Administration Derby

AFC Bournemouth travelled to Luton Town for a relegation six pointer. Both sides have been on the receiving end of a 10 point deduction in recent weeks leaving the clubs with a very difficult task of avoiding the drop to the basement division.

The Cherries fans were in good voice from before kick off giving the players a great reception from the warm up through to the start of the first half, something that must have given the lads a boost.

Kevin Bond named an unchanged team from the side that defeating Nottingham Forest and the Cherries continued the form that had brought them 3 wins in the last 4 before today.

Luton however were in a slump, losing six of their last seven and the contrasting results showed in the sides moral from the very start.

The Cherries hustled for the ball from the kick off and looked to get forward with every opportunity, while Luton struggled to really get going.

The home sides defence struggled with the strength of Vokes and the pace of Kuffour and the Cherries strike pair both picked off a goal a piece in the opening fifteen minutes.

Vokes cooly picked up the ball on the edge of the box to round Brill for the opener, within what seemed like a minute, Kuffour pounced on a defensive lapse to squeeze home from an acute angle.

Cherries two-nil up and the supporters were in full voice. Bournemouth looked like they would score with every attack however they managed to miss a couple of easier chances than what they had managed to tuck away!

A couple of goal mouth scrambles and a Perrett chance at the back post could have seen the Cherries extend their lead even further.

Luton however inevitably came back into the game causing problems for the Cherries defence from set pieces. Stewart making a couple of good saves and Cummings clearing on the line to keep Bournemouth’s two goal cushion.

As the first half drew to a close, Max Gradel picked up the ball and from 25 yards he thundered the Cherries third into the top corner.

Half Time – Luton 0 Vs AFCB 3

Any other club and the game would be dead and buried at three nil, even away from home, but for Bournemouth we have to make it difficult and Stewart decided to give a helping hand by, well not using his.

A speculative long range effort appeared to squeeze underneath Stewart for what looked an absolute howler. I’ll wait to see it on television before writing any more on it!

The goal lifted the Luton players and the Cherries fans were reminded that there was also Luton fans inside the ground, as the home side made a noise for the first time during the game.

Luton got more into the game and threatened to pick up another, but failed to create a real clean cut chance at the other end, Kuffour was still causing problems and his turn and volley with 10 minutes remaining crashed off of the crossbar.

5 minutes later and Kuffour did claim his brace, the Cherries hit the post and the ball landed at Kuffour’s feet. There was a question of hand ball as Kuffour controlled, but he tucked inside his defender before hitting the Cherries fourth in front of the travelling support.

Luton 1 Vs 4 AFCB




Comment
In the end an emphatic victory in very difficult circumstances. In recent weeks the manor that Bournemouth have applied themselves on the pitch, showing grit and determination deserves nothing but praise.