Baudry started, still wearing the head bandage, lining up alongside Barrett with Cooper just in front. In blustery conditions, a lay-back allowed Grecians to hit a screamer over. Barrett had shown the usual commitment when he went down after a knock. Soon after, following a (painful) clearing header, he went down again & was replaced by Cummings on 11. This led to the most through reshuffle I’ve ever seen. Cummings went to left-back with Malone forward to left-wing. Pugh went over to the right, with Byrne going to full-back to give at least some pace in the back line. Purches moved into central midfield alongside Gregory, with Cooper (now captain) moving to the left of Baudry in central defence.
Byrne put the ball to Pugh who crossed only for Thomas to head over. In the light of recent events at Dean Court, one wonders whether Thomas was signed because his elder half-brother John had appeared to have taken over as club chairman. Both teams were trying to play football, but lack of quality (especially with the home side) led to much dross. A Grecians cross from the left saw a header just past the far post. But Baudry was calm & pretty dominant. A great pass up the wing, a great run & cross by Byrne, & a defensive clearance gave Boscombe a corner. Gregory was almost looking like a footballer, intercepting & clearing. His intelligent header forward allowed Arter to run at the defence. As part of a Grecian sandwich, he passed left-footed 45deg. forward right to Thomas who cut inside. The defender slipped allowing Thomas to pot it as easily as one would a geranium. 0-1, 38.
Grecians replied with a shot just outside the near post, but Byrne was crocked; cometh the man, cometh the hour (actually on 42). Josh Carmichael (right initials for a man for a crisis!) went alongside Gregory in defensive midfield with Purches reverting to right-back. Josh who? I said. The man in front explained the guy was a youth team player. Memo to self – check the (Boscombe) programme picture gallery closer! Baudry released Malone superbly, some good perceptive passing & moving was evident in the away side. Carmichael went 1-on-1 on the home 4 (reminiscent of the superb job Jim de Garis did on Don Masson at Meadow Lane nearly 40 years ago); all this meant the lead at the break was deserved. HT: 0-1
At the restart, Carmichael sat alone in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Malone, revelling in his fully attacking role, hit just over. Grecians made a double sub. on 52, replacing kids with older heads. Boscombe showed control for long periods, but Arter went down more than once. Thomas chased everything & deserved an early bath for his efforts, sometimes reminding this observer of Palace reject Ian Wright (whatever happened to him?) Gradually, with more home pressure, Boscombe sat too deep too much. Arter went down again, replaced on 67 by Doble who went “in the hole”. Malone let fly but wide, then Grecians went too close for comfort, hitting the outside of the post. Cummings then barrelled up his wing – memories of yesteryear.
So often when the home team is one down, the away team scores a late, decisive, second. This thought occurred to me just before a breakaway; Thomas allowed Doble to demonstrate some quick feet & clever thinking to let Malone shoot. The clearance off the line hit the brother of long-time Cherries’ reject John O’Shea, Richard, & went into the net. Actually, it wasn’t Rick O’Shea but Richard Duffy who was “credited”. No matter, 0-2, 90, home & dry (never mind hosed). Just time left for Flahavan to tip one over superbly. A deserved ovation for the entire team, who had to come over to our stand area as that’s where the players’ tunnel is located. FT: 0-2.
Byrne came back on the pitch for the huddle wearing an orthopaedic boot; how long for him & Barrett to return? Or perhaps he can go back to Spurs in return for a proper right-back… Now only goal difference means Boscombe’s top of the bottom third, rather than bottom of the middle third. 14th place here we come!
Seriously, a strong, controlled performance, building on the confidence gained by winning away 4 days previously. Not perfect, but in a sense outstanding given the reshuffles and the squad paucity. Oh yes, and Grecians were mostly (& sadly) inept – it does help. Plaudits must go to the track-suited Bradbury; is he a good manager for 2 away wins in a week after such a poor run? Or is he garbage for that poor run? Football never ceases to amaze me.
Flahavan – barely a mistake, quite competent. Well-shielded, also away forwards somewhat incompetent.
Byrne – some football sensibilities on this advanced position.
Malone – strong attacking instincts, always a threat.
Cooper – solid, in both positions.
Barrett – committed until replaced.
Cummings – solid, no glaring errors, & a kiss for the woman at the front of our seating section at the end.
Gregory – much better – looks like a safer replacement for injured midfielders.
Carmichael – outstanding debut. A defensive midfielder should be invisible; he was, but obviously played his part in closing down, shutting out and giving it straight away to more experienced players. Evidently not fazed by such an early debut.
Pugh – had to be more defensive but still a threat when able to go forward.
Thomas – top marks for effort and goal.
Doble – pity he’s so languid. No need to keep him with Stockley in the wings, once the squad is injury-free.
Arter – full of effort & running, & some great passes especially under pressure. Seems to talk too much to the ref.
Baudry – commanding. Tackled well & cleanly, distributed well, stood on penalty spot & headed away all game. Best defensive game he’s had that I’ve seen.
Bradbury – how does he resurrect spirit in a side after 4-5 defeats? Enigma.
Honourable mentions to Baudry – big performance; Gregory – perceptive, tidy, the glue of the team in this game; but it goes (just) to Thomas – always running, looking for openings, being the outball, scoring.
AFCB: Flahavan, Purches, Baudry, Barrett, Malone, Byrne, Cooper, Arter, Pugh, Gregory, Thomas
Subs: Jalal, Fletcher, Cummings (for Barrett, 11 mins), Carmichael (for Byrne, 42 mins), Doble (for Arter, 67 mins)
Peter Wicks, Bulford