Nov 3 Bristol Rovers 0-2 AFC Bournemouth Att: 6405

Cherries played to the goal to our left, wearing home strip! This is correct in my view - only wear the away strip if the home one clashes with that of the home side. All game Cherries were controlled, solid & steady. The tall James Henry (whose parents may have had literary allusions in mind) was looking bright & quick on his debut. The other debutant, Alex Pearce, was a little nervous initially but by the end of the half was playing himself & the team out of trouble calmly, skilfully & intelligently. Having Anderton in front of Karacan & Hollands worked well; indeed, Anderton went beyond Bradbury 3-4 times.

The only real scare for Cherries was when the right-winger, Pipe, went forward & fired towards Moss' top left corner. That fist reached out & tipped it over the angle. The team's determination was exemplified with a thudding Jason Pearce tackle in front of the benches. It must've been heard in Bath. Bond gave him a pat but every bone in his body must've been vibrating as he recovered shakily. Strong, fair, square, committed. Then Henry, confident, shot just wide just over. Soon after, Anderton played it forward; the ball came back to him from a defender so he played it to Kuffour, free on our left inside the area. Bradbury was in space near the back stick, but the chip was short for Henry to come in unmarked at the near, & nod it in. Excellent! 0-1, 41. Big applause at HT 0-1.

Karacan swapped sides with Hollands, so the former could help out Telfer. Alex Pearce made his 1 real mistake, an air-shot letting in the forward - but Moss slid out & cleared with his legs. Then he tipped over a mis-hit cross, & made a great catch. Hollands made a magnificent tackle, reaching out beyond the advancing player, winning & retrieving with his left foot, then back on his feet & playing it forward. Pitman replaced Kuffour on 84, following which Henry went forward like Kevin Davies used to for Chesterfield & So'ton. His shimmies & dummies were reminiscent of a Welsh three-quarter as he went through 2 powder-puff challenges & planted the shot across to the right of the keeper. 0-2, 90. Such a late goal was a real turn of the screw for the home side; heads hung, boos ringing out. Felt just like Dean Court… We didn't care - we was jumpin'! FT 0-2.

I have to tell it as I see it; Bond stuck to his guns & game plan, so good on him, & with this side (apart from needing a decent right-back) we could gain enough points against lowly sides to steer clear of the drop zone. Yes, Gas played poorly, but you can only play what's in front of you, & Moss still had to be on top form. I'd keep the 3 Reading players - big credit to Steve Coppell - but I suspect Henry may be destined for higher things.

Telfer played as well as I've seen this season - but apparently not as good as he's played - & was at best mediocre, & at worst a ruminant; slow & cumbersome, his passes as polluting as methane belches. Bradbury was a bit of a nuisance sometimes. Everyone else had a good one. Hollands was strong in defensive midfield, organised & prompted well; Anderton linked assuredly through midfield. Karacan was quick, busy & supportive; Jem's a gem! Kuffour always looked for openings; Jason Pearce (now permanent) & Alex Pearce were solid; Gowling was classy & dependable; Henry had a quite splendid debut - skilful, positive, took both goals well. Marginal, but it could all have been thrown away if it weren't for the saves of top man Moss.

AFCB: Moss, Telfer, Gowling, J Pearce, A Pearce, Henry, Anderton, Hollands, Karacan, Kuffour, Bradbury
Subs: Stewart, Vokes, Partington, Franks, Pitman (on for Kuffour, 83 mins)

Pete Wicks, Bulford