Feb 12 AFC Bournemouth 0-2 Doncaster Rovers Att: 4947

Last updated : 15 February 2008 By Andy Burton
My optimism was dented early as the first minute when a looping header from Jason Price caught Stewart out of position, and slightly off his line, to find the back of the net. Granted Stewart appeared to try and tip the ball over the cross bar, sadly he could only tip the ball over the goal line instead! Not a good start after just 55 seconds!

After the early set back, the Cherries certainly matched Doncaster Rovers and played some decent football, sadly the shooting boots were missing and at times lacked ideas and cohesion in the final third of the pitch.

Donny could and probably should have added to their advantage as James O'Connor (I think) fired a shot across the face of goal, which wasn't far away from the right hand up right.

A chance came and went when the Donny keeper failed to make a clean clearance of the ball. Vokes was close by as the ball hit him, sadly Vokes was not alert enough, and with his back slightly to the ball, couldn't take advantage of the poor clearance. Sadly the ball rebounded kindly for Rovers.

Gradel fed Cummings with a superb ball down the right hand side. The cross was good, but quite good enough for Vokes to make the most of it. A few moments later Vokes couldn't quite capitalise on a chance that was presented to him.

Bartley seemed to be bundled over in the penalty area, which led to the usual shouts for a penalty. Andy D'Urso was not impressed and just waived the shouts away.

The moment of the first half came 5 minutes before the break. D'Urso failed to blow up when Bradbury was clearly being fouled by two Donny players while he had the ball stuck between his knees and feet. Shaun Cooper then (for some inexplicable reason) went charging in studs showing which led to just about all the outfield players squaring up to each other. The incident led to two Donny players being booked for the initial foul and Cooper being shown a second yellow card, and red. This led to the Cherries outfield players surrounding D'Urso and assistant on the East Stand side of the pitch. As play resumed, the assistant had to call D'Urso over again as it seemed that he might have been subjected to either abuse, or something being thrown from the crowd - who were venting their anger for the sending off. But it has to be said that Cooper deserved a second (albeit STUPID) yellow card, which led to his dismissal.

HT: 0-1

Gowling could have equalised, but his header was intercepted for a corner, which led to the ball being cleared off the line as Rovers defended in numbers.

The Cherries went down to 9 men for a good 5-mins or so for a head injury which left us very bereft in numbers as well as physical presence. This was seen at a corner where 2 went over for a corner, 2 stayed back on the half way line, leaving 3 or 4 Bournemouth players being marked in the penalty area against 7 or 8 Donny players defending their goal. Surprise, surprise, the corner came to nothing and was easily dealt with!

When Bradbury returned to the game, he looked more like Trevor Aylott as he was sporting an Aylott-esque headband!

By this stage, Donny was in total command of the game as they dominated in midfield, especially with Brian Stock spraying the ball around with ease.

Stewart did have to make a good save as he found himself facing a 1-on-1 situation, which he did very well to prevent a second goal.

It wasn't long until Donny scored their second as Bournemouth were exposed at the back as Stock split our defence, allowing Price to score his second of the evening. It looked far too easy for our visitors.

The Cherries did find the back of the net in the 75th minute after Kuffour played a lovely ball in to Vokes. Sadly Vokes was caught off side at the same time. A few moments later, Vokes showed some excellent skill to avoid three players, and managed to get his shot away, which was sadly somewhat wayward!

Even with a couple of changes in the final 10 minutes, the overall pattern of play didn't change as Donny did enough to keep the Cherries at arms length.

Donny could have made it 3 in the final few minutes, but for a great save from Stewart which led to a corner.

Overall, a disappointing performance after the improvement we have seen in recent weeks. The sending off of Cooper was stupid and a waste as after that moment the game was gifted to Donny, who toyed with us in the second half - especially in midfield as Brian Stock calmly stroked the ball around as he used to do for us a few years ago. it also has to be said that referree Andy D'Urso was pretty hopeless as well. As for our visitors, if they do not get promoted, I will be very surprised.

Man Of The Match
My nomination goes to Sam Vokes who ran his socks off this evening in then name of AFC Bournemouth, even though he was pretty much on his own for much of the game up front - especially after the sending off.

AFCB: Stewart, J Pearce, Gowling, Perrett, Cummings, Bradbury, Cooper, Bartley, Gradel, Vokes, Kuffour
Subs: Pryce, Partington, Tessem (for Bradbury, 81), Pitman (for Kuffour, 85), McQuoid
Andy Burton, Portsmouth