The quality of play on offer from both sides in the first half wouldn't have been out of place in the Ryman League, or on Hackney Marshes for that matter – mainly “hoof it in the direction you're facing” stuff. In fairness, the bumpy pitch didn't lend itself to subtle passing. Chesterfield had managed to look a poor team while beating us 3-0 on opening day, and the departure of Caleb Folan to Wigan has left them with little attacking threat. This was just as well, as injuries to Purches and Bertrand forced the recall of Cooper and Cummings into the full-back positions possibly a little earlier than we would have liked. Cooper gave the ball away on a couple of occasions in situations that could have been dangerous against a better side, but Cummings had a solid game, sensibly limiting his usual attacking forays to concentrate on his defensive duties and thereby ensuring that he lasted the 90 minutes. Gowling and Young comfortably snuffed out any threat from the home team's central strikers; a long distance effort from Holmes comfortably saved by Moss was the home team's only notable effort.
Bournemouth were responsible for the few outbreaks of decent football in the first half, largely thanks to the welcome return of Cork in central midfield. At last a player who can both pass and run, compensating for Browning who was struggling to do either. Some useful work also from the versatile Wilson, carrying the ball forward to good effect on a number of occasions. No serious attempts on goal to speak of, although Hayter had a penalty claim turned down following a challenge from behind, but the defender was given the benefit of the doubt.
My half-time verdict, perhaps unwisely voiced aloud, was that Chesterfield were so poor that we should at least find it difficult to lose the game. Whether we could find a way to win it was far from certain on the evidence of the first half.
Fortunately we got a break early in the second half. Anderton delivered a corner to the near post, Vokes got the Willo style flick on to perfection, and Hayter arrived unmarked in the six yard box to knock the ball in. This sparked Chesterfield's best spell of the game, resulting in two good saves by Moss from Shaw and Holmes, and a real “they shall not pass” block from the increasingly impressive Gowling. Fortunately most of Chesterfield's other attempts were wide of the mark, and once we had weathered the initial storm neither the home team or their supporters seemed to have much belief in their chances of producing an equaliser.
Hayter had a good chance towards the end but seemed to lose his footing and shot weakly at the keeper, and Moss made a good block from Ward after the winger dispossessed Cooper. Having found two minutes to add in an uneventful first half, it was no great surprise when referee Haywood came up with four minutes additional time at the end, but Chesterfield had long since run out of ideas and never looked saving the game. Does anyone remember how many points you get for an away win?
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AFCB: Moss. Cooper, Young, Gowling, Cummings, Browning, Cork, Anderton, Wilson, Vokes, Hayter
Subs: Stewart, Fletcher (for Vokes, 56), Lawson (for Anderton, 88), Broadhurst, Pitman
Richie Barker, Leyton