Alan Connell (Image: Robin Jones)
GOALS from Daniel Adu-Adjei and Harold William were not enough as the Cherries development squad were beaten by Brentford in the Professional Development League playoff final.
Adu-Adjei handed Bournemouth the halftime lead, before goals from Iwan Morgan and a Romelle Donovan stunner handed the Bees the lead.
The Cherries drew themselves back level minutes later, William poking home a corner that was spilled by keeper Reggie Rose.
But another brilliant goal, this time from Tony Yogane, handed Brentford the victory and the Professional Development League crown.
Alan Connell’s side included Matai Akinmboni, Ben Winterburn and Zain Silcott-Duberry, all of whom were involved at Manchester City the night before with the first team.
Brentford’s team included first team player Kristoffer Ajer, and it was the visitors who got the game underway.
There was a stoppage in the first minute as Bees striker Ashley Hay fell awkwardly and needed treatment, but was able to continue.
Silcott-Duberry struck the wall with a free kick after five minutes but the first meaningful chance of the game fell the way of Brentford, Josh Stephenson heading a corner straight at Callan McKenna.
Dominic Sadi had a shot blocked, before Harold William headed wide from the resulting corner.
Ethan Brierley sliced wide from the edge of the box for the visitors and the Bees were nearly handed an opener after some crossed wires saw an Akinmboni pass back to Callan McKenna go past the keeper but past the post for a corner.
But Akinmboni played a big part as the Cherries opened the scoring after 24 minutes, the American reading a pass out from the back and playing the ball through first time for Adu-Adjei who did the rest and finished brilliantly.
Brentford sought a quick response and Iwan Morgan curled a shot from distance, but it was comfortable for McKenna.
Sadi again saw a shot blocked behind, Romelle Donovan taking aim at the other end but curling over the bar.
Ashley Clarke was denied by Reggie Rose in the Brentford net when one-on-one, Winterburn seeing his shot blocked moments later.
McKenna saved well from Ajer, the 27-year-old meeting a free kick but the Scot equal to it, as the Cherries led by one at the break.
Tony Yogane was denied by a Max Kinsey block before the Bees equalised after 51 minutes.
It was a training ground routine from a free kick, Morgan got free, was found with a pass and shot, McKenna saving but William could only put the ball into the net as he tried to clear.
And the Bees were in front four minutes later.
Donovan picked up the ball around halfway and drove into the Cherries half, he let fly from 25 yards and found the top corner.
But shortly after the hour mark, the Cherries drew themselves level.
Silcott-Duberry curled in a corner and it looked like it was going to be comfortable for Rose, but the keeper spilled it and William was there to bundle to home at the far post.
Michael Olakigbe headed over the bar from close range when he was picked out by a Yogane cross.
Adu-Adjei was not far away from a second goal as he flicked a Harris cross just wide of the post, after the left back had done brilliantly to keep the ball in on the byline.
A shot curled just wide from Silcott-Duberry with 11 minutes to play, before Michael Dacosta Gonzalez replaced Remy Rees-Dottin.
Brentford struck the post after a Stephenson shot was deflected onto the upright by William, but they took the lead a minute later.
Yogane was found on the left and he cut inside and curled the ball into the far top corner to hand the Bees the lead with four minutes remaining.
Jonny Stuttle and Noa Boutin replaced Clarke and Akinmboni as the game entered seven added minutes.
Boutin had a golden chance to equalise after he was played in one-on-one with Rose but got his finish all wrong and fired wide.
Bournemouth threw everything at the Bees in stoppage time, Silcott-Duberry with a shot saved over the bar, but they were not able to find the equaliser and the Bees claimed the trophy.