Bourne Slippy: Bournemouth Report

By: Andy Lumbard
Date: 16/12/2003

THE ground formerly known as Dean Court, now being a smart three-sided stadium - similar to Rushden's, but without the village atmosphere - had attracted a healthy crowd from the enticement of Christmas shopping.

Bournemouth 0 Grimsby Town 0
13 Dec 2003, Nationwide League Division 2

The programme, meanwhile, made a great many passing and, yes, complimentary references to the last meeting of the two clubs.

Town warmed up with the circle routine. Davison and Pettiger were left to their own entertainment, skidding the ball over a very greasy surface. Half the Bournemouth side donned luminous vests for a quick game of seven-a-side without keepers.

About 120 Town fans were in the East Stand, situated between halfway and the penalty area, saving their wildest cheers for the announcement of Alan Pouton's appearance. Congrats to the stadium announcer for his pronunciation, which was better than "Darren Maans...eraram" in the second half.

A fine rain began to fall 10 minutes before kick off, making it even slipperier than it was during the warm-up routines.

First half

Bournemouth kicked off towards the mud-bank and lawnmower end. Pouton got the first tackle in before the ball left the centre circle, looking pleased to be back. Town played with Iffy up front, Boulding and Jevons behind him, Campbell, Pouton and Crowe in the middle, and Macca, Edwards, Crane and Barnard in defence. Was it the seasonal Christmas tree formation?

Iffy had a 20-yard shot after about five minutes that neither piled nor drove to the right post, but was on target (see below). With the first Bournemouth break being flagged for offside, the linesman was happy to receive the complimentary remarks from his adoring fans by giving a thumbs-up signal behind his back.

A good break by Jevons down the right only needed Onuora to meet it with his swinging left foot... oh, well. Onuora was booked for a late, awkward-looking tackle on the centre-half. Then after 26 minutes Feeney picked up the ball in his own half, attempted to round Pouton in the centre circle, was tackled and fell to earth. Free kick, Pouton disagrees and bends over Feeney to wag a finger of dissatisfaction under his nose. Ref 'has a word'. Pouton 'has a word' with Feeney as he returns to defend the kick.

Two minutes later Pouton is subject to a vicious-looking two-footed tackle from Stock, who is deservedly sent off. Pouton lies prone. Crowe takes exception to the tackle and sticks up for his mate; there then follows the 'usual' pushing, shoving and holding back. Crowe is sent off.

Jevons was booked for a shoulder charge along the right touchline that may have been elbow into back and resulted in the poor unfortunate running very close to the front row of seats.

That was the first half, that was.

Stu's half-time toilet talk was somewhat overshadowed by an interview with Bob Wilson being relayed across an overbearing PA system. He was signing his new book in the bar afterwards, but (seriously) all proceeds go to a very deserving cancer charity.

The report continues in the Second Half.

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