CHERRIES under-21 coach Mark Molesley says their 5-1 defeat at Cheltenham in the Central League yesterday will help teach the club’s youngsters what is required to survive in football.

Cherries were sunk by four first-half goals from the Robins, all of which Molesley believed Cherries had “gifted” to their opponents.

Mikael Ndjoli reduced the deficit from the penalty spot after half-time, but Cheltenham striker Dan Holman quickly completed his hat-trick to wrap up a convincing victory for the vastly-experienced hosts.

Molesley told the Daily Echo: “The first half was extremely disappointing from our point of view. We gifted them four goals, which made it an uphill task.

“It was a tough ask. It was windy, it was bobbly and they had an experienced team out.

“In the second half, we grouped together and held our own, which was more pleasing but still a bit away from the standards we set ourselves here.

“Our lads need to know that if they want to be playing in Premier League facilities then they have to go and earn their stripes against these teams and in these conditions.

“It won’t be handed to them on a plate, they have to find a way of surviving in football, to have a career and to push to get in our first team.”

Cheltenham winger James Dayton opened the scoring on 13 minutes when he swept home from inside the box before Holman skipped round Cherries goalkeeper Pat O’Flaherty to finish into an empty net.

Robins left-back Jordan Cranston’s cross was deflected in by Dinesh Gilella for the third and Holman ensured his team would go into the break four goals to the good when he rifled home after good approach play by Dayton.

Ndjoli won and converted a 71st-minute penalty before Holman pounced on a loose ball at the edge of Cherries’ box to hit a rising shot into O’Flaherty’s net.

Molesley drew some encouragement from their second-half improvement.

“Our players had taken a couple of hits before the end of the first half so they had to come out and show their character and resolve,” he continued.

“That is what football is about, it’s a tough game. They have to rise to those challenges. I was pleased they came out and did that.”

Cherries: O’Flaherty, York, Jordan, Gilella (Ofoborh, h-t), Harfield, O’Connell, Taylor, Worthington, Dobre, Quigley (Kilkenny, 58), Ndjoli. Unused subs: Diaz, Stedman (g/k).