Champion Cherries - and now will you believe us! Charlton 0-3 AFCB

Match Report

Charlton 0 v 3 AFCB

2 May 2015

Attendance: 21,280

Bournemouth players celebrate their title.

Words can't possibly do justice to the scenes that I and many other AFCB fans saw at The Valley after the match against Charlton Athletic. It was beyond the wildest of dreams for AFCB to finish champions and with Sheffield Wednesday falling behind at Watford the contest at Charlton was not looking like it would matter that much in the long run. That didn't stop Matt Ritchie from stunning the him crowd on 10 minutes when he put the Cherries ahead with another sweet, low, curling strike that beat Stephen Henderson in the bottom corner of the goal and when two minutes later, Harry Arter leaped on a mix up at the back he powered the Cherries into a 0-2 lead and the balloons and fans in fancy dress were bouncing! Charlton put up better resistance in the second half but some of the passing and control that the Cherries displayed was just beautiful to watch and after Ritchie had hit the bar with a deflected shot he had the final say with another goal that sent the AFCB fans mental. The joy was not only for the third goal but because Atdhe Nuhiu had scored in the 90 minute at Vicarage road for Sheffield Wednesday. The title was now with AFCB and after a 46 game season it is now part of history - AFC Bournemouth are Champions and the best team in the division. It's the Premier League next season all right.

Team sheets on the big board at The Valley.

It was a colourful day with both teams lighting up the pitch.

Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall looking on from the sidelines.

Eddie Howe made one change to the team with Simon Francis replacing Adam Smith at right back. We settled down to the left of the goal in the South End and waited for the action to begin.

Tim Aston and family before the match gives his 
views on the team and how the day might go.

The atmosphere was bouncing!

More pictures can be viewed on Match Day Gallery.

First Half
As usual it was AFCB who made a fast start and an early foul on Yann Kermorgant gave him the chance to take aim from 25 yards but he crashed his shot against the Charlton wall. Harry Arter was directing play and while he lost out to Yoni Buyens, Frederic Bulot soon lost possession and Cook and Kermorgant got AFCB going forward playing in Wilson who had Stephen Henderson forced to make a save low to his left at the near post. Yann Kermorgant had a shot from the resulting corner but it went wide.

Charlton's early threat came from Bulot on the left who linked well with Ivor Vetokele, but Tommy Elphick was in quick to break any moves up.Pugh was next to have a drive that went over, but AFCB were playing well and looking to pin Charlton back. Charlton were already resulting to the odd long ball with Yoni Buyens playing the ball up to Tony Watt, but Morgan Fox wasted the chance by firing over.

AFCB's first goal came on 10 minutes when Francis and Ritchie started a move that then involved Cook and Daniels before Pugh took the ball forward and found Kermorgant slipped in Matt Ritchie on the right of the box and Ritchie's shot was smoothly struck around the on coming defender and found its way past Henderson and in off the far post to give the Cherries the lead!

We hardly had time to celebrate as Charlton had a throw on their right in their own half and yet Yoni Buyens completely messed up, sleeping his way to a pass, and gifting Arter with the opportunity to step in and head towards goal which he did in his direct style and shot from around the D with Henderson unable to keep the low shot from hitting the back of the net 0-2!

Charlton were angry with themselves, but AFCB were out for a stroll and even the fans were singing: "Easy, easy!" The quality of Champions was on display. Charlton started to get more on the ball through Tony Watt. Just after 18 minutes he made a great run down the right and put in a low cross that evaded everyone in the box including a late outstretched leg fro Igor Vetokele.

At the other end Callum Wilson was getting closer and was stretching the Charlton defence. When he won a corner, Yann Kermorgant leaped highest but headed over. By this time AFCB fans in the south stand were not getting a lot of banter with Charlton fans so asked fans in the west stand to give the a song which they duly did - "We're Premier League!" they cried which was well received.

Wilson came close again on 22 minutes when Pugh and Wilson created an opening but Roger Johnson deflected the shot over. Even Francis fancied his luck and tried a long distance effort from the corner that just scraped wide of the left post. It wasn't much later that the AFCB fans had heard that Matej Vydra had put Watford one up at Vicarage Road, but it didn't dampen the atmosphere that much.

Wilson was causing all kind of problems and won a free kick for being pulled back by his shirt. It was Ritchie's turn to strike a shot that hit the wall. AFCB were still pressing though and Wilson kept shooting with another deflected shot for a corner. Watford were playing on the break but Johann Berg Gudmundsson was no match for Pugh chasing back although the Bournemouth winger pulled up with an injury and received some attention. Boruc did have to make a save on 33 minutes when Bulot hit a low shot but it was easy for Boruc to hold on to in the middle of the goal.

Harry Arter was being more positive and saw his shot charged down. Meanwhile Igor Vetokele was looking injured. Indeed he was subbed for Simon Church. watt looked Charlton's best play up to this point but even he was having to defend more than he might have wanted. Alou Diarra's methods of stopping Yann Kermorgant received a yellow card but I guess it was effective in stopping AFCB's march towards goal on that occasion. Four minutes of extra time saw an Andrew Surman effort go over and the score was 0-2 at half time, much to the delight of AFCB fans.

AFCB are totally in control of this game and 0-2 was a comfortable lead.

It was a pity that Watford were winning, but it was only a
goal lead and the fans had hope that Sheffield Wednesday
might still be able to get a goal.

Second Half
Charlton had obviously been given the come on by Guy Luzon at half time and they came out with a lot more steel in their play. Yann Kermorgant was still looking to chip Wilson in through and Ritchie had the first shot of this second half that was blocked by Morgan Fox. Bulot was next to see a shot blocked before Diarra had a header go wide. AFCB possession was still strong and while Wilson tripped Johnson over, Matt Ritchie was the one getting the speaking to by the ref as he had clearly disagreed with the decision. I love the way Ritchie then stands with his hands behind his back and receives his ticking off not wanting to offend further.

The incident made Ritchie just as determined as ever to influence the game and he was found by a long ball from Steve Cook on the right before he moved inwards and crashed a shot against the bar! That was on 59 minutes. Watt also had a good turn and shot at the other end but his effort was deflected over.

A strong break by Harry Arter could have wrapped the game up then when he hammered down the middle of the pitch with Pugh on his left who he totally ignored and instead chose to shoot but wide from 20 yards out. It was a wasted chance to play Pugh in.

AFCB brought on Dan Gosling for Arter on 61 minutes. A race between Henderson and Pugh saw the keeper get there first to a chip from Ritchie, but in the main AFCB were playing keep ball now. Surman was at the heart of moves and had a shot blocked after a great session of passes.

The Cherries took Pugh off and brought on Adam Smith to allow Ritchie to move over to the left wing. Charlton then made two subs on 69 minutes with Diarra replaced by Joseph Gomes and Chris Eagles came on for Bulot. Not long after Tony Watt was seen hobbling and Charlton played the game out with 10 men.

Charlie Daniels had come forward to take advantage of some space and he nearly added his name to the score sheet but hit his volleyed shot into the ground and just despairingly wide of the right post with the keeper beaten!

Kermorgant was subbed after 82 minutes and Kenwyne Jones replaced him. Smith was really the engine room of AFCB by now and when he kept coming down the right wing, Charlton struggled to keep him out. In the end one of these runs saw Dan Gosling then have a shot blocked before Ritchie went one better with a blocked shot at first, before picking up the ball again in the box and blasted in his second goal past Henderson from 12 yards in the bottom right corner! While the celebrations were in full swing the noise from the West stand suddenly went up by 10 notches or more. They were going berserk and my radio told me why - Atdhe Nuhiu had equalised for Sheffield Wednesday - it was 1-1 at Vicarage Road. They were in the 90th minute while time was also running out at The Valley.

I don't remember much of the next three of four minutes as there was only one thing to do and that was to go mental. AFCB were going to be Champions and the players knew it too. The whistle had gone at Vicarage Road - Watford had clown it at 1-1. Now it was just a delight to see AFCB players with the ball in the knowledge that the title would be theirs. I did see Gudmundson have a good chance go over, but frankly who cared? AFCB were about to lift the trophy for the Championship and we were about to see it with our very own eyes played out before us. What a day!

Summary
You could not have wished for a more dramatic and exciting day as an AFCB fan. It probably made great TV viewing in real time with Watford seeing their title dream taken away from them right in the last minutes of the season. While that may seem harsh, I did feel that AFCB were the best team in the league and were fully deserving of the title over the season for the amount of days they had been top and with all the goals they had scored. It just seemed the perfect end to the day and the partying could start for the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend and beyond!

Pugh is in no doubt that he will be playing Premier League
football next season along with the Cherries.

Tommy Elphick celebrates with the fans and Shaun MacDonald looking on.

Another big away win for the Cherries.

Massive cheers were heard when this sign came out.

Jeff can't hide how happy he is to be bringing the SkyBet Championship trophy out on to the stand.

Party time for the boys!

Eddie can celebrate on a great achievement and a magnificent season.

Eddie Howe is surrounded by photographers. 

More pictures are on the Match Day Gallery.

AFCBBoruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter (Gosling 61), Surman, Pugh (Smith 69), Kermorgant (Jones 82), Wilson

AFCB Subs
Gosling, Pitman, Smith, Fraser, Ward, Allsop, Jones
AFCB Player Ratings
Boruc 6, Francis 7, Elphick 9, Cook 8, Daniels 8, Ritchie 10, Arter 8, Surman 8, Pugh 7, Kermorgant 7, Wilson 8

Charlton
Henderson, Solly, Ben Haim, Johnson, Fox, Berg Gudmundsson, Diarra (Gomez 69), Buyens, Bulot (Eagles 69), Vetokele (Church 39), Watt

Charlton Subs
Gomez, Bikey Amougou, Eagles, Wiggins, Church, Lennon, Etheridge

Referee rating: Neil Swarbrick 8/10

Next stop - Premier league 8 August 2015.

Sorry: we can't have Wednesday spoiling things!

Sheffield Wednesday have already scuppered Brentford's momentum towards the play-off and AFCB have to take care of  the Owls who may be 25 points behind the Cherries in the table, but have not signed off on their holidays quite yet. The pleasing sign in the Owls form is that they have not been scoring more than one goal a game since 21 March and their away form has not been strong against the teams at the top of the table.

Last season though Wednesday basically ended AFCB's realistic hopes of making the play-offs, but the position is a bit different this time around. They are not a team that score that heavily, but Atdhe Nuhui is now on 10 goals for the season and we have seen teams come to Dean Court like Huddersfield who were not fancied but left with a point. With a season's tally of 39 goals for the whole team though that is a score rate more at home with the bottom three teams and AFCB will be hoping to find some holes in the Owl's defences which is one of the best in the league having only conceded 44, just one more than AFCB.

That gives a pretty good image of how this game might set up with Wednesday looking to stay in the game for as long as possible. They are good at that with only three defeats in their last 10 league games and AFCB will have to put pressure on Zayatte and Lees who have been playing at the back of late.

AFCB will be looking to fire a few goals in to keep ahead in the race for the title.

It will be another test for the Cherries but they are used to having to make the play and find the openings and a win for the Cherries in this game is really going to set them up for a brilliant chance to take the title. As Eddie Howe has said, we need a loud carnival atmosphere at the game and we don't want any Sheffield party poopers!

Sheffield Wednesday Away Form
WWLWL

AFCB Home Form
DWWWW

Make sure you check out my interview with Inside-72 on the Championship Run-in. There is quite a big match tonight which could put either Norwich or Middlesbrough virtually out of the race for automatic promotion, the way the wins keep piling up for others at the top of the table.

Cherries have options but are the Owls clawless up front?

You need goals to succeed in the Championship and that is something that Sheffield Wednesday are finding hard to do at home. At Hillsborough they have only scored three goals in seven games this season. It is not a recipe for great success, but the Owls have managed to amass enough points to sit 13th in the league and a win against Bournemouth would see them knocking on the door of the top 10 places.

Stuart Gray has been praising Royston Drenthe for his unplayable skills during the Charlton match on Saturday when he ran the show in the first half and AFCB will have to be careful of him. But that was his first goal of the season. Atdhe Nuhui is the top scorer on five in league and cup, while Chris Maguire is also a player that could get a goal or two for the home side. Steve May and Gary Taylor-Fletcher were also on the bench against Charlton but could be used to greater extent for the Cherries visit. Steve May was said to have a virus so did not get any minutes on Saturday, but he is their second highest scorer on three. Stuart Gray also said that the team only has four fit defenders at the moment!

Bournemouth have suddenly seen their clean sheets shattered by shipping two goals against Brighton and there will need to be some repair work in that respect. AFCB's away record is strong and yet Tuesday night's game will be no easy task for the Cherries. How will AFCB set up? Callum Wilson may well have to play up front on his own, but playing two strikers has proved successful of late. If Yann and Brett are both left on the bench it will give Eddie plenty of room for manoeuvre during the second half, and with Pugh and Ritchie starting to get some goals he may feel that there is enough fire power in the team to play with just the single striker.

With another tough away game against Middlesbrough to come, there will be some need not to burn out Callum Wilson. Rantie and Kermorgant are probably the freshest strikers at the moment, but when Eddie plays them is going to be down to his gut feeling of the time being right. Finally, I read that Tommy Elphick sustained an injury against Brighton and so could be a doubt for the Cherries. That means Baily Cargill could get his first Championship start for AFCB. 

I've just had one supporter say he would expect Adam Smith to come in for Elphick. Who would you put at centre back if Tommy can't play? Joe Partington may not be far off a game now either, although this one is too early for him.

Sheffield Wednesday Home Form:
LWDLD

AFCB Away Form:
DDLWW

All Departments podcast is out - Double Albion. Listen back to reviews of the WBA and Brighton match with Michael Dunne. You can listen by going to the All Department's website or by scrolling down Cherry Chimes' panel on the right until you see All Department's soundbar. It's a bumper 1hr 23 min podcast!! Mike Botto is on there as well!!

Can Cherries keep play-off hopes alive against Wednesday?

Sheffield Wednesday are one of those teams that don't have a lot to play for. Whether that means they come to Dean Court feeling that they should have done better and have something to prove or are counting the minutes until the sun beds come out is very difficult to tell. Looking at their last game though when they could have packed up at 1-3 down against Blackburn they dug in and came back to get a draw. That doesn't sound like a team to me that is ready for the summer holidays.

Atdhe Nuhui has certainly got the attention of pundits who are always looking out for goal scorers. A brace last time out means that he is one to watch out for. There top scorer though is Chris Maguire who is on 8 for the season. Leon Best is also on their books but did not play in their last match. Jeremy Helan was a player that impressed me early season for Wednesday. One player who will be in Bournemouth's sights in Kirkland in goal. It is strange to see so many England keepers in the Championship, but it is hard even for Joe Harte to keep his place at Man City this season.

Stuart Gray has probably achieved all he has had to this season considering that Wednesday were really struggling when he took over the managers post. On 21 October, Wednesday were bottom of the league so the recovery has been very good, although they have never been higher than 14th this season.

Sheffield Away form
LLLLD

AFCB Home form
WDWWW

I have had to sadly do a rain check on this match but I will be there in spirit and praying that the Cherries continue there run with a win and I'll be at all the remaining fixtures play-offs or not. UTCIAD! So no match report but I'll still give you my thoughts come Saturday morning.

Please check out Rival Lines with Owls Alive blogger Steve Beastie for more views on Sheffield Wednesday's team. You can also upset the bookies this bumper football Easter weekend with getting you free bet from Free Bet Negotiator.

Cherry Chimes has a long conversation with Owls Alive!

Match Preview

AFCB v Sheffield Wednesday

Blogger Interview - Owls Alive!

Cherry Chimes tries to find out what Steve Beastie one of the writers on Owls Alive thinks about his team's performance this season and what needs to change to make Wednesday turn from something 'flakey' to a leading force in the Championship. I was worried that he may say they needed Eddie Howe, but even Steve believes Eddie's spiritual home is at Dean Court and that he has already done a magnificent job for our club.

CC: Is mid-table satisfactory for Wednesday this season or was it a poor season?

OA: It really feels like a poor season...I know that sounds poor when we've struggled for so long and quite a while now we've all said, 'we'd take mid-table obscurity in the Championship any year' but when it arrives it ain't all it's cracked up to be and it feels like a very dull season. Someone once said, I think was the sage David Pleat, football is only exciting when you're playing for something, either at the top OR bottom of the table and far be it for me to agree with Pleatipus, he was right.

One thing is for sure...I'm don't think I can take another dull season like this so I, and other Wednesday fans, are expecting more next season.

CC: You beat team like Leeds, QPR and Wigan this season so do you see plenty of potential in the team?

OA: We didn't beat Wigan...in fact we're one of the few teams that CAN'T beat Wigan...it's annoying watching everyone else beat them and seeing us play well but not come away with points against them.

CC: Right researcher - you're sacked! Or was Wigan put in deliberately to try and catch Steve out? 

OA: I think you may have meant Reading...who used to be a bogey team for us...not anymore :-) We've deserved those wins too....despite what Joey Barton said on Twitter and what's more we deserved to beat them at their on the opening day but couldn't do it and Barton not being given the red card for as clear a penalty as you'll see didn't help.

The win against Leeds was special...their worst defeat since the pharaoh was a lad by all accounts and again, we were good value for that victory and that margin. We were incredible that day and made them look what their fans don't see....a very, very average side at best.

We DO have potential but we've been way too flakey all season. We have a first 11 capable of competing at the top of this division...unfortunately we have no strength in depth so when they're inured, as they have been for large parts of the season, we look as average as everyone else

CC: What have you made of Stuart Gray since taking the helm?

OA: I like him...I think every Wednesday fan likes him. He's one of footys nice blokes and when he speaks, despite being a little on the dull side, talks a lot of sense but he's not making any great strides from when Dave Jones was in charge to be honest.

We play the same way with virtually the same players and even the tactics, subs and timing of subs is the same as Dave Jones used but the vibe about the club is better since he took over and I speak as a fan of Jones in saying that.

Gray's big test is the summer...let's see who he can bring to the club because he will have no excuse next season.

He needs to bring in quality and get them kicking on, certainly into the top 10 and probably top 8 with at least an outside chance of play-offs otherwise he won't see another season with us.

CC: Who would you say has been Wednesday's best player this season?

OA: My idea of players varies greatly from the consensus usually but we all miss Connor Wickham and would love him back next year but that's a pipe dream really....young Liam Palmer, a Wednesday product and 'local' lad has done well and impressed. He's been asked to play at right back when his skills are those of a midfielder...he has played on the wing and centre midfield too but he really got stuck into that right back position and from looking clumsy and out of his depth he has really come on in leaps and bounds and impressed no end. There's no one crosses a ball better than him and I'd put him as one of the best in the division for that.

I think my overall favourite has been Atdhe Nuhiu up front....Me and the Young Un and a few mates have loved the fella from the start. His eagerness, work rate and skill with the ball at his feet is breathtaking at times but it's taken a while for others to warm to him, in fact I've never seen a Wednesday player abused as much as him by his own fans in such a long time...probably ever.

His problem is for all his good qualities he IS a striker and he hasn't been scoring and he's missed some sitters, but he is more than that in my opinion and what he brings to the game others aren't capable of. The Wednesday fans are slowly coming round to him but it's a slow process.

Having said all of that about those two...our player of the season will once again be Chris Kirkland, I'm sure of it...he would be mine anyway. He's the best keeper we've had in decades and his contract is up at the end of this season I believe so we need to make sure he is top of the list of 'must dos'. I dread to think where we would have been without him...an incredible player, a good ambassador and someone who has really enjoyed his time at this club.

CC: Would you say the Owls are about the most inconsistent team in the Championship and can you see reasons for the up and down performances?

OA: As I said earlier, we are definitely flakey, but we are a match for anyone on our day and more than most if we could get our best 11 fit. Some of those injuries, like every other club I suppose, are key to our tickover and they've been at crucial moments in the season.

CC: What did you think about your last match against Nottingham Forest - I thought you were going to do us an even bigger favour?

OA: Yeah so did most Wednesday fans. We haven't won there for absolutely ages and this was our chance but in both games this season they've stolen points from us...at ours they took all three and were never in the game...one chance one goal BANG! Off they go down the M1 with the points tucked up.

They have been punching above their weight for a while now and are one of the worst teams in the division. If they make the play-offs let alone go up, it will be a travesty.

CC: If Stuart Gray has money to spend next summer who would you like to see come into the club?

OA: A big part of our flakeyness has been injuries to our defence and we've had to chop and change it a lot...our second and third string aren't up this level and it shows...we MUST make sure we have a good central paring.

I would make Kirkland top of any list for signings but if you mean who to bring in...it has to be a striker. Another area we've struggled in at times and only really flourished when Matty Fryatt and Connor Wickham were on loan. Our chairman has already said he is going out to get Matty Fryatt at the end of the season. I'm not really sure why you'd make that public so early but it's out there now and I'd love him at our place. Wickham is way out of our budget but maybe Fryatt is around the right price....I'd be all over either of them.

CC: It looked all set up for an FA Cup derby this year but it did not happen so do you miss that fixture or is it just great to be a league above them?

OA: Who would miss 2 weeks of sleepless nights, butterflies and nausea in the run up to the game only for everyone to say they'd take a draw twenty minutes into the game?

I LOVE being a division higher and I would take that for eternity over playing them every season...I am definitely not one who misses them....though I have to say there is absolutely nothing like a derby match victory.

CC: Have you been surprised by Bournemouth's results this season and are there any of our players that you are looking forward to see play?

OA: Not really. As I mentioned last time we spoke, I have a soft spot for Bournemouth and my daughter has one for Eddie Howe.

I love the connection the club has and HAS had with the Cherries fans over the years and the turmoil you've all been through to get here is fantastic.

Eddie Howe is at his spiritual home now and he will always do better here than anywhere else...other managers have done similar haven't they? Graham Taylor at Watford springs to mind...they can go to other places but the connection to their club is so great that they feel more comfortable back there and it brings good things.

Me and the Young Un have been watching with interest in the hope that you get into the play-offs just so Eddie can stick two fingers up at Burnley and the way he was treated there and just to show that he CAN do it and he IS a good manager.

CC: What is your score prediction for the match?

OA: Blimey it could be anything at all knowing us...6-0 to us...6-0 to you...or a 3-3 draw...I'd be surprised if it was dull but go on then, I'll stick my very ample neck out...2-3

Just know this...you will have a little part of the Wednesday fanbase cheering you into the play-offs no matter what happens and to every single Bournemouth fan that has been on this incredible ride, YOU DESERVE THIS!

More than anyone in any division in this country, you have been through the mill and to the depths of despair with your club through no fault of the fans...if you get there it is your reward, no matter what the results, enjoy the moment!

CC: What a pleasure it is always to have Steve Beastie on Cherry Chimes - I don't think he'll ever convert to being a full Cherry fan but he certainly has a soft spot for Eddie's Barmy Army and it is good to know that Eddie Howe's impact is been felt as far up the motorway as Sheffield! I reckon Wednesday fans get a real treat every week when Steve sits down to write some lines on Owls Alive and I have always found Wednesday fans deeply in love with their football, so it is good to know Steve's passion is never wasted. As for this season it may be one for Wednesday fans not to reflect upon for too long while Bournemouth fans are already joyous no matter what the results of the remaining fixtures. Winning sometimes isn't everything and just to have a club to love is something that AFCB fans hold onto very preciously. It is a huge match on Good Friday and the rewards for AFC Bournemouth are enormous, but we know that Wednesday have some great players and Steve's score prediction says it all really, but I will say it is bound to be another cracking Championship match. Thanks again Steve - catch up on his writings and fellow Wednesday supporters on Owls Alive.