Narrow win for AFCB over Dorchester as Chiedozie does it again

Dorchester 0 v 1 AFCB

24 July 2013

Attendance 505

AFCB went to Dorchester with a fairly young team and they certainly had their work cut out against a Magpies' side who would love to score a major upset. It was great to see that Ryan Allsop was able to play in goal and Eunan O'Kane was back in midfield, to give the Cherries some quality and drive. Donal McDermott and Jayden Stockley had another chance to do more in front of Eddie Howe and youngsters Harry Cornick and Josh Wakefield were also selected.

Just like last week there was also an old favourite who turned up in AFCB colours. It wasn't Mark Molesley this time, but Warren Cummings who recently left AFC Wimbledon and was another player between clubs trying to get some match fitness. It is good to see the club help old some of the old favourites - careers are so short these days.

According to the Echo the trialists starting for Bournemouth included Immanuel Parry from Stoke and Elloitt Legg from Hayes & Yeading.

Here are the main official tweets from AFCB on the action.

The game started with Dorchester seeming to be doing most of the pressing. After 6 minutes Walker gets the first shot of the game away but his low drive from the edge of the area proved to be an easy catch for Allsop. Again, Dorchester came forward on 15 minutes as Clough headed towards Allsop's goal but it went wide. A minute later Watson sent a low shot in towards the AFCB goal and while Allsop dived it trickled just wide.

Beasley then tried his luck from the edge of the area but his shot was caught by Allsop. Still no clear-cut chances, but it seemed that Dorchester were finding their feet quicker than AFCB from all the one-way tweets.

Clough rose well on 34 minutes to meet a teasing cross into the AFCB area but his header skimmed the crossbar and went over. Close one!

Then it was a shock to hear that AFCB had actually had a shot on goal on 37 minutes. Bassele shot from close range, but under pressure, and blasted it over. Still Dorchester 0-0. The dealock was nearly broken, two minutes later, when Harry Cornick was put through one-on-one but his low shot went wide. That was half time - 0:0.

I bet Chiedozie was desperate to get on with no goals being scored so far.

My suspiscions of a lacklustre AFCB performance were confirmed during the break when AFCB tweeted: "The Cherries have failed to find any real rhythm here. The hosts have had the better chances, but Allsop is yet to really be tested."

The Cherries made two substitutions at half time with Chiedozie and Goodship replacing Cornick and Stockley. It only took until the 47th minute before my growing pre-season goal hero did it again. Jordan Chiedozie put the Cherries 0:1 up!

Jordan Chiedozie was back in goal scoring mood for AFCB.

The game was by no means secure though and on 57 minutes Smeeton reminded AFCB of that as he had Dorchester's best chance. He sent in a stinging shot from the edge of the area, but it was well saved by Allsop. On 59 minutes Cummings and McCarthy replaced Kamau and O'Kane. It is great to see that Warren wants to extend his career, I still miss his cheeky grin. 

It was not such good news that I didn't hear one comment about O'Kane during the match, but I am hoping he was the one doing some of the work when Cornick was through in the first half and perhaps when Chiedozie scored. At least he played for an hour - much needed time.

The excitement level was raised a bit higher when on 67 minutes Dorchester came close to levelling it through former AFCB youth player Lewy Blackmore, but the chance was cleared. We then had a sub as Jones replaced McDermott after 74 minutes. Donal could be in demand if Pugh and Ritchie are struggling to make the Charlton game, so I'm pleased he is one who has had a lot of match play in the last few weeks. 

AFCB made another substitution as Kirkwood replaced Legg on 79 minutes. Chances have been at a premium here in this second half, but it so nearly could have been a draw as in the 90th minute Wilson was put through one-on-one. However, Allsop made himself big and Wilson couldn't round the 21-year-old keeper. Not a bad return to the team Ryan.

There was no more recorded action and AFCB ran out 0:1 winners thanks to Jordan Chiedozie's goal. Jordan, you have increased your lead in the Cherry Chimes pre-season goal scorers table! He'll take some catching now.

Cherries starting XI: 

Allsop, Legg, Kamau, Parry, Cargill, Wakefield, McDermott, O'Kane, Stockley, Bassele, Cornick.

Cherries subs: Collins, Chiedozie, Goodship, Jones, Kirkwood, McCarthy, Cummings.

AFCB Trialists: Elliott Legg (Hayes & Yeading), Michael Kamau (Fulham, Brentford) and Immanuel Parry (Stoke).