a shot, forcing the custodian to tip the ball over for a corner.

Cherries mustered more of the ball as the game reached its climax, but they were unable to truly test the Chairboys.

In the end they were unable to restore parity, with Wycombe doubling their advantage with just over 10 minutes to go.

Defender Chris Francis was deemed to have handled in the box, allowing substitute Al-Hamadi the chance to convert a penalty.

Terrell got a solid glove to the effort but could not prevent it from going over.

Al-Hamadi was clearly buoyed by the goal, as he went close to a second moments after. This time Terrell was his equal, stretching to deny the attacker.

The penalty also galvanised Cherries, who produced their closest effort of the night shortly after Al-Hamadi’s two efforts.

Guyana international Moriah-Welsh this time saw his effort trickle the wrong side of the post, with the trialist ‘keeper wrongfooted.

A trialist substitute for Cherries had the game’s final chance in the dying stages, seeing his effort blocked by the Wycombe goalie.

Cherries: Terrell, Gidaree, Trialist A, Kinsey-Wellings, Boutin, Francis, Wadham, Moriah-Welsh, Sadi (Burgess 55’), Saydee, Scrimshaw (Trialist, 63’)