Pitman's hat-trick against Blackpool helps Cherries stay top 4-0

Match Report

AFCB 4 v 0 Blackpool

14 March 2015

Attendance: 10,013

Brett Pitman with the match ball.

It was a few years ago when know one knew much about the little footballing side on the south coast that played its football at Dean Court and who had a striker called Brett Pitman who would regularly keep the club from slipping further down the slippery football pyramid. Today, the same player is still scoring and now has 101 goals for the Cherries to his name, but both he and his team are lighting up the Championship and Brett's stunning hat-trick against Blackpool not only gave Cherries fans lots of reason to remember what the Jersey-born striker has done for this club over the years, but it also reminded them that he still has a lot to give having scored five times in his last two games. 

Lee Clark in the opposition dugout.

Eddie Howe pre-match.

Blackpool players greet AFCB players.

The two teams on the pitch.

More pictures are on the Match Day Gallery tab.

The fixture was perhaps a foregone conclusion for those who were waiting to tick another game off in the Championship run with top playing bottom. AFCB were without the suspended Harry Arter, while Yann Kermorgant had picked up a bug overnight that meant he would not be playing either. Shaun MacDonald stepped in again to resume a midfield role and Eunan O'Kane was back on the bench. But Blackpool were not going to make it too easy and they had to make changes with their AFCB loan signing Miles Addison not allowed to play against the Cherries, while O'Hara was injured. Telford and Ferguson were also moved to the bench, allowing Orlandi, Madine, Jacobs and Dunne to come into the Tangerines' starting line up.

Pitman gets his laces just right for a hat-trick.

The captains in the middle.

AFCB prepare to put in a professional winning performance.

Blackpool players marvel at seeing grass on a pitch.

While the crowd numbered over 10,000 it was a fairly expectant and yet quiet home crowd while Blackpool brought no more than about three of hundred fans, which was understandable in their club's position. While Blackpool looked to get forward from the start in their white shirts with diagonal tangerine stripe and matching shorts, AFCB were free to play the ball along the back line without too much pressing from Blackpool. Charlie Daniels was soon making his characteristic runs up the left and Aldred was having to do his best to stop him. 

Meanwhile, Ritchie was battling with Perkins and the two of them looked stuck together like glue for the opening few minutes. AFCB's first opening involved Surman and then MacDonald with Surman making the final pass to Pitman who went for a glory shot and smashed high and wide after seven minutes.

Gary Madine was making his presence felt up front with Delfouneso playing just behind. While Madine was caught offside, Blackpool were starting to show endeavour. That was given a big set back on 10 minutes though when Francis played a ball to Pitman who turned and set off in search of I am not sure, but by the time I checked to see how much progress he had made he was running with ever greater pace and turning Blackpool defenders until he was on the edge of the Tangerines' box and by coming to his left side he let go a shot that nestled right in the corner of the goal. He'd done it again! Just like the Fulham match, but this time he had started just inside the opposition's half. How is that possible? The Blackpool defenders had backed off and Brett had nailed another stunning shot on the back of a run that must have been at least 45-50 yards - sensational. The Cherries were 1-0 up!

After the first goal there was an attempt to get Ritchie away up the right wing, but Charles Dunne came across shoulder barged Ritchie right off his feet and was allowed to play on, much to the annoyance of Matt. Callum Wilson was chasing down anything that was left to run to Ell Parish in the Blackpool goal, but it was Charlie Daniels that was causing havoc with his one-twos with Marc Pugh on the left. Tom Barkhuizen was going to have a busy afternoon.

Jacobs was doing much of the covering work for Blackpool in midfield, while Delfouneso, Hall and Dunne were starting to get on the ball more. Indeed, Jacob had a shot that flew off Shaun MacDonald for a Blackpool corner after 22 minutes. Blackpool were giving away silly little fouls though and Madine fouled Pitman just as Blackpool looked like they had a chance to keep the ball in Bournemouth's half. 

AFCB came back with a strong move that saw Wilson and Ritchie combine high up the field and win a corner with MacDonald forcing Charles Dunne to clear. AFCB's corner's were not being rushed and Francis tried to make something of this one from deep, but when the ball came in, Pitman went down and was not give a penalty. When Ritchie was later fouled and AFCB had another chance to get the ball in the box, the ball seemed to come off a Blackpool player for a corner, but referee Chris Sarginson saw it as a goal kick much to the consternation of the AFCB players who had their arms in the air calling for a corner.

Blackpool were not looking to cleaver around the box even if their build up play was okay. Perkins and Delfouneso managed to get some space for Andrea Orlando to have a shot on the half hour but it was well over. AFCB replied with another corner just two minutes later when Cook headed over. The game was getting bitty with free kicks and the occasional scared pigeon flying for cover in front of the Family stand, which was almost as entertaining as the ball being in play.

David Perkins was clearly the most fired up player on Blackpool's side and he was constantly either fouling or being fouled by Ritchie and Wilson. When Wilson could break free he was given offside, but when Ritchie shaped to take a shot from the right side of the box  that looped up off a defender and seemed to be going wide, when we suddenly saw Brett Pitman come into view, just ahead of Callum Wilson,  on the far side and bury his header past the on rushing Parish to make it 2-0!

After the restart Wilson was held by Tom Aldred when bursting through and Aldred received the first yellow card on 39 minutes. With Marc Pugh and Brett Pitman standing over the ball I was urging Pitman to get himself in the box. Instead Pugh took it short to Pitman who glided past the first Blackpool man and pulled the trigger whipping his shot in from the edge of the box and Parish was beaten yet again - it was 3-0! From Blackpool's point of view, Parish's handling of the shot at the near post was not the best.

By this stage even the Blackpool fans were clapping when AFCB scored. Towards the end of the half Charles Dunne had a shot blocked and Blackpool had more of the possession. With the yellow balloons and a minutes applause for Watford fan Nick Cruwys on 44 minutes, the Cherries were soon in at half time three goals to the good.

Cherry Chimes' FanCam: Mic and Tom Curtis give their views on the Blackpool team.

A great first half for the Cherries.

The players leave the pitch at half time.

Got to be pleased with that at half time

Second Half
There were no changes at half time, but the break did not look like it had slowed the Cherries down any. Charlie Daniels soon fed Callum Wilson in and Parish had to make a good save as early as the 47th minute. AFCB's goal machine did not have to wait much longer to get another chance though as Marc Pugh was tripped inside the box when taking on Orlandi and the ref pointed to the spot. Now Brett Pitman was the designated penalty taker and he signalled to the bench is it mine to take? But Callum Wilson already had the ball and was placing it down, ready to take it. Brett went over to Callum and spoke to him, but allowed him to take the kick and thankfully Callum spanked the ball down the middle and into the net to make it 4-0, while Brett Pitman was the first to congratulate Wilson.

The game was well and truly over but there was still 41 minutes to go. Big respect to the Blackpool fans who were singing: "Blackpool are going down in reply to the Reds are going up!" It was a case of how many were the Cherries going to get which every one had been telling me before the game kicked off. But credit to the Blackpool players they fought on bravely.

A corner or a series of passes was always well cheered by the Blackpool fans as they looked to enjoy something from the game. One incident they were pleased about was when Tommy Elphick went into the book for a misjudged challenge on Nathan Delfouneso that saw the Blackpool player go over Elphick's out stretched leg and up into the air.

Blackpool brought on Jose Miguel Cubero for Connor Oliver after 54 minutes, but still AFCB dictated the game with Pugh almost getting Pitman in before Aldred got a clearance in. The yellow cards were evened up on 58 minutes when Tom Barkhuizen fouled Pugh. Ritchie put in a good cross to Pitman who turned well but shot over.

Blackpool then brought on Tommy McMahon and subbed Barkhuizen on 61 minutes. A moment or two later AFCB made a double sub with Adam Smith replacing Pugh and Junior Stanislas coming on for Tommy Elphick, which meant a change of shape as AFCB went three at the back and three up front and Steve Cook took the captain's armband. Junior Stanislas was very lively when he came on and was soon forcing events in the Blackpool half, while Smith had his usual energy and started to test Blackpool's left side with his pacey dribbling.

Stanislas had a shot go wide just three minutes after coming on and Perkins had to foul him on 67 minutes just to slow him down. Adam Smith linked up well with Daniels and Surman and might have stolen in but for an alert Parish in the Blackpool goal. Tony McMahon managed to get his first shot away but Blackpool were looking a beaten side with 20 minutes to go. 

Lee Clark probably felt that as well and brought on David Ferguson for Jacobs on 71 minutes. Meanwhile MacDonald was still threading balls through for Callum Wilson to chase after but he was adjudged to have fouled Grant Hall when through on goal. Adam Smith then won a corner after a deflected shot and Stanislas played the ball out to Andrew Surman who curled a shot wide of the far post. That was followed by a headed chance for Callum Wilson at the near post from a Ritchie cross on the left, but that flew over! 

Ritchie then made a heavy challenge on McMahon and was yellow carded. While Blackpool themselves won a corner after a Boruc fisted-clearance it did not feel like Blackpool would score and indeed they did not have a shot on target all game. Tokelo Rantie then replaced Callum Wilson as AFCB went in search of a fifth goal. Adam Smith was doing his best to change the scoreline and he went close again on 81 minutes when he beat Orlandi and Parish was forced to save. Stanislas then whipped in a low cross across the six yard box that Rantie could not quite get on to. 

A big shout for a penalty then came as Adam Smith went down on the right side of the box from a Charles Dunne challenge but AFCB weren't going to be given a second spot kick. Grant Hill blazed over in the last few minutes to go for Blackpool before McMahon picked up a yellow for a foul on Pitman with 90 minutes gone. There was just time for Rantie to make a late dash for the by line, but pulled his cross back just to high and out of the reach of Pitman.

Blackpool players congratulate AFCB players.

Another good score for the Cherries.

Handshakes all round.

Artur Boruc heads off the field.

Eddie's salute to the fans.

Summary
It was a cold and breezy day, but AFCB stayed on course to record a third straight win. The Cherries did what they had to to get the points and again put in a strong first half performance. While fans would have hoped and perhaps expected more goals in the second half I felt that Blackpool always kept trying and did not make it easy for the AFCB players. Artur Boruc did not have very much to do and Shaun MacDonald did a good job filling in for harry Arter. But it was Pitman's day and I think he rather likes getting the acclaim and winning games at this point of a season - let's see if he can d it again at Cardiff.

Not a bad day.

AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie MacDonald, Surman, Pugh, Pitman, Wilson 

AFCB Subs
Camp, Stanislas, Smith, Rantie, O'Kane, Ward, Fraser

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 6, Francis 7, Elphick 7, Cook 7, Daniels 8, Ritchie 7, MacDonald 7, Surman 7, Pugh 6, Pitman 9, Wilson 7 

Blackpool
Parish, Barkhuizen, (McMahon 61), Aldred, Hall, Dunne, Orlandi, Oliver (Cubero Loria 54), Perkins, Jacobs (Ferguson 71), Delfouneso, Madine

Blackpool Subs Clarke, Cubero Loria, Ferguson, McMahon, Telford, Boney, Osavi-Samuel

Blackpool's task: a lost cause?

It is saying something when even your manager says that a team needs "a miracle" to stay up. But that is precisely the situation that Lee Clark finds himself in having slumped even further with four defeats in their last five and an unwanted goal against column of 70 which is likely to added to at Dean Court if the earlier meetings of the two teams is anything to go by. So what does Lee Clark do with his side with games running out and 17 points off safety with just 10 games remaining?

Blackpool supporters I am sure want to see their team play with pride and to do everything they can to hold out against the Championship's leading side. Top versus bottom matches can sometimes through up surprises, but I don't think the bookies will have anything but very long odds on a Blackpool win on Saturday. You might expect Blackpool's player to play almost without pressure now as everyone expects them to be playing in League One next season, so they have a chance to see if they can improve confidence by competing and attempting to keep a clean sheet at Dean Court.  I expect corner kicks and free kicks will be what Lee Clark feels will be the best chance of his side posing a threat, but AFCB will surely be told to try and deny those kinds of opportunities as much as possible.

Blackpool players at Dean Court last season.

It's going to be tough for them, but they showed against Nottingham Forest a few weeks ago that they can score and scrap for points. They just have not done that often enough this season and the away record is very sorry reading with no wins and just six points from draws earned all season. The really shocking result they had was when visiting Watford on the road when they were 0-2 up at half time and conceded seven goals in the second half. Blackpool have only lost their last two games to Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday by a single goal so there are signs of improvement. Lee Clark is looking to the future though as you'll see in this video pre-Sheffield Wednesday match.

Where are their goals going to come from? I am struggling to see to be honest. Nathan Delfouneso is their leading scorer on three goals and he last scored against guess who? Yep, Bournemouth back on 20th December. One player who has scored a couple of goals for the Tangerines since the start of the year is Gary Madine who is probably Blackpool's most inform player although he was unavailable against Sheffield Wednesday last time out, but Andrea Orlandi, who had plenty of championship experience at Brighton, has also shown that he can get forward and pose a problem for defences at times along with ex-Pompey player Jamie O'Hara who has always been one for a spectacular goal, but has an ankle problem that might keep him out. I'll look at what other options Lee Clark has in this afternoon's article.

Blackpool Away Form
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AFCB Home Form
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Tweet in your score predictions to @peterbell19 to get your name on Cherry Chimes.

Well done to Artur Boruc who has been called up for Poland's Euro 2016 qualifier and should get his 60th cap to put him into their Hall of Fame.

AS IT HAPPENED: Bottom of the pile Blackpool battered 1-6 by Cherries

Match Description

Blackpool v AFCB

20 December 2014

Attendance: 10,014

Well what would a defeat against Liverpool do to the morale of an AFCB side that had been dominating games before that defeat? The answer was that it would make them even more determined to top the table come Christmas and would stack up an incredible 50 goals after playing 22 league games. The team on the end of this today was Blackpool, who did their best with making the pitch hard to play on, but it did not stop Bournemouth's tide of attacks from rushing in over the sand-sodden pitch to wash away any resistance that Blackpool could muster. AFCB are on the crest of a wave and it's hard to know how teams in the Championship can stop them in this form.

Eddie Howe knew that his team were still top of the league going into this match having heard that Derby Co and Norwich City had drawn 2-2 earlier in the day. The pitch at Bloomfield Road was not conclusive to playing pretty passing football from the description that Kris Temple and John Williams gave on BBC Radio Solent, but AFCB knew what was needed if they were to regain their table topping position over Christmas. Eddie Howe reverted to the starting line up that took on Cardiff City the week before and it was eyes down to see if they could perform as well away from home against the bottom team in the league. Blackpool just made one change with O'Keefe coming in place of Jacob Murphy. 

Jason Tindall confirms the AFCB team news.

Match Description: listening to BBC Radio Solent - Kris Temple and Willo

Blackpool in white and tangerine today, AFCB are in their blue kit. It's windy and blustery. Blackpool get a goal kick. Blackpool denied by Elphick as Chris Eagles came forward. Foley into the box and Elphick and Daniels clear. Blackpool playing 4-1-4-1. Kennedy gets a cross in and AFCB clear with Blackpool offside. AFCB have the wind with them in this first half.

Perkins wins a free kick. Kennedy with a pony tail plays the ball out to Davies, but Blackpool lose possession. Elphick now puts the ball out - five minutes gone. Perkins on the left wing hits his cross wide. Surman now comes forward and Pugh loses the ball to Eagles. Francis clears up. Daniels into Pugh and cannons it in off Foley for a corner. Brett takes the corner. Ritchie has a snap shot but it's cleared.

Wilson to Arter and his cross goes behind. Wilson holds off Clarke. Francis now down the right and Arter takes a tough but O'Hara wins the ball. Pugh and Pitman's shot goes for a goal kick. Surman is hobbling a bit. There's a strange empty atmosphere at Bloomfield Road. Kennedy and Elphick comes forward to Pugh on the left. Nosworthy cushions a header. Daniels into Pugh and Pitman's though has a heavy touch and the ball is gone. McMahon beings the ball away and now Kennedy. Elphick barges into Davies.

Eagles to take the free kick on 12 minutes. Boruc and Cook clear the ball. Foley takes the throw to O'Hara. O'Keefe crosses and Pugh clears. Elphick powers a header forward. Arter on half way. Francis now and Arter over runs it to Lewis in goal. Blackpool's keeper, Lewis, hits the ball against Wilson! Daniels to Pugh and a good cross that Clarke heads away. Ritchie and Francis on the right, he goes back. Pugh 25 yards out, Blackpool clear.

Elphick puts the ball out on 15 minutes. Surman seems okay now. Pugh and Arter. Ritchie is surrounded by three Blackpool players but escapes. Pitman and Ritchie past Perkins and it's gone in! How did that get past the keeper? One of the tamest goals you'll ever see and one of the most delayed reactions you'll ever see," says Kris Temple. It looked like the ball had gone wide but it is 0-1 to the Cherries after 18 minutes.

Elphick is involved in some heading practise and Cook. Daniels is playing very well in these first 20 minutes. "Dodgy keeper," shouts an AFCB fan! Ritchie and Wilson lofts the ball in but Foley has the ball and wins a throw off Pitman. Eagles and Frances wins the tackle. AFCB still passing well despite the poor surface. Pitman is fouled by McMahon, free kick.

Eagles and Davies but Francis finds Ritchie. Nosworthy up to Perkins who has been playing regularly for Blackpool. Blackpool have use 34 players already this season and AFCB only 21. Volleyed forward by Lewis. Elphick and Arter and McMahon wins the ball and Cook up to Wilson against Nosworthy who gets a foot in! Ritchie and Francis and Surman. Daniels and Pugh now on the sand and its a throw off Nosworthy.

Elphick launches the ball in but Lewis claims the ball. Clarke and Wilson beats him. Daniels back to Surman keeping the ball alive and Pugh has a shot. A hash of a save but Lewis keeps it out ahead of Pitman. Pretty unconvincing from Lewis.

The Cherries have a throw with 27 minutes gone. AFCB knocking it around well. Foley now though but Arter and Cook clear up. Pugh now on the edge of the box but the one-two with Pitman went wrong. Too heavy a touch from Pitman.

Davies from Eagles hits a bouncing bomb of a shot but Boruc has it covered. McMahon back to Lewis. Long to Elphick and Ritchie to Wilson. Arter a chest down to Wilson beats one man and goes down. Wilson lost his balance as the ref puts his hands down. Daniels chests it down. Arter fires the ball at Francis too heavy! Ritchie tries to get AFCB to lift the tempo.

"The opposite of Wolves' hostile environment here," says Kris Temple. Arter through to Wilson but the keeper comes out and Elphick wins a free kick. AFCB trying to make races for Wilson and it is almost coming off for the Cherries. Some 12 minutes to half time. A few Ola's from the Cherry fans. Wilson and Ritchie back to Wilson. Wilson is on the deck and a free kick is given to AFCB.

The ball is five yards out of the penalty area. Cook and Elphick come forward. The ball comes off Wilson and it's a goal kick. Blackpool have a free kick but put it wide. The Cherries are playing the ball around with seven minutes to half time. Daniels and Arter attacking right to left. Pugh now as the Tangerines can't get the ball. Ritchie's shot goes off a defender and out for a corner. Arter to Pugh against Perkins but Nosworthy clears. A Steve Cook long throw. Blackpool clear. Cook to Wilson and Pitman makes a handball, diving forward with his arm and is booked for unsporting conduct! Blackpool fans chant "Cheat!"

Arter nicks the ball from McMahon, Daniels and Arter back to Cook. Pitman heads on for Wilson and Ritchie to Arter now Surman and Pugh hits the defenders hand, nothing the defender could do no penalty. Daniels hooks the ball back in and Wilson pouches the ball into the net!! 0-2. Daniels chased a lost cause and Wilson had a tap in. "Pugh and Daniels are a team within a team," says Willo.

O'Hara to Eagles. Foley now and Elphick back pedals and Blackpool have their first corner. everyone ran away from the ball. Davies lofted it back in to Clarke and Boruc saves with his legs, but the flag goes up for offside anyway. Just one minute of extra time added. Wilson against Nosworthy who puts the ball out. Wilson against Foley and it's half time 0-2.

AFCB had 69 per cent possession in the first half and eight shots with four shots on target. Blackpool mustered three shots, two of which were on target.

Second Half
Eagles and O'Keefe have come off for Blackpool and Delfouneso and Murphy have replaced them. Cook back pedals and puts out the ball for a corner with Davies in close attendance. The whistle goes for an AFCB free kick. Ritchie up to Wilson and Ritchie at right back to Daniels and Pugh, Daniels' cross and Clarke clears. Surman to Pugh and Lewis come out in front of Wilson.

Murphy against Daniels and Murphy wins a throw. Cook heads away. O'Hara to Kennedy. Pitman handballs it and a free kick is given to Blackpool. Elphick heads it away Perkins back in and Clarke has a go, but the flag goes up as Boruc has the ball kicked out of his hands.

Murphy up to O'Hara and Davies cuts in field and hits a wide shot. Delfounso is quick and beats Francis but Surman clears. Kennedy now across goal and Francis hacks it clear. Arter finds Wilson, but Kennedy has the ball and Davies is offside. Elphick has the ball long to Nosworthy and Arter wins the ball. Foley gives the ball away. Ritchie and Pugh. Francis coming across. Elphick's first touch and McMahon wins the ball.

Wilson now curves his shot and wins a corner with an hour gone. Blackpool clear. Wilson one-on-one against Clarke into the penalty area, Pitman goes over and it's play on Arter into the box, tees up Surman, now Ritchie right side and on to his left foot and Ritchie tries to curl one and makes it 0-3! "That was pure class from Matt Ritchie," says Kris Temple. "Top left corner, bends it round Joe Lewis."

Some 14 minutes gone of the second half and AFCB are 0-3 up. Darren O'Dea comes on for Nosworthy. A chance again down the other side of the pitch. Rugby tackle by O'Dea and he has a yellow card after just coming on. Chest off by Wilson to find Pugh. Arter turns away from his man and Pitman back to Surman, Francis. Murphy wins the ball. Delfouneso shoots and that's not a bad effort but Boruc is up to it.

Perkins with Elphick chasing him back and Francis and cook bring the ball away. Blackpool make a low cross but Cook makes a low sliding clearance. Bournemouth are not satisfied with three goals here. In it comes and Pitman defends. Cross comes in and Ritchie blocks for a throw. Blackpool loft the ball back in. Cook sees it out. O'Hara and a push on Ritchie, no play on and O'Hara into the box is parried by Boruc and Delfouneso puts it in 1-3. The Cherries claimed a fee kick in the build up but it's back to 1-3. Ritchie should may be have just got rid of that says Kris Temple.

Now it's Wilson at the other end and he's through and brought down. A penalty. Darren O'Dea pushes over Wilson and it's a penalty. An immediate chance for AFCB to restore the three goal difference. Pitman has the ball. It was a clear penalty given by the assistant linesman. Pitman now with a long run up and it's a fantastic penalty, but it's an encroachment and he'll have to take it again. Same side same result, Pitman scores to make it 1-4. It takes a lot of nerve to do that, bottom right hand corner.

There's a yellow card for Steve Davies there for some back chat to the referee. Pitman has a double clenched fist salute to the AFCB supporters. Just 23 minutes to play now. Blackpool clear. Ritchie has the ball who is still on a hat-trick. Substitution, Yann Kermorgant comes on for Pitman on 70 minutes. Kermorgant flicks the ball on to Wilson. Arter on the edge of the box to Kermorgant but Wilson is offside.

This is going to be 12 league games undefeated for the Cherries. Arter to Ritchie and keeps the ball in. Up to Francis in the area pulls it back and over the crossbar! Kermorgant had his final shot tipped over by the keeper. "We used to call this pretty football." says Willo."But it's devastating football. It's pulverising Blackpool."

Blackpool clear and Ritchie has a right footed cross. In go the heads. It comes to the back post and Marc Pugh makes it five! 18 minutes left. It's good that the left hand side of the team have scored a goal, says Willo. "As they have deserved it." It was a low angled header. The keeper was not the best today.

Wilson is coming off and on comes Dan Gosling with Kermorgant playing up front own his own. This season AFCB have scored 49 goals in the league. Elphick makes a clearance. The ball comes across the top of the box and over to the far side with MacMahon. A firm challenge comes in from Gosling. Pugh to Gosling down the side and Arter is in he shoots and it's 1-6. it's Harry Arter yet again!

Still 14 minutes plus added time to go. "We are AFC Bournemouth, we score when we want rings out!" The Blackpool fans are leaving. "We want seven is the chant." A volley from Blackpool goes out of the stands - a terrible shot from MacMahon. "This is Christmas come early," says Kris Temple.

Here is another change Adam Smith comes on for Marc Pugh, 78 minutes gone. Davies puts a good cross across the area. Delfouneso almost sneaked between two defenders again. Arter is almost playing like a centre forward now. It's an excellent performance today.

Smith to Arter and Ritchie up to Surman and Gosling, sideways to Kermorgant, Daniels trying to get on on the act, overlap with smith and tries to pull a cross back, but there were almost too many blue shirts there in the end. Ritchie on a hat-trick is denied by a flying save! A corner then.

The last 10 minutes. Surman to Ritchie and Kermorgant goes round the keeper and oh no he has missed an open goal. Off balance, the goal was gaping and it should have been seven! He's hit it over the top with his weaker left foot. A foul on Steve Cook. gosling loses the ball. Daniels back to Smith but Blackpool clear.

Back to the keeper Lewis who clears. Perkins crosses but it passes everyone. Smith tracks back with Daniels. The passing is mesmerising, Ritchie tries to play Arter through the centre, but Arter trips. Ricthie now and Daniels is fouled. Ritchie to Smith whose shot is blacked.

Arter wins a free kick. This is five metres outside of the box. Arter has had a kick in the nose. Three minutes left. A chance for Kermorgant. It clips the wall and will be a corner. Francis shoots wide.

Heavy ball back to Gosling and Cook. Gosling tries to get round a defender. It's out for a Blackpool throw. "Visiting places beginning with B is proving a happy Satrurday afternoon experience," says Kris Temple. Ritchie into the area tries a curler but it's straight at Lewis. Three minutes to be added on.

The ball has ended up in the Cherries net but the flag is up. Boruc up to Kermorgant and Francis. Can the Cherries get a seventh with a minute left. Francis back to Surman and Elphick. "Six, cant be greedy," says Willo Kermorgant to Ritchie and O'Dea clears. Arter to Gosling and Ritchie at the edge of the box with Arter and the referee blows his whistle. Six one winners at Bloomfield Road. A terrific response from the Liverpool defeat. Five goalscorers for the Cherries.

Willo says "It's the way they have done it. They have passed Blackpool to death."

Summary
Incredulous is the only adjective I can think of to describe the explosive, open attacking play that the Cherries are now making their signature for performances away from home. The players were queuing up in this match to have a shot on goal by the end of this game. even Tommy Elphick, the only outfield AFCB player who has not yet scored fancied his luck of getting one today. All I will say is well done to the Blackpool fans who saw the game out and applauded the Cherries off the pitch. I give 10 out of 10 to those tangerine fans who braved up for that. As for AFCB, take a bow. We move on to the Fulham match on Boxing Day - more work to be done.

AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh (Smith78), Pitman (Kermorgant 70), Wilson (Gosling)

AFCB SubsCamp, Gosling, Smith, Kermorgant, Fraser, O'Kane, Cargill

Blackpool
Lewis, Foley, Nosworthy (O'Dea 60), Clarke, Kennedy, McMahon, O'Keefe (Murphy 46), Eagles (Delfouneso 46), O'Hara, Perkins, Davies

Blackpool Subs
Orlandi, Delfouneso, Miller, Parish, Murphy, Waddington, O'Dea