The route to the ground and car parking looked very straight forward. I found it reasonably easily PARKING - PERMITS ONLY. I was redirected to the “Away End” to find again PARKING - PERMITS ONLY. Third time lucky – car park away from the ground and free after 6.00pm. I had no idea where I was now, and noticed the road became one way after 9.15, and that was in the opposite direction from where I had come. Something to look forward to!
I followed the crowds making their way to the stadium. It was an impressive walk approaching the stadium sunk into the ground, with pathways taking you to the different parts. Huddersfield and Bournemouth supporters happily mingling together ahead of this important encounter. I waited outside the Away Supporters entrance for my ticket to arrive. Darren Ferguson and his side kick passed close by me on their spying mission. I wondered if he had the parking difficulties I had!
Programmes were on sale just inside the ground so no chance to do a bit of back ground reading.
With the arrival of my ticket I went through the turnstiles to find there were no programmes left. As I went to go into the seating area, but a steward wanted to see my ticket to check where my seat was. I found it but others were sat there because they “sit where you want”. A steward found me an unoccupied seat at the end of a row just in time to see the kick off. After 10 seconds of play the whistle went and we had a second kick off. Clearly to give Huddersfield a chance to do it better this time. They needed no help as the cauldron of noise would unnerve most visiting sides.
And so it proved as Huddersfield set about attacking the Bournemouth goal.
After ten minutes, the Cherries started to assert themselves with Danny Ings shooting wide. They were getting into their passing game and the confidence was growing. Huddersfield continued to press and harry but on 15 minutes an Adam Smith shot went across the goal and narrowly wide. Then on 25 minutes, a Huddersfield corner, no.2 (Lee Petier) rising to score. Disappointing – but the Cherries stick to the task to get back into the game. The play continues at a frenetic pace, up and down the pitch, both defences keeping control of the game. Then as half time looms up, Adam Smith receives the ball and makes a run into the penalty area, and is brought down. Penalty!
Déjà vu. Steve Lovell steps up to take it. A good decision and good planning. Bang! Straight in the middle of the goal with power. We are back in it good and proper. Just the thing to go into half time – all square.
Huddersfield attack, the ball comes off a Bournemouth player and Jalal dives to stop the ball going out for a corner – but the officials rule it had gone out. Protests to no avail. The corner is cleared and goes out to Huddersfield right. Despite three defenders out there, the ball is passed in field where their no.10 (Daniel Ward) turns, Anton Robinson who is on him slips, and the no.10 sends the ball into the right hand corner of the net, wide of Shwan’s outstretched arms.
Half Time:- Despair! Well not really. The supporters know there is still 45 minutes left and they are attacking our end.
The half time talk seems to have given the Cherries an extra yard of pace as they set about getting the equaliser. Huddersfield know they are in a scrap for their lives. So much so after 15 minutes no.20 (Kilbane) pushes the referee (Neil Swarbrick) not once but a few times and he nearly falls over. Yellow card only! A lenient referee?
Then absolute bliss. Wiggins centres the ball along the ground, Steve Lovell moves onto it, into the penalty area, past one defender, out to the left wide of the goalkeeper and then a power driven left foot into the goal. Relief, ecstacy, brilliance – there’s no stopping us now. So that’s the talent Steve Lovell brings. Let’s hope we see more of it!
The game continues at the same non stop pace. End to end stuff. Breaking down attacks, closing down and pressurising those on the ball. The noise of the crowd, both supporters incessant urging their side to get the winner. On 75 minutes Marc Pugh replaced Donal McDermott.
Full time ending all square 2 – 2. Now for extra time. This has to be our chance to win as I am not confident if left to penalties.
The ball is played into our penalty area, Huddersfield forwards bearing down and Pearce, Cooper and Jalal are unsure who is to take control. As a last ditch decision it is put out for another dreaded corner. But no problems this time. Steve Lovell is substituted by Michael Symes. Good to see him back – we’ve missed him. He’d been on for ten minutes when he played a neat flick on to Marc Pugh who centred and there was Danny Ings to send a glorious header into the corner of the net. Wonderful! The first in the tie we have been ahead. Can we keep it this way?
It was good to see Marc back to something like he was earlier in the season.
As the half came to an end, a Huddersfield shot is on target but headed out for a corner by Danny Hollands. This is driven across goal and no.8 (Antony Kay) scores.
The 2nd period of extra time is still as frenetic, except there are some tired bodies and tired minds out there. There is no let up in the action and the noise. With 10 minutes remaining Jason Pearce goes in with one of his uncompromising challenges. “Off” shout the Huddersfield supporters. Surely the referee will continue his tolerant approach to the game. But no, he shows RED.
It’s now a matter of seeing it through to Penalties, even though I’m not confident about them.
Mattieu Baudry replaces Danny Ings to shore up the defence. Huddersfield put on the pressure but thankfully the ball is kept out and we are into penalties.
These are at the far end of the ground. It was going to be interesting who would take them for us.
Michael Symes was coolness personified, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and then putting the ball in the empty space. Liam Feeney (surprise there) good strike nicely to the goalies left and saved. Anton Robinson, a power driver which caught the bar and went over. Shaun Cooper (surprise!) good strike into the goal. But it was left to Antony Kay of Huddersfield to finish it off – striking the bar but goes in. Huddersfield win the tie 4 – 2 on penalties.
Huddersfield supporters flood on to the field. Marc Pugh somehow ends up in front of our stand acknowledging the fans. Eventually the playing surface is cleared and the Cherries team are able to come across to us. Wild applause from us but equally warm applause from the Huddersfield stands. Most of the team if not all, including those who were not involved in the game, took off their shirts and passed or threw them to the fans. Yes we had lost the tie, but not the game. Yes we are disappointed not going to Old Trafford but the team can be very proud of what they achieved and we as fans proud of our club AFC Bournemouth.
It was a truly memorable occasion. Played in a great atmosphere, the stadium enhanced the noise provided by both sets of fans. The game was played at great pace, skill and enthusiasm and the final result was in doubt. I am so pleased to have been part of it all.
With the loss of Pearce, winning the tie was going to be difficult if not unlikely. But we never lost against Huddersfield, and though we never won, I like to think we did on points.
Not that counts. I think we were excellent representatives and ambassadors for the smaller, less well-off sides in League 1. For Huddersfield:- the management, players and fans were all great ambassadors for their grace and appreciation of sport for the larger and better off clubs. An example I feel many of the so called larger clubs could take on. The Galpharm Stadium is a natural home to the Championship and I wish them all the best at Old Trafford.
For the Cherries, it shows that playing the ball on the ground is our strength. The squad is very much together and is far greater than the sum of its individual parts. May we learn from this experience and come back next season stronger and able to deal with corners!!
I realise players may move on to more lucrative contracts, I just hope that is done well in advance and not left to the final hours of the transfer windows as it leaves the club no chance of finding suitable replacements.
My final memory was when walking to find the car, a Huddersfield fan congratulating AFC Bournemouth on being part of such a wonderful game and all the best for next season.
He told me how he enjoys coming for his holidays to Bournemouth and wished me a good journey home. I didn’t tell him I now lived in Wales!
Man Of The Match - Every player gave their everything, each one contributed to making it such a memorable occasion and making it go to the lottery of Penalties. In addition, whether they took part or not, each contributed to make it a special evening. Thank you very much!
So it’s Men of The Match: The whole team, squad, coaches and management team
AFCB: Jalal, Smith, Cooper, Pearce, Wiggins, McDermott, Hollands, Robinson, Feeney, Lovell, Ings
Subs: Thomas, Cummings, Arter, Fletcher, Pugh (for mcDermott, 77 mins), Symes (for Lovell, 95 mins), Baudry (for Ings, 113 mins)
John Harbron, mid-Wales