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Bournemouth were slowest out of the blocks and fell behind much to our surprise and consternation in the 4th minute. Our defence was absent as Ian Morris whipped in a great cross from the left allowing Tommy Wright to beat Gareth Stewart with a deft header into the corner of the net.
Blackpool 1 Cherries 0
Almost immediately James O’Connor almost hit back, his surging run only denied a certain goal by a last gasp tackle by Peter Clarke. Free kicks then by Stock and Foley were both squandered with neither player hitting the target when they should have done better.
Next to reprieve Blackpool was Steve Foley again - free in the box after a goalmouth scramble - he really should have scored but seemed to hurry his shot which was right at the Blackpool stopper, Jones.
But the equaliser was just minutes coming. On the 25 minute mark James Hayter seized on Clarke's slip in midfield and from about 25 yards out drilled a superb shot into the left hand corner of the net with Clarke grasping thin air!
Blackpool 1 Bournemouth 1
A minute later and the Cherries were ahead after a sublime passing move covering 60 yards. It was finished by a superb interchange between Hayter and Surman allowing James to tap home his 2nd goal of the night from close range.
Blackpool 1 Bournemouth 2
The remainder of the half saw the away team dominate without creating any more clear cut chances .However, a sucker punch on the stroke of half time saw John Murphy's header tipped onto the bar and to safety by the watchful Stewart. An equaliser would have been an injustice though, such had been the Cherries’ dominance.
HT: 1:2
Again at the start of the 2nd half Gareth was called into action, making a fine reflex stop from Murphy again, the rebound being skied over the bar albeit from an impossible angle.
Although Bournemouth regained control after this it needed a third goal to put the game to bed and this was soon to come. Surman and Hayter again combined superbly and with Surman about to score, Edwards chopped him down for a cast iron penalty. There was no doubt about who was going to take it. Up stepped James to claim the match ball sending the Blackpool keeper the wrong way. 67 minutes and game over - Blackpool 1 Bournemouth 3
For about a 10 minute spell after this it looked as if we could run up a cricket score. Surman hit the post with a lob and then Steve Fletcher who had an awesome game, winning every header, volleyed inches wide from about 20 yards.
But after this with a another long trip to Hartlepool to come on Saturday, the Cherries eased off the gas and saw the game out very professionally.
Late substitutions saw Hayter come off to rapturous applause from the travelling Cherries, being replaced by Rodrigues, and Hart being replaced by Purches.
King James, our hat trick hero. The Playoffs surely beckon if we can maintain this level of brilliance.AFCB: Stewart, Hart, O'Connor, Young, Foley, Stock, Cooper, Surman, Browning, Hayter, Fletcher
Subs: Moss, Purches (on for Hart, 86), Cooke, Rodrigues (on for Hayter, 89), Keene
Rob Mann, Kingskerswell