ALAN Connell said he was left “proud” of his players after the “momentous occasion” of Cherries’ first Professional Development League fixture.

Having been awarded category two academy status over the summer, Cherries’ youngsters can now compete with higher level opposition.

And they got their league campaign underway with victory, winning 2-0 away at Coventry City thanks to goals from Michael Dacosta Gonzalez and Daniel Adu-Adjei.

Speaking to afcbTV after the win at CBS Arena, boss and former Cherries striker Connell said: “It’s been a long time coming that we’re now category two and this is the benefit our players get.

“It was quite a momentous occasion, considering we’ve got staff like myself who have been at the club for a long time and a lot of the players have come through from the real young age groups in our academy. 

“I said to them it was a privilege for me to lead that, but it was also more important it was a privilege for the players to play in that first ever Professional Development League game at under-21 level.”

He added: “I thought we started a little bit edgy. Then Michael produced a moment of quality we know he can, with a great free-kick. You could sense the belief in us go up.

“We created a lot more chances in the second half. My criticism would be we should’ve killed the game earlier with all the chances we had, then we’re indebted to Cam Plain making a great save with five or 10 minutes to go to keep it at 1-0.

“Daniel missed chances, but he keeps getting in there and he produces a wonderful finish at the end to seal the win.

“I’m very proud to represent our football club in a new era and I’m very proud of my players as well.”