ACADEMY manager Joe Roach confirmed Cherries would appeal Declan Randall’s sending off from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Youth Alliance rivals Bristol Rovers.

Randall received a straight red card after being deemed to have been the last line of defence when he brought down Rovers striker Ryan Broom just eight minutes in.

However, having reviewed video evidence, Roach and youth team boss Carl Fletcher have decided to contest the dismissal, which carries a one-match ban.

Roach told the Daily Echo: “We didn’t think he was the last man and it wasn’t a clear goalscoring opportunity because, if he hadn’t made the tackle, our full-back was covering.”

Asked whether he felt disciplinary procedures should be different for under-18s, Roach replied: “There needs to be a bit of understanding from officials when it is not clear-cut, like in this case. Any time out through suspension for a second year is not ideal.

“But they have to learn what is right and wrong. At this age, they have to learn how to win and rules and regulations come with that.

“There are no cards or sanctions at under-16 and below because it is about development of players and not about winning games.

“If it were my call, I would have sanctions at under-16 level. I have seen players get booked and sent off in the under-18s for things they got away with in the under-16s.”

Despite their efforts with 10 men, Cherries went behind when Blake Davies opened the scoring for Rovers in the 38th minute.

However, a tactical switch at the break paid dividends when Sam Surridge levelled after Matt Butcher had flicked on a corner in the 59th minute.

Roach added: “We changed the formation in the second half to a back three and going down to 10 men didn’t affect us because the lads responded really well.

"It was a good test for them to up their game and work a little harder. Over the course of the game, we were excellent.

“We hadn’t really trained or played with a back three and it was probably something we would have done later in the coaching progamme.

“But it was easier for us to do it on Saturday and we could have come away with a win which would have been fantastic reward for the lads having played with 10 men for 82 minutes.

Cherries: Stanton, Lee, Jordan, Randall, Harfield, O’Sullivan, Worthington, Butcher, Neale (Quigley, 80), Millar (Leslie-Smith, 72), Surridge. Unused sub: Young.

  • Cherries host Swindon Town at Canford School on Saturday (10.30am).