Boscombe k.o. to the South End, where the ‘Dale fans were located (in case it rained, which would make them feel at home, ho, ho…) Jalal had to stretch to catch a lob; McDermott looked good as a central play-maker and put in some honourable work defensively. Pugh kept it simple, playing himself back into form. Wiggins was rampaging, winning a corner that saw Pearce head onto the far post. Hollands headed over from another then another header went at the keeper. The young centre-half looked ropey, & more than once their central 2 + keeper showed a lack of communications ability.
Pearce made a superb tackle just outside the ‘D’, then Wiggins won another corner which Pearce headed/bundled over the line. 1-0, 27. Feeney put a 20-yard screamer over. Lovell turned in the ‘D’ and volleyed over. This spell would’ve been even better had McDermott’s pass completion been 50% better; Lovell’s linkings were of similar standard. Then the home defence was Done to a turn as the no.11 was not shut down and hit a left-footer from the ‘D’ low to Jalal’s left. 1-1, 35. McDermott went down, & was replaced on 44 by Williamson thus a revert to 4-4-2. Boscombe had had the better of the play, but HT: 1-1
On restart, Boscombe imposed early pressure, with Williamson working well and Robinson’s piledriver tipped round. Pugh was looking more like his old self. 3 home corners in succession but then ‘Dale gained momentum. Feeney had a purple passage, and was consistent throughout, crossing, linking, always a threat. A ‘Dale cross was headed over, followed by more home pressure with Williamson coming to terms with Div.3. Robinson seemed to have a groin injury, but came back on & completed the match. A scramble in the away area was cleared; Feeney, Cooper & Wiggins all did good things. Pugh was beginning to over-complicate, reducing his effectiveness. Another Robinson effort, from the ‘D’, was pushed away. Then a chip from the ‘Dale right and the sub went between the 2 home markers (who appeared to be marking zonally) to head it low to Jalal’s left. 1-2, 80. Sucker-punch. Fletcher & Purches came on for Lovell & Smith on 81; they’d been preparing before the goal, perhaps to go for a winner, but now to rescue the game. Now ‘Dale read Boscombe all too easily all over the park. Perhaps the Franchise score had leaked onto the pitch; the home side appeared to go through the motions. A home free was messed up big-time. FT: 1-2
With Franchise not losing (winning at Oldham), this result was irrelevant for the play-offs. But a team needs momentum going into the play-offs.
Let’s try to put one aspect to bed. Last summer, any Boscombian would’ve bitten off a hand for top-10 this season, an arm for top-6, a leg for 2nd, & a gonad or two for champions. But after the 10-game unbeaten run post-Howe, with the team in a strong 2nd place, the subsequent slippage has to be seen as an opportunity blown. Boscombe ended up just a point above Orient & Grecians, and with the lowest no. of wins (along with Orient) in the top 8. The most wins were by Seagulls, operating within a presumably bigger budget, and the Belles of St. Fairies, who appeared to have debt-financed the promotion push. Congratulations to both those clubs on their promotion.
For some time it’s been evident that the central midfield pairing today either go forward together, or back together, leaving a big hole either behind the strikers or in front of the back-4. But that’s been the Howe/Bradbury system since the team was 23rd in Div.4. However, with the team in higher company, perhaps an adjustment is required. Apart from the budget restraints, Bradbury should look at how the top 2 teams operated.
As for the players, hats off to Li’l Annie Dings, who perhaps was thrown into the deep end too early but survived and began to thrive. Rumours of an offer that EM can’t refuse. Possibly a rare talent. Danny had to be rested as, according to cast lists in Radio Times, he plays Kelvin in Psychoville. “Ings” is the (Viking?) term for the area between a settlement and the river bank.
Jalal – barely a mistake, sometimes awesome, but needs that prolapsed disc problem sorted.
Smith – better going forward, but has improved defensively. Presumably on his way to a decent Div.2 club; if so, farewell with good memories.
Purches – still just worth place as squad player, but no pace any more.
Cooper – no longer the player he could’ve been, but mainly able to compete at this level. Pity he can normally only launch it from deep.
Pearce – indomitable. Presumably a big bid from Div.2 will see him go. One thought; however good he & Cooper are together, how come the team’s conceded so many 1s & 2s, especially late on? Partly down to them, partly a lack of midfield cover at crucial late stages? Team naivety should’ve been corrected through the captain.
Garry – possible change to assistant manager if he has to retire through injury? Hope he can return.
Baudry – needs pitch time to adjust to centre-half, but possible defensive midfield option might make retention worthwhile.
Wiggins – superb on his day but see Smith above.
Cummings – still competitive but that old pace rarely apparent leading to less ability to cover or support the left-wing. May be time’s up?Feeney – after Christmas really found his feet; now good enough for this level but still could improve with option-taking and judgement.
Robinson – does so much work unseen so unlikely to have a decent bid for him. Must be retained.
Hollands – works like a Trojan but one-paced.
Molesley – now needs a full pre-season to come back to form; probably under-used in the run-in. He & Robinson would be my preferred central midfield.
Arter – work in progress. Worthwhile retaining as he can give a different dimension.
McDermott – initially brilliant, but tended to show-boat. Presumably wages could not be afforded long-term.
Pugh – never the same since the injury at Orient, so may not be so attractive for a (presumed) Div.2 transfer. Perhaps one of the reasons for the team’s drop in form late on.
Fletcher – dragged the team over the line home to Gas, but a liability coming on at Yeovil & Hartlepool. He’s given every ounce of his heart and every inch of his limited ability to AFCB, but let’s hope he’ll hang up his boots at the end of May.
Symes – possibly the player most missed during the run-in. He & Ings would be my preferred up-front pairing if both stay.
Lovell – still too much like that lightweight Blair Sturrock, but improving. Marginal whether a full pre-season would see him improve enough, or release might be better.
Williamson – as with Molesley & Lovell, as he wants to impress. I’m not yet convinced but want to be.
Taylor – now seems he can’t hack it even in the Conference. Best released.
Partington – I hate to say it, but perhaps Joe needs to go to a Conference or Div.4 team. His promise seems to have run into the sands.
Dalla Valle – 2 great goals, some neat passing, but nowhere near the work rate of Ings or Williamson. If he’s not returned to Fulham already, let him do so.
Bradbury – seemed not to work out how to deal with the run of 2 points from 21. For this correspondent, the jury’s still out. I really hope he & the team can prove me wrong in the play-offs.
Feeney
AFCB: Jalal, Smith, Cooper, Pearce, Wiggins, Feeney, Hollands, Robinson, Pugh, McDermott, Lovell
Subs: Thomas, Cummings, Arter, Molesley, Williamson (for McDermott, 44 mins), Fletcher (for Lovell, 81 mins), Purches (for Smith, 81 mins)
Peter Wicks, Bulford