Bournemouth Vs Northampton

A good performance buoyed the Cherries management but left the majority of fans leaving Dean Court bemused how their team didn`t seal all three points.

First Half

Darren Anderton opened the scoring around the 30 minute mark, and as a result changed the game, giving the Cherries a much needed kick up the bum.
Bradbury laid off the ball to the oncoming ex-England international, who made no mistake in scooping the ball up and into the net.
Anderton almost made it two with a free kick attempted that needed parrying by the Cobblers keeper.

Asmir Begovic continues to impress between the cherries sticks making a hatrick of crucial saves in the first 45.
Despite Northampton ending the half with an fluffed chance that could of drawn them level, Bournemouth on the whole enjoyed much of the better play and facing a lesser keeper could have been 3 or perhaps more goals to the better by the half time break.

Second Half

The second half also started promising; the cherries looked the brighter and seemed likely to extend their lead.
The twelve man Cobblers based their offence around the counter-attack and surprisingly drew level during the cherries best period of play, breaking quickly to sucker punch Bournemouth.
A Bradley Johnson cross caught the cherries defence by surprise and was volleyed home by the charging Colin Larkin. Begovic had no chance.

The action was fast and furious with chances for both sides to get a winner. However, perhaps the biggest talking point of the game was the penalty decision, or rather the lack of!
From where I was sitting Jo Kuffour burst into the box, lifted the ball in the air to avoid the on rushing goalie and was clattered by the Northampton keeper. Other reports of the incident (ahem) vary.

Bournemouth pushed hard for the winner, but alas it did not come. We did get something from the game mind you, Russell Perret did his hamstring and is out for a month, Warren Cummings broke his arm and Ryan Garry is having to have an x-ray on his leg. YAY! (That`s sarcasm folks!)

Bournemouth: Begovic, Garry, Gowling, Perrett (Cummings 48 (Christophe 61)), Young, Telfer, Anderton, Hollands, Gradel, Kuffour (Vokes 82), Bradbury.
Subs Not Used: Moss, Pitman.
Goals: Anderton 34.
Northampton: Bunn, Dolman, Hughes, Doig, Crowe, Gilligan (Larkin 68), Russell (Brett Johnson 89), Bradley Johnson, Holt, Kirk, Hubertz.
Subs Not Used: Dunn, May, Dyer.
Booked: Dolman, Bradley Johnson, Doig.
Goals: Larkin 78.

Darren Anderton - Good goal, and two very good freekick attempts rounding off a classy show. What a question! It seems to be that points of view vary, depending largely on your..um..well point of veiw.

srdeverill - I was sat about 1 yard out of the box on the side and if it wasnt a penalty then i dont know what is.

GaryRB - From where I was sat back right of NS, thought the keeper might have played the ball and his motion took him through Kuffour. Seen them given, but alas like today also refused. Despite Kevin Bond putting the result down to bad luck, some Cherries fans don't agree.

TommyGodwin - Can't rely on penalties; relegation battle is looming if this team can't get it's BLEEP together pretty soon and score more goals than we concede. Simple physics Kevin!

vernewood - There were too many high balls up to Bradders for the old 'Fletch Nod Down To Hayts' routine. We look much more threatening with the ball played on the ground to, or by, Kuffour and Gradel, and I don't understand why we don't do it more often.

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