Nothing much the defence could have done to prevent that, but Huddersfield’s second just 6 minutes later was less impressive. Abbott won a header from a cross at the back post, the ball looped up off the challenging Young and our defenders were content to watch it descend in front of goal, allowing Taylor-Fletcher to stroll in and place an unchallenged header over Stewart and almost, but sadly not quite, over the bar.
Huddersfield were looking at least two divisions better than us at this stage and the scene was set for a massacre, but fortunately they seemed to take the view that the job was done (not unreasonably given our scoring record) and eased up. As a result, after 23 minutes we recorded our first shot on target from Hayter, and even followed it up with two reasonable chances. Foley failed to beat Rachubka after a neat pass from Surman put him in on a one on one with the keeper, and Hayter uncharacteristically blazed well over the bar from a decent shooting chance created by Keene’s through ball.
When Huddersfield did bother to exert themselves our defence was still looking vulnerable, and as the half came to a close only two excellent saves from Stewart kept the score respectable, the first from Taylor-Fletcher’s header and the second low to his left from Abbott’s well placed shot.
HT: 2-0
The half time discussion centred more on how many Huddersfield were likely to get in the second half than prospects for a comeback. Fifteen minutes into the second half came what ultimately proved to be the turning point. Schofield beat three Bournemouth defenders but was foiled by yet another excellent stop from Stewart. We broke forward through Hart, whose cross was over-hit but collected on the right wing by Surman, who jinked first inside and then outside Clarke, drawing the defender into a rash challenge which even the whistle-shy Mike Pike had no problem recognising as a penalty. A Huddersfield supporter on the train later felt the decision was harsh, but there was little protest from the Huddersfield players. Hayter’s penalty gave Rachubka no chance, although putting it in off the post was maybe cutting things a little fine.
Four minutes later, a similar sequence of events. Brandon bore down on the Bournemouth goal, Stewart yet again produced a fine save and cleared the ball swiftly out to Foley on the left who, from just inside the Huddersfield half, produced an amazing 40 yard diagonal pass to pick out Hayter, who controlled it perfectly with his first touch and tucked it neatly past Rachubka and inside the post with his second. Even James got a little excited after this goal, possibly from the quality of the strike or more likely from the sheer improbability of the comeback.
Twenty minutes still to go struck me as being a little early to equalise, but although there were plenty of nervous moments in the closing stages Huddersfield were never really able to lift themselves out of the cruise mode they had slipped into after going two ahead, and when they did break through Stewart was more than a match for anything they had to offer.
Bournemouth could, and indeed should, have added a third. More great work from Surman down the right culminated in a cross that picked out Stock unmarked eight yards out, only for the midfielder to head wide of the post with most of the away end poised to celebrate a certain goal. As we were leaving the ground a sporting Huddersfield fan congratulated us on trying to play football the right way. I doubt that I could have been as generous if my team just squandered two points against inferior opposition, so I’ll take this opportunity to wish them luck for the rest of the season. On what we’ve seen so far they haven’t got much to beat. The result leaves AFC Bournemouth in 17th place. One point above the relegation zone, and just 4 points off the play-offs!
Easiest pick ever, Gareth Stewart was outstanding. AFCB: Stewart, Young, Gowling, Hart, Keene, Browning, Stock, O'Connor, Foley, Hayter, Surman
Subs: Cooke, Coutts, Rodrigues (on for Keene, 66), Cooper (on for Surman, 88), Pitman
Richard Barker, Leyton