Cherries lined up with the same team that beat Rotherham last weekend, with the exception of club captain, Steve Fletcher, who was replaced by Jason Tindall, making his first start for the reds for nearly 2 years.
The game started slowly and very few chances were created for either side. The poor pitch led to some very scrappy football in the middle of the park from both teams. It was Swindon who forced their first effort on goal. A shot from the lively Cureton was blocked by Cooper. The ball fell to the on coming Gurney, but his first time header sailed harmlessly over the bar. Up the other end and Hayter had a good opening following some nice link up play with Rodrigues, but his first time volley flew wide of the near post. Bournemouth started to get a slight grip on the game and following a clever free kick from Neil Young, James O?Connor whipped a wicked ball across the front of goal only for nobody in a Bournemouth shirt to be attacking it.
After 38 long minutes, the game suddenly came to life. A cross from Bournemouth?s left was not dealt with and a smart turn and shot from Cureton beat Stewart in the Bournemouth goal to make it 1-0. The goal had been on the cards with Bournemouth failing to string a set of passes together for most of the match. Swindon, who are currently sitting second bottom of the League one table, started to pile on the pressure and cherries were somewhat fortunate not to concede a penalty, when James O?Connor appeared to handle in the box following a deep cross. Shortly after the referee brought the half to a close and the Cherries could count themselves lucky to still be in the game.
The second half began and within minutes Bournemouth were lucky to escape going 2-0 down. Yet another scramble in the Bournemouth box led to Cureton having the goal at his mercy. However, his right foot volley went sailing over the bar, when it looked harder to miss than score. However, it wasn?t long until the Robins got themselves another goal. The cherries failed to deal with yet another cross and even though Stewart made a good reaction save from Cureton, Miglioranzi was on hand to tuck he rebound into the top corner of the net and double Swindon?s advantage. This prompted Sean O?Driscoll to change formation to a more attacking 352. Swindon seemed content to sit on there 2 goal superiority and the cherries took full advantage. A break led by Steven Foley, created a chance for Hayter, whose cross was inch perfect for Rodrigues. The Portuguese striker took a touch and rifled the ball into the top hand corner of the net. It was a composed finish from the striker, who is starting to show his potential.
The south coast side suddenly remembered how to pass the ball again, and Foley was at the heart of anything good for the Cherries. His build up play led to the ball being played out wide for Purches. His cross found Foley but his powerful header was blocked by a town defender. However, it wasn?t long until Bournemouth had a golden chance to equalise. Hayter was fouled in the area by Comyn-Platt, and the Isle of Wight man brushed himself down to slide home his 15th goal of the season.
From here on it looked like there could only be one winner. But Swindon showed their resolve and recently introduced Peacock linked up well with Fallon and created some promising openings. It wasn?t long until Swindon took the lead again. The cherries defence fell asleep as a nothing ball was kept in, some what dubiously, and Rory Fallon rose unmarked to nod home a deserved goal. The Bournemouth players were furious as the ball had appeared to cross the line and there was an offside decision not given as well. I was too far away to give see whether the complaints were justified, but the time and space Fallon was aloud had nothing to do with the linesman. Minutes later a Bournemouth nearly conceded a carbon copy of Swindon?s third goal. Another cross from the right found Peacock with acres of space, but his woeful header missed the target.
With time running out Pittman came on for Rodrigues and Eddie Howe replaced Jason Tindall. Foley had a half chance with a header that drifted wide of the far post. However, it was Swindon who scored the final goal of the game. With cherries players committed upfront a mix up between Young and Stewart, gifted debutant Peacock a goal and Swindon?s fourth. The mistake sealed of a disappointing defensive display from the cherries, who in recent weeks have looked very solid.
Player Ratings
Plus Points
Rodrigues looked sharp again and Foley managed to impress even if the rest of the team didn?t. Another goal for James Hayter.
MinusPoints
When you score two goals away from home, you would normally expect to gain at least a point. The defence was a shambles today, but hopefully it was just one of those days and next week will see the return of the seamless defence we have been used to this season.
The Referee is a
Crap one. Every time I?ve seen Mick Fletcher he has been very poor and today was not an exception.
Point to ponder
We are only 6 points of a play-off place; however, we are only 10 points off being relegated!
In a nutshell
A game to forget for the team and fans, but try to look at the positives and keep scoring goals!
Report By James Coleman
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