COACH Carl Fletcher praised his Cherries players for their professionalism following a resounding 6-0 win over Bury in the Premier League Cup today.

First-team squad members Adam Federici, Harry Arter, Emerson Hyndman and Brad Smith all played 90 minutes as Cherries brushed aside the Shakers at Vitality Stadium.

Bury, who had stayed overnight ahead of the clash, fielded a team predominantly comprising under-18s due to their League One showdown with AFC Wimbledon tonight.

Cherries effectively killed off the visitors by netting four times in the space of nine first-half minutes with Arter – who had requested to play in the game – among the scorers.

A double from under-18 frontman Jaidon Anthony sandwiched Arter’s strike before Kyle Taylor bagged the pick of the goals with a finely-taken effort as Cherries asserted.

Mikael Ndjoli and Hyndman notched after the break as Cherries registered their second win in Group C to give themselves a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Under-21 boss Fletcher said: “As their first team had a game, it dictated the personnel they brought down but, from our point of view, you can only play what is in front of you and try to get as much out of it as you can.

“We had first-team players dropping down and younger ones coming up. Everybody got something out of it whether it was fitness or a bit of experience.

“It was another good game and some of the stuff we played was good. We had to make our own tempo and atmosphere and I was pleased with the way the lads did that.

“You hope they learn something and take things on board from every game. The last time Jaidon played here was in the FA Youth Cup when we lost to Spurs so for him to get a couple of goals was fantastic.

“The lads were really professional and that was the most pleasing thing.”

Victory saw Cherries move to within a point of top two Wolves and Norwich – with their next game in the Premier League Cup against Bury at Gigg Lane on February 20.

Cherries, who are currently third in the group, then face leaders Wolves at Vitality Stadium on February 26 with the top two going through to the knockout phase.

Fletcher added: “You always want to win, otherwise there is no point entering. In every competition we go in that is the underlying tone and we are not in them just for the sake of it.

"But it is not win at all costs. We have to play the right way and make sure we are progressing. We know that if we perform well and do what we need to then the wins will take care of themselves.

“After a couple of disappointing last-minute losses in the competition, I am pleased we got another win. There are going to be games when you have to dig deep to make sure your professionalism is right and they did.”

Cherries: Federici, Lee (Seaman, 72), B Smith, Hyndman, Cordner, Butcher, O’Connell (Vincent, 81), Arter, Ndjoli, Anthony (Glover, 72, Taylor. Unused subs: Camp, Parker-Trott (g/k).