First game of the Bond (junior) era, and the team selection got a cautious welcome from the Exiles jury – the hitherto untouchable Broadhurst out, Gowling restored, and Hollands preferred to Foley and Cooke, both of whom were on the bench.
We started off with a back 3 of Gowling, Young and Maher and looked pretty comfortable for most of the first half against opponents obviously lacking in attacking threat (not that Fletcher and Best were exactly rapier-like at the other end). Maher had a few wobbly moments but also won some good headers, while Young and Gowling are getting closer to their best form from last season.
Hayter unfortunately was having an off day with several passes going uncharacteristically astray. Best had an awkwardly bouncing shot scrambled away via ‘keeper and defender, but apart from that the most notable incident was the ref winning us a throw by blocking an attempted Millwall pass.
Just as the game seemed to be heading to the interval without a goal, a Bournemouth attack broke down, Millwall transferred the ball swiftly to our half and suddenly Haynes was bearing down on goal. Stewart decided to advance to meet him rather than leave it to the pursuing defender, and although he blocked the initial shot the ball ran to Hackett who steered his shot home past a couple of covering defenders.
HT: 1-0
Bournemouth switched to 4-4-2 for the second half with Young at right back, and there was a little more attacking action at both ends. Millwall went close with a header from a free kick, and Fletcher connected with a cross at the far post but was unable to direct the ball on the target. Hayter had an unconvincing attempt at winning a penalty, Anderton had a better case minutes later after some clever work by Best.
Bournemouth's domination increased as the game progressed, with Millwall reduced to sporadic forays, usually culminating in a shot heading for the proverbial Row Z.
By contrast some of our attempts were actually starting to threaten the goal. Best had a shot on the turn deflected over the bar, Anderton had a powerful free kick punched away for a corner by Pidgeley and was just wide with a volley from the edge of the area. The best chance fell to Hayter who was picked out by Fletcher unmarked in front of goal but directed his header just past the angle of cross and bar.
Foley replaced Hollands and brought a very good save from Pidgeley diving to his right, and there was even an acrobatic volley from the edge of the box from Young, not very close but notable just for the attempt.
Undoubtedly we deserved at least a draw from this, but at least Bond should be left in no doubt that finding a way to convert possession and neat passing into goals should be high on his list of priorities.
Neil Young, dominant in central defence in the first half and an energetic attacker from right back in the second.AFCB: Stewart, Maher, Young, Gowling, Purches, Hollands (Foley, 78mins), Anderton, Cummings, Hayter, Best, Fletcher (Pitman, 86mins).
Subs: Moss, Hart, Cooke
Richard Barker, Leyton