Cherries let win slip from grasp as Owls snatch 2-2 draw

Match Report

AFCB 2 v 2 Sheffield Wednesday 

18 April 2015

Attendance: 11,280

Don't you just hate it when the men in black have a bad day!

Nobody said the last three games for the Cherries would be easy. This game turned out to be one of the hardest that the Cherries have had in the run-in and AFCB fans should give credit to Sheffield Wednesday for that. Poor refereeing decisions, hyper frustration and nerves all added to the atmosphere while for the first 45 minutes there was very little that was working well for the Cherries. An early headed goal for the visitors from Kieran Lee was not the worst of it as the Cherries were struggling to get any rhythm to their passing, and it was not until the end of the half when Harry Arter fired a vicious shot that Chris Kirkland turned over with a one handed save that it appeared that AFCB fans had something to shout about. The pressure was always going to fall on Sheffield Wednesday at some point though and when Yann Kermorgant headed the Cherries level the atmosphere changed. Now the home fans were in full voice and a Matt Ritchie special free kick strike sent them delirious knowing that the Cherries were on their way to three more points, but an extra time foul by Adam Smith on Atdhe Nuhiu gave Chris Maguire the chance to level the game from 12 yards and a severe promotion blow had been landed on the Cherries.

The Cherries prepare for another crucial 90 plus minutes in their season.

Steve and Sue have been enjoying AFCB's season.

There were no changes to the Cherries side from the Reading game and the mood was optimistic as the Cherries knew that three wins would guarantee them the title. By the end of the day the players would know that they were still in charge of their destiny for automatic promotion, but they would now need something to go their way now elsewhere if they are to become Champions. 

There were three changes for For Sheffield Wednesday, Sam Hutchinson and Chris Maguire came into the side and Kieran Westwood was injured in the warm up and was replaced by Chris Kirkland for the match. 

There are more pictures of the day on Match Day Gallery.

Tom and Trevor on Sheffield Wednesday before the match.

Sheffield Wednesday - another team that don't like to have shirts with visible numbers!

First Half
The match began with almost an immediate yellow card for Lloyd Isgrove as he clattered into Matt Ritchie. AFCB settled well and won an early corner with Simon Francis in lively form on the right, but this was going to be a physical test with Yann Kermorgant was next to go down after bumping into Sam Hutchinson and Filipe Melo. AFCB started to up the pace and Kermorgant had a blocked shot before Francis' early cross was just too high for Callum Wilson who had charged into the box trying to get on the end of it.

Sheffield Wednesday were playing best down their right side with Chirs Maguire making forceful runs. But while the Owls were getting into the game Sam Hutchinson made a late lunge on Charlie Daniels and came off worst and had to hobble off with the help of two assistants. It took an age to get him off the pitch - perhaps someone had misplaced the stretchers! He was subbed for Jaques Maghoma and on we went.

Matt Ritchie was shooting on site but sadly much too high. On 20 minutes he tried something else, Arter ran inside and played Ritchie in towards goal only for Kirkland spread himself at the wingers feet before he could score. Arter was starting to look dangerous playing around the Wednesday box and tried a reverse pass to Kermorgant but it was too strong for Yann to run on to and Kirkland got their first.

Things started to go array after 22 minutes when Charlie Daniels looked to switch play from one side to the other and gave Ritchie no chance of collecting the ball. While the Cherries tried to next play the ball out from the back switching from Elphick and Cook to Daniels, Maguire closed in on Daniels and his pass back to Cook left Maghoma right o top of him and Cook's clearance rebounded off Mahoma who found himself free with just Boruc to beat. Luckily Boruc made a fine save before another shot from Kieran Lee was hastily cleared off the line by Tommy Elphick who had gone back to cover. With Boruc now stranded and two AFCB players on the goal line, Sheffield Wednesday managed to mess up with Maghoma pirouetting in search of the ball that had vanished from his beside his feet. It was a huge wake up call for the Cherries.

The Cherries looked rocked and when Arter also lost the ball to Mahoma and gave away a corner his frustration was seen by him kicking the post in disgust. Luckily Kamil Zayatte headed wide. AFCB's best hoped seemed to be to get Wilson running at the Owl's back four but he was getting flagged for offside. Steve Cook then picked up a yellow for taking down Maghoma.

With 35 minutes gone AFCB had not really tested Kirkland, but Boruc was seeing far too much action. A cross field ball from Lee to the right wing gave Buxton the chance to put in a deep cross and it was met by Lee at full pelt and his header rocketed past Artur Boruc into the top right corner to put Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 up on 36 minutes.

Sheffield Wednesday's fans were in raptures of joy and it was all too painful for AFCB fans. Maguire snapped in a big tackle on Yann Kermorgant and it was followed by an equally big tackle on him by Tommy Elphick. The captain was willing his side to get into gear and showing them how. The message was well received by the team as they passed their way up the field and around the Wednesday box until Arter let a thunderbolt of a shot go that had Kirkland scrabbling to keep the ball out from under the bar with a one handed save. 

As the half headed to its conclusion though there was a big shout for a penalty for the Cherries as Pugh fed in Andrew Surman who went down but referee Paul Tierney didn't even raise an eyebrow.

Boruc had to make one quick dash out before the feet of Caolon Lavery, but Lavery had been chasing shadows for much of the first half. After a corner, a last minute run by Wilson in behind saw Steve Cook head wide, but the Cherries were behind at half time.

Half time score.

AFCB subs - who would have a big part to play?

AFCB are quick to come out for the second half.

Second Half
Sheffield Wednesday brought on Marnick Vermijl for Zayatte as the game began again. Both teams were starting to keep the ball a bit better and we hoped for a few more shots in the second half. I wondered if Kirkland's Yellow top with orange sleeves was putting our strikers off.

Things were pretty slow going with Lavery finding the offside trap too good for him and Charlie Daniels blazing over with head in hands when he had a good position on the left. Yann Kermorgant also waited an age in front of the D before he got a shot away that was deflected over for another AFCB corner.  Tommy Elphick tried to make something of the corner but there was not enough urgency in AFCB's play and Adam Smith was brought on for Marc Pugh on 57 minutes to change things. Matt Ritchie came over to the left.

A minute later Simon Francis found he had eared a yellow card for a foul on Llyod Isgrove. The free kick was taken by Maguire who saw it come off the post! The rebound was spooned over. Boruc looked rooted to the spot. Jeremy Helan was next in the book after fouling Adam Smith. AFCB were still playing out from the back and Cook was caught this time by Isgrove but Tommy Elphick got back to cover.

A double substitution followed with Sheffield Wednesday taking off Isgrove and bringing on Atdhe Nuhiu. AFCB decided to take off Steve Cook ad bring on striker Kenwyne Jones. Arter signalled AFCB's intent by smashing a shot high over the bar. It was Callum Wilson that looked most likely to score and the game's big talking point followed when Wilson got away and into the box down the left only for Lewis Buxton to bundle him over and yet inexplicably referee Tierney only gave a corner!

Sheffield Wednesday were still creating as well though and Maguire almost played in Nuhiu only he could not get a foot on the ball which was just drive wide. Ritchie was finding a bit more space on the left and he put in a cross that was snapped up by the head of Yann Kermorgant, who out jumped Buxton, and all of a sudden the Cherries were level at 1-1! There was 21 minutes to go and the crowd now really got behind the Cherries.

The AFCB train was surely coming now.A scramble in front of the Sheffield Wednesday goal with Wilson, and Arter almost brought another goal but Wednesday were being resilient. Kenwnye Jones made a good knockdown for Yann Kermorgant but he hooked his shot over. Wilson was even keen enough to put the ball down for Kirkland when he had a goal kick to speed things up.

A shock came though when Simon Francis was pulled up for a second yellow card on 79 minutes. That meant red and Francis was dismissed even if he did get a large round of applause. AFCB subbed Kermorgant and brought on Elliott Ward. A point would be better than nothing.

However, the game was to have more twists. Andrew Surman found himself the recipient of a free kick some 30 yards out and with Yann Kermorgant off the pitch it was left to Matt Ritchie to conjure something up. The conference of AFCB players broke up and a quick tap towards Ritchie was met with a powerful left foot strike that crashed into the back of Sheffield Wednesday's net! The Cherries were ahead - 2-1. Matt Ritchie was in full celebration twirling his arms and racing over to the Family stand where he whipped up the crowd to a frenzy!

It was looking great before that last minute.

With 86 minutes gone, surely the Reds were going up! The crowd seemed to think so anyway. Five minutes extra time went up on the board and it looked like AFCB had ridden their luck when a ball right across the area to Lavery was some how fired wide when he was looking at an empty net! The Sheffield Wednesday bench had their heads in their hands. AFCB were still not safe though and a last minute foul by Adam Smith on Atdhe Nuhiu saw Tierney instantly race with arm pointing to the spot! Maguire did the business, beating Artur in the bottom left corner and it was the cruelest blow 2-2 at full time!

Summary
What a difference a minute can make. AFCB were sitting comfortably at the top of the table on 94 minutes of this game but on 95 they were playing catch up to Watford. Sometimes you don't get what you deserve and this was probably one of those matches. The penalty decisions not give to the Cherries I hope do not have a massive outcome at the end of the season. I do think they cost the team two points in this game but that is not taking anything away from a Sheffield Wednesday team who did not give up and played with the kind of spirit that we only hope others will do to AFCB's competitors. As it is, a point keeps AFCB in with every chance of getting promotion automatically with two more wins and we have to wait now until Monday week to see how they recover from this last minute blow.

Some heated discussions at full time.

How many stewards can we get around the match officials?

Taxi for Tierney!

Eddie still believes and so do we - UTCIAD!

AFCB

Boruc 6, Francis 5, Elphick 8, Cook 6 (Jones 64), Daniels 7, Ritchie 9, Arter 7, Surman 7, Pugh 5 (Smith 57), Kermorgant (Ward 81), Wilson

AFCB Subs

Camp, Gosling, Pitman, Smith, Fraser, Ward, Jones

Sheffield Wednesday
Kirkland, Buxton, Lees, Zayatte (Vermijl 45) Helan, Hutchinson (Maghoma 15), Melo Silva, Maguire,  Lee,  Isgrove Booked (Nuhiu 63), Lavery

Sheffield Wednesday subs

Westwood, May, Nuhiu, McCabe, Maghoma, Bus, Vermijl

Referee rating: Paul Tierney -5/10 what can I say? worst referee of the season.

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.