Nov 8 Middlesbrough 0-0 AFC Bournemouth Att: 23930 (397 away fans)

Last updated : 13 November 2014 By Les Fry

The Cherries made one change to the starting line-up bringing in birthday boy Yann Kermogant for Brett Pitman who was relegated to the subs bench.

After an immaculately observed minutes silence by both sets of supporters the game kicked off.

Both sides took off at a frantic pace and had early chances but defences were on top and openings were few and far between.

Boro were the the first to have a sight of goal with 10 minutes gone Tomlin won the ball on the halfway line and dribbled to the edge of the box but his low drive lacked any power and was saved easily by Boruc.

It was then the Cherries who then went close with Ritchie hooking a shot straight into the arms of the Boro keeper after good work from Wilson and Pugh.

Boro then had the best chance of the first half on 15 minutes, the ball falling to Reach about 20 yards out who a blistering rocket of a shot which crashed back of the cross bar with Boruc beaten all ends up.

The game then seemed to go the way of Boro with some resolute defending from the Cherries. But that man Ritchie met a clearance from the Boro defence and volleyed a goal bound shot which was superbly saved as Konstantopolos palmed over.

Boro had a few chances before halftime and the Cherries on the stroke of halftime went close after a corner which dropped to Arter on the edge of the box who drilled it just over the bar.

HT BORO 0 BOURNEMOUTH 0

The second half kicked-off in much the same vain as the first had finished with Boro trying to get pass the Cherries defence with little or no success. On 54 minutes a chance fell to Wilson after a Boro’s defenders attempted clearance hit Ritchie and fell in to the path of Wilson who from 8 yards out managed to scoop it over the bar.

Boro had a couple of chances that was dealt with by our defence and keeper and Wilson still running at the Boro defence created a couple of half chances.

On 62 minutes Boro were lucky to still be playing with 11 men as Clayton who had already been booked fouled Kermogant and was let off with a warning (Bottled it)

The Cherries made a double substitution in the 74 minute with Pitman and Fraser coming on for Kermogant and Ritchie.

The game then went on to be a midfield battle and  few chances with nobody really troubling either keeper as went into stoppage time Fraser was in my option rather harshly booked for a foul.

In all an entertaining draw with not so many chances created. Still not first on FL show but hey who cares still 2nd in the League. Happy times!

Man Of The MatchMan of the match:  Hard one to give but my vote goes to Callum Wilson, who worked tirelessly upfront.

AFCB: (442) Boruc, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Pugh, Arter, Surman, Ritchie, Wilson, Kermorgant
Subs: Camp, Smith, Harte, Gosling, Rantie, Fraser (for Ritchie, 74 mins), Pitman (for Kermorgant, 74 mins)

Les Fry, Cambridge