COACH Carl Fletcher expressed delight after Cherries tonight booked their place in the knockout stage of the Premier League Cup courtesy of an emphatic win over Wolves.

Goals from Kyle Taylor, Marc Pugh, Lys Mousset, Brad Smith and Jaidon Anthony earned them a 5-1 victory at Vitality Stadium as they progressed as group runners-up.

A strong Cherries starting line-up included no fewer than seven first-team squad members together with under-21 quartet Taylor, Mark Travers, Charlie Seaman and Nnamdi Ofoborh.

And a dominant first-half showing saw Cherries reach the break leading 4-0 as a host of players caught the eye – none more so than winger Jordon Ibe.

His scintillating run and precision cross set up Pugh to make it 2-0 midway through the first half with Ibe also instrumental in the build-up for Cherries’ opener, scored by Taylor after just three minutes.

Taylor was also involved in Cherries’ third goal, his pass to Mousset resulting in the French striker finishing clinically after 27 minutes.

And after Harry Arter had rattled the crossbar with a thunderous drive, Taylor’s audacious back-heel on the halfway line sent Smith galloping clear, the Aussie adding a fourth on the stroke of half-time.

Mousset’s rasping effort fizzed past the upright at the start of the second half before Travers saved smartly from Pedro Goncalves, the goalkeeper having earlier distinguished himself with a top-drawer stop from Rafa Mir.

Pugh also struck the woodwork before Goncalves notched the visitors’ consolation six minutes from time with Anthony’s assured finish completing the scoring late on.

Under-21 boss Fletcher said: “The first-team players came in and showed a good attitude to do well on a really cold night and topped up with some minutes.

“It was another good experience for a few of the younger players as well.

“We have had good and bad games in this competition but we have learned a lot from the group stages.

“We were desperate to try to get through which we have so we look forward to the next round.”

Fletcher added: “Wolves are a decent outfit and have a category one academy. Playing them will benefit the younger lads going forward.

“When I first came here a few years ago, if you were lucky, the youth team would have one game under lights. This year, we have probably had the most we have ever had in a season due to this competition.

“You can see the lads getting used to it and that’s the trade-off because we don’t get that with the category we are in.

“Being in with the category one clubs gives us a chance to play them more often. The players get used to it and we want them to feel comfortable in their surroundings. For them to progress and have a career, they have to play in stadiums and in front of people so that is definitely a benefit."

Cherries: Travers, Seaman, B Smith, Hyndman, Ofoborh, Simpson, Pugh (Vincent, 84), Arter, Mousset (Ndjoli, 78), Taylor, Ibe (Anthony, 78). Unused subs: Cordner, Parker-Trott (g/k).