Bournemouth maintained their six point cushion with a workmanlike but slightly edgy win over Hereford tonight with Pitman scoring twice to take his tally for the season to 25.
Eddie made one change for the match – the Big Man returning as predicted for the crucial run in home games – with Igoe dropping to the bench and Connell reverting to left midfield.
The game started edgily for the home promotion hopefuls with Hereford enjoying the spirit of freedom from being involved in any end of season shake ups and playing expansive football. Ex Weymouth favourite Mccallum was particularly lively forcing two early saves from Jalal as Bournemouth searched for their rhythm.
When they found it Pitman looped a header onto the roof of the net from Fletcher’s knock back. The big man caused havoc in the box all night on a good return and it started to keep the play condensed at the Hereford end. Feeney and Connell were unable to beat their markers for pace though and the play was a little predictable, including the set pieces which were frequent but easily dealt with.
It was going to take something out of the ordinary to break the deadlock and when Hollands chased a high ball into the box and was tripped on the turn by Rose the opportunity came from the penalty spot. PITMAN confidently thumped the ball into the top right hand corner with Bartlett going the other way.
The goal precipitated a golden quarter of an hour for Bournemouth but with shades of Lincoln away, none of the chances were taken. Holland’s lob was cleared off the line, Robinson’s acute chip was tipped over by Bartlett who later excelled himself to keep out Pitman’s drive from Fletcher’s cut back. It was glorious football with Pitman at the heart of every move and Hollands tigerish in keeping the momentum.
However at one nil you are never safe and a timely reminder of this came, like Bradford last week, when Constantine nearly broke the post with a thumping drive from Jervis’s lay off.
HT Bournemouth 1 Hereford 0
At half time Howe sensibly replaced the ineffective Connell with Igoe and the Cherries launched the half with another golden spell of total football. Igoe combined brilliantly with Pitman for the top scorer to swivel and thump a glorious volley that was met with an equally good tip around the post by the busy Bartlett.
Bournemouth then started to run a little out of steam as the tense reality of a 1-0 home lead and the weight of expectation started to play on their minds. We started to give the ball away regularly and it was now that the resoluteness of the back four came into their own as they cajoled away and blocked any decent Hereford attacks.
Once again though an error from Rose made the game safe. Dallying on a long clearance he was robbed by the hungry PITMAN just past the half way line. There was still a lot of work to do but the Cherries goal machine set off down the middle, outpaced Jones and cleverly waited before thumping low past Bartlett for goal 25. A great piece of work.
Bournemouth then played out the game with consummate ease. Pitman had one volley wide from Igoe’s clever pass as the hat-trick search proved fruitless. There was one twist yet to come as Hereford broke on to a long ball with Jalal miles from his goal and Hereford’s best player on the night, PUGH, slotted past him 35 yards out and into an empty net. Luckily though, as they kicked off, the referee blew for full time.
FT Bournemouth 2 Hereford 1
Jalal 7 Kicking perfection and good on crosses. Wandered at end.
Bradbury 7 Solid and good in possession
Pearce 7 Dealt with aerial threat well and uncompromising
Bartley 7 Calm, good coming forward and always in control
Wiggins 7 Good overlapping and kept tight eye on lively Mccallum
Feeney 6 A little out of sorts and looks short on confidence.
Robinson 6 Solid and good defensively – not as dominant as usual.
Hollands 8 Ran the show and won everything – drove us on.
Connell 6 Bright at times away from goal but no substance.
Fletcher 7 Dominant aerially, hard working and talismanic.
Pitman 8 Great second, calm penalty lovely link play.
The Verdict
Its all about results at this stage – and tonight we gave a professional account to see off lively challengers. The work ethic was superb and as with Saturday we created a lot of chances, particularly first half. Fletcher was a good fulcrum and the only concern is getting the wide positions ticking – they didn’t today. This team deserve promotion for their backs to the wall approach to a hard year, and what they achieved at the back end of last season too. We are never spectacular, but have a goal machine and a work ethic second to none. Two more home performances of this ilk will see us safe and then Howe can look at the creative ability for next season – we have just enough to get out this division but would need more next year. For the moment though lets just savour another job well done from a heroic small squad.
Report by Neil Dawson
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