Another weekend and another six-pointer for AFCB as they entertain Cheltenham Town on Saturday. Having been defeated 2-1 at Southend last weekend, the side is now 11 points from safety, having suffered the 10 point deduction, and the longer that gap stays, the likelihood of survival diminishes even more. It`s therefore imperative the side claims 3 points this weekend, against a side near the bottom with them and with an away record even worse than The Cherries home one.
Cheltenham dramatically beat The Cherries on January 12th at Whaddon Road with a late, late David Bird goal to win 1-0. This Tuesday, the side lost 2-1 at Brighton. After taking an early lead with Steve Brooker`s first goal since he joined The Robins on loan, Cheltenham then threw the game away by conceding twice in the last 10 minutes, leaving them in 18th spot in League 1, 3 points off safety. They too thus know that a win for them on Saturday would be a vital victory and give them important points that could help them beat the drop.
Vital Quotes:
Sam Vokes spoke to The Daily Echo following the Southend game, and rued his missed chance:
‘I suppose if I’d finished that it would have been a different game. It was just a disappointing game. It was a big chance for us to take the lead, but unfortunately I missed it – some go in and some don’t… It’s a massive game next weekend and, if we win, it keeps Cheltenham down there. It’s not over until it’s over.’
After Brighton’s controversial ‘winner’ on Tuesday, Cheltenham boss, Keith Downing told the Official Cheltenham Town Website that he was non too pleased with the decision:
‘I’m fuming because ultimately a decision has cost us… I hate to blame officials because it sounds liek a cop-outand too many people do it, but here I am doing it now and I’m absoloutely fuming about it but we have to move on and get on with it… But ultimately we have lost the points and are back in the scrap again.’
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
Russell Perrett will miss out again, after suffering breathing problems ahead of last week`s match, so it`s expected Neil Young, on his return, will continue to deputise. Shaun Cooper comes back from his one-match ban, just as Danny Hollands begins his, though he would have missed out anyway with a thigh strain. Warren Cummings is expected to battle on through his knock and not join the long-term absentees of Moss, Garry, Foley and Anderton out on the sidelines.
Player to watch: Gareth Stewart
The current Cherries #1 is under plenty of fan pressure at the moment, as he is considered to be making mistake after mistake, leading to calls for young Ryan Pryce to be reinstated. With another big game now approaching, Gaz will have to be form on what could definitely be a game where there are chances at both ends, and he`ll want to do his bit for AFCB.
Cheltenham Town Team News:
Keith Downing has Alex Russell out, but Damien Spencer and Shane Duff are fighting to be in the squad after they`ve both been out for short periods. Craig Armstrong was selected over Adam Connolly and Scott Brown to play in midweek in place of Russell. Sam Foley is also now back in training after his hamstring problems. Michael Townsend also made a return in the Reserves defeat this week as well, after being out since November – he`s not expected to appear Saturday though.
Player to watch: Steve Brooker
Looking to get the ball past Gaz is on-loan Bristol City striker, Steve Brooker. He joined The Robins for a month in January and made his debut when Cheltenham won dramatically at Whaddon Road against The Cherries. He`s since made another 8 appearances on top of that, but has found the net only once. He`ll be looking to add to that as his loan draws to an end.
Match Facts & Stats:
Current Form:
AFCB – W L W W L L
Cheltenham – D L W L D L
AFCB at Home:
Played 16, Won 4, Drawn 3, Lost 9, Scored 18, Conceded 31, Points 15
Cheltenham Away from Home:
Played 16, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 12, Scored 10, Conceded 29, Points 8
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr D Drysdale
Assistant Referees: Mr S A Hooper & Mr A D Sainsbury
Fourth Official: Mr S D Tomlinson
Match Prediction:
It`s a game which AFCB need and should be winning if they`re to avoid the drop, but it`s their poor home record up against Cheltenham`s just as dire, away one, which fully indicates a draw will happen, and as much as we don`t want that, it`s what I`m plumping for: 2-2.
Next Fixture:
AFC Bournemouth v Hartlepool United (Coca Cola League 1, Saturday 1st Match 2008, 3pm)
