Feb 16 AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers Att: 5807

Last updated : 17 February 2002 By Andy Burton
But, as ever it seems, the home fans went home disappointing wondering what the team have got to do to claim a win.

The match started brightly enough for the Cherries. Tresor Kandol was just inches away from making an instant impact in this game as he had a shot with just over 2 minutes played when he ran and turned. Unfortunately the shot was fractionally wide of the target. Indeed Kandol was quite lively leading the Bournemouth front line as he had a number of chances to score his first goal for the first team. Unfortunately the opportunities went begging on each occassion - he must make more of the first touch of the ball as there were too many times when the first touch was poor and then gifted Wycombe possession.

The next clear cut chance came from a tantilising cross from Tindall. It was one of those crosses which the keeper dare not come for. Unfortunately for Kandol was a tad behind the cross by the time it reached the far post, and the chance came and went.

Bournemouth continued their dominance as Hayter crossed the ball. If it wasn't for the Wycombe defender heading behind, Kandol would have been perfectly placed to convert for the first goal. Unfortunately the resulting corner came to nothing.

The rest of the first half became more of a stalemate as Wycombe found their feet to match Bournemouth in midfield. They did have a shout for a penalty (on 22 minutes), but the referee wasn't interested.

The second half continued in much the same vain as the first - with both sides evenly matched. So it was a huge disappointment when we conceeded a goal to Wycombe on 67 minutes. Stewart had pulled off a fantastic save to deny the first effort, but he could only palm the ball away to Shaun Devine who had an unguarded goal to guide the ball in to. This prompted Sean and Peter on the Bournemouth bench to throw Danny Thomas in to the fray (he made way for O'Connor) on 70 minutes. His impact came from the next corner. Just for a change the ball, when swung in, did not go to the closest defender was sweetly met by the head of Eddie Howe. Parity restored.

So when the winner came on the third minute of injury time it was a sickener. Jamie McSporran arrived on the edge of the 6-yard area to meet a cross to snatch all three points with no time for Bournemouth to respond.

Just when we needed three points, we couldn't collect. Thankfully the teams below us didn't win, but Bury and Northampton Town did close the gap (Bury now level, Northampton now just 2 points away).

Which ever the run in is viewed, I firmly believe that we'll have to win at Wrexham on the final day to stay up (please say we'll be safe by that time!!).

Eddie Howe






AFCB
: Stewart, Purches, Howe, Tindall, Maher, Hughes, O'Connor, C Fletcher, Elliott, Kandol, Hayter
Subs: Menterier, McAnespie, Thomas (for O'Connor on 70 mins), Eribenne (for Kandol on 53 mins), Foyewa (for Elliott on 75 mins)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth