STEVE FLETCHER TESTIMONIAL AFC Bournemouth 5-4 Portsmouth Att: 6646

Last updated : 20 July 2003 By Andy Burton
Once all the 'after dinner speaches' were done and dusted, the match got under way on a scorching July afternoon. Portsmouth played their new signings Teddy Sherringham and Boris Zivkovic.































Not surprisingly the game didn't start at lightening pace, as both sides were evenly matched footballing wise. But it was Bournemouth who struck first blood (20 mins) in this friendly. Warren Feeney sweetly volleyed home from the edge of the box to put the home side in the lead.

Neil Moss had to alert as he made a good save with his legs from Todorov. Moss also saw Patrick Berger miss a couple of sitters. A player of his calibre should have done much better!! Having levelled through Sherringham, Portsmouth took the lead just before half time as Todorov saw his header deflected past Neil Moss by Carl Fletcher. Straight from the kick off, Bournemouth restored parity as O'Connor fired in a low shot, keeper Wapenaar couldn't hold on to the ball, which presented Feeney with an easy tap in from about 12 yards out.

HT: 2-2

The second half was equally entertaining. A corner was awarded to Bournemouth. The ball was fired in low to the near post for Carl Fletcher to fire home.

Todorov was again lively, even though he had three Bournemouth defenders around him, he managed to find Quashie in space to fired past Moss for another equaliser.

With the introduction of fresh legs to the game Wade Elliott stamped his mark on the game as he beat his man on the right side of the pitch to produce an exquisite cross, and who was there in the centre STEVE FLETCHER to score Bournemouth's 4th with a trade mark header. You just knew that Big Fletcher was going to score!! Soon after the 4th goal, Steve departed for triallist Aaron Skelton, who first touch of the ball was to fire Bournemouth in to a 5-3 lead!!

Sherringham fired home the last goal of the afternoon, but a mere consolation for the Premiership new boys.

Ex-Cherry Richard Hughes made an appearance, and booed the ex-Exiles Club President. He played at left back and never look the part there!!

Steve Fletcher

AFCB: Moss, Young, Purches, Browning, Feeney, Maher, C Fletcher, Stock, S Fletcher, O'Connor, Hayter, Broadhurst
Subs (used): Elliott, Holmes, Thomas, Saadi, Woolfenden, Skelton, Tubbs
(Unused): Skrivens
Andy Burton, Portsmouth