AFCB 1 v 0 Charlton
18 September 2014
Attendance: 10, 360 (including 1388 Charlton fans)
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| The two teams at Dean Court. |
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| Bob Peeters, Charlton's manager at Dean Court watches proceedings. |
Eddie Howe only made the one enforced change from the last match to his starting line up. With Yann Kermorgant ruled out for three matches, Brett Pitman took to the field to make his first league start of the season. The drive and chasing that Pitman showed all game underlined just how much he and all those others waiting in the wings really want to be a part of this team. A few weeks ago we saw concern and doubt at the inability of AFCB to hold on to the points when they had made strong starts to games, but the international break and the 10-man win at Bolton have done wonders for the team's confidence and this result against Charlton is all the more pleasing as it is a home performance that the players can be really proud of.
Charlton came to Dean Court with a superb record and yet they started the game very nervously, Gudmundsson giving the ball away and Ritchie forced a save from Stephen Henderson, down to hi s left as early as the second minute.
Charlton were not so lucky a minute later when Surman provided a pass to Marc Pugh who down the left and nipped past Jordan Cousins, before slipping the ball for Callum Wilson on the edge of the six yard box to put the Cherries 1-0 up from close range. AFCB fans went wild and the Charlton fans had cause to wonder why their team had not gotten out of the starting gates.
Bournemouth were relishing the chance to really go at a team at home and the corners started coming as regular as clockwork on five minutes and seven. Pugh was pushing down the left wing with enthusiasm while Pitman was finding space and springing balls through to Callum Wilson.
Charlton's main threat looked like it would come from Karlan Ahearne-Grant who saw a shot blocked by Tommy Elphick in the 10th minute. Just a moment later he had a better chance darting down the right and fighting off Steve Cook who managed to get three challenges in even when sitting on his pants in the box, which was just enough to stop the Charlton striker. The ball came out to captain Johnnie Jackson but he fired over!
The foul count was quickly mounting as referee James Linnington started to stop the match fairly regularly for offences. Wilson came close to doubling the lead on 15 minutes when a sharply taken free kick from Ritchie found him at the near post, where he promptly stabbed the ball, while the follow up from Surman went over! AFCB were in full flow now and another cross from Francis just escaped the on rushing Pugh.
A moment of alarm cam for the Cherries on 21 minutes when Daniels miss timed a tackle on Johann Berg Gudmundsson. The foul was on the edge of the box on the right side for Charlton and Artur Boruc had to be at his sharpest to palm over the shot from Gudmundsson that was heading for the top left corner of the goal.
Pitman was running everywhere and played a delightful ball up to Wilson who just could not control it as it came over his shoulder. Pitman was then at it again and this time Wilson rounded the keeper, but could only find the side netting as Henderson drove him out wide! More corners kept the pressure on and AFCB were certainly favouring the short corner. The next best move from the Cherries saw Andrew Surman go close as Henderson saved to his left. Shortly after AFCB won a free kick for handball, after Cook had launched a ball back into Charlton's defence. Pitman took the kick but smashed it well over!
As the half closed out Elphick made a good tackle on Igor Vetokele and Arter was fouled not for the first time by Jackson who some how escaped a second yellow. Wilson came close again in another sprint race with Henderson for the ball but he lost out. Then Pitman gave a lose pass that saw Ahearne-Grant break through, only for Elphick to block him out. As Charlton tried to up the pressure before half time a last minute corner for them was well defended and the score stayed 1-0.
Chimes' FanCam interviews Charlton fan Tom pre-kick off.
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| Half time fun and games. |
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| AFCB subs warm up, but Eunan O'Kane didn't even make the squad. |
The second half saw Charlton make two substitutes as off went Jackson and lead scorer Vetokele who were replaced by Moussa and Harriott. Charlton started by dallying at the back again though and Wilson might have profited, but for the covering of Bikey Amougou. Charlton soon livened up though and after a few free kicks in the middle of the pitch the Addicks came forward well with Buyens having a deflected shot going out for a corner.
AFCB fans were furious at the professional foul that Chris Solly did on Wilson when he broke free and was about to shoot on 54 minutes, a yellow card was his punishment. Henderson then picked up a yellow card for not letting go of the ball quickly enough when AFCB had won a corner. A Ritchie deflected shot resulted in a further corner.
Charlie Daniels was making more runs down the left wing now and after winning a corner on 61 minutes, Pitman played in Arter who passed on to Surman and his first time shot was saved, before Wilson picked up the rebound and turned finding Arter who smashed his shot against the bar!
On 66 minutes Charlton subbed Gudmundsson for Lawrie Wilson.The Addicks were not getting many shots on AFCB's goal but when Buyens, Cousins and Ahearne-Grant combined, Ahearne-Grant forced Boruc to make a good save down low to his left on 73 minutes.
AFCB looked to be still going for the second goal and Cook headed over on 78 minutes. Pitman had a shot blocked by Ben Haim, but time was running out now and with a series of corners AFCB managed to see out the game fairly comfortably to give Charlton their first defeat of the season. The only threat Charlton could mount was in extra time when Lawrie Wilson had a half chance of a finish with a header at the far post, but Boruc kept him out.
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| AFCB outshone Charlton to record their second home win in a row. |
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| Just the one goal but it was a comfortable win. |
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| Pitman played his part in the victory. He celebrates with Eddie Howe. |
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| Eddie Howe will be pleased with that performance. |
This game was always likely to be a tight affair. It was hard to see where Charlton were going to get a goal from unless a free kick or corner was met with a good header. They did not look like passing their way through Cook and Elphick who had solid games and Wiggins and Solly found it hard to get out of their own half with AFCB's marauding wing backs causing plenty of need for cover in Charlton's back line, especially when Wilson was likely to pick up any slight chance that Francis or Daniels could create. Although Henderson did not have to make many saves, AFCB were much the better team and the home win will give the Cherries reason to believe they can now look to the Reading game with plenty of confidence.
AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh, Pitman, Wilson
AFCB Subs
Camp, Hart, Smith, Gosling, Rantie, Fraser, Stanislas
AFCB Ratings
Boruc 7, Francis 8, Elphick 7, Cook 7, Daniels 6, Ritchie 6, Arter 7, Surman 7, Pugh 7, Pitman 7, Wilson 8
Charlton
Henderson, Solly, Ben Haim, Bikey Amougou, Wiggins, Berg Gudmundsson (Wilson), Buyens, Jackson (Moussa 45), Cousins, Adhearne-Grant, Vetokele (Harriott)
Charlton Subs
Pope, Wilson, Morrison, Moussa, Harriott, Fox, Tucudene
Referee watch
James Linnington: 5/10 a bit lenient for me
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