Sadly it wasn't to be as the Cherries failed to create too many meaningful chances though out this particular contest. Their cause not helped with the dismissal of Lee Camp in the 67th minute.
As for the first half, neither sode created too many chances. Granted the better possession belonged to the Rams, and there were long periods when the Cherries were camped in their own penalty area as the hom side probed away in search for the elusive opening goal. Thankfully a comnbination of resolute defending, and some poor finishing meant that there were not too many chances on target.
As the half wore on, the Cherries came in to gthe game more and more. Not necessarily creating too much of a hreat themselves, but they did get in to their passing game, which meant that County were statues as they stood little chance of regaining possession any time soon. At the heart of the Cherries passing game were the likes of Elphick, Cook, and O'Kane, so no prizes for guessing where most of that possession was! We were not pressing too far up the pitch. It was pretty football, but it wasn't going anywhere, no where threatening.
Don't get me wrong, we did create a few chances, but as the stats showed we had 5 shots, of which two were on target. The best of those saw Callum Wilson manage to fluff his lines from 12 yards out. That was as good as it got I'm afraid.
The Rams certainly managed to get 19 shots away. The fact that only 5 were on target says a great deal too!!
The pivotal moment of the game came mid-way through the second half when Camp came charging out of his area to try and intercept the ball with Will Hughes on the charge. Camp was adjudged to have handled outside of his area which led to the inevitable red card. Thing is our hosts had throught they had scored as the ball must have rebounded off Camp and manged to trickle in to the back of the net. Cure celebrations, which were muted once it had become clear that Camp was gone and the goal dis-allowed!! At this point it was also clear that the ref had lost it too!! From tnhe resulting free kick Chris Martin rattled the up right of Flahavans goal as he was brought on, sacrificing Wilson.
The goal, when it came in the 81st minute, came from Derby's best player on the pitch, Will Hughes, who received the ball from Chris Martin, firing home in to the top right of the goal.
The Cherries tried to find an equaliser, but were caught on the break as Chris Martin was found in space in the centre of the 6-yard box following a cross from Johnny Russell to guide the ball home in the 93rd minute.
Overall a disappointing result, even though the approach play was okay - even if it lacked any bite. If Camp had stayed on I reckon we would have held on to a point. As it is we came away with nothing.
My man of the match ......... no one particularly shone in my book this evening. But weill give it to Simon Francis who probably made fewer mistakes than some of his colleagues.
AFCB: Camp, Francis, Elphick. Cook, Harte, Ritchie, O'Kane, Arter, Surman, Stanislas, Wilson
Subs: Daniels, Smith, Gosling, Pugh (for Stanisas, 56th min), Flahavan (for Wilson, 70 mins), Kermorgant (for Arter, 86 mins)
Andy Burton, Brixton