An excellent turn out of Cherries’ fans on New Year’s Eve, close to outnumbering and comfortably out-shouting the home support, were treated to one of the easiest away wins of the season as Bournemouth cruised to victory at Yeovil without really having to get out of second gear.
The game got off to the best possible start as Bournemouth scored with their first serious attempt on goal after five minutes. Gregory cut inside one defender and found himself with time and space to pick his spot, beating Gilmartin with an accurate low drive just inside the post from well outside the box. A deserved second goal followed on 26 minutes when a corner was headed up rather than away, and Fogden was quickest to react as the ball dropped and found the net through a crowd of players, his first goal for the club. Symes was close to adding a third but his header from Pugh’s cross was cleared off the line.
Denied time on the ball by constant pressure from the industrious Bournemouth midfield, Yeovil lacked the technique to mount much in the way of attacks, although N’Gala did hit the outside of the post with a powerful header from a free kick. Unfortunately whenever they did get into our area we seemed to pick up an injury. Barrett limped off with what looked like a hamstring problem to be replaced by Zubar after twenty minutes, and Flahavan, still suffering from an injury sustained earlier in the half, was replaced by Jalal at half time, giving Purches the chance to become our third captain of the game.
In the second half Fogden had an acrobatic volley saved and Symes placed a side-footed effort just wide, but it was Yeovil who pulled a goal back against the run of play when Huntington headed in Williams’ free kick. Thoughts of the lead thrown away in the equivalent fixture last season inevitably came to mind, but Daniels soon restored the advantage, rounding off a nice little spell of possession on the left and showing great close control to beat two defenders before smashing the ball past Gilmartin from a narrow angle. – another scorer opening their Bournemouth account.
Bournemouth continued to pick their way through Yeovil’s defence with relative easefor the remainder of the game. Symes bounced a volley over the bar and Arter, on for MacDonald, just missed the top corner with an effort from distance.
With Thomas, Malone and whoever else the roubles may stretch to available to strengthen the side this is looking like a more than capable outfit for this division. No doubt it will all end in tears, but we may as well enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Wes Fogden edges this for his work rate and attacking contributions, but the whole midfield excelled in ensuring that Yeovil were never able to get into the game.
AFCB: Flahavan, Cook, Barrett, Francis, Daniels, Pugh, Gregory, MacDonald, Purches, Fogden, Symes
Subs: Cummings, Taylor, Zubar (on for Barrett, 20 mins), Jalal (for Flahavan, HT), Arter (for MacDonald, 72 mins)
Richie Barker, Leyton