Promotion shopped at Burtons!

Bournemouth gained promotion in front of a euphoric travelling support as they swept aside Burton at the Pirelli Stadium to storm into League One.

A 25th league goal of the season from Brett Pitman started early promotion celebrations on the packed terracing before Alan Connell confirmed it with his first touch to send the 1700 travelling fans into ecstasy.

Eddie kept faith with the side that had beat Darlington last week, Garry failing a late fitness test. The build up and anticipation in the ground was crackling and from the off Bournemouth tore into their opponents looking for a nerve settling opener.

Top scorer Pitman squandered two early chances to grab the lead – firstly heading wide when Fletcher laid the ball on a plate six yards out and then being put clean through by Feeney on the right but firing across goal.



Burton fought hard in the face of incessant Bournemouth pressure with some tasty tackles flying in and Mcgrath booked for an elbow on Hollands. Harrard shot just over on a rare breakaway but the pressure went back the other end with Bartley in imperious form winning back possession. Pitman headed Feeney’s corner narrowly over as the hunt for promotion gathered pace.

It was looking like a fruitless afternoon for Pitman who volleyed millimetres wide from Fletcher’s knock back and then shot straight at Poole’s midriff when released by Feeney.

Just before half time though the Cherries were indebted to Jalal who pulled off a tremendous diving save to keep Pearson’s bullet header out of the bottom corner.

HT Burton 0 Bournemouth 0

The second half saw a pumped up Bournemouth attacking their massed red army on the terraces. Hollands nearly sparked the party but his 20 yard dipping drive flew onto the roof of the net. We were dominating like a home game and with the fans balanced 50/50 in a 3600 attendance it felt like attacking the North Stand.

As the tension mounted Feeney’s low cross fell to Fletcher but he turned on the six yard box like an oil tanker and his shot was blocked. With the big man causing chaos he then headed to Pearce whose shot was blocked at point blank range by the busy Poole.

Burton then had a brief spell of ascendancy but Pearce and Cooper were outstanding in preventing any opportunities and Pearce and Bradbury were booked as they fought tooth and nail.

The magic moment was about to arrive though – and it was fitting that our terrorising front two were in the middle of it. Bradbury swung a free kick into the box, Fletcher rose majestically to head back into the middle and PITMAN swivelled into a bicycle kick to thump a left foot volley past Poole and send the massed travelling support into celebratory mode.

With the crescendo rising Pitman brilliantly robbed Kelly on a long chase before getting up and thumping a curling drive inches wide. At one nil though you are never safe and in the only noteworthy attack the home side had in the second half Jalal was sharply off his line to block sub Kabba’s drive.

Eddie threw on Connell for Fletch with four minutes left and precipitated a Roy of the Rover’s moment that the blonde hitman will never forget. Instantly Robinson broke down the left and calmly waited on the by-line for support to arrive. His cross was too close to Poole who parried it across the six yard box where CONNELL arrived to joyfully bundle the ball home and milk the adulation of a jubilant riot of red shirted mayhem. All the squad ran from the dugout to share his magic moment at the corner flag. We were going up!!!!

FT Burton 0 Bournemouth 2

Jalal 8 – Imperious handling and one world class save.

Bradbury 7 – Marked his winger well and supported intelligently.

Pearce 8 – Vital blocks and thou shalt not pass attitude.

Cooper 8 – Like he has played all year – intelligent interceptions.

Wiggins 7 – Athletic and combative – sign him up.

Feeney 7 – Ran himself ragged and caused problems.

Hollands 8 – Fought tooth and nail in a battle stricken centre.

Bartley 9 – Majestically strong, ran hard – they had no answer.

Robinson 7 – Less involved out wide but kept going to set up 2nd.

Fletcher 8 – Won every header and held ball superbly.

Pitman 8 – More profligate than normal but buzzed and who else would have scored like that.


Verdict
A proud, proud day. This team have overcome such a lot to fight harder than anyone for promotion. Hard work and being tactically set up perfectly by Eddie and Jason has got us back to our rightful position. Today we were so determined and controlling it was a joy to watch. Gone are the days when we bottled it under pressure or against physical intimidation. The sheer will to win by every player was something to behold. While as usual we missed a hatful of chances our vital diamond Pitman settled the nerves with another majestic finish in a superlative season. Great to see the maligned Connell get some just rewards for hard work and a personally difficult year on such a glorious occasion. Today was a day of long memories – watching the players, board and fans united at the end singing ‘ f*** you to the football league’ was one I will take to the grave. Heroes – every bloody one of them! Well done to Burton staff and fans for hosting us so hospitably and with such good grace and humour. We will all long remember that too and good luck to them for next year.
Report by Neil Dawson