KELLY BACKS A CHERRIES’ BEES’ STING

BOURNEMOUTH defender Lloyd Kelly insists the Cherries have no fear about meeting Brentford in their play-off semi-final.

The Bees finished the season with four wins in a row and just one defeat in 12, while Bournemouth limped over the line with three straight losses.

Kelly, whose side host Brentford in the first leg a week today, said: “I don’t think the momentum’s been lost. We know what we can do. Everyone wants to get back to the Premier League.”

Kelly, 22, made just eight appearances in the Premier League after former manager Eddie Howe paid Bristol City £13million for him. He is desperate to make up for lost time after suffering an injury-hit campaign last time, but knows the Cherries will need to up their game.

Kelly added: “Everyone in the changing room is more than angry with that performance. We know we can do better.”

Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate branded Brentford favourites but Stoke boss Michael O’Neill disagrees.

O’Neill said: “I hope Bournemouth go up because I don’t want another Premier League squad in the league next season. They’d be my favourites to go back up.”

It has been a disappointing campaign for the injury-hit Potters but a fairytale ending for defender Will Forrester, 19, who scored on his debut, Sam Clucas sealing the win after the break.

Forrester said: “I’ve been at the club since I was five and worked my way up through the ranks. That makes it more special.”

BOURNEMOUTH: Begovic 6, Smith 6 (Stacey 75, 5), Carter-Vickers 7, Cook 5 (Mepham 69, 6), Kelly 6, Lerma 6, Pearson 6 (Riquelme 55, 5), Brooks 5, Billing 5 (Long 75, 5), Danjuma 6, Solanke 6

STOKE: Davies 6, Smith 8, Batth 8, Forrester 8, Norrington-Davies 7, Clucas 7, Obi Mikel 7, Thompson 8, Tymon 7, Matondo 7 (Norton 90), Brown 6 (Vokes 90)

REF: David Webb

MOTM