Wilson sinks Pulis' WBA with a cheeky flick 1-0

Match Report

AFCB 1 v 0 WBA

10 September 2016

Attendance: 11,184

The goals have not been flowing for AFCB's Number 13. Callum Wilson has not stopped trying though and it was WBA's bad fortune that he was beaming his big smile ounce again as he directed a cross from Adam Smith, with a deft back heel, into the corner of Albion's net. Some 80 minutes had past and the game had not been one to get overly excited by, but just to witness the joy of Callum scoring and AFCB grabbing their first win of the new season was a big relief to Bournemouth fans. There was optimism as well in seeing Jack Wilshere start his AFCB career with a positive substitute appearance, as the Cherries climbed up to 13th in the Premier League.

Callum Wilson is back in form.

The Cherries brought in Junior Stanislas for his first start of the season on the left wing and as mentioned Jack Wilshere was on the bench along with Max Gradel. There was no Ryan Fraser or Lys Mousset in the squad though.

Everything is set pre-kick off on the big scoreboard.

Albion stretch out before the game.

There are more picture on Match Day Gallery

Nacer Chadli, WBA's new signing was fouled almost straight off from the kick off as the Cherries took eagerly to their afternoon's work. Josh King then headed out for a corner, and it was WBA who were in the ascendancy for the first moments. Jordan Ibe was quick though to get AFCB testing Foster with a low cross, and he then had another shot blocked as AFCB's first corner arrived. Junior Stanislas supplied a great ball in, but it fizzed right across Albion's box.

Fans were on their edge of their seats seconds later when Artur Boruc came to punch a cross clear, as he tumbled over a WBA striker. Steve Cook also got stuck in with a race for the ball on half way with Saido Berahino, which he won but needed some attention to his ankle a few minutes later. There was clear direction that crosses would loosen up the Albion defence, but WBA stood solid and won another corner themselves that was followed up by a weak shot at Boruc. A quarter of an hour had gone but the goal action was limited.

Jordan Ibe and Junior Stanislas were seeing a good deal of the ball now. A corner routine with a back flick almost saw Wilson in at the near post, before Francis headed another corner wide. Harry Arter was spraying some good passes wide and the possession was mounting in AFCB's favour. 

Meanwhile, Foster was frustrating fans be stalling for time over his goal kicks. AFCB kept the corner count going but they were not troubling WBA. Wilson then found himself in the clear with a run on goal and passed to his left, where King could only shoot straight at Foster. Charlie Daniels then sped through the gears and beat several players running at the heart of WBA's defence, but he could not find the pass to unlock it at the end.

A warning to AFCB came when Berahino blazed over just before half time. However, it was the Cherries who felt they should have been ahead at the break, as Stanislas had Foster diving to his right before Wilson saw a shot blocked and then another shot pushed wide in a desperate scramble just before half time. AFCB had chalked up eight corners, and three good goal attempts, with 68 per cent of the possession but it remained 0-0.

Jack Wilshere made an appearance in the second half.

The subs warm up.

Second Half

There was no changes at the start of the second half, but just like the Crystal Palace game it was WBA who came out with a strong intention to win the game and knock AFCB off their stride. Dawson put in a good cross that Sam Field fired wide. Ibe then lost possession and it was WBA on the attack again, as Francis deflected a shot wide from Chadli. 

WBA were coming forward all the time now and Boruc had to make a good save from Galloway eight minutes into the second half. Yacob's foul on Ibe though bought him a yellow card and while Fletcher remonstrated with the ref, Kevin Friend, he was told to play on after the game was stopped for a second time. 

Josh King was showing his pace and Arter was doing all he could to work Albion's midfield hard. WBA were seeing more of the ball though with Brendan Galloway shooting wide, before Boruc had to make a point blank save from a corner at his near post. 

Eddie needed to make changes and the first came on the hour with Ibe replaced by Jack Wilshere. Josh King moved to the right wing as Wilshere moved into the number 10 spot to support Wilson. It soon brought Stanislas to life who put in a rasping shot from the edge of the box that Foster did well to save to his left.

Matt Phillips then put a free kick in from the left that came off AFCB's crossbar and Fletcher could only volley wide. On 70 minutes the Wilshere factor was well in evidence as he received the ball from King in a central position and released it on for Stanislas to hit hard, but right at Foster.

AFCB were playing more on the break now and Adam Smith put in a strong run and went down just outside the box and was shown the yellow card for diving. Howe also made a double substitution bringing on Gradel for King and Gosling for Stanislas. 

With 10 minutes to go it was Adam Smith that again broke down the right and his deflected cross found its way through to Wilson, who attacked it and used the inside of his back leg to divert the ball to the far post and Foster was left stranded. The net rippled and Wilson had given AFCB the lead.

Tony Pulis brought on Jonathan Leko for Yacob and while Leko started to pick up some free kicks he could not change the course of the game with Max Gradel and steering the ball to the far corner of the ground at WBA's end to kill time. Johnny Evans picked up a yellow card for his frustrations being taken out on Callum Wilson. 

Eddie gets his win.

AFCB pick up a valuable three points for the first time.

Summary

The Cherries might have won this game more convincingly had they found it easier to get those final passes in more often. That is hopefully something that Jack Wilshere will add to the team. For the moment it was another hard won victory, but the game was closed out far more successfully than the previous game with Gradel, Wilshere and Wilson making a habit of keeping the ball up field. A clean sheet is also a welcome boost for the side and don't underestimate the form that Artur Boruc is in, as yet again he made some excellent stops at important times. AFCB may have a goal machine getting back his swagger, but they also have a defence that is starting to be more proactive in limiting chances for the opposition which bodes well. Three points at home is never a bad result and to beat a side like WBA will add some much needed belief to the Cherries that they can challenge much higher up the league this season.

AFCB
Boruc, Smith, Francis,  S Cook, Daniels, Ibe (Wilshere 63), Arter, Surman, Stanislas (Gosling 74), King (Gradel 74), C Wilson

AFCB Subs
Federici, Gosling, Afobe, Gradel, Smith, M Wilson, Wilshere

WBA

Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Galloway, Fletcher (Gardner 72), Yacob (Leko 82), Phillips
Field, Chadli, Berahino (Rondón 63)

WBA Subs
Myhill, Nyom, Olsson, Gardner, Rondón, McClean, Leko

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 8, Smith 7, Francis 6,  S Cook 6, Daniels 7, Ibe 6 (Wilshere 7), Arter 8, Surman 6, Stanislas 7 (Gosling 6), King 6 (Gradel 6), C Wilson 7

Referee: Kevin Friend - had a reasonable game 6/10


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