Sept 7 Exeter City 1-3 AFC Bournemouth Att: 4466

The first ten minutes saw incessant Exeter pressure. On the 3 minute mark Goodman after a great turn was in on goal only to see his shot well blocked by Shaun Maher. Worse was to come on the 7 minute mark with the Cherries conceding a free kick on the Exeter right. Maybe the defence expected a cross, but the net result was Tardif was totally unsighted as Roscoe made it 1-0 to Exeter with a low driven shot. Rapidly sobering up now (after 5 pints of local ale before the game) I feared the worse. But Exeter were unable to capitalise on their good start.

On the 28 minute mark the Cherries burst into life, waking up the large away support with a bullet header from Derek Holmes that was well saved by the Exeter keeper. The rebound fell to Broadhurst - GOAL SURELY - but no it was somehow blocked by a defender virtually on the line. It was now a different game, with Exeter visibly wilting under the pressure. On 36 minutes came the equaliser. A one-two between Elliott and the hugely impressive Connell left Connell clear in the area to chip Miller from about 20 yards. A brilliant goal 1-1 celebrations all round.

Minutes later Bournemouth in their distinct yellow shirts were in again. Deadly Derek put Watson under enough pressure in the area to force him to handle. Penalty!!!!!!!!!! Up stepped Wade Elliot to coolly convert the kick – 2-1 to the Bournemouth!!! That was the last action of any consequence of the first half despite an astonishing 4 minutes of time added on being played.


The second half was a relatively quiet affair with Bournemouth well in charge. The 66 minute mark saw the impressive Danny Thomas, who had run Exeter ragged, being replaced by Garreth O'Connor, and shortly after Connell came off to a huge ovation from the travelling Cherries support, being replaced by James Hayter. On about the 70 minute mark Santos was sent off much to the disgust of the home support for his second yellow of the afternoon.

The resultant free kick on the edge of the area was moved forward 10 yards for dissent. Goal I said before it was taken, and goal it was with Garreth O'Connor blasting an unstoppable shot into the Exeter net – 3-1 to Bournemouth.

The best entertainment was yet to come with on the 78 minute mark Holmes being replaced by the legend himself, Chukki Eribenne, who was greeted with delirious cheers every time he touched the ball and fell over!!!!! It could have been 4-1 and maybe should have, with Hayter clean through but Miller made a great save. Carl Fletcher even joined in the fun, narrowly missing with a lob from the half way line with Miller nowhere. After 5 minutes of time added on, the final whistle went to scenes of celebrations from the team management and supporters to a well deserved victory.

Alan Connell. But in truth, numerous candidates. Thought Browning and Carl Fletcher had their best game together, to name but a few.

AFCB: Tardif, Purches, Broadhurst, Maher, Tindall, Elliott, C Flecther, Browning, Thomas, Holmes, Connell.
Subs: O'Connor (for Thomas, on 66), Hayter (for Connell, on 70), Chukki (for Holmes, on 76), Bloomfield, Foyewa

Rob Mann, Devon