Bournemouth started very well and a corner from Brian Stock caused all sorts of problems in the box. Alan Connell had a shot parried but when he crossed it back in Karl Broadhurst was on hand to prod in from six yards.
Bournemouth stormed forward at every opportunity and it wasn't long until the second goal went in. The ball fell to Connell on the penalty spot with his back to goal, but he somehow turned two defenders and sweetly hit his shot in off the post. A definite contender for goal of the season!
Bradford then came back into the game, and had a speculative shot hit the bar. But Bournemouth held firm and were able to soak up everything Bradford threw at them.
Just before half time though, Bournemouth suffered two injury blows. Firstly, Eddie Howe was stretched off with a twisted ankle, then Stock needed lengthy treatment and only lasted 2 minutes of the second half.
HT: 2-0
Luckily Maher was able to swap straight in for Eddie, and Marcus Browning for Stock. The second half saw Bournemouth tire but still contain Bradford without too many problems. The two new additions performed admirably, Maher winning everything in the air and Browning keeping it together in midfield.
Towards the end, Steve Fletcher came on for Derek Holmes for his 400th league appearance. There was to be no anniversary goal for him though and Bournemouth ran the clock down in the Bradford half, before gaining an excellent 3 points.
The team now face a difficult Friday night fixture at form side Tranmere. Despite missing James Hayter for the last few weeks the goals still haven't dried up and there is no reason to think why we can't come away from Prenton Park with a result.
Karl BroadhurstAFCB: Moss, Young, Howe, Broadhurst, Cummings, O'Connor, Spicer, Stock, Elliott, Holmes, Connell
Subs: Stewart, Browning (on for Stock, 48), Rodrigues, Maher (on for Howe, 45), Fletcher (on for Holmes, 67)
Justin Loader, Hedge End