Feb 11 AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Oldham Athletic Att: 5453

Last updated : 12 February 2006 By Ellis Griffin
It took me a while to figure out who was who in a new-look Cherries line-up. A blonde Brett Pitman made his first start, Ben Rix (on loan from Crewe) made his home debut in midfield, alongside another loan signing, the lanky Daryl Fordyce who only arrived from Pompey the day before. Cooper continued in a midfield role, with Purches moving to right back. A welcome sight was the presence of long-term injured Broadhurst and Cummings on the bench.

The hosts started brightly and soon had the Oldham defence in disarray after Callum Hart robbed a defender on the by-line and pulled the ball back invitingly, but no-one was there to get a touch. A few minutes later Fordyce headed the ball in the danger area from the right, but once again the chance went begging.

Hayter was looking sharp and nearly got in a scoring shot after turning on a sixpence in the box. The Cherries had their tails up at this point and it was amusing to see 3 or 4 players squabbling over who should take a free kick just outside the visitors’ box. In the end Hayter pulled rank, but his shot failed to trouble Grant in the Oldham goal.

Gradually, however, Oldham played their way into the game with some solid possession football and started carving out some decent chances of their own. The Cherries’ defence looked decidedly shaky at times, and a lack of communication nearly led to disaster on several occasions. However, the visitors failed to take advantage with a couple of glaring misses. The chief culprit was Luke Beckett who managed a complete air-shot from 2 or 3 yards out with the goal at his mercy.

The Latics were well on top at this point and our makeshift team were looking a bit ragged. Not quite men against boys, but I was glad when the half-time whistle went with the scores level.

HT: 0-0

Sean’s half-time team talk clearly had some effect, as we were a lot better in the second period. The defence were tighter and we immediately began to take the game to the visitors.

Barely 5 minutes in the half, Rix struck a volley from the edge of the area that Grant did well to tip over. The Cherries continued to press forward and created a number of half chances with the Oldham defence at full stretch. However, nothing really clear-cut.

Around the hour mark, Pitman (who is never afraid to try his luck!) had a pot from long range which brought another fine save from Grant. Shortly afterwards he turned provider, playing Hayter in on the right. But once again Grant was equal to it.

He was also tested by Fordyce, but it was the visitors who nearly snatched a win late in the game when Beckett found himself through on goal. His chip looked goal-bound, but Stewart (with virtually his only save of the half) just managed to get a hand to the ball and divert it for a corner.

All in all a fair result, but we need to win a few games, especially at home, if we don’t want to get drawn into a relegation fight. Goals also have to come from elsewhere in the team to take the pressure off Hayter.

However, there were quite a few positives to be drawn from the performance: Rix had a good game and nearly scored, Pitman is showing more maturity and deserves to start games, Hayter continues to impress, Cooper was skilful in midfield and Young is in a rich vein of form at the back. Difficult to judge Fordyce at this stage, but he showed some attacking flair.

Man Of The Match Hayter: Didn't score, but ran his socks off and was awesome at times!


AFCB: Stewart, Purches, Young, Howe, Hart, Tindall, Cooper, Rix, Fordyce (Broadhurst 90), Hayter, Pitman (Coutts 85)
Subs not used: Moss, Rowe, Cummings


Ellis Griffin, Chertsey