Lee and Butcher make great debuts for AFCB

It was not really known who Eddie would pick to start against Birmingham in the cup, but we knew there would be changes. The position of left back though has been Charlie Daniels all season barring a few minutes and so it was perhaps a surprise to see Matt Butcher come into the side playing slightly out of position there. He was joined in an experimental back four by Jordan Lee at right back who had captained the U21 side in midweek and that meant Adam Smith could also have a rest head of the West Ham game on Tuesday.

Matt Butcher gets a call up to the first team.

Eddie Howe made it very clear that he was very pleased to blood these players in the FA Cup and he also admitted that it was very hard to find games when he could give youth its chance. For the fans it is great to see players like Matt Butcher and Jordan Lee get their chance and they did not let anyone down. The back four was perhaps the one section of the team where fans would not have expected to see so much rotation, but the manager will be delighted that Matt and Jordan came through the test well as Birmingham attacked with real quality down both wings.

Jordan Lee at St Andrews.

Listening to Matt and Jordan's interviews it was only late on when both players knew that they would be starting on Saturday. Matt Butcher said the team did some work on shaping on Friday that gave him a good indication that he would start, having also played at left back earlier in the week against Colchester rather than in his usual midfield role. Jordan was also pleased to be playing with Sylvan and Baily and his game was quite an exciting one in the first 20 minutes up against Solomon-Otabor, but he grew into the task and got forward himself as the game developed.

Jason Tindall on the team news with debuts for Jordan Lee and Matt Butcher.

While AFCB continue to buy in big signings it is hard for the U21 to see an easy path through to the first team, but there are many players that are getting closer to the first team now that have come through the youth system. In the future I hope that we see more of them make the jump into first team games. It is a big jump up in class now that AFCB are a Premier League team. Jordan Green and Josh Wakefield were also on the bench for this FA Cup match and perhaps they will get a chance in the Fourth round.

Expect some changes for AFCB in the cup

While it would be great if AFCB could play its first team in the match at St Andrews, the sad truth is that at this stage of the competition most managers will not put out their strongest sides. The FA Cup is a tournament that the club would love to do well in and the rewards of making it to the final rounds are clearly fabulous both for the players and the fans, but the competition is going to see Premier League managers protect their best players with the demands of the top league taking priority.

There is a chance for some game time for
many players that have been on the sidelines.

For AFCB that could still mean that one or two of his fist 11 are played to keep some continuity but I don't expect the starting 11 who turned out against Leicester to be highly represented at Birmingham. Adam Federici is a certain starter you'd think unless he is injured in midweek training and in front of him it is possible that Tommy Elphick could come back in to captain the side, especially with Simon Francis carrying out his one match suspension. My preference would be to see Baily Cargill get some minutes as well, but Sylvain Distin is perhaps more likely to partner Elphick at the back.

In midfield we could also see several changes with Lee Tomlin and perhaps Shaun MacDonald given rare starts. Eddie is likely to want to play a few of those who have been on the edge of the team, but if there is interest coming in for the likes of Yann Kermorgant that could also affect team selection. Yann also played well in midweek. Tokelo Rantie would of course return to the scene of one of his best performances for the Cherries and that could encourage the manager to play him.

Whether Juan Iturbe gets his work permit in time for this game is not known but I would not expect him to start, even if he does get clearance. Eddie would want to bring him in gradually and a heated cup tie might not be the best debut for him unless he could come on in the second half when some of the heat has already been taken out of the game.

It would be good to see some of the Development players that almost got to feature in the League Cup as well. Perhaps Jordan Lee or Matt Butcher could be included among the subs along with Jordan Green who travelled with the team to Chelsea a few weeks ago.

Competition
If you fancy predicting the score send your predictions in via twitter to @PeterBell19 and we'll have another go to give away the AFCB 2016 diary to someone who gets the score right. Send them in before 6pm on Friday for a chance to win. You must also follow me on Twitter. Best of luck!

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