To fit in with the new fashion, Bloomfield Road is now a 3-sided affair. Two are now one a-joined stand with a little temporary number accommodating away fans on one side. What was the south stand is in the process of demolition, however the lack of activity makes one think that the Brett Ormrod money has just run out! Perhaps it was this that spurred on the victory or, and more likely that the Blackpool back three has a combined age of 108 with the mobility to match. The best description I can think of is that they are "good in the air".
The whole match lacked the atmosphere of many occasions previous, probably through the ground design, but mainly through the lack of anything to get excited about. The first half was a fairly turgid affair with a lot of arms length sparring and midfield battles. On a couple of occasions Bournemouth could have taken the lead, however a couple of decent blocks by the ample Lee Jones in the Blackpool goal saved the day and the lack of decisiveness in the goalmouth meant that a couple chances went missing. However it was Blackpool who took the lead shortly before half time. A long punt clear from the Seasider's defence lead to a tangle between Karl Broadhurst and Mike Sheron about 30 yards out. As a result of Broadhurst kicking the ball away (and earning himself a booking) the ball was moved forward 10 yards. Steve Davis the "experienced" (code for old) Blackpool captain fired the ball through/under the wall and in the following confusion the ball was hooked beyond Neil Moss and into the goal. End of half, anything else too, too dull to remember.
Second half, much better. Probably because we won, but that does always seem to make a difference. By the reaction of the players the half time "encouragement" had an impact. The whole team looked more determined than the lack lustre effort of the first half. Within 20 minutes we were in front. The equaliser came from a clearance from Neil Young (accompanied by a little dig at Richie Wallens, who had scored earlier) and the ball fell to Steve Purches about 25 yards out who guided the ball across the 'keeper into the bottom right corner with the keeper feeling as though he should have done better. Within a few minutes we were in front. From a James Hayter corner the ball was headed goalward by Steve Fletcher. Lee Jones in the Blackpool goal flapped at the ball and it bounced of Karl Broadhurst and lobbed itself into the top corner of the goal. A flurry of substitutions followed as Steve McMahon attempted to find the right combinations and the Bournemouth bench sought the counter solution. A couple of good saves by Neil Moss ensured that the lead was maintained. One good turn away from a rasping strike at goal is worthy of mention.
Now, to get some rude shaped Blackpool rock from one of those classy shops on the seafront…
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AFCB (4-4-2); Moss; Young, Broadhurst, C. Fletcher, Cummings; Elliott, Purches, Browning ,O'Connor; Hayter, S. Fletcher.
Subs: Stewart, Thomas, Holmes, Feeney(for Young, 72), Maher (for Elliott, 84)
Phil Henstridge, Tysoe