The game started scrappily with Stockport happy to launch the long ball at every opportunity and Bournemouth seemingly happy to give it back to them. After only 6 minutes though the Cherries went ahead: Warren Cummings went on one of his typical overlapping runs on the left and crossed for Spicer who kept his composure and beat one defender before sliding the ball past the Stockport ‘keeper Spencer.
You would think that going ahead so early against a bottom of the table team obviously lacking in confidence would have inspired the visitors to try to extend the lead and kill the game off. We seemed, however, content to play the ball around with lots of pretty stuff but always trying to play one pass too many. This allowed Stockport to start to get back into the game and create a couple of chances first for Jackman and then Barlow whose header towards the top corner was superbly saved by Moss.
Just 5 minutes later the Hatters were back in the game. A long ball forward was not dealt with by the Cherries defence and Barlow, unmarked, shot against the post from the edge of the box, only for Chris Armstrong to gratefully follow up and stick the rebound into an unguarded net.
It could have got worse five minutes from half-time when Barlow headed over when he really should have done better.
HT: 1-1
The second half started more brightly for the Cherries with Wade Elliott for one improving on his fairly anonymous first half, including one set up for Fletch who disappointingly headed wide. How did he manage a hat-trick the other day?
Moss was still the busier of the two ‘keepers though and was forced into another fine save on 65 minutes following a Stockport corner. After 78 minutes it did get worse. The Cherries players fell asleep at another corner which was played short and then crossed into a crowded area. The defence once more failed to deal with it and Dolan found the top corner of Moss’s net.
Just as it looked as though we’d be drowning our sorrows with a flat pint of Robinsons, Stock picked out O’Connor on the right, Garreth turned inside and somehow squeezed the ball past the hapless Spencer for a frankly undeserved equaliser.
Incredibly Sean seemed content with the draw and proceeded to waste time by bringing on Browning with seconds remaining as the game petered into the draw which really suited neither team.
For the second game running we were forced to perform on a pitch that was far from ideal, but despite the best efforts of the Sale Sharks rugby team Edgeley Park was really no worse than Turf Moor where we managed to play some great football. It was a weak excuse for what was a very poor performance and miles away from what we know this team are capable of. I hope the Liverpool/Burnley FA Cup saga won’t prove to be the beginning of the end of our playoff hopes.
Moss – kept it from being a complete debacle AFCB: Moss, Cummings, Howe, Maher, Broadhurst, Elliott (Browning 90), O’Connor, Spicer, Stock (Holmes 84), Hayter (Connell 84), Fletcher.
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Purches.
Clive Loader, Wimbledon