Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Mitchell thankful for Cherries training
TOM Mitchell believes training with Cherries' array of midfield talent has taken his game to a new level.[LNB] Former Dorchester Town midfielder Mitchell has been rejuvenated since linking up with Zamaretto Premier Division Bashley, after a difficult spell up the M27 with Gosport Borough.[LNB] The 22-year-old playmaker, son of Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell, has also been training with Eddie Howe's squad regularly for the past two seasons while looking for opportunities at the top end of the non-league ladder.[LNB] And Mitchell, who has been restricted to appearances from the substitutes' bench since his arrival at the Recreation Ground earlier this month, is hopeful his time on the Canford School pitch with Howe's men could pay dividends.[LNB] Mitchell, likely to be involved when Bash host Fleet Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round tomorrow (3pm), told the Echo: Training with Bournemouth has really helped my game. It gives me good experience and it's made me a lot sharper, which has made things easier coming to Bashley.[LNB] Working with the likes of Marvin Bartley, Danny Hollands, Anton Robinson and Joe Partington can only help.[LNB] The lads have been so good with me and are very welcoming. Eddie Howe has been great and Jason Tindall. I had a couple of reserve games and just being involved has been brilliant.[LNB] The lads have been good as gold and treat me just the same as they would anyone else.[LNB] Fingers-crossed, I can get in the Bashley team and progress my game over the next year or so.[LNB] I want to play at the highest level I can and if I work hard training with Bournemouth and playing for Bashley, who knows where it could lead[LNB] Hopefully I can go on, maybe get back in the Blue Square South and progress from there.[LNB] Reflecting on his first three weeks in the New Forest, Mitchell added: So far it's been really good. I got a reasonable run-out against Chippenham and Steve Riley told me I did well against them.[LNB] We won 4-1 in the FA Cup against Walton & Hersham and Steve wasn't going to change a winning team, so since then I've played a few minutes from the bench.[LNB] Hopefully, I'll be able to get a full start soon, but Tom Hill, Paul Roberts and Chris Knowles have been playing really well in midfield so I know I'll have to bide my time.[LNB] The training has been excellent and everyone gives 100 per cent. Fingers-crossed I'll be in the squad for the cup game and then I could be involved from the bench. I'm raring to go and, hopefully, we'll get a good result.[LNB] Jack Smith (stomach) faces a late fitness test, but otherwise, Riley has a full-strength squad to choose from.[LNB] Bash: (from) Elm, Smith, T Roberts, Oliver, Middleton, Whitley, Knowles, Hill, Maxwell, P Roberts, Mitchell, Allen, Gamble, Ferrett, Murray, Riley, Prodomo.[LNB]
