AFC Bournemouth Under-18s manager Alan Connell has said that Jake Scrimshaw, who is the Academy’s top scorer this season, is a “lethal threat” up-front.

Connell was speaking exclusively to Buzz News reporter Stephen Wright following the Cherries emphatic 3-0 win over Oxford United in the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round on Wednesday.

Oxford have already won the south west regional league for the 2018/19 season, but runners-up Bournemouth knocked them out of the cup courtesy of a Scrimshaw hat-trick to set up a fifth round tie at home to Aston Villa.

Jake Scrimshaw, who was recently loaned out to play men’s football at Poole Town while still being available for Bournemouth, is maturing as a player, Connell said:

“What I like about him is that when he misses chances, he goes again because he wants to score goals. He doesn’t let it affect him, and Wednesday night was one of those games where he has three chances and scores three goals.

“He’s started to be a little bit more assertive around the staff in a positive way”

“He’s lethal and he’s a threat. We enjoy working with him and hopefully he continues to progress and has a very bright future ahead of him.

“He’s definitely becoming more confident, which is natural. He’s started to be a little bit more assertive around the boys and the staff in a positive way. He’s having that men’s experience playing in the non-league with Poole Town, so while he’s already a very physical, powerful player, he looks now like he’s had that extra test of playing against men.

“It’s benefitting him and that’s why we sent him out on loan in the first place.”

AFC Bournemouth Under-18s finish their south west league campaign with an away trip to Exeter City on Saturday.

Hear the interview in audio below.

Click this link to hear Connell’s thoughts on Marcelo Bielsa’s spying tactics.