This match could have been oh so different ...... if only Rantie hadn't have been adjudged offside as he 'scored' in the 6th minute from a clinical pass from Pitman.
Just 4 minutes later Blackburn drew first blood as they swept forward in a relatively open period of the match, when goal scoring maching, Jordan Rhodes arrowed a diving header in to the bottom corner, well out of the reach of Allsop, that coming from a fine cross from King, having beaten Francis down the Cherries right flank.
The Cherries tried to hit back, but when the opportunity came off a Cook header, which I can only assume he was trying to loop over Kean in the Rovers goal. If that was in his mind then it was something and nothing more than tame catching practice.
Blackburn came mightily close to doubling their lead after an inexplicable free kick was conceeded by MacDonald right on the edge of the area, which resulted in a yellow card for the Cherries midfielder. The resulting free kick had to be parried by Allsop to prevent what looked like a certain goal in the 16th minute.
It wasn't long, unfortunately, before Rovers got their just reward when the Cherries seemed to get in a mess at the back when Leon Best bagged the second of the afternoon.
MacDonald was withdrawn from play just after the half hour having picked up a knock. Richard Hughes was introduced in his place.
With Blackburn keeping possession for long periods they eventually found a way to unlock the Cherries defence for a third time, which came courtesy of the penalty spot. Elphick clearly fouled King on the left hand edge of the penalty area, which was duely converted by Rhodes 4 minutes before the break. It was a stupid penalty to concede as the player concerned wasn't going anywhere. There was no need for the challenge in that part of the penalty area!!
Half time came and went with Brett Pitman, who was poor with his first time touch, replaced with Ryan Fraser. Last week we saw Middlesbrough come back, take the lead before being pegged back again. Could the same happen this afternoon? Any hopes of that 3-goal mountain being overcome were evaporated with 2 yellow cards for Richard Hughes in the first 6 minutes of the second half! Pure madness from an experienced player who, like Elphick with the foul leading to the penalty, should know better. For both fouls, the player concerned wasn't going anywhere and not in a dangerous part of the pitch. So why lunge in such a manner to get booked??
Most of the rest of the half saw the Cherries largely on the back foot, as Blackburn eased up knowing that the points were well and truely safe. The Cherries did occassionally threaten, but were not clinical enough to hurt the opposition. Elphick did sting the fingers of Kean in the Rovers goal.
A consolation did come in the 78th minute when a delightful through ball from Rantie was picked up by Fraser who neatly slid the ball under Kean for his first Cherries goal. Could there be a comeback? Sadly not but there was a few half chances, but they were easily dealt with.
Overall it cannot be disguised that the Cherries came up against a better organised side who have clearly more experience at this level then AFC Bournemouth. Something that will only come with time for the Cherries. Hopefully not too late!
As for my man of the match ....... the sponsors when for Fraser for this second half performance, which say a great deal about the performance, but I'm going for Eunan O'Kane who ran his socks off throughout the match producing some delightful touches in midfield. Lets hope that Arter returns sooner rather than later given that we're missing Hughes (suspension) and possibly MacDonald for the trip to Leeds on Tuesday!
AFCB: Allsop, Francis, Elphick, Ward, Cook, Pugh, MacDonald, O'Kane, Pitman, Grabban, Rantie
Subs: Flahavan, Harte, Addison, Surman, Hughes (for MacDonald, 32 mins), Fraser (for Pitman, HT), Coulibaly (for Pugh, 81 mins)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth