I was determined to be optimistic on this day because after
all, if you don’t have hope before a ball is kicked, when can you?
This good mood had already taken a knock as I read tweet
after tweet saying how this was the first 2nd tier game of their
lifetime – just how old am I….? I later reinforced this feeling of old age by
realising I’d forgotten my glasses and despite my daughter giving me the “I’m
not going to be telling you who’s on the ball all game” look – I just couldn’t
be bothered to go back
Going round the new shop cheered me up again (very
impressive) and I was in fits when I saw the mannequin of Supa running full
speed in a glass box. I think that if you’ve gone to the trouble of taking a
cast of his head – you could at least put a smile on his face!! - Well, it put one on mine anyway…
Smile for the camera
The line-up was announced and although I was pleased that
Coulibaly was given the nod and Pitman had made the bench, I was surprised that
Elphick would be sitting next to him
I Eddie we trust………..or so I’ve been reminded all week….
The game started brightly for Charlton with the first 2
chances of the game falling to the impressive Sordell and Harriott both
shooting wide within a minute of each other in the first 5 minutes
Bournemouth, though, were by no means over-awed and on 8
minutes Coulibaly just struck wide from a long Francis throw in and then almost
immediately after, a smart turn from Arter gave the space for a snapshot which
also missed to the right of the post
Bournemouth have stepped up a division and the difference in
quality was no better demonstrated than by the hold-up play by the Charlton front 2
throughout the game as time and time again through the game they were able to
receive the ball, under pressure, but were still able to keep and distribute
the ball so well.
It was one such long ball that Sordell went up for on 11
minutes but instead of bring others into the game he headed towards goal and
but for a block by Cook they would have taken the lead
Bournemouth, though, were coming more and more into the game
and the passing and speed of attacks were impressive and they started to build
up some pressure with a series of corners.
Arter was running the show and at one point Chris Powell
asked the ref to check his boots for the string that was clearly attached to the
ball – surely there was no other way he could keep ghosting pass flailing
tackles in the middle with the ball at his feet?
The deadlock was broken on 26 minutes. A corner was taken
short and before I could throw all my toys out of the pram and scream “STOP
DOING THAT!!” the ball was at Arter’s feet. He turned and flighted a ball across
to Grabban on the far post who steered the ball towards the top left corner of
the goal.
Then, reminiscent of the slow motion section in Chariots of
Fire, the ball floated along AND IT WENT IN.
The place exploded.
The atmosphere from the 4 sided stadium was already good but
this turned it up to amazing
Score 1-0
It was all Bournemouth now, pouring forward at will and Wes
Thomas almost got his name on the scoresheet just 2 minutes later as he nipped
in to the near post to meet a cross from the left but just stabbed it wide
Wes has received a lot of criticism in the past, mostly from
me. It wasn’t just the barn door side of things, but the fact that he didn’t
seem to want to play.
Not today however. I really hope he has had an epiphany and
he continues to play with heart - the crowd WILL warm to him – after all, Supa
ALWAYS wore his heart on his sleeve and look how he’s revered
Grabban too was impressing and on 38 minutes, after Charlie
D had mesmerised their right back and pulled a cross back into Grabban’s path,
he shot with the outstep of his boot but was well saved by the keeper
Charlton were a proper footballing side though and despite
the half time whistle, they were still very much in the game
Half time 1-0
The second half started and Bournemouth had changed their
strip – into their pyjamas.
Charlton, however, came out as if they’d had a Scotch Bonnet
enema and were all over Bournemouth.
On 48 minutes a deflected cross from the left flashed across
the box and was met by a Kermorgant swivelling bicycle kick, crashing the ball
past Allsop
Another lesson from the Championship – teams only need one
chance. It was a great goal and the Charlton fans rightly celebrated, rocking
the away section
Score 1-1
When Harriott headed narrowly over less than a minute later
I really did fear the worst – do we have what it takes to come back from such a
sucker punch straight after half time.
As it turns out, character is something that is no longer filed
under the heading “Fragile”
Wes Thomas brought a good reaction save from the keeper as
his deflected shot rocketed towards him and just 4 minutes later, Fraser (on
for an injured Coulibaly) volleyed a left field cross into the ground and saw
the ball bounce narrowly wide
Bournemouth were pressing all over the field and when Wes
Thomas ran 30 yards to slide tackle Wiggins (today’s pantomime villain) the
crowd went wild – that alone went a long way to redeeming himself
On 66 minutes Pugh, having a great game since he’d put his
foot injury woes behind him, passed to Grabban who turned inside (away from
trouble) and from 25 yards or so struck a screamer of a daisy-cutter into the
bottom left corner – the keeper had no chance.
What a goal – my throat is still raw as I shouted almost as
much in disbelief as sheer joy. I’ve not seen the crowd go like this – if this
is what to expect in the Championship – bring it on
On 83 minutes the game should have been over as an awful
challenge in the middle of the pitch saw Pritchard go straight through Fraser
and earn himself a straight red.
No complaints from anyone
I say “should” have been over but Charlton are no mugs. They
came to Dean Court and one challenge apart, came to play football. Their
strikers were strong and clever, their left winger was a handful all day and
they had pace and passing all over the field.
They threw everything at the resolute Bournemouth defence
and although Pugh could have settled it on 85 minutes when he blazed a volley
over, they were never out of the game until all of the 6 minutes extra time
were played
Final Score 2-1
Summary – Every Bournemouth player stepped up to the plate
and produced quality for the whole 90 minutes. They had to – as Charlton were a
very good side. Every game is going to be like this – you look down the league
table and there are NO easy games. Bournemouth have set the benchmark to be
lived up to – but for today – they were magnificent
Star Man – I wanted to give it to the midfield pairing of
Arter and MacDonald, but for the 2 goals of real quality and his none stop
running, it has to go to Grabban
Charlton Support
East Stand
Main Stand
North Stand
South Stand
No comments:
Post a Comment