Dec 20 Blackpool 1-6 AFC Bournemouth Att: 10014

Last updated : 05 January 2015 By Jack Parker

After four wins and a hard earned draw at Boro in the last five away games 'up north' expectations were in danger of being either dashed or exceeded in this top v bottom clash at Bloomfield Road. A bitterly cold winters' day with an even colder breeze from the Irish Sea allied to a hard bumpy cowpatch of a pitch made this a potentially difficult game for the Cherries.

Slight surprise to see Pitman and Wilson start up front with Kermorgant on the bench but otherwise the same familiar team of recent weeks. From the outset the pitch made clear it was more suited to route one football and Cherries struggled in the first 15 mins to adapt and play their passing game in a scrappy start. Pugh then began to catch the eye with a couple on runs down the left in tandem with full back Daniels and with Ritchie buzzing around in midfield Cherries began to find a bit of rhythm. Indeed the play became so focused on the left I spotted Francis doing an impersonation of Billy no mates on the right touchline waving his hand in the air in vain for a deadly crossfield pass that never came!. With each probing wing attack and with Surman and Arter gaining a foothold in midfield it seemed only a matter of time before a goal came against a Tangerine team lacking in confidence.

A Pitman pass to Ritchie in space on the edge of the area, an imperious turn inside and a near post shot that on first sight I thought was in the net but the silence around the ground and in the away side made me think the ball was in the side netting. No - should have trusted my eyes!. The celebrating Ritchie confirmed it was a goal with more than a little help from goalie Lewis who found a way to smuggle the ball under his body into the net. 1-0. Jingle Bells...

Pugh continued to impress drawing a better Lewis save from a well struck shot and then Rithie with another stinging effort stopped at full stretch by the Tangerine keeper. It was all Cherries now and with the home crowd silenced Pitman decided for reasons only he could explain to try and score with his arm from a Wilson header in front of an incensed home end as was rightly booked. Stupid boy. Pugh and Daniels then combined again before the full back whipped in an evil cross that eluded all but Wilson who managed to convert at the back stick passed a flailing Lewis. 2-0. Jingle Bells.... Half-time.

Blackpool began the second half with more purpose, two subs and no doubt an ear bashing from new manager Lee Clark. It was the turn of Elphick and Cook to stand firm for 15 mins and show Cherries also have defensive mettle in their locker. The Tangerine tango tailed away and at the other end a quick throw by Pitman, interchange between the impressive Pugh and Wilson who was then pushed over. The ref waived away the pen appeals and Surman found Ritchie who cut inside to curl a left foot screamer into the top corner for the goal of the day 3-0 Jingle all the way....

Ritchie then blotted his copybook by being caught in possession at the other end and although the resulting cross was saved well by Boruc, the ball was soon passed back across the box for a simple close range finish. 1-3. No bells!. The next goal would be crucial and we did not have too wait long. Ritchie put Wilson away down the middle with a long ball and a sub Blackpool defender hauled Wilson to the ground - pen and yellow. Pitman struck the ball right footed with venom into the top right corner only for the ref to order the kick to be retaken, presumably for encroachment. So Pitman again in an action replay, slightly lower but same power into the net 4-1. Jingle all the way. ...

Kermorgant came on for Pitman and went straight for the Blackpool jugular with two good efforts, one a well saved shot and then a stumble when clean through after rounding the keeper. Memories of the 8-0 at Birmingham with over 15 mins to go and Cherries rampant with Surman at his most impressive. Your correspondent was still grumbling about the Kermorgant missed chances when goal number 5 arrived with Pugh expertly guiding in a Ritchie cross at the far post after Cook has headed the ball on. A well deserved goal that cemented a man of the match performance from Marc Pugh. 5-1 Oh what fun it is.......

Gosling on for Wilson for a run out and he was soon onto a Pugh pass down the left and with Blackpool now in disarray a cut back to Arter who swept the ball in to keep up his goal a game record and make the score an eye catching 6-1...to see win the Cherries win away. ...

With two Christmas games to come in quick succession Cherries seemed to settle for just the six goals despite a couple of late long range efforts by Francis and the unlucky Kermorgant. So the dream goes on with 5 away wins out of six. It really is a case of up the Cherries IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. The number of different goalscorers in recent games, midfield domination and determined defending in front of the ManOf The Matchexperienced Boruc suggests the Cherries are the real deal and worthy of top spot. What a 2014 it has been! Ritchie was again outstanding but my man of the match was Marc Pugh.

AFCB: Boruc, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Ritchie, Surman, Arter, Pugh, Wilson, Pitman
Subs: Camp, Gosling, Cargill, O'Kane, Kermorgant (for Pitman, 70 mins), Gosling (for Wilson, 74 mins), Smith (for Pugh, 78 mins)