A busy July schedule for Cherries

The Cherries pre-season really gets up a head of steam in the next few days. They have a five-day training at Bad Waltersdorf in Austria, which they fly out to on 8 July, and will face FC Copenhagen on 11 July at the Vulkanlandarena in Austria. Matches against Salisbury Town (or Eastleigh FC I am hearing today), Dorchester, Southampton and Portsmouth follow and there are games against Swansea and Oxford in the first two days of August. The Development squad will also have a full fixture list as they prepare for their season in their mini league.

AFCB players at the Valley last season. I think AFCB's new
pitch will turn out a lot better than this, but even Dean Court
has had drainage problems so a higher profile will be given to the pitch. 

During July the players will be clocking up the miles and have plenty of minutes on the pitch to get ready for their first league match against Huddersfield Town. It will be good when all the talking and training is over and the players can just go out and do their thing. But I find this period very exciting as you know that the team is working hard and will be in public view again very soon. What I don't like is the thought of injuries and strains but it's all part of the game and it is very rare for any squad to have everyone available for their first game.

I am desperate to know how the team will line up for that initial game and we will have to analyse what Eddie Howe does in the next few weeks in these pre-season friendlies with his line ups. While the goal keeper and first choice back four almost pick themselves there will be a decision to make at centre back as to who to leave out and the options for the top half of the team will see more intense competition this coming season.

I see the Southampton, Portsmouth and Swansea games as the key matches for the Cherries in the upcoming period of games. They will be tough games and the two derby games will perhaps have a bit of bite to them whereas the Swansea match should be a littered with great passing moves. We are getting nearer to kick-off. UTCIAD!

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.