Dec 13 AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Grimsby Town Att: 5837

The tone of the first half was set as early as the 10th minute. Shaun Maher, deputising for the absent Carl Fletcher was clearing a simple ball from defence when Onuora stepped in to take his ankles away just outside the Bournemouth penalty area. A totally needless challenge, which deservedely saw a yellow card brandished from the ref. But worse was to come!!

Before the red cards were produced, the ref showed that he was not in full control of the game a number of challenges went unpunished, shirt pulling on Feeney should have been spotted - everyone else did!! But not the match officials.

The biggest moment of controversy came on 25 minutes when Brian Stock was stupid enough to go in to a challenge two-footed, even though he did get the ball, the ref had no hesitation in showing a red card. Matters were not helped moments later when Grimsby's Jason Crowe stamped on Brian Stock. A well deserved red card me thinks!! Later Crowe denied the stamping, but video evidence shows otherwise. Stock may be excused for a stupid challenge, but stamping - sorry no excuse in my book.

Then just after the half hour another Grimsby player went in to the ref's note book. This time Jevons made no attempt to play the ball, and went for the player instead.


The second half didn't help on the frustration front. If anything, it was increased as a number of half chances came and went.
The match was summed up with three incidents. The first came on 56 minutes with a corner. What a waste (!) as the ball never reached 6 inches off the ground and was easily dealt with.
The second came towards the end of the match. A free kick was lined up by Warren Cummings, with Warren Feeney acting as marker behind and to the left of the Grimsby wall. Sure enough, the free kick was taken, Cummings was precise, but Feeney didn't get out of the way as the ball cannoned off him and clear!!
The third and final incident came during the few minutes at the end of the game once Hayter was introduced in place of Garreth O'Connor. He burst in to the area with purpose, only to be up ended. A clear penalty one would think!! But no - play on said the referee.

More frustration at Dean Court as Bournemouth created by far the better chances against Grimsby, but could not convert chances in to goal advantage. I don't know what it is about the final third of the pitch, but the lack of goal scoring is a worry if we're to be successful come May.





Browning.

AFCB: Moss, Purches, Broadhurst, Maher, Cummings, Elliott, O'Connor, Browning, Stock, Feeney, S Fletcher
Subs: Scriven, Hayter (for O'Connor, 86), Connell, Thomas, Buxton

Andy Burton, Portsmouth