Feb 7 AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Shrewsbury Town Att: 4187

Last updated : 14 February 2009 By Exiles Reporter
Have the Cherries hit a purple patch of form under new boss Eddie Howe in time to escape the drop? Even though todays performance was far from pretty, it was the home side who walked away with all 3-points in this top v bottom encounter.

Joel Ward departed the game after just 15 minutes when he seemed to land awkwardly after a challenge - possible damaging his right shoulder in the process. It was hard to see what was going on from our vantage point in the East Stand as the incident took place in front of the dug out. New signing Anton Robinson came on to make his debut.

Just 8 minutes later, an inswinging corner from Brett Pitman on the Cherries left hand side, infront of the open end of the ground, deceived everyone for flew straight in at the far post, for what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Brett had chances to extend the lead in the second period, but couldn't convert the opportunities when they were presented.

Our visitors were certainly ill-disciplined, collecting 4 yellow cards and one red as Moss kicked out at Brett Pitman in the 92nd minute of time.

This may not have been a very polished performance we will ever see, but who cares given that we won, and closed the gap to safety to just 7 points.

Next up for the Cherries is a home match against Accrington Stanley at Dean Court next Saturday.

Full report to follow .............

AFCB: Jalal, Ward, Cooper, Pearce, Wiggins, Bartley, Igoe, Hollands, Thomson, Fletcher, Pitman
Subs: Button, Goulding, Robinson (for Ward, 16 mins), Cummings (for Igoe, 82 mins), Feeney (for Thomson, 88 mins)