The rain poured and the wind roared straight down the pitch as the game kicked off. Having lost the toss the Cherries kicked off against the breeze.
The game came to life within 5 minutes when a home team defender inexplicably handled in the area. Brett Pitman stepped up to take the kick and placed it to the left of the keeper. Whether it was under hit or not I`m not sure but the keeper got down very well and pushed it past the post.
Although against the wind the Cherries dominated most of the half and Ricky Sapleton was getting little change out of the defence. On one their infrequent visits to the Bournemouth half Macclesfield, who to be fair did play some nice football on the floor, were give a free kick approximately 35 yards. The free kick was floated on the wind and landed on the top of the hapless Garry`s head and looped over the keeper, who was standing off his line, to give the home team the lead. Garry and his colleagues complained bitterly that he had been pulled down but to no avail. Many in the media will say that it was a Brisley goal but the away fans, well those sat near me, clearly saw the ball bounce off Garry`s head. (Mind you I said that Fletch scored at Bury!)
The stadium announcer had just informed the crowd that there were three extra minutes in the first when a cross/pass from the right found Pitman just outside the box from where he rifled a thunderbolt volley into the bottom corner of the match.
Garry and Sapleton seemed to have hold of each other`s shirt for much of the first half and just before half time Garry was unfortunate to be on the wrong side of a myopic refereeing decision and, following a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other, he got a yellow card.
Half time Macclesfield 1 AFCB 1
When the second half started it became clear that it was actually better to be playing against the wind. Macclesfield started very strongly and playing some good football were unlucky not to take the lead on a couple of occasions. Corner kicks were particularly difficult to deal with.
However, the defence were dealing with everything that was thrown at them although there were a few moments of panic.
About midway through the half Connell was replaced by The Big Man and the pattern of play changed. Whereas previously we had used the flanks with Feeney and Cummings threatening, the long ball came into play. Although Fletcher did not dominate he clearly kept the defenders involved and this gave Pitman more space.
This was plain to see when the Cherries took the lead. Following a corner which had been knocked away Cummings chipped the ball back into the box and Pitman scored with a well taken glancing header past the home keeper.
The game could have been sealed 5 minutes later when Pitman hit an audacious lob from 30 yards which, with the keeper well beaten, hit the bottom of the post.
In between Bradbury received a yellow card, which will mean he has to sit out one game in the near future.
The home team hit back and a couple of close efforts kept the away supporters on the edge of their seats with Jalal making one important save in particular. Sammy Igoe joined the fray for the last few minutes but I`m not sure he touched the ball.
Player Ratings
JALAL – 7 –
Played well, kicked well especially against the wind and made a couple of important saves. Unlucky with the goal which just looped over his head
BRADBURY – 6 –
Solid game but was caught out a couple of times by a speedy wing man. Got a yellow card
PEARCE – 7 –
The wind caused problems today and at times was severely tested, particularly against a tall centre forward. Solid performance.
GARRY – 7 –
As with Pearce had problems getting hold of the ball. Very unlucky with the goal, appeared to be impeded. Deserved to be booked but the ref should have booked Sapleton as well.
CUMMINGS – 8 –
I thought this was the best game I`ve seen him play. Good defensively against a very quick full back who ran at him all afternoon and was always dangerous going forward, no more so than from crosses, one of which led to the second goal.
ROBINSON – 7 –
When we were defending he got his foot in a lot and was always looking for an outlet.
HOLLANDS – 6 –
He worked very hard but when he won the ball he gave it away easily on too many occasions for me.
BARTLEY – 7 –
Very combative and made some surging runs. Won some very important balls when we were under pressure
FEENEY – 6 –
Saw a lot of the ball but didn`t deliver very often today. He either ran out of room or took one touch too many.
CONNELL – 6 –
He and Pitman didn`t seem to be on the same page very often today. Too many flicks went astray and he rarely got into scoring postions
PITMAN – 9 –
He may be petulant and he may moan at some of his team mates, Alan Connell was the recipient this afternoon, he took his two goals extremely well. He should have had three, the penalty, and could have had four. the lob. He will get 20 goals this season, if he stays all year.
FLETCHER – 7 –
His presence clearly had an effect on the defence and Pitman was able to make the most of the room available
IGOE – N/A –
At least he was able to run off the coach journey
Eddie Howe
(Speaking on Radio Solent after the game)
‘To come back from a goal down is a great feat and I’m absolutely delighted with the lads.
‘To find yourselves one down, the lads could have easily gone the other way but they responded again like they have many times.
‘Even I was expecting a scrappy game but we were passing it around like it was a summer’s day.’
Summary
I`ve seen three away games so far this season. Although we weren`t as silky as at Bury on the opening day of the season we played much better football than we did at Accrington. Macclesfield are not a bad side, they tried to play football to feet (except the goalkeeper who overhit most things in the first half) and they had some very quick players. But this is the sort of team we should be beating if we are to succeed.
So job done
