Cherries ring the changes at Eastleigh and score 4

AFCB got off to a great start against Eastleigh FC in their second pre-season friendly. The team saw a few changes from the FC Copenhagen game with Yann Kermorgant, Ian Harte, Dan Gosling, Harry Arter and Matt Ritchie among those on the bench and Callum Wilson and Junior Stanislas notable absentees. But some of the new additions were regulars like Simon Francis, Ryan Fraser, Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels, Eunan O'Kane, Brett Pitman and Josh McQuoid. Whereas Cargill was a young recruit bought into the side at Vulkanlandarena in Austria, it was Sam Matthews turn this time to start.

The goals came think and fast in the game with Brett Pitman and Simon Francis opening their pre-season accounts before half time. The second half saw the introduction of Shaun MacDonald for Ryan Fraser and within a few minutes Marc Pugh had made it 3-0 to the Cherries. An avalanche of  9 subs for AFCB came on after the hour mark with some familiar names back in the side. It was good to hear that Macca managed to get on the score sheet as well to make it 0-4 with 12 minutes to go.

AFCB Starting XI: Buchel; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Fraser, Matthews, O'Kane, Pugh; Pitman, McQuoid.

AFCB Subs: Harte, McCarthy, Cargill, Smith, MacDonald, Arter, Gosling, Ritchie, Kermorgant, Rantie. 

AFCB official Match tweets follow:
0: Josh McQuoid and Brett Pitman kick-off and we're underway here at The Silverlake Stadium. #afcb

6: Eunan O'Kane has a powerful drive from 25-yards turned round the post by Eastleigh goalkeeper Ross Flitney. #afcb

15: Charlie Daniels plays a low ball into Brett Pitman from a wide free-kick but the striker hits it narrowly wide. #afcb

17: GOAL! Brett Pitman slides in to get a touch on the end of Ryan Fraser's cross. #afcb 1-0 @eastleighfc23: GOAL! Simon Francis doubles Cherries' lead after under-lapping Ryan Fraser and being played in by the Scotsman. #afcb 2-0 @eastleighfc

Pitman was among the scorers for AFCB against Eastleigh FC.

37: Jai Reason puts the ball in the net for the hosts but a sharp offside trap from Cherries' defence sees his effort disallowed. #afcb

40: Brett Pitman nicks the ball on the halfway line and plays through Josh McQuoid but his fierce shot is touched wide. #afcb

45: Referee Dean Treleaven blows for half-time. Cherries lead 2-0 thanks to goals from Brett Pitman and Simon Francis. #afcb

Second half
45: One change for Cherries at half-time. Shaun MacDonald replaces Sam Matthews. @eastleighfc will get us underway. #afcb

48: GOAL! Marc Pugh plays a neat one-two with Josh McQuoid before calmly rounding the goalkeeper to tap home. #afcb 3-0 @eastleighfc

59: Brett Pitman almost snaps the woodwork in half as he rifles an effort from 20-yards against the crossbar. #afcb

60: Cherries make a number of substitutions resulting in the following XI... (1/2) #afcb
Buchel, Harte, McCarthy, Cargill, Smith, MacDonald, Arter, Gosling, Ritchie, Kermorgant, Rantie. #afcb (2/2)

78: GOAL! Shaun MacDonald and Tokelo Rantie exchange passes before the midfielder curls one just inside the post. #afcb 4-0 @eastleighfc

79: Tokelo Rantie is almost rewarded for his work setting up the goal with a chance straight after. Goalkeeper pulls off a great save. #afcb

82: Yann Kermorgant is denied from close range as Cherries go in search of a fifth. #afcb

90: Full-time. Goals from Brett Pitman, Simon Francis, Marc Pugh and Shaun MacDonald see #afcb run out 4-0 winners against @eastleighfc.

First team back in action against Eastleigh FC

AFCB's first team are up against Eastleigh FC tonight at 7.45pm in what has been a hastily arranged fixture after replacing the match against Salisbury City. The Conference Premier side will be out to cause a shack as they welcome the Cherries to the Silverlake stadium (Ten Acres) with its 3500 capacity. Richard Hill manages the Spitfires who won promotion as champions last season from the Skrill South League. Now they will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Salisbury City and Aldershot Town as they seek another promotion to the Football League.

Their number 9 striker is Ben Stevens (34) who has has two periods with Degenham & Redbridge as well as seasons with Gillingham and Brentford and Wycombe Wanderers to name a few. At left back they have Mike Green (25) who has played for Port Vale and started out at Brockenhurst and Christchurch. Also look out for Glen Southam (34) who began at Spurs and Fulham in his youth and moved on to Bishop Stortford, Dagenham & Redbridge, Histon as well as Hereford, Barnet and Dover before playing for Eastleigh. Ross Flitney in goal has also had spells with Fulham, Brighton and Doncaster Rovers.

Will Elliot Ward be fit enough to be on the bench?

So Eastleigh will be looking to show everyone how far they have come against a Championship side and AFCB will be their biggest pre-season fixture. I am keen to know how similar the first half side will be to the side Eddie Howe put our against FC Copenhagen. There are some players who may still not be ready to take part like Elliot Ward and Junior Stanislas who we have not seen yet, but I expect further outings for Dan Gosling and Callum Wilson in this game.

Prices are £8 for adults, £5 concessions and U12s free.

I have to say congratulations to Mark-C who won the Chimes Fans World Cup Fantasy League with 634 points. I am just glad I came second at did not get beaten by everyone. Thanks to all those who took part.

All Departments' latest podcast 'Vulkenic' is now out. Either visit All Departments or scroll down the right side panel on Cherry Chimes to the sound bar for All Departments to listen.

What no football – how about non-league this weekend?

I was kindly asked by a fan to put together some information on the non-league games that AFCB supporters might be able to go and see this weekend as their are no league fixtures. While I have been keeping my eye on AFCB's progress, I've slipped behind seeing what else is going on, so let's do a bit of catch up.

AFCB had a pre-season match against Salisbury of the Conference which did not go that well for us. They have started the season with a bit of a mixed bag suffering a home defeat to Tamworth and away losses at Luton and Alfreton, but they have been picking up points against Aldershot, Welling and Halifax. They now sit 15th in the league and on Saturday they have a home game against Lincoln City who are currently 4th in the Conference. So I think this will be a big test for Salisbury and quite an interesting game to go and see. Ou can visit the Salisbury Website to get more details.

Aldershot are at home against Macclesfield. The shots have had a hard start to the new campaign having been relegated, suffered administration and had a 10 point deduction. They sit bottom of the Skrill Conference Premier but have caught up to have –3 points and a plus one goal difference. Aldershot have registered good wins against Dartford and Woking at home already and have drawn with Grimsby away, while only losing narrowly 0:1 to table toppers Cambridge. I expect them to get the three points against Macclesfield who only sit six points above them in the table.

Woking may be a bit far north for some to want to travel bas they have an away Conference match against 13th placed Alfreton. Woking are another side that had a victory over the Cherries this summer – I can see a pattern emerging. While Woking have not done as well as Salisbury in their first six games they did beat Chester away and have had a draw with Lincoln City at home. Again you can find out more about the match day at Woking's website.

The Conference South also has a fixture list including Eastleigh v Bromley. Fanborough were due to play Dover at home, but I think this game is postponed as the club has league membership problems. Unfortunately, Lee Bradbury's Havant and Waterlooville are away at Bishop's Stortford and Dorchester Town are away at Concord Rangers, from whom AFCB signed Lyle Taylor a few seasons ago. Basingstoke are away at Whitehawk, near Brighton which could be a good day out.

I expect many AFCB fans will be looking at who the Dolphins are playing in the Calor league. Well Poole Town are also away at Hitchin Town in Hertfordshire, while Bashley are away at Corby Town. Closer in this league include AFC Totton at home against St Albans. Weymouth FC are away at Hinckley Utd.

Dropping down to the Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Premier you'll find that Christchurch FC are away to Lymington Town and Verwood Town are at home to  Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Romsey Town are at home to AFC Portchester and Winchester City will be at home to Whitchurch Utd. New Milton Town also play at home to Andover Town. There are no fixtures for Bournemouth Poppies or Brockenhurst.
Wimborne Town play in the Southern league and will be at home to Cinderford Town. Get more details at the Magpie's website just £5 for adults at Cuthbury.

I expect there are some other games out there this weekend that I have missed off locally, so if you want a shout out for a club email me at bellp2013@gmail.com with a few lines and I'll gladly post it on Rival Lines to help boost your gate.