ACADEMY boss Joe Roach hailed as “one of the best performances we have had this season” Cherries youth team's whirlwind start at Swindon.

Carl Fletcher's charges raced into a three-goal half-time lead in Wiltshire courtesy of a brace from Matt Butcher either side of Sam Surridge's composed finish.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Butcher set off on a driving run at the heart of the Swindon defence and thumped a swerving 20-yard effort inside Claude Da Costa's left post.

Surridge then made the most of forward-thinking defender Ollie Harfield's trickery by slotting home from close quarters.

Butcher's venomous second from a half-cleared corner made it three just before the interval but the Robins mustered a spirited fightback after the restart.

Goals from Josh Cooke and Amir Gied reduced the arrears but Cherries held out to win 3-2. Swindon duo Will Randall and Lee Marshall were sent off after the final whistle.

It was the Dean Court club's second win in four unbeaten matches since switching across to Merit League One and Roach declared himself pleased with how the team has relished raising their standards.

Roach told the club's official website: “It is clear to see our performances have improved. The players have undoubtedly stepped up.

“The improvement in the side has progressed over the course of the season and compliments have to go to Carl Fletcher and the players for their focus and commitment.

“Our first-half performance against a challenging Swindon side was one of the best performances we have had this season.

“Having scored an impressive three goals in the first half, we were in a confident and comfortable position to see the game through.

“We spoke about not changing anything but need to give credit to Swindon as they pushed on and went up another gear. They were far more direct than we expected.

“After conceding a goal early in the second half, it put the players' minds in doubt as to whether they should look to press higher or drop off.

“We try to mirror the club and the first-team tactically, which can sometimes leave us open to being countered.”

The youth team return to home soil when they take on Watford at Canford School on Saturday (10.30am).

Unbeaten Cherries sit fifth out of 12 in the league table, a point behind the third-placed Hornets with one game in hand.