Cherries slip to pre-season Valencia defeat

The Cherries are given a stern test by the La Liga outfit as a stunning Orellanes goal ends the unbeaten pre-season run.

The second of the Cherries’ back-to-back games this weekend, away midfielder Fabián Orellana’s stunning second-half winner was the difference between the sides in Dorset.

Ahead of kick off the two sets of players stood in a minute’s applause for the club’s youngest ever league debutant, Jimmy White.

A niggly start followed at Vitality Stadium, the hosts looked to get the ball down and play but were curtailed by their combative opponents.

On 15 minutes it was Valencia who came the closest yet, a Dani Parejo corner flashing narrowly over the bar via defender Javi Jimenez’s header.

The away side were growing in confidence, and Steve Cook had to leap and deny Joao Cancelo as he rose to head at the far post.

Jermain Defoe connected with a Connor Mahoney centre ten yards from goal, whistling his half volley a foot higher than the bar with the fans cooing their returning hero on his first game back as a Cherries player at Dean Court.

Cook had an opportunity ten minutes from the interval as he glanced Ryan Fraser’s free kick wide, his expression after the chance suggesting he felt he could have done better.

A Harry Arter shot deflected kindly for ‘keeper Neto while Simone Zaza stretched but couldn’t connect with a low ball on the stroke of half time.

Marc Pugh had his bag of tricks open along the left wing at the start of the second period, cutting inside he found Fraser in support – the ball just getting away from the Scotland international as he surged into the box.

Half-time Los Che substitute Alvaro Negredo tested Asmir Begovic from 25 yards, the Cherries ‘keeper palming the low effort away.

The intensity suddenly raised, Jose Gaya beat the offside trap and was bearing down on goal, only for Mahoney to rapidly run back and intercept the visiting full-back’s shot.

In the 72nd minute Valencia took the lead. Aaron Ramsdale had just come onto the pitch, but the Cherries ‘keeper had no chance as Orellana’s magnificent right-footed curler from 24 yards sneaked under the crossbar.

Harry Arter struck a yard over the bar from range inside the final ten minutes, while Fraser, now playing on the right wing, crossed dangerously for substitute Ben Whitfield – just beaten to the ball by a covering defender.

The action came to an end with the Cherries’ run of three pre-season coming to an end at the hands of Los Che.