Aug 5 AFC Bournemouth 0-3 Chesterfield Att: 5499

Last updated : 09 August 2006 By Steve Hunt
But to my amazement only three of them were in the squad, with Ainsworth and best starting and Platt on the bench. Chesterfield kicked off, with them having the first chance with a Shaw cross Larkin could only put it over. then on eight minutes browning was forced off with injury, to be replaced by Cooke. Best went close from twelve yards but his shot went passed the far lost. again best done well with a fine first touch took him clear with Ainsworth along side him, but he delayed final ball and when it was played it was to close to Roche in chesterfield goal. Chesterfield again had a chance, but it was deflected wide for a corner and the corner came to nothing. Another poor pass from midfield saw chesterfield nearly score, but Hurst's shot was blocked by the tracking back Purches. Then AFCB won a free kick on edge of box, Foley and Cooke stood over the ball, but Cooke hit it straight at the wall and behind for a corner. Foleys corner was met by best but his header was blocked and cleared. Cooke had a chance but it went high over the bar. h/t 0-0

AFCB restarted but kicked it all the way out for goal kick. a ball into Niven from the left found him in loads of space, he was able to put in a low shoot passed Stewart 0-1 47 mins. Hayter should then have scored from an Ainsworth cross his free header was put wide. Then on 62 mins, Shaw sent a hopeful ball through AFCB defence, which Larkin chased but Stewart had come out and then missed it completely and Larkin put it into the empty net. Cooper then went into a back three, and shortly after Fletcher replaced Howe. Cooke had a shoot blocked with chesterfield dropping deeper, but hall had an effort saved on the counter. Cummins then replaced hart, went to take a throw but ref told him he could not. AFCB corner saw Hayter shoot well wide. Then five minutes was shown of injury time, Hayter then came to blows with Picken after a challenge, both were yellow carded. Then with time up Shaw in space in box finished with ease. f/t 0-3

A poor second half display, first was even. but can not understand what they did in pre-season, as this was almost the same team as last season. Again does this prove O'Driscoll has no faith in new signings, with biggest squad in ages and management and board talking of championship think again?

Man Of The Match: This was a hard choice, two new signing did well but tired in second, but then the whole team tired in second half. So I find myself not being able to name anyone. Has SODs run out of ideas time will tell.

AFCB: Stewart, Purches, Hart, Howe, Broadhurst, Browning, Cooper, Ainsworth, Foley, Best, Hayter.
Subs: Moss, Cummings (for for Hart, 82), Cooke (for Browning, 8), Platt, Fletcher (for Howe, 75)
Steve Hunt, Shaftesbury