It wasn't too long though before the Cherries had the visitors pegged back pretty much in their own area. Gradel tormented Forest all afternoon, coupling up with Kuffour and Vokes.
Gradel won a free kick for the Cherries in the 18th minute. The ball was floated in and eventually found Vokes, whose header went straight to the keeper, who could only palm ot over for a further corner (which lead to nothing) - it would have been easier (surely) to head it in to the corner?!
Just two minutes later, a Gradel cross was beautifully floated across the penalty area for Vokes to head home from close range! 20 mins: 1-0.
You would never have known that Forest were towards the top of League One, and supposedly challenging for a place in the Champtionship. The passing, although crisper at times, was lacking any form of penettration, and if they did find a way through, the finishing could be described in words I could never use in this match report given that people of all ages will be reading it! But I kinda suspect you get my drift!
Just before the half hour mark, the Cherries deservedly extended their lead. Gradel nicked the ball on the left hand side, fed it through to Kuffour, in turn fed the ball through to Vokes who calmly slid the ball past the Forest keeper and in by the far post. 29 mins: 2-0.
By this time, the Cherries had the bit between their teeth and were leaving Forest wondering what on earth they had come up against in a side fighting for their lives in League One. Even Perrett was having an okay game ..... clearing with his knees at times!
Bartley could, and probably should have made it 3-0 when he managed to blunder his way past the Forest defence. Inexperience let him down I suspect. Gradel, shortly afterwards, created a fantastic opportunity from nothing, found himself in space and should have done much better than blasting the ball over the cross bar from close range, even if he was on a slight angle!
HT: 2-0
The key to unlocking Forest was clearly down our left hand side with Cummings and Gradel linking up well on that flank.
As well as attacking well Gradel was also defending well too! Gowling missed a tackle by about a mile, Forest suddenly had numerical advanatge pushing forwards, thankfully Gradel was there on the far post to steer the ball clear and to safety.
A half hearted shout for a penalty was waived away by the referree in the 65th minute when it appeared that Kuffour was up ended in front of the North Stand.
As for Forest ......... they did have chances, but they were pretty woeful to say the least, being confined to either half hearted efforts, or chances that flew over the cross bar; either way Stewart was hardly troubled throughout.
The rest of the half didn't generate any chances of note ...... fizzling out as the Cherries finished pretty much in control of affairs, and our Forest friends left looking as if they were the ones trying to save their League One lives.
Overall a much better and far more cohesive performance than we've seen for a long time, and a clean sheet as well!
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AFCB: Stewart, Cooper, Gowling, Perrett, Cummings, Bradbury, Hollands, Bartley, Gradel, Vokes, Kuffour
Subs: Pryce, Partington, J Pearce, Tessem, Pitman (for Vokes, 78)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth