A typical game of two halves came to a satisfying conclusion at Dean Court on Saturday afternoon as visitors Nottingham Forest shared a draw with host AFC Bournemouth.
With the house packed to almost capacity, 9222 spectators contributed to a rousing atmosphere fit for any match. Boss Sean O?Driscoll would later say ‘Usually when we get a full house we get an exciting game, and this was no different’.
Forest had the better of the first half chances, the earliest of which came from a drive from David Johnson. The £3million man firing a shot into the arm?s of keeper Gareth Stewart, but for the keeper to spill the ball yet collect again just in front of the goal line.
The visitors went ahead in the 19th minute, a cross from Johnson meeting the feet of tumbling ex-Gills midfielder Nicky Southall.
Forest continued to pile on the pressure, and it could have been 2-0 when James Perch rose to meet a corner ball but to see his attempt raise just over the cross bar.
Going into the half time break Forest had clearly had the better of the game, but panic was no set into the home fans, with the possible (and maybe expected) turn around in the second half we have seen on more than one occasion since settling into the Fitness First Stadium.
HALF TIME ? AFC Bournemouth 0 ? 1 Nottingham Forest
The Cherries came out the brighter in the second half, and with much of the play remaining with Bournemouth the team and fans were rewarded with a goal on 64 minutes. A corner played short to Brian Stock could have temped him to cross the ball across goal, yet cutting back and chipping the ball to the back post with his left foot saw keeper Paul Gerrard?s outstretched arm fail to see off the attempt and erupt the home fans as they watched the ball drop into the back of the net.
Bournemouth continued to pile on the pressure, with a miraculous set of saves from the hands of Gerrard. Notably a one-on-one stop versus Cooke to tip it around the post, and a succession of three shots on goal, the last from James O?Connor that also squandered Bournemouth?s attempts to take the lead.
Immediately after the equaliser Marcus Browning made way for the return of Steve Fletcher, and the importance of his presents was all to clear for all to see. Immediately there was an understanding between both him and James Hayter, a very reassuring sight.
Cooke was showing a gifted ability to retain the ball, and Stock, having had a average first half rid any bad memories and showed his ability to control the passage of play.
While Bournemouth continued to have much of the play in the second half, time was eventually called on a match that possible sent out a sign of relief from the travelling fans, or instantly chanted Gerrard?s name and applauded their keeper. A good match, and one that could have seen all three go to the home tram had it not had been for some quality saves in the final 45.
FULL TIME ? AFC Bournemouth 1 ? 1 Nottingham Forest
Player Ratings
Dean Court Watch
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Report by Chezza
Manager Rating
Sean O’Driscoll – 8/10
‘Usually when we get a full house they are exciting games and that was no different. I?m disappointed not to come away with the three points but credit to Paul Jerrard for a fantastic save from Cookie and then they cleared off the line a couple of times.’
Opponent Rating
Gary Megson 7/10
?We have a tendency to shoot ourselves in the foot, although Steve Fletcher gave them a different dimension,?
Ref Watch
Not a single booking in a match that could have seen several. Not at all wiling to show authority in a game that needed it. As a result, players were able to get away with much more, except the pettiness concerning certain events or playing advantage. Quite poor really.
In a Nutshell
Another example of a game of two halves, but with the second half going Bournemouth?s way you could easily say it should have been a home win. Yet, a satisfactory result of course, and we look forward to the return trip on the final day of the season.
Report by Chezza
