Feb 20 AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Macclesfield Att: 4549

Last updated : 22 February 2010 By Peter Wicks

Silkmen kicked off to the North End, on a greasy pitch meaning both sides looked incompetent for much of the game, with poor passing. Silkmen had better-quality players than in previous seasons; incremental improvement meant they could both retain the ball & (usually) find a colleague. That generally proved enough in this game.

McQuoid had a good run from deep, hauled back. The free led to pushing in the away area. Soon after, Wiggins put in a great delivery & a corner was conceded. McQuoid had a free-ish role, speedy & confident. However, it reminded me of Bobby Barnes when at Dean Court 20 years ago; he had a 30-yard run on him but tended to start 50 yards out. It showed up the tactical problem – central midfield too far back from the strikers (again!), with Hollands not supporting at the right time or place. Pearce had a bang to the head. Ex-Cherry Sappleton was through but pulled it wide. As the half wore on I realised he’d make the ideal replacement for Fletcher once the latter finished & could teach the younger man the dark arts of the lump at the front. Ex-Cherry Lindfield was alongside him, but rarely troubled the home defence. The ref penalised both big men frequently & fairly. 

There were little flashes from Boscombe of cohesion & intent. A Silkmen corner led to nothing. An away cross allowed a clear header but it hit the deck & bounced over. Too many fouls, but from one free, Pearce was clear behind the back four, headed it across to Pitman who must have been offside, but with no flag, & with enough time to bring it down and make tea, instead went for the spectacular & volleyed over from 10 yards. He then put a snap shot wide from a good centre. McQuoid was nudged off as he headed, but no pen. Hollands was yellowed for a trip from behind as a midfielder ran into the final third; Jalal saved the free easily. Then Hollands’ snap shot was saved low at the post.

Wiggins was perhaps the most assured & competent player on the pitch, matched only by Robinson who slid in seemingly too early for a tackle, fooled the opponent, & came away with the ball expertly. Sappleton was wide again from distance; Pitman missed completely a bicycle kick. Silkmen seemed to have more purpose & pattern, working only to their capabilities. Pearce was off the pitch briefly for attention to a head wound. Feeney rescued the ball wide & chipped in, for McQuoid to head just over. Hollands fed Wiggins who cut inside & shot right-footed instead of going outside & crossing to at least 3 waiting. But that was the problem: too often Boscombe waited for the player to do his thing instead of moving into better positions. Pearce had a shot blocked, & a good Silkmen move saw a shot go over. Pitman shot, a corner ensuing, then McQuoid shot twice at the keeper. Thin fare. HT: 0-0.

Perhaps keeping Fletcher back for the big one (Barnet, Tuesday), Connell came on for him at the restart. Wiggins’s shot led to a corner, which was overhit. I’m thinking, we’re 0-0 at home to a lowly side, making them look competent & chasing the game. Bradbury’s shot was tipped over; home tempo had increased. Feeney shot, then was yellowed for afters. Silkmen had a shot curled just round the post, now beginning to spin a web. Robinson hit one well; the keeper had to go down & Pitman hit the bar. If we didn’t score now… At least the rain had stopped, for a time.

Then Pitman, out on the left wing, didn’t look when passing back to Wiggins. An opponent scurried away; Wiggins was yellowed for the same misdemeanour as Hollands earlier. The free saw the no.5 in front of Hollands, an easy close-range header. 0-1, 62. This opened out the game, & Silkmen had a corner. Connell on the goal line produced a flying header. McQuoid had been under-used this half, & Goulding replaced him on 70.

Some may recall the Hollies’ minor hit, “King Midas in Reverse”, with the line, “everything he touches turns to dust”. That had been Connell, who moved into good positions but couldn’t pass or shoot properly. So some of the crowd went on his back, especially when he was lined up in front of goal & screwed it wide. Feeney crossed, Goulding & Pitman went in, but the ball didn’t. Goulding fed Connell who tapped it to the keeper. Feeney shot over left-footed. He was subject to substantial abuse from a guy to our left; when he went down after a heavy tackle it took him ages to lift himself wearily to his feet. But he kept at it. Goulding had brought a different pattern & movement, but no cutting edge. Another Boscombe surge, a cross, the keeper dropped it, Hollands was in, but a foul was called. A lovely Silkmen move saw the away forward pass it to Jalal.

By now it was evident that the ref. failed to understand that if the ball is won cleanly & the opponent falls over the leg, it’s not a foul. Boscombe had several frees against because of this. But one to Boscombe saw a header out & Feeney’s left-footer wobble wide. Then Feeney hit a free to the keeper. Another saw Connell appear to nudge the defender in the back, claim the ball & slot it across the keeper. 1-1, 85. As a result of his protest, the Macc manager Alexander was sent to the stand. Connell’s cross was put over for a corner, & Robinson was now supreme, running everything – until he volleyed over. The sponsors’ Man of the Match award was announced – Connell. How we all laughed. FT: 1-1.

Neither side deserved to score. We all know the reasons & excuses; my guess is Boscombe will finish 6th. Without major transfer dealings, the side would be cut to ribbons up in Div 3.

Connell & Goulding gave more mobility but little else. Jalal was never under pressure. Bradbury was moderate – no legs, passing inconsistent. Bartley & Pearce were good individually but must have a little slap-wrist for the goal & other chances. Wiggins was very good all afternoon. Feeney was out of sorts, but kept trying. Hollands kept at it but needed to support the front-runners more. McQuoid did not have a real understanding with Wiggins, but is improving. Pitman as too often is the case looked only for the spectacular. Fletcher was Fletcher.

MoM: Consistent throughout the game, a superb tackle in the first half, magnificent driving performance as the equaliser was sought, Robinson has it.

AFCB: Jalal, Bradbury, Bartley, Pearce, Wiggins, Feeney, Hollands, Robinson, McQuoid, Fletcher, Pitman
Subs: Thomas, Cummings, Connell (for Fletcher, HT), Goulding (for McQuoid, 76 mins)
Peter Wicks, Bulford