Young Cherries through to play-off final after a seven-goal thriller

The AFC Bournemouth Development squad beat the Burnley u'21s 4-3 at Vitality Stadium to claim their spot in the Professional Development League play-off final.

Goals from Ashley Clarke, Remy Rees-Dottin and Dan Adu-Adjei along with an own-goal saw the Cherries come from behind to win the play-off semi-final.

Burnley clawed two late goals back through Tommy McDermott who had atoned for his earlier own-goal and Joe Westley who made the game very interesting with his additional-time goal.

The visitors took the lead early in the game. Captain Joe Bauress’s deflected strike deceived Callan McKenna in the Cherries net and gave the Clarets an early lead.

It wouldn’t be long before Bournemouth equalised. A wicked own-goal saw McDermott slide challenge to win a loose ball, his pass-back was too powerful for Lewis Forshaw and the ball trickled in.

Ashley Clarke scored the Cherries’  second goal not long after the equaliser.

A slick pass from Archie Harris found Clarke on the penalty spot. Clarke calmly finished it into the top-left hand corner to put the Cherries ahead.

Leading at the start of the second half, Rees-Dottin soon extended the Cherries’ lead.

The winger was found on the penalty spot and seemingly had an open net to just slot the ball into which he did with ease.

Adu-Adjei soon scored Bournemouth’s fourth of the evening. An impressive through ball from Silcott-Duberry found the striker.

Adu-Adjei’s pace was enough to round the Burnley keeper and he passed it into an empty net from what looked to be a tight angle.

It's 24 goals in 15 games for the in-form striker, who only rejoined the Cherries in January from his short loan spell at Carlisle United.

McDermott struck from an impressive distance to claw a late goal back for the Clarets. His 25-yard strike beating McKenna with such power.

Westley scored Burnley’s third deep into added time and proved to be the final goal of a seven-goal thriller.

The game finished 4-3 to the home side, with the final whistle cheered from the watching home support.

The Cherries will go on to face the Brentford u’21s in the final who beat Sheffield United 2-1 earlier in the day.

Cherries’ Lineup: McKenna, Akinmboni (Mottoh, 66), Harris, Winterburn, William, Kinsey (C), Clarke (Dacosta Gonzalez, 79), Sadi (Williams, 84), Adu-Adjei (Stuttle, 79), Silcott-Duberry, Rees-Dottin

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