April 25 AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Grimsby Town Att: 9008

Last updated : 27 April 2009 By Exiles Reporter
The afternoon commenced with the excellent Jason Pearce achieving a clean sweep of the end of season player awards - the Cherries equivalent of a Grand Slam - Congratulations! Our own Roy Garner presented him with the Exiles Player of the Year award.

So forgetting our 'off-field' woes for 90 minutes, this was the fans day and how we love to party. A rare sight these days at Dean Court was the fact that not a ticket was to be had, having sold out by Wednesday lunchtime. Give the fans real football and the Bournemouth folk will flock! So could we top of the atmosphere with a performance deserving of a full house? This said, a number of seats were empty in the Main Stand, while dozens were forced to stand at the front of the North Stand, while at the non-existent South End tens of people were sneaking a view of the game from the one uncovered section of fencing. Even the tree seemed to have a full occupancy!

So as the few wispy clouds floated away and the North Stand in full voice, a sun-soaked Dean Court greeted the adversaries. With the Great Escape ringing out from the PA system, Eddie Howe's Barmy Army readied itself for one further push. From the start it was all Cherries looking for the early strike that has in the past given us that platform to kill the game early doors. My view has been when we score first we invariably go on and close out the game! And we tried so hard today. Feeney was lively on the right flank, Robinson fearless in the middle (very reminiscent of Hollands last season I thought), Molesley, as always, was making a nuisance of himself on the left flank, ably assisted by Rhoys Wiggins who was excellent at left back and in pushing forward.

By far the better team and settling straight away, our intentions were posted early doors. In the third minute a quick exchange of passes between Pearce and Wiggins ended with a Fletch knock down for Pitman whose shot was just wide. Before 10 minutes was up Feeney had latched onto a mistimed Grimsby clearance only for his shot to be hit the side netting and a Hollands follow-up shot wide. A minute later Pitman was floored in the box but nothing doing. Grimsby secured the first corner on 13, with Jalal seemingly slow to react to a forward ball as the Mariners tried to heave themselves off the ropes. On the quarter hour mark, Robinson just failed to reach a Molesley cross! Minutes later Fletch connected with a header that lacked power. A Grimsby shot on 20 minutes had Jalal at full stretch but the ball was always drifting wide.

On the half hour Fletch was pole-axed on the halfway line by Widdowson who appeared to lead with an elbow. After much discussion and handbags from everyone, he received a yellow card along with his captain. A handball shout was rejected soon after with Feeney weaving his magic and cross appearing to be deflected by a hand!

And then from nothing Grimsby gained the advantage. A run down the right flank didn't seem to be going anywhere but Akpa-Akpros wrong footed Garry and his deep cross found Conlon who knocked it back for an unmarked Jarman in the middle of 6-yd box to head in the opener. It was a soft goal to concede after all our pressure.

Deep into injury time of the first half Boshell was sent packing from the field for a shocking tackle on Molesley. Mark had already ridden one challenge as he cut into the middle of the park only to be felled by an agricultural challenge from Boshell who felt fit to follow this up with a swinging arm. Again more handbags, both assistant referees on the pitch. At first the red was to the Grimsby skipper but the mistaken identity soon corrected and Boshell left the pitch.

Half time, one down, but with Chester only drawing one each at Aldershot, then we are ok, but please boys I would rather we make sure! An impassioned plea from club stalwart Laurence Jones rose the temperature in Dean Court and stressing how important this day was to our unbroken league membership of 86 years - it was time to raise the roof.

From the recommencement of the half it was all Bournemouth. The Mariners were rocking as blow after blow had them reeling on the ropes. Within 2 minutes of the restart parity was restored. Pitman and Hollands split the Grimsby defence with a quick interchange of passes that resulted with a Hollands strike against the crossbar and for Feeney to be first to the rebound, coolly dispatching the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

Molesey runs were beginning to become more dangerous on the left and within 5 minutes of the equaliser he had teed up Pitman with a chance only for a corner to be won. Hollands had an excellent chance on 55 to put us ahead as 3 quick headers from him Pitman & Fletch had everyone out of their seats heading the ball as well! A minute later Robinson just failed to latch onto a Feeney cross. Despite 2 brief forays up-field this was the AFC Bournemouth show.

Just past the hour mark Hollands had another shot that Pitman seemed to get in the way of. Then Fletch rose like a salmon for a cross but his header was straight at the keeper. The season high attendance of 9,008 was announced on 70 minutes while Bradders let go a long range shot that got the North Stand holding their heads in their hands as it drifted wide. Soon after Goulding replaced the tiring Feeney and we went 3 up front. Within 5 minutes the contest was settled. Super Fletch who else to give the coup-de-grace on an excellent performance. His 100th league goal for the club, our Football League status secure and cue pitch invasion! For the record a Wiggins cross was not dealt with by Grimsby and the headed clearance across the goal landed with Fletch who knocked it down turned and shot, what a player!

Grimsby attempted a brief fight back but lacked any real punch or fight. With 5 minutes remaining they were reduced to 9 men with Widdowson taking Molesley out in the middle of the park and picking up his 2nd yellow. The game played itself out with the customary end of season pitch encroachment as fans from the North Stand and East Stand readied themselves for a party. With the final whistle the players were engulfed by a swarm of fans from all sides. With the news that Chester could only muster a draw at Aldershot, it was double celebrations with the Mariners safe also, barring a 20 goal reversal in the final weekend's fixtures. For us we can relax, enjoy the seaside delights of Morecambe without worry, glory in the salvation delivered to us by Eddie and his valiant troops and pray that we finally get our house in order off the pitch.

Man Of The Match
I'm going to wimp out here and just say the 'whole' team, battlers all and no one person shirking their responsibility.

AFCB: Jalal, Wiggins, Pearce, Garry, Bradbury, Molesley, Hollands, Robinson, Feeney, Pitman, Fletcher
Subs: Pryce, Guyett, Connell, Igoe, Goulding (on for Feeney, 74 mins)
Nick Wallinger, Ickenham, Middlesex