The Cherries start their pre-season with a 2-1 win over GD Estoril Praia

Match Report

GD Estoril Praia 1 v 2 AFCB

15 July 2017
Marbella Football Stadium

It was a bright sunny day with AFCB and GD Estoril Praia walking out to the sound of Football's coming home. The crowd was thick enough to line much of the touchline and the odd AFCB flag visible. Estoril played in their yellow shorts and blue shorts while ACB played in their red and black home kit.

Gradel stars in Marbella match with some sublime touches and a goal. 

Estoril kicked-off by the Cherries soon got hold of possession. The pitch was a bit patch-less in some areas but flat and fairly true. Afobe was almost put straight through early on but the Estoril keeper came out to collect the ball just in time.

Estoril enjoyed some possession without hurting AFCB. Boruc made an early clearance which could have had more weight on it. Mahoney was playing on the right wing for the Cherries and he hit a good shot in the penalty area on six minutes after some good work from Mousset that led to the first save.

An Estoril corner came to nothing, but it was shaping up as a good contest. Steve Cook was playing n the right side of Nathan Aké as a centre back and Ryan Fraser was positioned at right back.

Boruc was getting more active in the game as he made a good save from Estoril's number 10 on 11 minutes. Pugh was next to try a shot but pulled his effort wide of the left upright.

Mahoney got caught offside after some good intricate work on the right with Fraser. Things were even after 20 minutes and there was not a lot to choose between the two sides. Estoril had their second corner which was headed clear and AFCB looked fairly comfortable even if Estoril's 22 was finding space on the left wing.

Daniels was doing some god covering work as Estoril continued their bursts forward. AFCB were looking long for Afobe's run but he was offside.

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On 27 minutes play stopped for a water break. Fraser then put in a good cross from the right and Mousset got in front of his marker to head at goal but the keeper had plenty of time to make the catch.

Estoril's number 95 turned Daniels well but hit a rising shot well wide. AFCB were playing with more control as the half progressed.

Estroril's number five did well to get around the back but Boruc caught his cross well. A good turn from Mousset almost opened up Estoril's defence as AFCB pushed to get a goal. Afobe then just couldn't get enough direction on a near post effort from Daniels run on the left.

Afibe went for an ambitious bicycle kick which he failed to make any connection with, after a good knock down from Mousset. Daniels then pulled a sharp save out of the Estoril keeper that gave AFCB their first corner.

Afobe rose well but headed over from six yards. Fraser almost did himself some damage running off on half way straight into the metal barrier but he managed to slowdown enough. So at half time it was 0-0.

Second Half
Subs made by AFCB include Federici, Francis, Cargill, Mings, Worthington, Gosling, Arter, Ibe, Taylor, Gradel and King – a full team change. 

There was good intensity to the start of this half but Mings gave away a sloppy back pass to an Estoril forward.

Mings then made up with a great slotted pass for King who attempted to rounded the keeper but couldn't quite beat him. Jordan Ibe was next to get a shot away after a good run on the right and the keeper beat it away high up.

Estoril's 76 almost stole in after another poor decision from Mings but Arter shadowed him and the shot went wide.

Ibe then put a chip just over at the other end. A moment later he as keen through and made not mistake to put AFCB 1-0 up on 54 minutes.

Gosling loses the ball just in front of his own box and the ball comes off Francis for an Estoril corner. But it's been given as a goal kick. Max Gradel has been fouled and Estoril's 76 picks up the first yellow card.

Gradel puts King through with a slick move but the Bournemouth forward gets his angles all wrong and fires well wide. Arter makes a hash of a pass to Cargill and gives possession away.

Lovely foot work from Gradel to keep possession. Worthington goes down with an arm across the chest but the ref plays on - strange decision. Estoril make a subs - 70 comes on for 22 - striker change.

The ball bounces around in the Cherries' box but Gradel clears. Federici comes flying out of his box and handles. Federici is booked. Free-kick to Estoril 25-yards out, central on 64 minutes. An excellent strike by Estoril's number eight, Carlos Edouardo sweetly sails over the wall and into the top right corner 1-1.

Ibe takes a shot that is pushed out for a corner. Sam Surridge is on for Josh King. AFCB retake the lead with a Max Gradel goal on 71 minutes. Top right corner for Gradel having played a one-two with Surridge.

Federici makes a good low save to keep AFCB ahead. Bailey Cargill does some good tidying up at the back. Estoril are pushing for the equaliser.

Another great flick from Gradel out to Ibe. Gradel wins a free kick after a foul by 11 on the edge of the box. Gradel chips it high over the bar.

Arter fouls Estoril's 76 on the break. Ibe fouls next. Just a minute of added time to go. That's it a narrow win for the Cherries!

Summary
Mahoney and Gradel impressed me the most. While AFCB managed 13 shots on goal they still need to sharpen their shots on target and hopefully Defoe will add that missing ingredient when he plays. At the back though Boruc was solid and Cook and Aké were very strong.

It was also pleasing to see Ibe get on the score sheet and make several shots during the second half. None of the youngsters looked out of place either. Howe will have been pleased with this workout.


AFCB
Boruc, Fraser, S Cook, Ake, Daniels, Mahoney, L Cook, Surman, Pugh, Mousset, Afobe

Subs: Federici, Francis, Mings, Cargill, Worthington, Gosling, Arter, Ibe, Taylor, Gradel, King, Surridge