I am told that Leitao tapped the ball to Fryatt, who advanced virtually unchallenged to just inside the area, before slotting a low left-footer across a sprawling Moss. Certainly this was the quickest strike I’ve (partially) witnessed in over four decades of angst.
The travelling faithful were reduced to stupefied silence! In the following minutes there were few indications to suggest that things were to be significantly improved and Moss was called upon to save with his feet when left one-on-one with the long-term Spanish import Leitao.
Bournemouth’s first significant response saw Fletcher loop a back-post header onto the roof of the net, to be followed by blocked efforts from Elliott and Hayter.
On 18 mins. it was so nearly 2 – 0 as a chip (was it a shot? was it a cross?) rebounded off the bar. Although by no means in control, one sensed the pendulum was swinging Bournemouth’s way, particularly when play developed down the right-side, and Walsall’s other Spanish product, Zigor Aranalde, was booked in the 38th minute for man-handling Elliott on the half-way line.
90 seconds later, for the second time in the match, the opposition failed to touch the ball in a goal-scoring move. Moss rolled the ball to O’Connor (J) who forwarded it to Elliott; a 40 yd. drive to the back-post saw Hayter head back to Captain Fletcher, the great man just needing one touch before volleying into the net from 10 yds.
It was so nearly two, as O’Connor (G) sent a 25 yd left-footer that the keeper scrambled around the post. Half-time honours even, but the mood decidedly more buoyant!
HT: 1-1
Momentum was maintained in the second-half. Elliott saw a curling effort acrobatically tipped over by young custodian Coleman, before O’Connor (G) was upended in a central position on the edge of the box. With Stock and Cummings absent, there was no discussion and O’Connor’s drive nestled sweetly in the corner beyond the diving, and probably misplaced, keeper who had been hiding behind his wall.
With the game opening up, and both midfields seemingly committed to attack, both keepers were called upon to parry well-struck goal-bound efforts, with various parts of their physiology, and Moss had to be at full stretch on two occasions to prevent restoration of equality.
Even he was beaten in the 85th minute, but again the bar shook and the rebound was hooked to safety. Bournemouth’s best chance fell to Spicer having been fed by Elliott, his effort being tipped around the post by a now rather rattled Coleman. Three minutes of extra-time saw no further traumas and the hat-trick of away victories confirmed.
Given the start, this was a gutsy performance. A soft, sandy pitch was not conducive to flowing football but, nevertheless, several moves were put together, notably leading to Fletcher’s equalizer. New loanee Green from Fulham, after a shaky start, slotted in effectively in the left-back slot until being replaced by Young, and fortunately no further injuries were incurred. The midfield worked hard, and were the main source of the 10 efforts on target.
Home supporters will point to the several vital saves by Moss, and he gets the star rating
closely followed by the O’Connors. So contrary to usual expectations when visiting this desolate area of the nation, a positive outcome – the value of which was heightened on hearing results from elsewhere. Let’s hope that normal service is restored at the Fitness First, although the opposition looks formidable.
AFCB: Moss, J O'Connor, Mills, Maher, Green, G O'Connor, Spicer, Browning, Elliott, Fletcher, Hayter
Subs: Stewart, Young (for Green, 79), Coutts, Connell, Rodrigues
Jim Pruden, Benfleet, Essex