Nov 20 Leyton Orient 2-2 AFC Bournemouth Att: 4531

Last updated : 22 November 2010 By Andy Burton

The game started brightly enough for the Cherries as they swept forward in the opening couple of minutes to take the lead after just 110 seconds! McQuoid and Bignall combined nicely down the left to find Marc Pugh, who cut inside and rifle a shot home past a stranded keeper.

Bournemouth continued to press, to no avail, but were reminded that they were in a game in the 11th minute when the O's hit the woodwork, which fell to safety.

Leyton Orient tried to press forward, but everything they threw at the Cherries defence was comfortably dealt with by either the back 4 or Shwan Jalal.

In the meantime, moving forward, they did so with pace utilising both flanks; Wiggy/Pugh on the left, Smith/Arter on the right, and down the middle through Hollands and Robinson. It all looked very balanced and very confident.

Harry Arter managed to get on the end of another Cherries flowing move. Sadly his turn and shot nearly cleared the stand behind the goal. It was one of those which if it had been on target would have been an abolsute screamer. As it was, it was anything but!

HT: 1-0

The second half started in explosive fashion as within the first 21 seconds of the restart McQuoid produced a great shot shot forced the keeper in to parrying the ball out for a corner.

In the 48th minute Harry Arter set up Marc Pugh to stab the ball home past the out rushing keeper. At this stage it was looking comfortable with the Cherries on course to claim their first League win at Brisbane Road since 1948!

A Cherries corner routine saw a McQuoid shot fire over in the 69th minute.

The Cherries made a couple of changes, which changed the game. Off went Arter, being replaced by Feeney. Then Jalal got caught in 'traffic', went down in a heap which meant +5 minutes worth of attention, which saw John Stewart introduced to the game in the 78th minute.

In decision at the back allowed Tehoue to nip in to pull one back for the home side. To make matters worse in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, Tehoue nipped in again to score again, leaving the Cherries deflated at the 2-2 draw - an opportunity lost.

With the Cherries trying to raise their game, another blow was dealt as Pugh chased a loose ball, slipped on the turf, going down clutching a knee in some agony.

I cannot finish this match report without giving a word to referee Keith Hill. To say he was a blatent homer is an understatement. 'Slight' challenges by Cherries players saw Leyton Orient awarded free kicks. More physical fouls by Leyton Orient 9/10 drew no response from the man-in-the-middle. One of the worst referreeing performances I've seen for a very long time. Funnily enough - not since we last saw Keith Hill referree a Cherries game. Not what does that say?

Man Of The MatchMy man of the match has got to be Marc Pugh, who was outstanding throughout the match with his running, sheer hard work, and two superb goals. Mention also to Harry Arter, who put in a great shift before he was subsitituted.

AFCB: Jalal, Smith, Cooper, Pearce, Wiggins, Arter, Hollands, Robinson, Pugh, Bignall, McQuoid
Subs: Stewart (for Jalal, 78 mins), Purches, Cummings, Bradbury, Fletcher, Bartley (for Cooper, 41 mins), Feeney (for Arter, 75 mins)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth