Aug 27 Bradford City 1-2 AFC Bournemouth Att: 7621

Once the game began it was soon obvious that we had rather overestimated Bradford, who were no better than any of our previous opponents (except Bristol City, whose ineptitude remains in a class of its own).

Despite missing five players from the team that had started a week ago (Moss, Howe, Maher and Fletcher injured, Spicer off to join Cotterill’s growing collection of former Bournemouth midfielders at Burnley), Sean’s makeshift line-up seemed to have a good understanding from the outset. We maintained possession far better than we had at Gillingham and certainly didn’t lack appetite for the contest, Young and Gowling, with added protection from Browning when required, providing a very solid defensive base.

(On his displays so far Gowling should continue to be first choice even when everybody is fit – hopefully Burnley don’t need centre-backs. )

We even had a few chances - Hayter capitalised on some indecision in the Bradford defence, and after his shot was blocked Cooke followed up and chipped narrowly over the bar, and another Hayter effort curled just past the angle of post and bar.

Ten minutes before half-time Bradford enjoyed their only spell of sustained pressure. Stewart was proving a more than capable deputy for Moss and produced one particularly good save from Windass at the foot of the post, following it up with a safe catch from the ensuing corner.

A rare mistake from O’Connor on his left foot led to a scramble in our goalmouth, which we survived. Then, in stoppage time, Bradford gained a free kick. Windass’ effort hit the bar and went up about 20 feet in the air. Stewart, under heavy pressure, was unable to gather it as it dropped and Cadamarteri forced it over the line in the ensuing scramble. The whistle went for half time immediately after the restart and Bournemouth could feel aggrieved not to be going in on level terms.

HT: 1-0

Stewart was in action early in the second half with a good save from Windass, but we continued to play good passing football, and, although it would be stretching a point to suggest that a goal seemed imminent, we were at least playing the game mostly in their half, and got our reward ten minutes in when Bower attempted to clear Hayter’s cross with a diving header but succeeded only in putting the ball into his own net.

Bournemouth pressed forward with renewed vigour. Stock had a free kick deflected narrowly wide, then after another good passing move, both Hayter and Cooke shunned chances to shoot, but the ball came to Surman just outside the box on the left and he curled a perfect shot into the top corner with his weaker right foot – just reward for what was comfortably his best performance so far.

The portly Windass, subject of an unlikely bid from Wigan in the week, was growing increasingly frustrated by his inability to trouble Browning, Young and Gowling, and was looking Premiership quality only in whining and petulance. The Bournemouth fans were enjoying his discomfort, speculating that not only had he eaten all the pies, but also the chips and gravy to go with them. It subsequently emerged that he had even taken a bite out of Marcus Browning – perhaps he’s on one of those high protein diets.

Bournemouth played out time with few alarms, and our somewhat complicated trip back to London via three trains and a bus was suddenly looking a lot less onerous.

Browning, narrowly from Young and Gowling


AFCB: Stewart, O'Connor, Gowling, Cooper, Young, Surman, Browning, Stock, Cooke, Hayter, Rodrigues
Subs: Coutts (for Cooke, 85), Pitman (for Rodrigues, 88), Hart, Hudson, Whisken