#afcb 1 v 0 #wafc

There was a nervous hush around Legends and the North Stand bar today. My "heart" prediction of a 2-1 win was easily the most optimistic put forward- 0-3 and 1-4 were more popular

I bought a 2012-2013 season DVD - my thinking that no matter what the result today, it would be a good drinking DVD- starting rubbish while sober crescendoing to a triumphant battering by the end - what could go wrong?

The game started well for AFCB with Grabban being sent through in the first minute. His low shot seemed to go under and through the keeper but that slight deflection slowed the ball down and it was cleared from the line

Bugger it !!!

I KNOW he's our top scorer but he HAS to improve his 1 on 1 scoring ratio - he's like a shy child not wanting the embarrassment  of the crowd applause by "showing off" and actually scoring

Wigan had their first chance on 6 minutes when a poor Allsop clearance fell to McCarthy and his rasping strike from the edge of the box was tipped over by Rocky - more than making up for the initial mistake

The game then drifted for the next 30 minutes where both teams showed some great touches and interplay but neither seeming to have the guile to unlock the defences

Holt was winning plenty in the air but to be fair I was expecting more from an ex Premiership player. Wigan are nationally renowned for the quality of their pies, and he looked like he could vouch for ALL varieties

Grabban was put through again on 38 minutes but dithered too much again which allowed his (eventual) shot to be deflected for a corner.

Ironically from that corner Grabs tried a snapshot overhead kick - if only he'd show that keenness to shoot when there was an easier chance to be had

Fraser, Arter and MacDonald were all running themselves into the ground and Wigan were getting more and more frustrated as they were allowed no time on the ball

They even started arguing amongst themselves as passes started to go astray and they were penalised for the millionth time for being offside.

It was probably a surprise for the front men to be getting the ball so early all the time – what has happened to Wigan – it used to be all about the midfield but today it seemed the long hoof was the pass of choice – Coyle at his best, maybe….

Tackles were flying in and one such tackle had Pitman flat on his ar*e I'm the middle of the park. The crowd screamed for a foul as the Wigan defender turned with the ball and lazily passed it back to the keeper

Only one man was alive to this, the much maligned (by me, so far) Grabban, who latched onto it

I saw who it was and started unscrewing my flask - might as well take a drink while nothing was happening

I do feel sorry for the poor guy in front of me - I certainly wasn't expecting Grabban to show the poise of a Prima Ballerina and skip past the keeper to slot the ball home, and the guy in front of me wasn't expecting me to cough my tea all over him

Live and learn – we went into half time 1-0 up….against Wigan…the FA Cup holders….

The second half started and despite Wigan starting brightly, it was Grabban who again had the first chance

Yes, he took too long. Yes, he got tackled. But it was dawning on me, at least he was getting into these positions and the chances were coming his way – surely better than being anonymous for the game?

On 51 minutes a thunderous Harte shot (thank God he still has that) was spectacularly saved by Carson (worthy of a name check) but from this chance the ball looped up to Pitman inside the box, wearing his cloak of invisibility.

That’s the only reason I can think of why the Wigan defender ran through him so ridiculously – a penalty!!

Now I’m right behind the goal so out came the phone to record this momentous occasion

I saw Carson stand way to the right of the goal but surely Pitman was too wily for these types of mind games? Surely he knows what’s going on?

Like a colour blind child trying to do a Rubik’s cube, Brett ran in and hit the ball waste high into the left corner of the goal, the same left corner Carson had showed him, and was rushing into.

It was a great save but as far as mind games go, this one went to the ex-England keeper

I won’t bother posting it – it’s just too painful

Seven minutes later, Pitman had just regained the ball when he was felled by McManaman

It seemed a “sturdy” challenge but no more. Harte went rushing to the ref (which I don’t approve of) and a red card was shown. Not sure if it WAS all that dangerous but I’m not close enough to tell

Down to 10 men – the game’s ours, isn’t it ?

No

Clearly incensed by the sending off, Wigan stepped up a gear and through everything at the Bournemouth defence. Unlike last week, however, this time they were not to be beaten.

The team defended as a team and as if their lives depended on it, and despite some pressure from Wigan, Allsop could just sit and admire the defensive work, as he was not called into action

Pugh cleared a header off the line from a 68^th minute corner and that was by far the closest that Wigan came

On 84 minutes Thomas was fouled on the right hand side just outside the box and while all were milling around Pitman put the ball on the ground and chipped the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal

I say in to, but what actually happened is that Wigan’s man of the match Carson realised at the last minute what was going on, sprinted back into the goal and brilliantly pawed the ball away – a fantastic save

When the signal came up for 6 minutes extra time, there was an audible gasp.

Three minutes into that added time, Wigan were awarded a free kick just on the edge of the box.

As the whistle went, the rain came bucketing down the wind picked up and all went dark as the clouds rolled over Dean Court. I fully expected the 7 horsemen of the apocalypse to come cantering through the gates – this had to be Wigan’s moment

Instead, a tame shot was plunged into the wall and the rebound blocked, then cleared away

Full time 1-0

Summary – Wigan are one of the favourites to go up this season and rightly so. It was a shame that they have added a filthier edge to what was a shiny sword of attack but that dirtiness seemed to blunt them. Bournemouth matched them for fitness, desire, composure and most importantly, heart. This is a team that works for each other and sees any mistake as a team mistake – which they all want to put right

We had some lovely movement and some not so lovely static play but when we didn’t have the ball, we really worked to get it back. What we lacked was the ability to keep the ball under pressure – but I am sure that with exposure to this league, that will come

Star Man – MacDonald – Sheer class in the middle with the ability to break up the opposition’s play and turn defence into attack in a split second

Main Stand

 

South Stand

 

East Stand

 

Away Support

 

 

 

#watfordfc 6 v 1 #afcb

The day had come - Bournemouth's first championship away day. I'd prepared carefully by getting blitzed the night before and waking up feeling rough as a badger's a**e - brilliant!!

A feeling made, if at all possible, even worse by having the slowest away day journey in history - I knew there was a reason to hate grockles

We had no time to go to the pub I'd researched so we went straight to the ground for a hair of the dog

They were serving NO alcohol !!! Could the day get any worse?? As it turns out - yes, yes it could

Pugh had the first shot in anger on 8 minutes, cutting in from the left and shooting powerfully just over the bar

Two minutes later a Francis long throw in had Almunia in a flap an when the ball fell to Grabban he spun in the area and fired into the side - netting

Bournemouth were in the ascendancy but a quick Watford break-away had an Anya shot deflected for a corner.

It was from this corner that Watford scored, Angella pouncing on defensive indecision and smashing the ball into the roof of the net 1-0

I feared the AFCB crowd, greatly swelled by first timers, would start to turn on the team but I needn't have worried - they were magnificent then and throughout far darker moments in the game

The team responded and really took the game to Watford with Grabban(2) and Arter both having fine efforts blocked or saved 

I did enjoy the deflected cross from Fraser from which Almunia made a "TV" save - I'll bet he has a picture of that on his wall by the end of the day

Fraser was the Watford chief tormenter and it was he that was brilliantly found by a defence splitting ball from Arter on 30 minutes. 

He crossed the ball low into the 6 yard box and there was Grabban to knock it in from 2 yards 1-1

Fraser and Arter controlled the middle of the park for the remainder of the half and but for a late awarded free kick to Watford, Bournemouth looked very comfortable as they went in for their half time cuppa - if only we could have taken at least 1 more opportunity that we'd carved out

Half Time 1-1

For those of you of a nervous disposition - you may wish to turn away now - no? Well you were warned....

On 51 minutes a shoulder to shoulder charge had Francis harshly penalised in the corner and from the free kick Angella rose unchallenged at the back post to head past the static Allsop 2-1

A situation made worse just 4 minutes later when a long ball had Dweney running through and after out-muscling Cook to the ball saw his deflected shot bounce over the unfortunate Allsop 3-1

To be fair , the Watford front line had been excellent all day and now the passes were finding their men, Bournemouth looked lacking in pace to be able to deal with it

It was at this point there was an audible implosion within the AFCB ranks and players started to look ragged and sloppy and often had their pockets picked by the more energetic hornets

Deeney, Forestieri and Anya all had good opportunities to score before McGugan was sent through by another excellent pass and be smashed it past Allsop 4-1

It was game over now with Watford enjoying large periods of possession with only the occasional interlude from Bournemouth that all too often fizzled out through poor control or trying to overpay the ball

Surman summed up the second half by smashing the ball against the only defender in the box instead of a seemingly gaping goal after Fraser teed it up for him

With just 3 minutes to go Deeney found himself surrounded by a handful of defenders just outside the penalty box but not one got anywhere near him and he turned and shot majestically in off the right post 5-1

Please blow the whistle

The ref obliged, but not for full time but for one of the most ridiculous penalty decisions I have seen against Francis. 

He clearly touched the ball but as the attacker added some Gallic flair into his acrobatic dive, the ref decided to give it

Deeney stepped up to complete his hat-trick and finally, the game was finished 6-1

Summary - a lot of us feared this kind of result but there were some positives. In the first half Bournemouth were the better side, playing the brand of football which should gain them many admirers. 

Arter, Fraser and Grabban all put in good shifts - the right hand side in fact has now overtaken the left threat-wise. What we do lack is pace up front, a fit attacker to play with Grabban (assuming Thomas was injured) and a cutting edge to take the chances that are presented. Today we were given a real lesson n finishing power. I'm not sure where that second half performance came from - it was the poorest of the 4 championship halves I've witnessed - and it shows we cannot afford to dip below our best. 

Remember, though, Watford are a very good side and one of the favourites to go up - this won't be the only big win of their season

Star Man - Arter - at the start of all that was good 

Bournemouth Fans

#afcb 1 v 0 #pompey

It was disappointing to see the South Stand empty today after the euphoria of Saturday, especially when you looked at the Pompey support where there was hardly a spare seat to be had

My mood though was cheered when my friend from the (quiet please) East Stand ventured over to the North Stand and found himself sat in front of the famed “Shouty Gary” – today Scrumpy Matt’s vocabulary was about to be extended.

In the first minute, Agyemang belied his ponderous frame, set aside his dumb-bells and deftly slid through the defence, shooting just wide of Rocky’s right post

Hopefully that would shake any complacency out of the AFCB side with multiple changes from Saturday. Howe said he’d rotate the squad, and he’d certainly kept to his word, with Elphick, Harte, Fraser, McDermott, O’Kane, Hughes and Surman  all starting the game for the first time.

Holmes had the next chance for Pompey when only an Elphick last ditch block stopped the marauding run on 7 minutes

We had to wait until the 11^th minute before AFCB mustered their first chance, sending O’Kane through on goal only to be tackled at the last minute.

The tide was turning now, Fraser and O’Kane were starting to take control. O’Kane with his passing and movement and Fraser with his direct running and willingness to take on the player in front of him

That belief and willingness to run may well set Fraser up to be a marked man this season and from the number of fouls committed on him today, I think his reputation is already spreading.

McDertmott’s reputation is also well famed and today he played as if last night he’d lived up to all that hype. One moment he’d be trapping a ball from a seeming impossible pass, the next he looked like he could see 3 Wes Thomas’s and invariably passed to the wrong one. Just too sloppy – thank goodness he had skill AND the water carriers around him.

The other thing I learned from this game, is that Thomas can’t play up front on his own. His work ethic was top notch, his control slightly less so but that’s not the reason for the statement. The reason is that we had crosses firing in from both left and right – but there was no-one in the middle

When Wes did make it in time for the cross, he’d be surrounded by 4 Pompey defenders, whose ears were still ringing no doubt from Saturday’s post match de-briefing

 We’ve finally got threats from both left AND right but if we are no threat in the middle, then this will be a very long season

This was how the first half played out with tons of possession, great work down left or right, a cross would then come in and it would all fizzle out

The possession stats must have been ridiculously in AFCB’s favour, but with no cutting edge.

In fact, the first shot on target came in injury time when a brilliant left foot shot from Surman seemed destined to curl into the top left corner before the keeper managed to paw it away.

Then, like buses, Fraser forced a full length diving save a minute later from a shot, cutting in from the right. The pressure was being exerted, but the whistle came to Pompey’s rescue

HT 0-0

The second half started very much as the first had ended with so many crossed raining in the Pompey back four exchanged shin-pads for tin hats.

It was on 52 minutes that the deadlock was finally broken when a deep cross from the left went over everyone’s heads and was picked up by Fraser.

He cut inside and his shot was blocked by a diving defender. The ball then ricocheted to O’Kane just to the right of the penalty spot and he calmly slotted home just inside the right post

Score 1-0

Thank goodness for that. With us playing a game-plan of getting fined for the length of time spent in the opposing penalty area I just couldn’t actually see where the goal was going to come from. I know Grabban scored from 25 yards but that really shouldn’t be taken as the blue-print of how to win a game

To be fair, from that moment, Pompey corners and rare break aways aside, AFCB didn’t actually look like they were going to need another goal – although after 65 minutes or so I did find myself saying something I never thought I’d say – “why doesn’t he bring on Stockley”.

Yes I know, I feel a bit dirty J but 2 up front would have made us so much more of a threat

On 67 minutes, we had our first chance to see a Harte free kick. Behind the goal we’d all braced ourselves for a 100mph ball in the face moment, when he in fact rolled the ball sideways to Surman whose shot narrowly went wide

The game had taken on a pre-season feel to it now with AFCB keeping the ball for long periods, without actually causing too many alarms.

This “friendly” feeling was reinforced when our striker went off and Charlie Daniels replaced him!!

Strangely enough, we did actually create some chances with CD on the field – none better than on 81 minutes when a seemingly 1000 pass sequence put Charlie through down the left. He pulled the ball back to O’Kane who brilliantly turned his marker and shot just wide of the left post

The likes of Arter and MacDonald then came on to see the game through and once the kit man had come on for Allsop the friendly cup tie was over and AFCB had finally made it to the second round

Summary – Some beautiful passages of play, but just a bit Grovesesque – by that I mean a bit sluggish going forward and a bit toothless in the final third. The game was never in danger of being lost and I firmly believe that with the supply of quality crosses we can now muster, 2 up front will see us worry any team that we might come across this season.

A final comment on the Pompey fans – excellent – but then that is what I’ve come to expect

MOM – Fraser – although it was O’kane that made the midfield tick, it was Fraser that would suddenly spark an attack to life with his direct wing play and willingness to run into the space behind the defenders, pulling them all over the park

Main Stand

 

East Stand

 

Away Support

 

 

 

#afcb 2 v 1 #cafc #addicks

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 2^nd 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