Following an eventful week for AFCB, where they stayed up North and lost successive matches to Leeds and Oldham 2-0, the club have now announced that a seven-figure bid for the club has been accepted. Although the buyers don`t appear to be going down well with fans, the fact the town still has a league football club I think needs to be brought into perspective as the side entertains local rivals, Yeovil Town to Dean Court with the inevitable relegation still being toyed with by the team as they offer hope, only to kill it off instantly.
Yeovil come with some fluctuating form themselves and the form that took them to the Play-Off Final last season hasn`t been present with Russell Slade`s side this season. In midweek they lost 1-0 at home to Millwall, leaving them in 17th place, though a rather safe 9 points from the relegation zone. When the two teams met at Huish Park back in December, The Cherries slumped behind 2-0 with a Alex Pearce own goal and James Walker goal, before a slight second-half comeback only resulted in a Brett Pitman penalty after Nathan Jones was sent off.
Vital Quotes:
AFCB manager, Kevin Bond, spoke to The Daily Echo after the Oldham match and vented his frustration:
‘I didn’t think there was anything between the two teams. It was one of those nights where chances were few and far between. As has been the way for us too often this season, we gave them two penalties and gifted them the game… If we could eradicate those silly sort of things, we’d have been an awful lot better off.’
Russell Slade, speaking to The Western Gazette, bemoaned his side’s performance gainst Millwall as the Glovers are sucked closer to the relegation zone:
‘There is a little comfort from the results but you have got to take care of your own destiny and we didn’t do that. I was disappointed, after a bright start, with the second-half performance. There are nine games left and it is important we look to finish the season on the best possible note. We go to Bournemouth on Saturday in search of a win and on the brighter side we have Lee Peltier back in contention after serving his two-match suspension.’
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
Stewart, Moss, Garry, Perrett, Foley and Anderton are keeping Steve Hard busy, and Neil Young has now joined them after picking up another knock on Tuesday, which lead to his substitution. He`s not expected to be fit in time. The goalkeeping situation could lead to Ryan Pryce returning as David Forde`s initial week loan has now ended with no news on an extension, but Kevin Bond is trying. Lee Bradbury and Jo Tessem also missed the last two games, the former with a viral infection, the latter with a back problem. The Youth team will be filling the bench once more.
Player to watch: Max-Alain Gradel
The Cherries could do with more invention and creative from the dazzling on-loan winger this weekend against a Yeovil backline that has conceded 44 league goals this year. Another goal to add to his total of 8 in 29 appearances could provide the required boost for AFCB to go on and win the game. Exemplary this season considering the off-field problems he`s suffered.
Yeovil Town Team News:
Paul Warne is now out for the season after breaking a metatarsal bone. Jaime Peters isn’t likely to play after injurying himself against Millwall. Scott Flinders has had his loan spell from Crystal Palace extended whilst Steve Mildenhall recuperates from his injury. Lee Morris` contract was terminated this week as he struggles to make another comeback from injury. Jean Christophe has also joined on loan from Pompey this week, and the ex-Cherry made his debut v Millwall. Matty Rose was unable to return to the team in midweek but was on the bench after picking up a knock last weekend. Marc Bircham and Zoltan Stieber are trying to get back into the matchday squad after periods out. Nathan Jones and James Brown are the long-term absentees. Lee Peltier returns from suspension.
Player to watch: Marcus Stewart
Having always scored at every club he`s been at after bursting onto the scene at Huddersfield, Stewart has bagged 4 goals in 28 appearances in his second season at the club, with a new partnership with Andy Kirk pointing to being successful. Competition from Lloyd Owusu will also keep the 35 year old veteran on his toes as his career winds down.
Match Facts & Stats:
Current Form:
AFCB – L L D W L L
Yeovil – W L L D W L
AFCB at Home:
Played 18, Won 5, Drawn 4, Lost 9, Scored 22, Conceded 33, Points 19
Yeovil Away from Home:
Played 18, Won 4, Drawn 6, Lost 8, Scored 14, Conceded 22, Points 18
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr G L Ward
Assistant Referees: Mr T McCoy & Mr M G West
Fourth Official: Mr J J Linington
Match Prediction:
Yeovil`s form keeps fluctuating but they haven`t won away from Huish Park since 16th December. An opportunity for AFCB is thus there for them to grab in this local(ish) derby. Whether they take it or not is another matter though, I think they might just, 1-0.
Next Fixture:
Gillingham v AFC Bournemouth (Coca Cola League 1, Saturday 22nd Match 2008, 3pm)
