Angella turns redder than table topping Cherries in under a minute: 2-0

Match Report

AFCB 2 v 0 Watford

30 January 2015

Attendance: 10,904

Watford players about to take on AFCB and Tommy Elphcik before the coin toss.

The cameras certainly got a quick story at Dean Court last night. While it is rare to see a red card offence in the first minute of a game, Gabriele Angella probably wished he hadn't even walked out on the pitch. He was so caught out by Callum Wilson turn of speed that the referee decided that a red card was coming his way. A goal scoring opportunity denied? High feet? I'm not so sure but you are always pleased when the opposition go down to 10 men. It was just the confidence booster the Cherries needed and with Callum Wilson proving impossible to shackle, it was no surprise that Craig Cathcart made one lunge too many and conceded a penalty in the 34th minute and Yann Kermorgant smashed home the kick to give AFCB the lead. It was a lead they doubled in the second half when Matt Ritchie lashed home a ball  that fell to him on the right side of the penalty box and the Cherries had reasserted their dominance at the top of the table with a solid win over one of their promotion rivals.

The cameras are in place.

The flags are being waved.

And the teams are out.

More pictures around the stadium are up now on Match Day Gallery.

After the cup defeat against Aston Villa, AFCB fans expected lots of change and indeed there were but if compared with the last league game against Leeds the only change was Yann Kermorgant coming in for Brett Pitman who sat on the bench. Watford made two changes from their last game against Blackpool with Parades and Vydra dropped to the bench while Watson and Munari started for them.

Choosing ends.

Watford get ready.

The cameras buzz around AFCB.

All the main excitement came in that first minute when Callum Wilson was sent a through ball from Yann Kermorgant who had robbed Daniel Tozser in possession and Angella went in on Wilson and was undoubtedly adjudged to be Watford's last man, although Cathcart looked pretty much level with the incident when it happened. Referee Lee Probert perhaps just viewed it as a goal scoring opportunity prevented by a reckless challenge. Even though the home crowd were yelling "off, off, off!", I was still surprised to see a red card, but mightily pleased. Angella walked off extremely unhappy with the decision and kicked something in front of the dugout in frustration. 

AFCB could not make anymore from the incident though as the free kick from Kermorgant was deflected out for a corner. Watford reshuffled a bit to have a back four of with Cathcart and Hoban as the centre back pairing. Bournemouth did not settle though and Boruc made a couple of shaky clearances while Marc Pugh was losing the ball too often on the left wing. Watford had regrouped well and Odion Ighalo soon saw his first shot get blocked after he had won the first corner.

At the other end Heurelho Gomes came flying out of his goal to push away a cross from the right wing which would have seen Pugh in on goal if he had not made some kind of contact. This was the Championship's two best offences going head to head all right and Ikechi Anya shot wide next to the right of AFCB's goal. Things started to calm down more with just a header from Kermorgant and a long distance shot from Ighalo adding to the off target shots.

Artur Boruc was still being careless with his kicking but at least found touch, but Arter was misplacing passes as well and Watford were getting stronger as the first 20 minutes went passed. The Hornets were really putting in the tackles and while Ritchie always seemed on for a pass, Watford were closing down space well with 10 men. Matters livened up again after a period of sustained possession for AFCB which must have seen 20 odd passes, before Daniels crossed to Yann Kermorgant who took the ball down with one foot and then thundered a shot against the bar with his other foot! It would have been another goal of the season candidate.

Watford were still looking good on the break though, and when Steve Cook obstructed Troy Deeney on Watford's right wing his name went in the book. Watford went close from the resultant kick as AFCB did not clear well and the ball stayed around the D before a Watson's foot stabbed a shot that trickled past Boruc's right upright.

AFCB were taking charge of the game though and Charlie Daniels's crosses were causing a real problem for Watford. In fact, that was so much so that Daniel Tozsier diverted one of them towards Callum Wilson who got in front of Craig Cathcart and the Watford defender put out his right leg trying to get to the ball, but only ended up fouling Wilson and Lee Probert pointed to the spot. Kermorgant put his laces through the ball and hammered the penalty down the middle to give AFCB the lead on 35 minutes.

Not long after Harry Arter was shown the yellow tackle for a poor challenge on Gianni Munari. AFCB soon got back into their rhythm though and Gomes made a fumble from a Francis cross before it was hastily cleared by a defender for a corner. After a shot from Harry Arter that caused Gomes to make a low save and Charlie Daniels shooting wide, the best Watford could offer was to see Deeney have his shot blocked as we reached half time with the home team one up.

Half time - the subs warm up.

The first cup of the season on display. 
The Youth Alliance south west title goes to AFCB.

Half time score.

Second Half

Watford brought on Daniel Pudil for Munari at the start of the second half making their back four look like Anya, Cathcart Hoban and Pudil. They were pretty much occupied form that start of the second half with an early corner to defend and lots of Bournemouth possession. It was the left side with Daniels that was again stirring up trouble, and while he worked his way into the box and could not get a shot off, he passed to Matt Ritchie who shot wide after a great move. Just five minutes later though a cross from Pugh was headed on by Kermorgant to an on rushing Matt Ritchie who buried his shot, low and hard, past Gomes in the bottom left corner of the goal to make it 2-0 to AFCB. 

It was on the hour mark when Pugh made another pass to set Ritchie through, but he sadly fired wide with a cross come shot from the right. AFCB were doing everything right but just not stretching Watford quite enough to open the Hornets up completely. When they did break through and Simon Francis got in, Gomes brought off a world class save. Cathcart was still putting in full blooded challenges on Wilson and AFCB were going to have to work hard to get more distance in the scores between the two teams.

That could have happened on 65 minutes when Ritchie's curled cross found an outstretched Kermorgant, who headed the ball back across goal well, only to see Gomes pull off another amazing save to his left. Another opportunity saw Wilson struggle with Cathcart on the break and finally get past him only to shoot wide from just inside the box.

Watford then brought on Matej Vydra to replace Ighalo who had faded through the game. AFCB were still looking for more goals though and Daniels hit a solid shot that Gomes took on the ground in the mid-rift. Vydra made his presence felt as soon as he came on but as time approached the 80 minute mark Harry Arter was still showing some great skills in back heeling a pass through to Matt Ritchie who had his shot parried by Gomes.

Yann Kermorgant was then replaced by Eunan O'Kane and O'Kane similarly to Vydra started to win the ball a lot and started to really get Francis running out in support up the right wing. Even in the last 10 minutes things were falling into place well for the Cherries, although one slight concern was seeing Tommy Elphick get a yellow card for a miss-timed challenge. One of the best moments of the night though was still to come in the 88th minute when Pugh looked certain to score but Gomes pulled off yet another great save from close range! Adam Smith replaced Ritchie in the 89th minute with Ritchie taking an age to come off from the corner flag - nice one Matt.

Extra time arrived with AFCB still looking for a third goal. Eunan O'Kane won a free kick on the edge of Watford's box having received a hefty challenge from Pudi, but he seemed okay after treatmentl. Brett Pitman also made an appearance for the last minute or two in place of Callum Wilson, but the game was over by then it was 2-0 to AFCB.  

Lots  of stewards around the match officials and the Watford fans.

AFCB players say well done to Gomes who played brilliantly in Watford's goal.

Steve Cook and Simon Francis applaud the crowd.

Watford go off to see their fans.

Summary

Watford had their thunder taken away early with the sending off, but AFCB still had to make the extra man count. It took a while for the Cherries to hit top form but some of their play in the second half was back to their best. The Cherries were given a test that could have been harder on the night. The fact that it was made easier by the sending off should not cloud the fact that the Cherries exploited their advantage to the maximum and stopped a talented Watford team from scoring. Only Gomes kept the Cherries' score down. Three points clear at the top of the league - not a bad night's work.

Watford players were pleased with their support.

Callum and Matt were already wrapped up in their
coats having been subbed in the 90 minutes.

Francis and Arter enjoy the moment.

Marc Pugh wins the TV man on the match and he is interviewed along with Tommy Elphick.

What does it mean for AFCB get a win over Watford?
Everything, the Hornets' big win last season can be put to bed now. 

AFCB

Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie (Smith 89), Arter, Surman, Pugh, Kermorgant (O'Kane 77), Wilson (Pitman 94)

AFCB subs

Camp, Pitman, Smith, Stanislas, Fraser, Ward, O'Kane

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 5, Francis 9, Elphick 6, Cook 6, Daniels 9, Ritchie 9, Arter 6, Surman 7, Pugh 8, Kermorgant 7, Wilson 8

Watford

Gomes, Munari, Angella, Layun, Tozser, Deeney, Cathcart, Anya, Watson, Ighalo, Hoban

Watford Subs

Doyley, Savic, Pudil, Vydra, Bond, Menash

Referee Watch: Lee Probert 7/10 he was great for AFCB, but I don't think I'd be far off the mark if Watford fans would give 0/10. Take your pick.

Man of the match for me was Hurehlo Gomes even though he was on the losing side. As far as AFCB go I'd have to pick Ritchie just ahead of Francis and Daniels - all three had great games.