Cherries started brightly with Cooke being fouled after 50 seconds to set up a Foley free kick that Hart headed over. Bobby Hassell who had fouled Cooke was then subbed on 4 minutes with a rib injury, with Paul Reid replacing him. Hart was getting into good positions on the left wing but his inviting crosses could not reach the hard working forwards. Brown was obviously enjoying his role upfront and whilst not setting the world on fire he showed some good awareness and neat flicks off the boot.
The game was fast paced with both teams getting forward quickly but with few shots troubling the goalkeepers, ex-colleagues Stewart and Colgan. Marcus Browning was seeing a lot of the ball and he fired a half volley well over. Seconds later and Marcus was lucky not to be punished when he was caught in possession 40 yards from his own goal and Tykes forward Marc Richards was fouled on the edge of the area. Luckily former Cherries’ target Brian Howard’s free kick was blasted high into the stands.
Just as Bournemouth had a good penalty appeal for handball turned down by Steve Bennett, the Premiership referee was at the centre of controversy for Barnsley’s opener. Neil Austin’s long throw in caused problems in the Cherries’ defence and the ball struck Martin Devaney’s arm and fell nicely for Stephen McPhail to bundle the ball home. In these situations I always try and observe both sets of players’ reactions and whilst Stewart prepared to take what he thought was a free kick the Barnsley players trudged back to the half way line to receive it. It was only when Austin asked the referee what decision he had given did the Barnsley players then break into a silly half baked celebration. Obviously the Cherries players and supporters were equally incensed.
Bournemouth rallied straight back and Purches had a good shot blocked on its way to goal. Browning then played a wonderful one-two with Hayter only for Marcus to lift his shot inches high. Hayter then had another shot blocked after good aerial work from Brown. Foley and Cooke were working well together but referee Bennett seemed a bit picky and frustrated the home crowd. Marc Richards was then booked for his constant fouling and whinging! Foley, Hayter and Howe all had half chances as the half ended with Bennett being roundly booed as he left the pitch.
HT: 0-1
If Barnsley edged the first half Bournemouth took the second. Another bright start saw Foley with a corner kick which Griffiths controlled on his chest and then blasted over, the Australian debutant clearly enjoying himself and growing in confidence as each minute passed.
The hard working Browning had a shot deflected that looped over Colgan and unfortunately the bar. Heckingbottom was booked as Barnsley were put under more pressure. Purches shot a couple of yards wide and Griffiths got stuck in once again upsetting the Barnsley defence.
As the hour mark approached the ball seemed to be falling more for Barnsley and the game started to drift away from us. It could easily have been one of those games where we just couldn’t find the net.
A stale period of 10 minutes was livened up when Foley ran through the middle of the park and his 25 yard screamer was turned away superbly by Colgan. Howard was then booked for a foul on Cooke although the former Swindon man looked a good prospect in midfield, linking well with McPhail. Cherries were getting frustrated, even James Hayter shouting at the ref for a poor decision. Our top scorer got away with a talking-to from the man in black. Foley fired in yet another free kick and Howe was denied by a last ditch tackle from Heckingbottom.
At last Cherries were level just seconds later when a Foley corner was headed superbly into the top corner of the net by Adam Griffiths. A deserved equaliser for all Bournemouth’s hard work. Cherries were now on top and playing passionately again. Cooke twisted and turned on the edge of the box but shot straight at Colgan. The game was really alive and there for the taking. McPhail wasted a great chance and Richards had the ball in the net for Barnsley but was well offside.
Pitman came on for Cooke in the dying minutes and was in action immediately making it to the byline only to be thwarted by Shuker. Brown was booked in stoppage time for a push and Stewart was beaten in the air by Wright but the ball went out to safety. To be fair either team could have won it but in the end a draw was probably the right result.
I came not expecting too much tonight after our recent form, and although we need wins at the moment I felt this was a really good performance and showed we have plenty of fight left in us. Avoiding defeat was paramount. Don’t panic yet!
Adam Griffiths. Hardly put a foot wrong all night and capped a great debut with a great goal.
AFCB: Stewart, Young, Griffiths, Howe,, Purches, Hart, Cooke, Browning, Foley, Brown, Hayter
Subs: Moss, Pitman (for Cooke, 86), Fordyce, Tindall, Coutts.