It had to be them - Liverpool!

I'm not one of those fans who would ever tire of seeing AFCB playing a team like Liverpool. Yes, we know they have been a bit of a sticking point for the Cherries in the League Cup and FA Cup over the last couple of seasons but there have been too many years when AFCB simply have not been on the big stage and have gone out to teams like Preston and Hartlepool before even getting to round four of the Capital One Cup.

Yes, it's Anfield again.

You do wonder though how the balls keep on pairing Liverpool with AFCB. I expect Eddie Howe had a smile and though oh great not a again, but if there is a day when the Cherries beat a side like Liverpool in a cup it is probably going to be the year when the club has a real opportunity of lifting silverware. There is much less of a gap between the two sides now on the pitch as we saw only a few weeks ago and perhaps a different story will play out this time.

Listening to Carlisle and Liverpool take penalties last night to see who would go through to the fourth round was kind of weired as the draw was already known and an away trip to one of them was already booked for AFCB. I guess at least Liverpool is not quite so far and for those who missed the Monday night league fixture it is another chance to go to one of the most historic grounds in the country.

This time Brendan Rodgers maybe under even more pressure than the last few occasions when the teams have met. Liverpool fans must want the game to come quickly as AFCB always seem to kick start their season.  Yet, it is good to see that Danny Ings has made a good start at the club and that Sean O'Driscoll can meet up with his AFCB colleagues again. So the date of Tuesday 27 October will be in AFCB fan's diaries and perhaps this time it will be the time to get past the Merseysiders. Oh, and you can expect a date change if the TV companies are still not tired of another Liverpool v AFCB fixture.

All Departments reviews the AFCB win against Preston North End in the Capital One Cup. Visit All Departments' website to listen in.

Stanislas stars in Cherries Capital One win against Hartlepool 0-4

Match Description

Capital One Cup

Second Round

Hartlepool 0 v 4 AFCB

Attendance: 4890 (including 164 Cherries)

AFCB official tweeted picture: Shaun Macdonald congratulates
 Junior Stanislas with Lee Tomlin also in the shot.

The Cherries were not messing around on what could have been a difficult away tie in the Capital One Cup to high flying Hartlepool in League Two. AFCB wanted to get to the third round and the goals started to flow from half an hour with Kermorgant, then Gosling and Stanislas netting before the end of the first half. Junior Stanislas added a further goal in the second half, but Hartlepool did not manage to score, despite making several good attempts in the second half. It was Stanislas' night with the winger capping his performance with his spectacular free kick goal before half time, but the whole team performance was very pleasing as it was just like watching Eddie's first XI such was the quality of play. The reward for the team is an away tie to Preston North End in the next round who beat Watford last night.

Eddie Howe picked a side that is certainly keen to win places in the first XI for this game and it was good to see that Shaun MacDonald was back after his toe injury. The bench was well supported with Rantie, Ritchie and Surman among the ranks and the lineup looked strong enough to do the business.

Breaking News: Lewis Grabban left the Norwich club hotel last night after finding out he would be a sub in their game - it looks  like Grabban is keening on forcing a move back to the Cherries. AFCB have put in three bids for the striker which have all been rejected.

Match Description
It was a lively start for the Cherries with Christian Atsu causing an early alarm for the Hartlepool defence when he cut inside and hit the bar after just three minutes. AFCB seemed content to keep possession. Hartlepool were defending deep  in front of their own box. Tomlin set up Stanislas with 24 minutes gone and his snap shot forced a good save from Bartlett to his left. 

Mings and MacDonald still looked like they were trying to get some understanding as they were not always on the same wavelength. Sylvain Distin was looking comfortable at the back along with Adam Smith. The breakthrough came on half an hour with Gosling in the middle playing the ball to Kermorgant, then it went out wide to Stanislas on the right who then crossed, and while Gosling left the ball, Kermorgant finished from around the penalty spot into the middle of the goal to make it 0-1.

The second came after 33 minutes with Mings playing the ball into  Lee Tomlin who flicked it on neatly to the on rushing Gosling who buried his shot in the bottom left corner to make it 0-2.

Junior Stanislas then went close three minutes later with a shot from outside the box which went just to the side of the right post. Atsu then got to work forcing bartlett to make another save to his left for a corner when shooting from long range on 42 minutes.

Junior Stanislas then bent in an absolute beauty from a free kick on th3 left into the top corner from 25 yards! absolutely nothing that Bartlett could do about that one 0-3 on 43 minutes. Three up at half time did not really do credit the football AFCB were playing it was electric stuff and far too hot for Hartlepool to live with. AFCB managed 11 shots in the first half but Hartlepool had not managed any on the AFCB goal.

AFCB half time tweeted graphic.

Second Half
Hartlepool's Scott Fenwick came on at half time for Billy Paynter. Woods and Fenwick almost got Hartlepool off to a good start in the second half after jumping on a mistake from Christian Atsu but Adam smith made a great block.

Carroll then fed in a free kick from the left and Boyce put in a comfortable header for Federici to grab. Mings then showed his pace down the left but the keeper came out to smother the ball on the back line. 

AFCB were still keeping possession well and Tomlin had a good chance to extend the lead but hit his shot straight at the keeper. Cargill was then booked as Fenwick tried to roll him.

Stanislas came close again hitting the post with Harrison just doing enough after Kermorgant had put Stanislas through. Atsu had his shot blocked from the following corner.

Stanislas started the scoring in the second half on 64 minutes with Smith feeding Atsu from the right before Stanislas ran in on the blind side  to round the keeper and make it 0-4. That was enough for Eddie Howe to bring on Rantie and take off Kermorgant. 

Hartlepool also made changes with Oates and Woods replaced by Walker and Smith. Tomlin was next to have a shot picking his way through the blue shirts before shooting over from just inside the 18 yard box. Rantie almost got on the score sheet but was flagged offside.

Baily Cargill then put in a great tackle on Fenwick in the box as Hartlepool. Walker then had a free kick that dipped over the wall and forced Federici to palm it over. Then Atsu missed a great chance. Tomlin on the break fed him the ball but Atsu steered his shot wide of the right post on 76 minutes.

Butcher came on for AFCB replacing Smith and Ritchie came on for  Atsu. Ritchie almost got in straight away working with Tomlin but hit a weak shot at the keeper. Bingham had a chance to get Hartlepool on the score sheet when a cross from the right caused AFCB problems and yet Bingham hit his shot wide with 81 minutes gone.

Federici then made his best save of the night with Distin giving the ball away to Fenwick and he passed to Bingham who drove his shot towards the near side of the goal, but Federici turned it around the post. That was followed by a long ball into the box that saw Federici slip andt Boyce put his header wide!

Duckworth then robbed Gosling and Bingham slipped just as he saw another chance slip away from him on 90 minutes. The final whistle went with the score 0-4.

Summary
Junior Stanislas showed more of his form that was good in pre-season by bagging a brace at Hartlepool. He was eager for goals just like most of this XI who had need to impress Eddie Howe. While Atsu did not get a goal his contribution was very high to the overall performance and MacDonald carried the ball forward for a lot of the time as AFCB dominated the early play. Gosling also showed his finishing when given the space and Kermorgant will have been pleased to have scored as well. 

The passing was intricate and precise with Tomlin and Kermorgant showing good touch. Mings was full of running, but perhaps not quite yet looking as comfortable as some on the ball. Baily Cargill again proved that he can play well at this level and Smith and Distin were solid at the back while Federici had to keep his hands warm towards the end of the game. It as a really good workout and most of the players and it will have been a big night for Matt Butcher who made his first team debut. There were moments when the odd mistake was made but this was a good overall team performance.


Official AFCB and Hartlepool Match Tweets

01: #HARBOU is underway at Victoria Park

03: Atsu cuts inside on his left foot and rifles a shot off the crossbar. What an effort!

04: Another chance for #afcb as Tomlin chips the ball towards Smith, but he can't get his shot on target

18: #afcb dominating the ball here, but with fewer chances. Stanislas just saw his curling effort blocked.

26: Smith plays in Stanislas, but he sees his effort well saved by Bartlett.

30: GGGOOOOAAAAALLLLLL to #afcb!

30: Stanislas finds Kermorgant, who sidefoots home from close range. 1-0 to #afcb
36: Stanislas tries his luck with a low effort from outside the area, but it’s wide. #afcb are firmly on top.

41: Atsu hits it sweetly from outside the area, but Barlett is equal to it. #afcb have another corner.

42: Distin rises to meet it, but is penalised for a foul. It has been a solid first half from

44: GGGOOOOAAAAALLLLL to #afcb!

44: What a goal! Stanislas curls a 25 yard free kick into the top corner from the left of the penalty area

Half time: #hufc 0-3 #afcb.

49: Smith gets to the byline and cuts the ball back across goal but no one can connect.

51: Gosling commits the foul & #hufc whip the free kick into the box, but the header is straight at Federici.

56: Cargill brings down Fenwick on halfway, and the young #afcb defender is booked.

64: Atsu plays in Stanislas, who rounds the ‘keeper and slots the ball beyond Bartlett.

64: Substitution confirmed for #afcb as Kermorgant is replaced by Rantie.

70: Atsu lays the ball off to Tomlin, who takes a touch before shooting over from the edge of the area.

71: Rantie has the ball in the back of the net for #afcb, but the flag is up for offside.

75: Gosling commits a foul 30 yards out and Walker's free kick deflects off the crossbar and behind.

77: Butcher comes on to make his #afcb debut, in place of Smith.

77: Ritchie then replaces Atsu, who has looked lively this evening on his #afcb debut

79: A Tomlin-Ritchie one-two culminates in Ritchie’s shot from close range being gathered by Bartlett.

81: Bingham fires a first time effort wide of the upright, in #hufc’s best chance of the game.

89: Gosling loses possession 30 yards out, but somehow #hufc fail to capitalise and Federici gathers.

Tonight’s attendance is 4890 with 164 #afcb supporters. Thank you for your incredible support!

90: There will be two minutes of additional time played here. #afcb lead 4-0.

TeamsAFCB XI: Federici, Smith, Distin, Cargill, Mings, Atsu, MacDonald, Gosling, Stanislas, Kermorgant, Tomlin.

AFCB: Allsop, Surman, Ritchie, Ward, Butcher, Costa, Rantie.

AFCB Ratings
Federici 7, Smith 7, Distin 7, Cargill 8, Mings 7, Atsu 7, MacDonald 7, Gosling 7, Stanislas 8, Kermorgant 7, Tomlin 7.

Hartlepool Utd FC: Bartlett, Duckworth, Harrison, Boyce, Carroll, Magnay, Featherstone, Woods, Oates, Paynter, Bingham

Hartlepool Subs: Walker, Oyenuga, Nelson-Addy, Fenwick ,Jones, Smith, Denton

A cold wind can blow in from Hartlepool on a Tuesday night

The Cherries travel to Hartlepool Utd's Victoria Park today as they get a change from the pressures of the Premier League. While AFCB will be the big favourites in this Capital One tie, it is clear that Ronnie Moore's side has started extremely well this season with nine points out of 12 from the first four league games and a useful 0-1 away win in the first round of the Capital One Cup at Fleetwood who play in League One.

It is likely that Eddie Howe will give a run out for players that have not started or been much involved in the league fixtures so far the chance to build their fitness. That could mean an appearance for Baily Cargill and Elliott Ward who will be keen to feature in this fixture, but Sylvain Distin and Mings will surely get starts along with Tomlin. It would be lovely to see Harry Arter on the bench but I don't expect him to be ready for that yet. The Cherries will still want to progress and that won't necessarily be easy considering Hartlepool's current form.

Billy Paynter, 30, has been among the goals for the Monkey Hangers. He signed from Carlisle Utd in the summer.and Rakish Bingham has given able support as the number nine striker having signed from Mansfield. The team has certainly more confidence than it did last season and Moore has had them playing well all pre-season apart from a  slip up against Torquay Utd. They've also been scouting up north having brought in winger Kudus Oyenuga, 22, who was released by Dundee Utd. It was also important for the club to give influential midfielder Nicky Featherstone on a new contract.

This game will certainly put a smile on Steve Fletcher's face but I expect he will remain quiet when asked which team he wants to win the game.

My expected AFCB team to face Hartlepool tonight is:
(4-4-1-1) Federici (GK), Smith (RD), Distin (CD), Cargill (CD), Mings (LD, Atsu (RM) , Gosling (CM), MacDonald, Stanislas (LM), Tomlin (FW), Kermorgant (FW)