Aug 31 JPT1 AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Torquay United (0-3 pens) Att: 3417

Last updated : 01 September 2010 By Peter Wicks

The last Cherries wanted after having that bucket of ice-cold sick poured over us late Saturday was to be deluged by gull guano – just as QPR did at Derby on Saturday, & much as Cherries did at Maine Road, May ‘89. A chance to attend to the serious flaws exposed against a workaday County side, and perhaps to give bench-warmers some pitch time.

A curious Dean Court – only North & West stands open for home fans, only £10 admission for adults. Over 100 Gulls fans were in the usual area in an otherwise empty East Stand. Conditions – dry, touch of light cloud.

Rules prevented Eddie Howe from selecting more kids or bench-warmers, but Arter & Stockley started along with Garry, Cummings & Hollands. Arter went everywhere in the middle 2 quarters of the pitch, trying (perhaps too hard) to set up attacks; trying to catch up on the last 3 games & impress the boss. This meant Stockley “led the line” – pretty well, in the circumstances – that consisted of one: himself. For a time later in the first half, Feeney went up alongside him, but that was little improvement. Speedy moves from Gulls went more often than not down their left flank, perhaps leading to Purches’ replacement by Bradbury at half-time.

Cherries k.o. towards the empty South Stand; Stockley won a corner & was good at coming off his marker. Arter set up Cummings – high, wide & ugly (& the shot…). Gulls won a corner, but the far-post header was just wide. Gulls showed neatness, moving the ball around. Arter and Stockley set up Hollands who flashed over. When Feeney went up front, Purches became a wing-back, giving a 3-5-2 shape. A Gulls cross-shot required Jalal to finger-tip round a post. Gulls then shot wide then perhaps might’ve had a penalty after a push/shirt-pull. Arter shot just wide, then a free 20 yards out was hit into the Gulls wall. Too many home passes went astray, frustrating moves & fans. Pugh’s run led to a corner, & Pearce put in a soaring header from another but perhaps pushed hence the free to Gulls. HT: 0-0.

With Bradbury on, Feeney was back on his wing. Pugh cut in, his right-footer was saved, Arter lined up but Bevan punched for a corner, which he punched out. Hollands put in another (wide) 20-yarder, and Stockley went through to win a corner. Then he was replaced by Taylor on 58; the home side just wasn’t quite gelling although Arter put over another 20-yarder. Gulls put a free over; the away team was certainly competitive, as good as Cherries in this respect, but Bartley was his usual imperious self. Taylor was through at inside-left, and put a shot just over in spite of being crowded.

Robinson replaced Feeney, who still had a confidence hangover from last Saturday, on 71. Hollands at inside-left put in Pugh whose shot hit legs thus gained a corner. This went out to Arter who lobbed just over. Any attempt at invention, the slightly different, came mainly from Arter who also sought to harry his opponents. Taylor at inside-left shot round the far post, then he dribbled along the goal-line through some defenders for a corner. This went to Bradbury who put it out to Arter; his volley-cross gained another corner. Pressure, but no final cutting edge. Garry slipped at the wrong moment, but the defence came across to concede a corner; Gulls were not giving up. Arter’s sharp cross from the right wing was too long, but at least he made it. Pugh put in Cummings for a run; the cross made another corner. Cummings was speedy all evening, and not particularly uncomfortable against opposition. Pearce was commanding all game.

Pugh’s run gained yet another corner. W’s cross saw Hollands’ header deflected for a corner. Bradbury & Gritton were yellowed before it came over, for argy-bargy. Gulls were quick to close down in the last stages. FT: 0-0.

With no extra-time, penalties were taken at the North End. At least Jalal would have something to do. Cummings had the bottle to go first, & hit it outside Bevan’s left-hand post. Gulls scored easily – 0-1. Bradbury hit the outside of Bevan’s left-hand post (the keeper, being even taller than this correspondent, made for a substantial barrier); Gulls scored smartly – 0-2. Pugh put it to Bevan’s right, but he guessed correctly & kept it out. Gulls scored slickly – 0-3.

There’s no excuse for not even hitting the target. This largely experimental side did put in the effort, but never quite clicked. The away team showed no interest in losing, and played accordingly Many areas on which Eddie Howe will ponder – formation; how to fit in Arter, who undoubtedly has talent; which right-back is the less moderate; how best to bring on Stockley who seems to have a good attitude and bright future.

Man Of The MatchThe centre-backs were more than competent, Arter put in a massive shift but never quite delivered, Hollands was combatant, but Bartley did more than anyone to try to push the team forward so gains the award.

AFCB: Jalal, Purches, Garry, Pearce, Cummings, Feeney, Bartley, Arter, Hollands, Pugh, Stockley
Subs: Copper, Ings, Bradbury (for Purches, HT), Taylor (for Stockley, 58 mins), Robinson (for Feeney, 71 mins)
Peter Wicks, Bulford