CHERRIES midfielder Tyler Adams stepped up his return from injury with an appearance for Alan Connell’s development squad on Tuesday afternoon, helping the young side to a 5-0 win over Colchester United.

Recovering from a hamstring issue, the United States international started the encounter, which was played behind closed doors at Cherries’ training ground.

Braces from Balraj Landa and Dominic Sadi, combined with Daniel Adu-Adjei’s opener, saw Cherries ease past their opponents and place themselves four points behind Professional Development League leaders Queens Park Rangers.

With first team boss Andoni Iraola watching on, Cherries took the lead on 18 minutes through Adu-Adjei.

Slipped in by Sadi, Adu-Adjei saw his effort diverted into the goal by a kind deflection.

Cherries’ second would come just before the break, Landa picking up the first of his two goals.

Winning the ball back in Colchester’s half with an interception, the attacker went all the way with a finish from range.

Shortly after the restart, Landa would have his brace, showing some neat footwork to open up enough space in the Colchester box to allow him to fire home on 50 minutes.

Long in the ascendency, Cherries looked to stretch their winning margin further.

On 70 minutes they produced their fourth, with Sadi keeping his cool to slot past Ted Collins in the Colchester goal.

There was still time for Sadi to grab his second, and Cherries’ fifth of the afternoon.

The midfielder found himself with the ball at his feet inside the box, placing home to round off the goalscoring.

Cherries’ development squad are next in action on Monday, March 11, when they face AFC Totton in the Hampshire Senior Cup semi-finals (7.45pm).

Cherries: Allan, Tonks, Holman (Okoh), Brown, Kinsey, Harris, Sadi, Adams (Williams), Adu-Adjei (Stuttle), Dacosta Gonzalez (Osborne), Landa.

Unused sub: Crisp (g/k).