Watson's spot-kick gave Chelsea the advantage before the interval, but Bournemouth responded through Jonny Day on the stroke of half-time and the forward struck again late on to secure all three points for the hosts.

The young Blues created a number of chances throughout the evening and went close to restoring the lead after the break, with Harrison Bettoni particularly unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet.

The Blues' starting line-up included four players who had travelled with the first team on our tour this summer, as Calvin Diakite, Tayo Subuloye, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Watson were all named in the side by Harry Hudson.

Chelsea threatened early on when Leo Cardoso cut in from the right and saw a left-footed effort blocked.

Chizaram Ezenwata then showed his strength to hold off a defender and collect Bettoni's pass, but his shot towards the near post was saved by the Bournemouth goalkeeper.

Watson puts Chelsea ahead

The breakthrough arrived six minutes before half-time. Bettoni reacted quickest to reach Watson's deflected cross and was brought down inside the penalty area, with the referee pointing to the spot.

Watson stepped up and confidently sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to open the scoring, marking his Premier League 2 debut with a goal.

Chelsea's lead lasted until first-half stoppage time, when Bournemouth counter-attacked and Day cut inside before finding the net with a clinical right-footed finish from a central position.

Pushing forward

The Blues looked to regain the initiative after the restart. Nicoll-Jazuli dragged an effort wide before Cardoso tested the goalkeeper with a right-footed strike from the centre of the box.

Bettoni was then denied by a smart save before coming within inches of putting Chelsea back in front. Watson's pinpoint cross found the forward inside the area, but his header struck the post and bounced clear.

Subuloye also headed wide following a corner as Chelsea continued to push forward.

The decisive moment arrived in the 89th minute, though, when Day was released and finished emphatically with a low right-footed drive to put Bournemouth ahead.

Chelsea searched for a late equaliser and Bettoni had the final opportunity in stoppage time, but his effort drifted wide of the left post.

What's next?

Cobham Next Gen return to action in the EFL Trophy when we travel to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday for a 7pm kick-off.

We will be back in Premier League 2 action with our first home match of the season at Kingsmeadow against West Ham United Under-21s on Monday 31 August for a 1pm kick-off.

Teams

Chelsea: 1. Freddy Bernal, 2. Lewi Richards (12. Riley Ebho 84), 3. Olutayo Subuloye, 4. Justin Osagie, 5. Calvin Diakite (18. Jashayde Greenwood 64), 6. Reggie Watson, 7. Leo Cardoso (14. Dante Waite 90+6), 8. Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, 9. Chizaram Ezenwata, 10. Harrison Bettoni, 11. Sol Gordon
Unused subs: 13. Isaac Collinson, 15. Alfie Osborne, 16. Jacob Hall, 17. Heze Grimwade
Scorer: Watson 39 (pen)
Booked: Subuloye 90+9, Waite 90+10
Head coach: Harry Hudson

Bournemouth Dev Squad: 1. Mack Allan, 2. Max Lyall-Rajendra, 3. Ademide Solanke, 4. Zac Christie, 5. Jaheim Azzouz Scafe (15. Harold William 66), 6. Ameer Ali, 7. Charlie Stevens (16. George Chubinidze 76), 8. Ben Winterburn (17. Eugene Nyarko 59), 9. Jonny Day, 10. Malcom Dacosta (14. Ethan Sills 59), 11. Remy Rees-Dottin (18. Nefeye Osazee 76)
Unused subs: 13. Ben Westcott, 19. Dane Ndimukum
Scorers: Day 45+2, 89
Booked: Ali 45, Winterburn 58, Christie 86, Day 90+9
Head coach: Alan Connell