On arrival we could see how nice the ground was on the outside, and typical of a new ground, how much atmosphere it lacked on the inside! It is a ground that would be better off in a higher league!
We lined up with three at the back (Young, Howe and Tindall), with Cooper, Browning, Rix, Hart and Purches in midfield, with Hayter and Rodrigues up front.
Swansea started the better, with Stewart making an early stop from Knight and then Robinson going close soon after.
The Cherries started to settle down, as did debutant Rix, with the ever impressive Cooper starting to show how good he would be in midfield. But for some reason O'Driscoll keeps saying we don't have anyone to replace Stock and co, when Cooper is that player!
Hayter went close with an effort, his shot going wide of the goal. Swansea (again) went close with a blocked effort from Robinson. From the resulting corner new Swansea signing, Rory Fallon, went close.
A Hart cross almost found Hayter in the box. Moments later Hayter stole the ball on the edge of the box, but his shot went wide of the target.
On 40 mins, Rodrigues was replaced by Pitman. It looked like Rodrigues pulled up with a hamstring injury, which is a shame as he's starting to look a good player.
On half time, a ball from their left was crossed in, Tindall's poor header only found Robinson, and he then went past Tindall, who was too slow, to slot the ball past Stewart.
HT: 1-0
Why did O'Driscoll change tto 4-4-2 at half time? The impressive Cooper being brought back to right back, and Tindall being put into centre midfield with Browning! Why Oh why? It never works with those two in the centre!!
Swansea started the better with Fallon shooting just wide, Forbes went close, a Tate shot was saved by Stewart, Knight then went close himself before Forbes had another opportunity!! Another Knight shot forced a good save from Stewart! Swansea were all over us at this stage!
Browning was picked up another booking.
There were moments when we did break in to their half of the pitch as Hayter managed to create a shot, but was wide of the mark.
Sean then made one of his strange changes as sub Pitman was taken off and replaced by Coutts. Purches then slipped in at right back with Tindall moving up front!! Cooper moved back in to midfield. Rix was then replaced by Rowe.
At times we played well, but some strange decisions from O'Driscoll lost us this game. Maybe he has run out of ideas. Time will tell as we get closer to the relegation battle!
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AFCB: Stewart, Howe, Tindall, Young, Hart, Browning, Cooper, Rix, Purches, Hayter, Rodrigues
Subs: Moss, Broadhurst (!), Pitman (on for Rodrigues, 40), Coutts (on for Pitman, 80), Rowe (on for Rox, 86)
Steve Hunt, Shaftesbury