Purches makes surprise comeback in Wimborne Town game

Wimborne Town 1 v 2 AFCB Development squad Today saw the Development squad have its first turn at a pre-season match against Wimborne Town. As might be expected the sun was out and the game would be sweltering hot for both teams and lots of changes were likely to happen from the starting elevens. Some 406 supporters turned up for the game at Cuthbury with Stephen Purches managing of the team. With Zubar and Thomas adding experience and power to AFCB's line up it was perhaps of interest for Cherry fans to know how new signing Harry Cornick would play, but he only had 45 minutes to impress.

Picture of today's game taken by Phil Sinkinson

I'll summarise what was tweeted by AFCB below. The scoring started early with Wes Thomas netting in the first 7 minutes with what was apparently a simple tap in. Cornick also had a shot early on which went wide. Wimborne's equaliser came on 18 minutes with Mark Gamble lobbing Collins in the Cherries goal. AFCB were still creating chances and Losasso hit the bar on 25 minutes, but Gamble also could have put the Magpies ahead on 32 minutes when he had a one-on-one with Collins. It was Chiedozie though that put the Cherries back ahead just before half time - 1:2 at the break. Purches made three subs at half time - Bassele replaces Cornick, Goodship for Thomas and Musoke for Cheidozie. The second half started slowly with no chances reported in the opening 15 minutes. The first goal threatening activity in this half came from AFCB's left back, Gabriele, who crossed to Losasso on 65 minutes but the shot was blazed over. The big shock was that Stephen Purches made his come back on the 75th minute (no name given for player he replaced). I'm not sure anyone was expecting that but it must have been a welcome sight for the AFCB fans in attendance having not see Purchy on the field since February 2012. It looks like he could be ready in time for his testimonial against West Ham, next weekend, okay.

Not long after Wimborne had a nice passage of play that almost resulted in a goal but the shot was dragged wide. After 75 minutes on came Kirkwood, Hansford, McCarthy, Kaye, Harris and Buckley for the Cherries. On 84 minutes Collins was also replaced by new keeper signing Jordan Holmes. The game ended up 1:2 to Bournemouth's Development Squad.

AFCB First half XI: Collins, Sebastiao, Gabriel, Zubar,Cargill, Cornick, Wakefield, Losasso, Baily, Thomas, Chiedozie.