SCOTT Parker declared himself "immensely proud" of his young Cherries side for taking a point against West Brom in their Championship opener.

Goals from Emiliano Marcondes and Philip Billing twice put Cherries ahead, with goals from Dara O'Shea and Callum Robinson earning the Baggies a 2-2 draw at Vitality Stadium.

With eight senior first-team players missing, Cherries' bench was completely filled with academy graduates, while only four members of the starting line-up in Adam Smith, David Brooks and Marcondes and Billing aged over 23-years-old.

Discussing the draw, Parker said: “I think firstly I am immensely proud of the team, proud of the players. That was a football match where that team we played are an experienced side.

“They constantly put you under pressure by putting the ball in the area, looking to get throw-ins, constantly putting you under pressure with their physical presence – corners, set-plays.

“While I think we can certainly improve in certain moments – the first goal comes to mind. I thought for large parts with a young, young team out there, I am immensely proud of what they stood up to."

Parker added: “Regarding the game, I’d have liked us to have asserted ourselves a little bit more at times and I thought at times we definitely did that. We showed our quality at times and showed what a good side we could be.

“As easy as I’m saying I want us to assert a bit more, I have also been in the arena in those games – I know how difficult they can be. It can sometimes be tough and certainly that was exactly that.

“A young team in terms of, Gavin Kilkenny, Jaidon Anthony, Jordan (Zemura), these were young boys probably in terms of their real experience of the Championship, it won’t come more brutal, more physical than what they have experienced tonight.

“A young bench as well, so overall I’m very pleased. Loads of room still to work and we need to improve in certain areas. I think we can all see that and we understand that, so overall I’m pleased with that."