Sept 17 AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Barnsley Att: 7574 (364 away)

So after the somewhat unlucky weekend loss to top of the table Blackpool it was a case of everything crossed and hoping for a win in what could be an end of season six pointer against Barnsley.

 

The splendid view from 'Exiles Row' was enhanced by a glorious purple sunset behind the Supa Fletch Stand, which I noticed no longer has the head of the legend as its crowning glory!

 

Cherries lined up as per the weekend with O'Kane continuing in place of the injured Arter in the key midfield engine room role and new striker Tokela (TK) Rantie on the bench.

 

Boscombe started brightly enough with a struggling Tykes team a bit apprehensive at what fate might have in store for them under the Goldsands lights. However the lions share of possession and much huffing and puffing failed to deliver a shot on goal until the 20 min when Fraser shot over the bar after a Cook long throw was allowed to bounce in the Barnsley box. 

 

The Tykes decided it was time for them to show the home side what they had  in their locker and orchestrated by blonde midfielder David Perkins the Tykes began to pour forward in sweeping attacks that threatened a goal. After a couple of high and wide efforts Barnsley were unfortunate to hit the base of the same (left-hand) post twice within seconds with Rocky beaten by rasping drives first by O'Grady and then Dawson. Cherries were now second best with Fraser subdued, Pitman anonymous and O'Kane charging around with and without the ball to little effect. Only Francis down the right and Grabban who was running strongly seemed to be on their game. Time for an Eddie team talk!. Half time 0-0.

 

As we know football can change quickly and seconds after the re-start suddenly Pitman was in space on the left of the area placing a slide-rule penetrating pass perfectly into the stride of Grabban who screwed his right foot shot just past the post from a central position 16 yards out. The assistant's raised offside flag could only partially redeem a crucial missed chance. At least the game has sparked to life and was becoming eventful. 

 

Unfortunately Daniels stayed down after a tackle in what looked like a recurrance of his heel problem and he was repleced by Elphick on 51 mins with Cook moving to the 

left in a three at the back defence with Macdonald the holding player.

 

Immediately there seemed to be more cohesion in Cherries midfield with O'Kane showing signs of a half time ear bashing with a much improved performance, winning the ball twice with strong shoulder charges and ground tackles instead of standing back watching the opposition!  Someone to put their foot in and win the ball in midfield. 

 

The stage was now set for the introduction of the new £2.5m striker and amid much crowd  excitement 'TK' entered the fray on 55 mins replacing Fraser who before half time had received a finger in the eye, elbow in the face and boot in the head from the uncompromising Tykes defence. 

 

Within seconds of his introduction, a quick ball forward and there was a darting TK exploding into space on the edge of the area, cunningly twisting and turning like a man who had been to the University of cunning twisting and turning before unleashing a powerful grass- skimmer that curled away at the last minute and disappeared past the far post. What a debut moment this would have been. 

 

This set the scene for a rampant 10 min purple patch with TK again on the end of a pass into the box leading to a blocked shot and Ward shooting wide as Barnsley struggled to cope with the pace of Cherries attacks, crosses from both flanks and quick balls over the top. 

 

The Cherries storm seemed to have subsided until in the 77 min Pugh jinked into the box as only he can with twinkle toes and close control before firing an unstoppable drive from 18 yards past the despairing arms of Mike Pollitt in the Barnsley goal. Cue joyous celebrations in front of the Ted Macdougall stand from new dad Pugh and his team-mates.

 

The visitors responded well with Elliot Ward having to make an excellent timely block to prevent a certain equaliser. Barnsley made a number of substitutions and with time ebbing away Cherries brought on Hughes for Macdonald on 88mins to help see out the game. Despite groans when the board went up for stoppage time, Cherries were able to survive by keeping the ball well and taking the game to the opposition right up until the whistle. 1-0 final score and an invaluable win to make it 12 points from 7 games and 7th place. 

 

Much tougher tests loom ahead but the team can take heart from a good second half performance. With Arter, Ritchie and Surman all close to fitness there is also quality and depth in the squad. However the potential of Tokela Rantie was clear for all to see and with the right service his pace and control will hopefully cause many problems for Championship defences. 

 

I would have give TK man of the match if he had scored with his first touch for the Cherries and of course Pugh deserves consideration as the match winner but for consistency in both defence and attack (apart from one weird wayward pass!) I choose Simon Francis as my man of the match with Lewis Grabban close behind and well done to Eunan O'Kane for a much better second half.