From the start Bournemouth played the better football, and created the better chances through out the opening period, right up to the moment when Derek Holmes fired home just before the break. The fact that we won a corner within the first two minutes showed how we meant business, given that it took 36 minutes to achieve force the first corner against Kidderminster a couple of weeks ago!!
The passing was crisp, decisive and the Cherries even when they lost the ball were determined to win it back as quickly as possible. Leading the charge was Alan Connell (making his first full debut in Feeney's absence) who ran his legs off to win the ball, harry the opposition and to create some superb chances of his own, and even had the chance for an over head kick, which went striaght to the keeper. But the effort was superb.
Connell's co-tormenter was Danny Thomas, who endeared himself to the Oxford faithful by claiming a free kick in front of them, when they thought he'd taken a dive (as if!!) with his neat footwork and nice junking to avoid several Oxford challenges.
But back to match, the first clear chance fell to Wizard Wade, who saw space open in front of, him, made full use of it, only to see a goal bound shot tipped over the bar by the Oxford keeper. Not to be outdone, Deadly Derek also produced a good effort, but his opprtunity went just over the bar for a goal kick. So when Holmes managed to bury the ball, from close range, the goal was not only deserved, but also resulted in neat passing between Elliott, Thomas and Purches whose cross was nicely met by Holmes (on 42 minutes).
Just to be remined that they were present, Oxford's only clear chance came during injury time when they rattled debutant loan Keeper, Ashdown, left upright.
HT: 1-0 It was all going too well.
We were brought back down to earth on 47 minutes when Oxford's Steve Basham netted from close range after indecisive defending by Tindall allowed a soft goal to be conceeded.
At this point the game opened up nicely and became exciting to watch as both sides were clearly keen to claim all three points, but towards the end they'd clearly settled for a point as the tempo died down.
It was a shame that Connell was substituted on 81 minutes for Jamie Hayter, as the North Stand shouted "you don't know what you're doing" to Peter Grant as they were clearly displeased at the decision to take him off. It was a change I hadn't expected either as Danny Thomas was seemed the more likely candidate. But what do I know!!
A much better performance which should have delivered a much needed win, but a fourth point in five matches leaves The Cherries in 21st place, with Macclesfield, Hull and Boston below them.
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AFCB: Ashdown, Young, Tindall, Broadhurst, Purches, Elliott, C Fletcher, Thomas, Connell, Holmes
Subs: Hayter (for Connel on 81 mins), Tardiff, O'Connor, Stock, Narada