THE Cherries youth team finished their Merit League campaign on a high courtesy of a comfortable 3-1 win over visitors Exeter.

An early first-half blitz laid the foundations for Carl Fletcher's fledglings to sign off the league season in style.

Cherries raced out of the blocks and good work from Ethan Millar and Matt Worthington led to a chance for Sam Surridge, only for the keeper to deny him.

Thirteen minutes in, the deadlock was broken when the ball bobbled out of the penalty area and defender Jordan Lee rifled a half-volley into the bottom corner.

The advantage was doubled three minutes later and Surridge this time made no mistake. After Ben Walker had raced down the right and delivered into the box, Surridge leapt above his marker and powered home a header.

Still Cherries pressured and a third goal soon arrived when Exeter failed to clear convincingly from a corner and defender Corey Jordan stabbed into the net from close range.

Ten minutes before the break, City were handed the opportunity to pull one back after Millar had been penalised for a foul in the box and keeper Callum Stanton could not keep out the spot-kick.

Incredibly, Exeter earned a second penalty within a matter of minutes after Matt Worthington was deemed to have fouled his man. However, this time Stanton was equal to the effort.

Chances were thin on the ground following the resumption with Surridge and Worthington looking threatening in one instance, before the move came to nothing.

Midway through the second period Surridge burst clear but the striker attempted a pass when he might have gone for goal.

Lee could have grabbed his second late on but after an impressive burst of pace, a heavy touch allowed the City keeper to collect.