So it came as no surprise when Cardiff City took the lead on the quarter hour mark. The ball was swung in from the Bournemouth right to find Graham Kavanagh unmarked on the far post to head home unchallenged. If that wasn’t bad enough, the ever-dangerous Robert Earnshaw, then repeated the feat a few minutes later. This time the ball was swung in from a corner, from the same side, and again a free header was coolly converted. Even at two goals down there didn’t seem to be much of a way back.
The second half started much as the first had finished, with Cardiff very much in control. So when the third goal arrived on 52 minutes, no one was particularly surprised. The only disappointment was the manner in which the goal was conceded. Eddie attempted a back pass, which Stewart came rushing out for, only to realise that he’d gone too far. He then dived to prevent the ball from going past him. The ref then blew up for a free kick inside the area. Unfortunately while keeper and three defenders were discussing how to defend the free kick Cardiff had already taken the kick and scored!! How pants was that!!
Bournemouth did score a consolation, I think with more luck than judgement from the mass of players inside the box, when Holmes diverted the ball past the City keeper on 73 minutes. But by that time the damage had already been done.
We did create other chances during the game; the best one fell to Purches just after Cardiff took the lead. A tantalising cross came in from the right wide, Purches stuck out a boot to try and convert, but the ball was just too far in front of him!! Apart from that I do not recall a moment when the Cardiff keeper had to make a real save.
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AFCB: Stewart, Purches, Howe, Tindall, Maher, C Fletcher, Stock, O’Connor, Purches, Holmes, Feeney
Subs: Menetrier, Melligan (on for Hayter, 60 mins), Elliott (for Stock, 60 mins), Foyewa (for Purches, 78 mins), Broadhurst.
Andy Burton, Portsmouth