JONNY Stuttle described his first goals for Cherries’ development squad as “lift-off” and hopes for more chances at that level in the remainder of the season.

With the first choice striker at under-21 level, Daniel Adu-Adjei, left out of the squad for Tuesday’s game against Millwall due to an impending loan move, Stuttle got the call.

The 18-year-old grabbed his chance at New Cuthbury, scoring twice, albeit in a 3-2 defeat as Cherries slipped off top spot in the Professional Development League.

Stuttle has been prolific at under-18 level, notably bagging a hat-trick in the recent stunning 5-0 win at St James’s Park against Newcastle United in the FA Youth Cup.

Asked if getting his first goals at this level is seen as a milestone moment, Stuttle told the Daily Echo: “Yes, definitely. Obviously where I hadn’t scored before, it was definitely that sort of feeling of a bit of lift-off.

“You get a big lift from it. But it is just a case of keeping on going and doing what I do, to be honest.

“I played a couple of games last year competitively, and friendlies as well.

“But that was my first goal and it was nice to get another one on top of that as well.”

Discussing the nature of his goals, pouncing on rebounds in the box, Stuttle said: “As a striker, it’s always drummed into you, being in that area, in between the two posts.

“It’s just a case of being in the right place at the right time and I’ve done my job there.”

Asked if he found out late on he would feature in the game, due to Adu-Adjei’s withdrawal, Stuttle added: “It was a bit of a late call.

“But as footballers, we’re always ready for whatever it throws at us. I was ready to jump in the squad and do my job.”

He added: “On a personal note, it’s nice to grab a brace.

“But I think there’s an overall disappointing feel, because we really thought we should’ve got more from the game.

“I think we should as well.

“The way we played and kept going to the end, creating chances, I thought we did deserve more.”

Without a number of development squad regulars for the game against Millwall, Stuttle was not the only member of the under-18s to step up, with Ashley Clarke and Jack Holman also called upon from the start, before Charlie Osborne was introduced off the bench.

Cherries pushed Millwall all the way, before ultimately falling just short.

“We’ve got a lot of experienced players who are already playing in this squad with the under-21s,” said Stuttle.

“Yes, it’s a step up for us under-18s, but I think we’re fully capable of managing with the standard and we’re adapting well to it.”

Adu-Adjei has subsequently joined Leyton Orient on loan for the rest of the season, which could open up more opportunities for Stuttle, starting against Norwich City in the Premier League Cup at Wimborne tomorrow (12pm).

Asked if he feels his performance against Millwall has given himself a good chance of more minutes with the development squad this season, Stuttle said: “Things are going well. On a personal note, the two goals were nice, but I think I’ve still got a few gears to go up in possession and out of possession as well.

“You always look at the goals, and it is nice to score goals, but I think other parts of the game have got to be up there as well.

“That’s just a case of working on it. Hopefully I’m just going to progress and get better.

“I’ve had a good game. Hopefully I’ve impressed. I’ve done my job, scoring two goals and who knows?”

Bournemouth Echo:

Discussing Stuttle’s performance against Millwall, development squad boss Alan Connell told the Daily Echo: “With Jonny, he is right place, right time man.

“So I’m really pleased for him to score two goals.

“I’ve seen Jonny for a number of years now and both of those goals were very much his trademark, being in the right place at the right time.

“I’m very pleased for Jonny. He has continued all his good work for the under-18s to score the two goals.”