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Billing and Faivre net for Cherries in pre-season win over Hibernian

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PHILIP Billing and Romain Faivre were on target as the Cherries began their pre-season with a 2-1 victory over Black Knight FC stablemate Hibernian.

Andoni Iraola’s side led 2-0 at half time, before Kieron Bowie got a goal back for the Scottish side in the behind closed doors friendly.

Marcus Tavernier was the first to test Jordan Smith in the Hibs goal, drawing a save with an effort from the right-hand side.

The visitors had a couple of half chances but the Cherries keeper Neto and back four of Julio Soler, Marcos Senesi, Chris Mepham and James Hill were equal to them.

Bournemouth took the lead after 20 minutes, Billing finding the bottom corner from the edge of the box as he got to a second ball after a corner before the Hibs defence.

(Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth)

Faivre doubled the hosts’ lead as he capitalised on a defensive mistake and finished via a slight deflection.

Bowie shot straight at Neto on the halftime whistle, as the Cherries led at the break.

Smith denied the Cherries a tap in at the far post with a good save early in the second half before Antoine Semenyo shot over the bar.

Hibs got a goal back shortly before the hour mark, Bowie finishing well after a counterattack.

There were first appearances in a Cherries shirt for French duo Adrien Truffert and Eli Junior Kroupi, the latter firing just wide after a Justin Kluivert cut back.

(Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth)

Kroupi drew a comfortable save out of Smith after 70 minutes, before the keeper was again in action to deny Semenyo twice in the space of a few minutes.

The Ghanaian was again denied by Smith as the Cherries broke at speed, the keeper getting down to save with his thigh as he rushed off his line.

Semenyo, who recently signed a new deal at the Cherries, was a threat and was again denied, Warren O’Hora challenging him as he was about to pull the trigger, as the Cherries ran out 2-1 winners.

AFC Bournemouth: Neto, Cook, Senesi, Mepham, Brooks, Evanilson, Tavernier, Soler, Faivre, Hill, Billing.

Substitutes: Paulsen, Truffert, Ouattara, Smith, Kluivert, Kroupi, Semenyo, Zabarnyi, Traore, Winterburn, William.

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