The search for a home win came to an end in emphatic style at Dean Court on this bright Boxing Day afternoon as an unchanged Cherries eventually managed to see off a dogged Yeovil Town in what's becoming the annual 3-0 win over the Glovers.
The first half started at a fair old pace as the Cherries clearly started on top and were looking to put right the lessons learned having dominated in recent home matches where the Cherries failed to take advantage. Dominate we did, but could we find a way through? Not in the opening 45 minutes we couldn't! Try as we might to pen Yeovil Town back in their own penalty area, which we did for long periods, the ball simply wouldn't go in!
Stech, in the Glovers goal, pulled off a remarkable finger tipped save in the 8th minute to deny what would have been a certain goal following a heasder from Surman, after he was set up by Fraser. We weren't in for a repeat of the Birmingham City match surely with another keeper performing heroics?? Also denied were the likes of Arter, Ritchie, Surman, Grabban.
A great opportunity was spurned in the 17th minute when Ritchie picked up a loose ball, then with a slide rule pass found Grabban who managed to avoid his markers leaving him with a 1-on-1 with the keeper. Sadly he went too wide, allowing the Glovers to get men back and withit the chance was wasted to draw first blood.
The ball did find its' way in to the back of the Glovers net from a corner routine in first half stoppage time from a close range Ward shot. The effort was ruled out after the ref spotted an infringement by Tommy Elphick, much to the amusement of the large vocal Glovers support to my left.
For their part, it wasn't all Cherries, Yeovil did play their part as they managed to hit the woodwork during the opening 45-minutes after a mazy run from the big lumbering Miller who managed to somehow wriggle past the Cherries rear guard down our left somehow managing to hit the right hand upright in the 12th minute. It was a warning that the Cherries couldn't be complacent if they wanted to claim the points.
Yeovil did have spells of possession, but couldn't do anything with it in the final third of the pitch. Their final ball in the box was somewhat lacking more often than not. They might have been able to get away with it in League One, but there's not a chance of that happening in the Championship.
HT: 0-0
The second period saw both sides come out determined that they meant business to find that elusive goal to break the deadlock, which came in the 50th minute when a Fraser effort was blocked, which saw the ball break to Ritchie whose sweet left peg rifled the ball home for the opening goal.
The advantage was doubled 7 minutes later when a move down the left involving Daniels and the ever lively Fraser eventually found Ritchie whose shot was deflected over the Stech for the Cherries second goal.
Despite a triple change for the Glovers, which saw the intriduction of former Cherries favourite Jamie Hayter, the tide didn't turn for our visitors as O'Kane bagged the 3rd for the afternoon. He picked the ball up towards the right hand side the Cherries midfield, was strong to ride several challenges to rifle the ball home past an outstretched Stech in the Glovers goal. It was a lovely individual goal which was richly deserved.
Other opportunities casme and went for the Cherries, but we failed to take advantage of them.
Yeovil tried to respond to the Cherries goals to get something of the game, but failed to cause too many problems in the final third with the Cherries back line managing to cope with everything that was thrown at them.
Player Summaries
Lee Camp - Did everything that was asked of him, but in truth wasn't overly tested aat any point in the game.
Simon Francis - Was more than a match for his opponent down their left flank.
Tommy Elphick & Elliott Ward - Are developing a good partnership at the back with wach other. If we were concerned about the impact Steve Cook's absence would have, then we needn't worry.
Charie Daniels - Assured at left back.
Ryan Fraser - What hasn't been written about Fraser? He runs at his opponent and they simply haven't got an answer to him.
Andrew Surman - His best match at home this season.
Harry Arter - I think he was unlucky to be booked, but did well enough before going off.
Eunan O'Kane - My man of the match for his running, trickery and intelligence on and off the ball. His performance was rightly capped with a well taken goal - so richly deserved.
Matt Ritchie - The sponsors man of the match capped a great performance with two well taken goals. His impact since returning to the squad is there for all to see.
Lewis Grabban - Ran the line well despite not getting a goal.
Shaun MacDonald - Did well when he came on, was upfront for a spell which took the opposition defence (and us) by surprise!
Tokelo Rantie - Showed positive signs that he's getting there in the English game. Just needs some time to achieve his target.
Marc Pugh - Showed his trickery when he came on, gave the Glovers something else to think about after Fraser went off.
AFCB: Camp, Francis, Ward, Elphick, Daniels, Ritchie, Surman, O'Kane, Arter, Fraser, Grabban
Subs: Allsop, Harte, Addison, Pitman, MacDonald (for Arter, 60 mins), Rantie (for Grabban, 74 mins), Pugh (for Fraser, 81 mins)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth