Ricthie's last minute robbery at Dean Court 2-2

Match Report

AFCB 2 v 2 Newcastle Utd

16 March 2019

Attendance: 10,625

AFCB and Newcastle set up another belter.

Don't you just love old players returning to play against your club! Matt Ricthie's name was belted out at Dean Court game after game a few years ago and we loved him. We always knew he was quality and it was a shame for the Cherries that he saved one of his few goals of the season to snatch two points off of AFCB right at the death of this game with a spectacular finish. Solomon Rondon had given Newcastle the lead right on half-time with a thunderous free-kick and Nathan Aké's tumble in the box enabled Josh King to square things up moments after half-time from the spot. Bournemouth then really started to get on top of Newcastle and the weather and Dominic Solanke produced a bit of magic to find King running on to the ball to make it 2-1 on 81 minutes. The game looked won and Boruc had been a spectator, but the finish from Ritchie just at the end of injury time was a bullet of a hit. I'm still scratching my head how we left with only a point.

Bournemouth dropped Andrew Surman and Adam Smith from the starting line up and inn came Nathaniel Clyne and Joran Ibe.

Pre-kick off huddle

An early mistake by Lerma saw Peréz get a pass on to Rondón who had to be shielded from goal by Aké. Boruc had to then make a save from Hayden on 2 minutes, down to his left.

Bournemouth's first attack was made by Ibe who's cross was caught by Dubrravka.  Diame's ball over the top almost got Rondón in but Mepham kept him out before Boruc came to claim the ball.

Peréz was booked for fouling Fraser and the wee-man got quite a battering early on in this game. Fraser then went close with a shot that came off the far post.

Daniels was getting the tackles in and put in crushing one on Yedlin. Diame then saw his shot deflected for a corner.

Fraser and Ibe linked up on 15 minutes before Ibe lost the ball and Peréz forced a save from Boruc. Lerma was booked around the centre circle for a late tackle.

Fraser was receiving attention again on 23 minutes before Mepham had trouble misdirecting a header in his own box. He made up for it moments later with a strong tackle on Almirón.

Ryan Fraser was starting to run at Newcastle's defence and Wilson took it on but shot over on 41 minutes.

The game then took a backward step for the Cherries when Ibe, running back from a Bournemouth corner, fouled Almirón and was booked. Rondón took the free kick and put it over the five-man wall and right in the top left corner to give Newcastle a 0-1 lead at half-time.

Second half
Ryan Fraser won a corner at the start of the second half after a strong run from Ibe. Aké went up for a header but was bundled over by Fernande's arm around his neck and a penalty was awarded. Josh King slipped the ball past Dubravka to make it 1-1.

Bournemouth poured forward with their confidence up and Mepham went close with a header that dropped inches wide of the left post.

Newcastle broke and a shot from Hayden outside the box went wide. Newcastle kept up the pressure with a corner an a shot from Rondón was blocked. Dummett then skied a long range shot following another corner.

Wilson found himself blocked off by Lejeune. Lerma was getting forward and headed wide just before the hour. He then had another try with a shot following a corner that went just wide of the left post on 65 minutes.

Wilson came even closer following a Fraser corner that the keeper punched. Clyne chipped the ball up and Wilson headed it back towards goal. Somehow Dummett managed to put a foot out and clear it, just as it was about the cross the goal line.

Peréz was subbed on 72 minutes and Atsu came on. Bournemouth took off Ibe and replaced him with Solanke on 75 minutes. Hayden was then booked.

Solanke got tackled by Dummett before King won a corner, but Lerma shot wide with a dipping effort narrowly going past the post.

Bournemouth hadn't created much up to this point but King darted forward and Solanke took over from Wilson's touch and took the ball into the box where he managed to keep hold of it, before releasing it to the oncoming King who stroked it beautifully onto the net -2-1 on 81 minutes.

Newcastle subbed Almirón and put on Muto. Daniels then got booked and Shelvey replaced Diamé.

There was a big Benike Afobe cry as Ritchie messed up a free kick. Daniels then went close with a powerful shot that rose over the bar.

Boruc was quick to come out and head the ball away after a poor goal kick as we entered 90 minutes. Three minutes were to be added.

Some four minutes into added time, Yedlin crossed form the right and the ball went all the way over to the left side of the box where Ritchie hit his sensational volley past Boruc to make it 2-2.

A rare draw at Dean Court.

Summary

It might have felt like a defeat but Bournemouth did as much as they could against a Newcastle side that never gave up. The conditions didn't help either team play great football. Newcastle's goals were both sensational and so Bournemouth shouldn't be too hard on themselves for only picking up a draw. It was good to see Solanke do well when he came on and Bournemouth have been cutting out individual errors at the back. There is work to do in midfield in keeping the ball better and in creating chances, but a point is another point earned.

AFCB Line up

AFCB Subs: Begovic, Rico, Simpson, Taylor, Surridge, Mousset, Solanke

AFCB ratings

Boruc 6, Clyne 5, Mephan 5, Aké 6, Daniels 7, Ibe 6, Lerma 7, Brooks 6, Fraser 7, King 8, Wilson 7 

Cherry Chimes MoM: Josh King

Ref Watch - Mike Dean: 5/10. I was not as incensed as some about Mike Dean. He rarely has a great game a Dean Court and I was pleased he at least gave AFCB a penalty even if the foul for Newcastle's first goal was rather soft.

Newcastle Utd

12Dubravka, 22Yedlin, 20Lejeune, 18Fernandez, 3Dummett, 11Ritchie, 17Pérez (Atsu),
10Diamé (Shelvey), 14Hayden, 24Almirón (Muto), 9Rondón

Newcastle Subs
26Darlow, 2Clark, 8Shelvey, 13Muto, 15Kenedy, 19Manquillo, 30Atsu

Cherry Chimes' T-Shirt winner  @jimellis123