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Kevin Bond walked across the pitch to the bench, followed by his dad. I reflected that I saw Boscombe at home to Barrow before Bond snr. became Cherries' manager. More changes to the Cherries' line-up, with 2 of the Reading Four cup-tied. Golbourne was left midfield, Pitman on the right, Kuffour supporting Vokes. Telfer skippered & Cherries kicked off away to our left. Kuffour sent it over to Pitman who shot just wide, & already the wind was helping to take Boscombe's game down 3 levels to that of Barrow - who, naturally, played with great spirit. A good through ball let Kuffour shoot just over the angle, & Gowling cut out an attack. After 15 minutes it was looking like a 0-0 & replay - then Moss had to make a strong save. Golbourne at their back stick won a corner, from which Barrow streamed down our end. Unassertive defending - the head-banded no.10 held off Pearce on the penalty spot - saw the ball nicked back in the area to that journeyman, the just-signed Kevin Rapley, who potted it for 1-0 on 19. Not clever by Cherries, but the home side probably deserved it for being competent & playing to their strengths. Had Bond snr. still been in charge, Rapley would've been signed that night.
Some Cherries players were woeful at times, with tackling, lack of skill, distribution, & judgement - step forward Golbourne & Pearce, let alone Telfer. Cooper went off with a head injury, returning with a white headband & a fresh, unnumbered & unnamed shirt. The home side was definitely playing the better football, quicker to the ball & out-thinking the league side. Vokes headed to their keeper, & Hollands shot just wide. Typically, Cherries wasted a corner, then Karaçan hit a free at 23 yards out into the wall. Objectively, this was a garbage game - then Hollands tapped the ball from the 'D' to Karaçan, who directed it across to the keeper's right; he flopped & the ball bobbled into the far corner. 1-1, 45+1 in modern timing convention, but bluntly undeserved.
After the break, during which I found a non-windy corner to consume pie etc., Boscombe came out with more purpose & movement. Kuffour hit over from an angle - but then Barrow had 2 corners in succession & a free. This came back out & the shot went over the home end terrace wall. Cherries showed very little intelligence in the conditions - except for a pass from Telfer with the outside of his right boot that swerved over to Pitman: probably his best pass all season. But Pitman was hustled out by honest challenge. Until today I'd've said he would find his level in the Conference - a little skill, & eye for goal. But on this performance - more like Southern Premier (level 7).
Hollands put in an angled attempt with the outside of his left foot - saved decently. Telfer was left for dead but the shot was just wide. Another home shot came soon after. McQuoid replaced Pitman on 75, & allowed Kuffour to play in Karaçan for a good run. At this point I realised I must have local relatives, when I spotted an advert across the ground for Wicks Skip Hire. Both teams raised the tempo, desperate for a win, but the FT score of 1-1 was a victory for the wind & Div.3 incompetence. Barrow probably deserved more, & may lose their manager for both recent results & failing to beat Cherries.
There is a different way of playing that separates lower league teams from those in higher echelons. The manner - deeper than formation & tactics - reflects skill & fitness levels. Below the line are those struggling to stay in the Conference, & those with no hope (currently) of rising to that level. This includes Barrow; for all their (relative) speed & enthusiasm, I saw more Wessex League than Football League in their play. Nevertheless, even allowing for injuries, suspensions, wind & FA Cup home enthusiasm, this was a miserable performance by Boscombe. It was disrespectful to the home side to play like that - as if you ordered a new coat & had delivered a pile of dirty laundry. After the final whistle, Bond jnr. walked over towards us, even shaking hands with one away fan. I'm not into bad-mouthing, & I'm sure a natural no.2 is trying his (limited) best in his first no.1 job (think Brian Kidd, Chris Hutchings), so the most constructive action I could perform at that point was to turn my back on the approaching manager & go for a natural break.
Some of us stayed over in Lancaster; the next morning we walked beyond the castle to check out City's ground, the Giant Axe. At which point, Clive mused "huge chopper", just as a young female passed by behind us. It's all in the timing…
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AFCB: Moss, Telfer, Gowling, J Pearce, Golbourne, Cooper, Hollands, Karacan, Vokes, Kuffour, Pitman
Subs: Stewart, Bartley, Partington, Newman, McQuoid (on for Pitman, 78 mins)
Peter Wicks, Bulford