Bournemouth have to step it up against Burnley

The way Burnley are going about their matches they will not be easily put off their task when they come to Dean Court. While they lost their last game to a late minute penalty against Arsenal, AFCB have to be watchful they don't find Burnley taking out all their anger on them.

Burnley are capable of crashing into the top six.

Burnley must be delighted with their start and I don't see it as a fluke. Sean Dyche drills his team and has bought well in the summer. They might not be all household names, but they are a team and that counts for a lot. Some might have felt that the departure of Andre Gray to Watford could see them struggle for goals, but it's been anything but that. Okay, they are not scoring three or four every games, but Burnley are a team that create a good few chances every game and we know that Sam Vokes will be desperate to win his place back n the side for this one against Bournemouth. Sean Dyche has also been impressed with Stephen Ward and will soon see the return of Jonathan Walters - even if not for this game.

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Bournemouth have to find something extra for Dyche's men. Their stock is rising all the time and in Hendrick and Brady they have players that find gaps and create problems so it's not just the strikers that will worry Bournemouth. Furthermore, if Bournemouth do find they can expose the Burnley defence they still have Nick Pope to beat who has been in sensational form.

I think there is something that Eddie will say though to get Bournemouth fully focussed on this game. There are games in the season that you just don't want to lose and AFCB have two of them coming up. If there is a time to peak it is now. Burnley will be walking tall and expecting to put Bournemouth down, but AFCB have to raise their game and battle harder than ever if they are to  come out on top in this one.

A special good luck to Harry Arter tonight if he is selected for his 250th AFCB game. UTCIAD!

Burnley Away Form
DDWLW

AFCB Home Form
LWDLW

AFCB take 58 seconds to turn a draw into a win

AFCB are used to seeing their leads pulled back. Eddie Howe will probably say it has happened too often when they have made good starts this season. Against Burnley there did not seem any undue worry about them getting close to testing Artur Boruc in the Bournemouth goal until Sam Vokes' header rather disturbed the peace at Dean Court and came like a bombshell with just seven minutes of normal time to go.

Josh King got the winner with just five minutes to go.

I looked around at the AFCB players to see their reaction. While Steve Cook had his arms in the air saying he couldn't do much to stop Vokes' well timed leap, Ryan Fraser was already on half way and looking to get things going again. It is that spirit of not dwelling on what has happened but looking to correct it that has given the Cherries more self belief. It is also reinforced when the side go and get another goal within 58 seconds of seeing their lead wiped out. Of course, there was not much time to get a winner as the clock was already running down to the last five minutes, but we could have seen a different outcome had the Cherries reflected more negatively about seeing Burnley get back on level terms.

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Lewis Cook mentioned after the game that the team all knew that they could 'bounce-back'. I don't think there is a desire for AFCB to keep fans on edge right up to the last few minutes of games but Dean Court has seen some tremendous finishes to games in recent seasons and it will be something that the club will have to try and replicate at their new stadium when it comes along.

In the meantime, we should enjoy the way the side is creating an even better legacy and aura about the Cherries in the Premier League and it's important that opposition sides see that Dean Court is not an easy place to come to.

Burnley beaten by Cherries' late winner 2-1

13 May 2017

AFCB 2 v 1 Burnley

Attendance: 11,388

Josh King walked off with Man of the Match
and Junior Cherries' player of the season. 

As the last home match of the season AFCB wanted to get another three points and record a record points total in the top division. They did it with a fairly dominant amount of possession, but found it difficult to build on their first goal that Junior Stanislas stuck after 25 minutes. Burnley hung in the game and did all they could to make it a difficult afternoon for Eddie Howe's men, which turned on 83 minutes when former AFCB striker Sam Vokes guided in his 10th goal of the season. It was a shock and the question was asked could AFCB respond? They did so with a fast paced move by Ryan Fraser that left Josh King to hold off Burnley's last defender before directing the ball under Heaton for the winner just five minutes from time.

AFCB and Burnley greet each other.

AFCB team photo.

Burnley await kick off.

Lewis Cook kept his place in the side as he was not yet off to play for the England U20 side and Junior Stanislas recovered well enough during the week to start so it was an unchanged side. Meanwhile, Dan Gosling returned to the bench.

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More pictures are on Match Day Gallery.

Here we go.

The start made by Burnley was lively enough. George Boyd found himself at the end of a move on the right side of the box but fired wide. Bournemouth replied with a couple of quick corners, the second of which saw Simon Francis try and shoot from just outside the box, but he elevated the strike into the stands. 

AFCB kept pressing forward and Adam Smith had a low shot easily gathered by Heaton on nine minutes. Possession was being turned over quickly and Sam Vokes was drawing fouls. 

Bournemouth's play became a bit hesitant with Francis asking for options for a forward pass, but he couldn't fix his eyes on one. Josh King looked to have broken through when James Tarkowski took him down, but the flag had already gone up for offside.

AFCB were taking the initiative and Junior Stanislas tried to put in a measured cross for King, but it was just a metre in front of him. Steve Cook was next fouled by Sam Vokes and from the free kick Lewis picked out Junior Stanislas who moved in from the right wing, collected the pass and sorted his stride to guide a shot past Heaton and into the bottom left corner of the net - 1-0. It was a beautifully long drifting , diagonal pass that Lewis Cook had made to find Stanislas and the winger took the pass comfortably on his chest before, manoeuvring past Stephen Ward to find the back of the net.

Adam Smith was always looking to get his foot in early to start off AFCB attacks, while Francis was busy getting blocks in. Harry Arter went down holding his left knee but managed to continue.

Burnley were playing better and Ashley Barnes played a ball back to Scott Arfield who fired a shot inches wide from 25 yards.

The Cherries were moving the ball well with Stanislas and Pugh. When Mousset picked the ball up and fed it to Pugh, he shot straight at Heaton much to his annoyance.

A foul by Lewis Cook led to Sam Vokes heading over from the free kick thanks to the defending from Mousset.

When King was taken down by Tarkowski and did not get a free kick, something snapped in Harry Arter who went chasing after the ball. He finally caught up with Tarkowski but gave a free kick away. It was a dangerous period for AFCB as the free kick had to be defended. Mousset got a clearance away before Arter lost possession to Barnes who sent Scott Arfield through against Boruc. Boruc was out quick though and smothered the shot - great save! That kept the score 1-0 at half time, but the 44th minute was well observed with a minute of clapping for popular AFCB fan Paul Gethen Willis who sadly passed away last week.

The Cherries go in ahead.

AFCB U18's show off their cup.

Second half

Burnley subbed Ashley Barnes for Andre Gray at the start of the half. Daniels was first to stretch his legs and managed to stop a Burnley goal kick by getting to the ball in time to make it into a throw. Daniels did even better moments later with a cross he put in from the left across the six yard box.

Bournemouth were upping the tempo with Stanislas and King seeing their shots blocked. Steve Cook then had a crack from distance which Heaton saved well.

Burnley started to get back into their groove with Ashley Westwood and George Boyd finding space for Arfield who shot just wide. 

George Boyd was subbed for Robbie Brady on 55 minutes, before Vokes hit a weak shot at Boruc. 

AFCB's best moves were coming through Pugh. King was trying to profit but hit his shot too high from the left wing. King's runs were causing problems but Burnley were keeping him out.

Eddie Howe brought on Ryan Fraser on 66 minutes ad subbed Mousset.  Fraser played in the number 10 role behind King. King was doing his best to build on the lead having a deflected shot that went out for a corner. Lewis Cook took a resulting shot but Heaton got behind it.

Burnley made their last sub on 75 minutes with Arfield going off and Gudmundsson coming on. The game seemed fairly settled with Vokes the main threat for Burnley heading over from a corner.

Bournemouth took Arter off and brought on Dan Gosling for the last 10 minutes. It was an eventful end to the game. Burnley worked a cross from  Gudmundsson on the right wing that Sam Vokes got up well for, ahead of Steve Cook, and headed into the bottom left corner to make it 1-1 on 84 minutes. Burnley's fans sang "We are staying up!"

It was disappointing for AFCB having been so much in control. The mood would soon change again though when Bournemouth won a free kick. Gosling played Fraser forward and his pass to Josh King left the forward with some work to do but he checked inside Tarkowski well and beat Heaton for power to restore a lead for the Cherries on 86 minutes 2-1. 

AFCB subbed Stanislas for Ibe. A big play came just a couple of minutes before the 90 minutes were up. Robbie Brady drove through the heart of AFCB's defence but went over rather spectacularly. Infact referee, Lee Probert felt it was simulation and Brady was given a yellow card. The Cherries had to play out five minutes of added time, but they did so without any real alarms.

Burnley thank their fans.

Full time - another home win..

Summary

It was a sunny end to the home games and AFCB did enough to pick up all the points even if they did not quite hit top form. Burnley had come to stay in the match and put up good resistance for much of the game. It was the energy and power of Josh King that had the final say on the day and thoughts will turn quickly to whether AFCB can keep hold of their top marksman this summer.

The Cherries notch up another victory.

AFCB

Boruc, A Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Stanislas (Ibe), Arter (Gosling), L Cook, Pugh,
Mousset (Fraser), King

AFCB Subs
Allsop, Mings, B Smith,Gosling, Gradel, Fraser, Ibe

AFCB Ratings

Boruc 8, A Smith 7, Francis 7, Cook 7, Daniels 7, Stanislas 8, Arter 8, L Cook 8, Pugh 8,
Mousset 6, King 10

Burnley
Heaton, Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Ward, Boyd (Brady), Westwood, Hendrick, Arfield (Berg Gudmundsson), Barnes (Gray), Vokes

Burnley Subs
Flanagan, Gray, Brady, Defour, Berg Gudmundsson, Darikwa, Pope

Referee Watch: Lee Probert 5/10 we thought he had left his cards at home!

Burnley have been improving in away games

I was worried a few weeks ago that Burnley had not scored many goals in away matches and worse still they hadn't picked up any wins on the road and were saving it all up for their visit to AFCB. That all changed with the 0-2 win at Selhurst Park in April, but they'll come to Dean Court now with more positivity about what they can do in away matches.

When AFCB line up to face Burnley they will be well
aware of Burnley's improving away record.

Sam Vokes, AFCB's old striker, is doing the business for Burnley at the moment with two goals against WBA in their last home match and penalty against Everton. He has always managed to get goals and his bustling nature makes him a powerful player to try and hold off. In away, AFCB's match against Stoke City was a good practise as we can expect Burnley to be explosive on the break and concentrating hard at corners to try and pinch a goal.

I'm surprised really that Burnley have found it difficult going to away grounds as they have the perfect hard working side that chases down teams well. They clearly play best when they have a big crowd behind them, but Burnley's goal record is not that high at just over one a game and Andre Gray who has nine goals and Ashley Barnes who has six are still learning their trade at this level.

With two wins in their last 10, it might be a bit early to say that Burnley are used to winning games in the Premier League yet, but only 10 sides have let in fewer goals which means they keep in games by keeping it tight at the back.

Burnley Away Form
LDDLW

AFCD Home Form
WWLWD

The Cherries head to fortress Turf Moor

Burnley have been quite a different proposition at home to what they have been on the road. While AFCB have found it hard to win away games, if  you take away the Clarets home points and they would have just one point this season. So is this a nailed on home win?

The fans going into the home end at Turf Moor would certainly think so, but AFCB have been improving in their away games with a win against Stoke and a decent, but ultimately points-free outing against Arsenal in their last two away games. You have to go back to 5 November though to see when Burnley last picked up points in that cracking game they had against Crystal Palace and  a 90+4 minute winner from Ashley Barnes. Just like AFCB, Burnley run teams right to the end of games and this will be a battle of fitness and energy as much as any game AFCB play this season. I found it very interesting to hear what Sean Dyche said at the start of the season that AFCB had shown teams how to stay up in the Premier League last season and the energy and athletic fitness of Burnley is excellent, just as it is with Eddie Howe's side.

Simon Francis is keen to see an AFCB back-to-back win.

AFCB will know that having the possession against Burnley will not guarantee a result. Palace had 62 per cent possession when they played at Turf Moor and when the Clarets beat Liverpool they did that with just 20 per cent of the possession. So while AFCB may have much of the ball, they will have to show a sharpness in front of goal that is better than what we have seen on the road from them. Watford away was the only game when AFCB have managed to get above one goal in an away game, and that may not be enough against a Burnley side that are not unaccustomed to scoring two or three goals at home. 

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The striking power of Burnley is something that the pundits have not talked about too much. André Gray was unstoppable in the Championship last year and they have a master at headed finishing in Sam Vokes, while Ashley Barnes can also hit a rasping shot. Sean Dyche only played Vokes at the start up front against Man City and Palace in their last two home games and he may well stick to the same game plan against AFCB. Burnley are also powerful in midfield with Hendrick, Boyd and Arfield and their Icelandic signing Johann Berg Gudmundsson. 

While Burnley have spread their goals about throughout the team, they are only above Hull City in the goal scoring charts. But 11 of their 12 goals have come at Turf Moor and AFCB's defence will have a job to keep a clean sheet against a side that knows it's home games are key to staying up. It is going to be a very different test to the Liverpool examination, but AFCB can come through it if they can stop Burnley from getting a good early start in the game. 

Burnley Home Form
WLWWL


AFCB Away Form
LDLWL

Probable AFCB team: Boruc (GK), A Smith (RD), Francis (CD), S Cook (CD), Aké (LD), Fraser (RM), Arter (CM), Gosling (CM), Ibe (LM), Wilshere (FW), C Wilson (FW)

Bench: Federici, Mings, Daniels, Pugh, King, Afobe, Mousset

How many is Grabban going to score?

Lewis Grabban will probably say he did not have to do too much for his goals against Birmingham City, but they all count and we are very pleased that he did stick his chances away. His first goal was perhaps a gift in that Birmingham's defenders just didn't deal with the cross from Pugh and a tap in as they say is a tap in. You still have to arrive in the box unmarked though and in free space and Grabban's run was crucial in that.

Grabban on target again.

His second goal was a penalty after he had drawn Randloph, the keeper, out of position and was going around him. A commentator on the Football League show said Grabban was going away from goal but we have seen how Lewis can score from acute angles. The disallowed shot against Middlesbrough was one of those occasions when I was thinking how did he score from there any way, even though it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper that only the referee wanted to give in that game. Although Grabban missed a penalty against Watford at Dean Court, I don't have many worries when he steps up to take a spot kick and I needn't have worried last Saturday as he dispatched it high into the roof of the net.

Lewis gets ready at st Andrews.

So how many goals could Grabban get this season? I believe he could be the second highest scorer in the league. Ross McCormack has too much of a lead to catch, but second place is certainly up for grabs - if you'll pardon the pun! That is especially true with Danny Ings and Sam Vokes struggling with injuries. I think 25 is possible and I hope he does even better than that.

Cherry Chimes also speaks with Lofty Heights blog ahead of AFCB v QPR - see Rival Lines.

Yann and Lewis - the perfect double act

Eddie Howe can only have been delighted with the work and understand that is already building up between Lewis Grabban and Yann Kermorgant against Leeds Utd yesterday. The pair looked like they were a partnership that knew exactly what they should be doing and they played to each others strengths. I especially thought that Yann popped up just about everywhere in the first half and really showed his commitment to keeping a starting place.

Lewis Grabban keeps his eyes and shots on target.

There is no doubt that Yann has more about his game than most strikers. He is so comfortable with his back to the goal and sees things very quickly which creates opportunities for himself and others. His link play is particularly strong and you can already see that he is enjoying himself at Bournemouth.

Yann looks like he has been playing at AFCB for ages. He is fitting in so well.

I have said that Lewis Grabban is sometimes underrated but I expect most Bournemouth fans are beginning to see by now that he has qualities that have progressed massively since last season. He is carrying the fight up front for 90 minutes in most games and is scoring regularly at this level.

Lewis has got the scoring habit.

I think that we are starting to see something more from him now though. With Yann beside him he is even more assured and looks like he can rely on Yann to give him good layoffs while making the runs he needs to. It is going to be an exciting end to the season with these tow in the team. AFCB fans like many others might have been envious of Ings and Vokes but it is just possible that Eddie has found a new double act that can carry the Cherries forward to even greater things than they have already achieved this season. 

A five star performance from AFCB's back four

I imagine that every week Danny Ings and Sam Vokes get all the pre-match hype in the building up to their game. It was no different when they played AFCB. A striking duo that has scored more than 40 goals already is going to receive major attention and yet when the pair came to Dean Court they could not have the same impact on the game as they have done so often elsewhere in the Championship.

Tommy Elphick gets to the header first.

Burnley fans might say that the team was not quite up to their top performance as they had played in mid-week and it was difficult for Ings and Vokes to come back to Dean Court where they had been part of so many triumphs in a Bournemouth shirt. I am pleased though if all the talk of them working out what to do if they scored put them off and if the occasion got to big for them in the end.

Some how I doubt that they were anything other than perfectly ready to inflict critical damage to the Cherries on Saturday. The fact that they didn't was more down to the performances of Tommy Elphick and Steve Cook who did not let them have a significant moment in the game. Far from having a leaky defence, AFCB have been tightening up and I think the understanding that Elphick and Cook built up last season is starting to show through again. The two seem settled when playing together and act instinctively. I lost count of the number of headers that Tommy won against Sam Vokes. He put so much effort in trying to win that battle because most of Burnley's attacks start from a Vokes knockdown.

A shut out for Ings this time.

Meanwhile, Steve Cook was keeping pace with Danny Ings and was also not being out muscled or bullied into areas where he did not want to go. The back line stood very firm and the contribution that Ian Harte is now making to every game is great to see. He looks better each game he plays now and was instrumental in breaking up attacks and starting to put AFCB on the front foot. Simon Francis was particularly strong in trying to get forward against Burnley and I can see why this was so important with Charlie Daniels not in the team. AFCB got in behind Burnley frequently and got their back four to turn which is something that Burnley struggled to do against Bournemouth.

Vokes could not get on the score sheet either.

The game plan certainly worked and on balance of play I think AFCB were unlucky not to get a victory.

For further reaction on AFCB 1 v 1 Burnley have a listen to All Departments' Kangaroo Court. It features Cherry Chimes this week as I give my views on how the Cherries are performing. Visit All Departments' website or listen on Cherry Chimes by scrolling down the right hand panel until you see Kangaroo Court and click on the sound bar.  

Cherries come close to surprising Burnley 1-1

Match Report

AFCB 1 v 1 Burnley

15 February 2014

Attendance 10,422 (including 1406 Burnley fans)

The players stand for the minute silence for Sir Tom Finney.
 The silence was impeccably observed.

There was a lot of excitement and apprehension in my mind for this game. Burnley were on a winning streak and would come down to Dean Court looking to impose their style of play on the Cherries from the off. While they did try and hit Sam Vokes, the big man, with the early ball it was a tactic that AFCB seemed well able to cope with and they looked to be first to the second ball when ever they could. By half time I was already scratching my head wondering if the Clarets really were 24 points higher up the league, because AFCB were playing to the conditions and causing the away team more problems. This was almost the perfect end to a hard weeks work. And while AFCB did not manage the win in the end, it will not be long before they are winning such games and getting the points that their play deserves.

Here we go.

More pictures are now on show at Match Day Gallery.

Eddie Howe brought in Tokelo Rantie for a start and left Andrew Surman out of the team as he looked to play a 4-4-2 formation and give Burnley something to think about. Burnley remained unchanged from their mid-week win at Bolton.

The tactical battles were evident all over the pitch from the very start. Elphick was pitted against the heading power of Sam Vokes, while Steve Cook looked after the nippy speed of Danny Ings. Francis was also kept busy marking Michale Kightly, while Arter and Marney fought for control of the centre.

AFCB won an early free kick as Arfield brought down Marc Pugh, but Ian Harte over hit his free kick. Burnley came forward with Vokes prominent in attack but Harte managed to clear for Burnley's first corner on 4 minutes. Michael Kightly got a shot away but Camp saved with ease.

Arter won a free kick moments later and AFCB soon gained a corner themselves on 7 minutes. David Jones made the clearance and while AFCB worked to get the ball back it was annoying that Rantie overran the ball and gave Burnley a goal kick.

Grabban was full of running and creating space well and while he had a shot blocked the ball ran back to Steve Cook who had a shot from a long way out that Tom Heaton saved without much trouble. The early exchanges were not that goal threatening as both teams took their time to get to grips with the playing surface. On 13 minutes Vokes went down in the box after Elphick's challenge, as if poleaxed, but he rose to his feet once no further action was being taken.

The next big shot came in from Simon Francis on 19 minutes. He was well outside the box but tried a power driver that Heaton had to get fully behind low down as it was a well struck shot but straight at the centre of the goal. Ritchie then won a free kick and Arter decided to take a crack at it, only he almost ballooned his shot over the South stand. My friend Colin reminded me that he was doing exactly the same in the warm up!

There was an interesting bit of play a short while later when Grabban stole in and there was a back pass from Michael Duff that the referee let go. AFCB tried to apply further pressure after a Ritchie shot that was blocked and a bit of ping pong followed in Burnley's box, but both defences were on top in this game.

Rantie was doing his best to get in behind and he was cut out by Michael Duff for a corner on the half hour. Heaton made a one handed punch clearance and while Arter slipped and Kightly almost profited, Eunan O'Kane was there  to cover for AFCB when Kightly just overran what could have been a dangerous break.

Arfield was looking to get past Ian Harte when he could, but AFCB's experienced left back was having none of it. David Jones and Ben Mee were pushing forward when they could, while Marney was coming more into the game. The assistant referee running along the East stand finally managed to remember he had a flag to hold out when Burnley were offside.

Grabban went as close as anyone when he volleyed wide on 36 minutes. Ritchie soon after needed attention for a head wound and he returned to the field with a big white head band. No sooner than he had been mended than O'Kane went down with a hip injury. He tried to continue but was subbed on 44 minutes as MacDonald come on. Although AFCB had a corner right on half time it was over hit, which kind of summed up the first half. Nil-nil was the score.

Lots of action on the pitch at half time.

Second Half

The physical nature of the game was taking its toll on the Bournemouth players. Matt Ritchie returned with a more fetching balck headband than his white bandages in the first half.

After the break it was Burnley that came out early and started to take the second half by storm. Harte was forced to chest down a ball to Camp but gave away a corner in the process. Pugh was quickest to clear and although Jones and Kightly were doing well to keep the pressure on Tripier put the ball out of play. Francis was also having to contend with Trippier. Kightly was the next to try a cheeky chip, but Camp was alert to the danger. 

Bournemouth managed to get down to the North stand eventually and Grabban won a corner. The first was cut out on the near post. It was at this point that I said AFCB never do anything at corners, before remembering that Francis scored last week from one! I had to eat my words even more though on 50 minutes as Burnley failed to put anyone on the posts and the tiny frame of Rantie out leaped everyone, timing his run to the front of the six yard box with perfection, to nod home the opener. Lovely, 1-0 to the Cherries!

While we had seen Vokes trying to win headers in the first half we had not seen much of Danny Ings, so when he did get on the end of a move he received the usual ironic cheers with his wide shot. You get the feeling that this was not going to be a game of many clear chances. But Burnley were not lying down. Scott Arfield shot wide on 53 minutes and Kightly had a shot blocked two minutes later before Ben Mee shot from open play but again did not trouble Camp in the Bournemouth game.

Francis then had a blinding run up the right wing but was not even given a corner when it looked like he had won one. 

Burnley made a substitution on 60 minutes as Kightly was replaced by Ross Wallace and in the next minute Arfield came off for Keith Treacy. AFCB were still enjoying a good share of possession but Rantie went down on the edge of Burnley's box at the end of one attack. He was soon up again, but Arter pulled back Dean Marney and gave a free kick away around the centre circle.

The next few moments were a bit of a blur, but Trippier played the ball down the right wing for Dean Marney who back heeled it to Wallace. It was Wallace's cross that came in from the right and was deflected off Arter. The ball lobbed up over the centre of the defence and was met by the on rushing Keith Treacy who scored at the far post, just six minutes after coming on. It was 1-1. Tracy timed his run well between MacDonald and Francis and was right on top of the goal, which meant Camp had next to no chance of saving it. 

AFCB made a sub on 69 minutes with Rantie coming off and Yann Kermorgant coming on. He immediately won a corner as AFCB looked to get back in charge. AFCB kept coming with Arter battling in the centre cricle and releasing Pugh and then Grabban who ran into the box and saw his shot at the near post going close as Heaton made the save on 73 minutes. This led to a corner which almost resulted in a spectacular goal. Cook won the first header at the far post and Elphick powered his head goal wards from the centre of the penalty area only for Tom Heaton to make a great save by pushing the ball over the bar.

A minute or two later I was out my seat again as Ritchie made a cross from the right that saw Yann Kermorgant rise up at the penalty spot to knock a header downwards and towards the goal but it went despairingly wide! Burnley were living dangerously and it did not look like the match was going to end 1-1. I felt even more certain of this when Grabban was tripped as he was running into the box by Kieran Trippier, but the referee took a quick look at his assistant referee and pointed towards a spot just outside the box. While Burnley refused to retreat the statutory 10 yards, Yann Kermorgrant tried a chipped shot that went just over the bar.

Burnley then subbed Sam Vokes on 80 minutes and brought on Ashley Barnes. AFCB were still pushing for a win and won a couple of more corners. Pugh was being particularly effective on the left wing and got in around the back and crossed to MacDonald who tried to shoot but ended up letting the ball run to Francis who thwacked his shot hard against the bar!

Pitman then came on for Grabban in a last effort to get the win. Pitman's main contribution was to pick up a yellow card for a foul on Trippier. In the last minute of normal time Pitman found Ritchie who had his shot saved by Heaton. Four minutes of extra time were given which saw Kermorgant pick up a yellow card, but AFCB could not get a clear shot to give them the win.

Summary
I can't fault the teams effort which was incredibly strong and I also thought the players tried everything they could to get the better of a team currently in second place in the Championship. On another day AFCB could well have won this game. Okay, they did not keep a clean sheet, but I always felt they would need two or more goals to win this game. The big pluses have to be the way our central defenders hardly gave Ings and Vokes a kick all game. That is outstanding considering how the Claret's front pair have been pulling defences apart in other matches.Once Elphick and Cook showed that they would not be dominated in the air, Burnley tried to go down the sides but both Francis and Harte held firm. 

Up front Grabban always looked lively and Rantie got his goal even if his first touch was looking a bit shabby at times.The work effort of players like Arter and O'Kane was clear to see while I thought Marc Pugh had his best game for a long while and was my man of the match.

You can say that Burnley looked a bit tired and perhaps the mid-week game took more out of them they they thought, but AFCB bossed this game for large periods and the progress they are making should bode well for the future.

AFCB
Camp, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Harte, Ritchie, Arter, O'Kane (MacDonald 44), Pugh, Rantie (Kermorgant 69) and Grabban (Pitman 85).

AFCB subs
Allsop, Smith, MacDonald, Surman, Fraser, Pitman, Kermorgant

AFCB Ratings
Camp 7, Francis 8, Elphick 8, Cook 8, Harte 8, Ritchie 7, Arter 8, O'Kane 7,
Pugh 9, Rantie 7, Grabban 7.

Burnley
Heaton, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Arfield (Treacy 61), Marney, Jones, Kightly (Wallace 60), Ings and Vokes (Barnes 80).

Burnley subs
Long, Barnes, Stanislas, Wallace, Edgar, Cisak, Treacy.

Let's give Burnley a bad day at the office

Well the clouds are clearing and it seems we have thumbs up for a game today. If you can't get up for games like these with second place Burnley visiting Dean Court then I can only assume that you are missing out on a lot of fun. But keeping the Clarets out for 90 minutes will be hard work for our players and concentration must be the key. Burnley are not unbeatable and while the Cherries have not been at their very best of late a fixture like this can set the team up for a powerful run in.

Dean Court amazingly passes the 7.30am pitch inspection. Game on!

Sean Dyche has had a great run with his Burnley team and their confidence is up. I thought that they could easily have gone down at Bolton in mid-week just as the Cherries could have, but Burnley fashioned a winner from somewhere. Vokes and Ings are always alert to opportunities and that is why our defenders have to be on their game on Saturday. Ings is simply a menace and will run rings around you if you gift him a chance. AFCB must also cut out the runs on the wings of Scott Arfield,  and Michael Kightly, while Kieran Trippier is also strong when he comes forward. 

AFCB can't be concentrating solely on Burnley's attack. They have to come up with a plan to get behind them and Bolton did manage to get down the wings fairly well against them and their were times when Burnley rode their luck. It is important that Ritchie and hopefully Fraser (but more than likely Pugh) bring their A game while Surman and Arter need to be taking more shots around the box. We have seen that a surprise shot from distance can bring rewards with Grabban's strike last time out and it would be good to see more of that.

Surman could help his contract talks with a few goals.

Andrew Surman has been getting into great position but has still failed to score for the Cherries. His game is more than just trying to get on the goal sheet but it is about time he registered. With McQuoid going to Peterborough and Pitman, Rantie, Kermorgant, Fraser and MacDonald likely to be the attacking options on the bench I do hope AFCB has enough firepower in the starting eleven to cause Burnley some problems. Burnley tend to score more often than not and that means AFCB may need at least two goals to get anything out of this match. 

Get behind the team for 90 minutes!

Anything can happen on the day and perhaps having played in mid-week Burnley will need to make a could of changes which could just help the Cherries cause. AFCB have not yet beaten any of the top five so a win on Saturday would be yet another significant tick in the progress box. Let's give AFCB plenty of support and see if our team play as hard as the weather, halting Burnley in their tracks. Safe journey for all those travelling to the game today.

There is still time to get a bet on today with Free Bet Negotiator.

How on earth do you hinder Burnley?

Burnley come to Dean Court on the back of a  0-1 win against Bolton Wanderers and a 3-1 victory against Millwall. In the Millwall game they were 1-0 down and came from behind. The task facing AFCB on Saturday is huge. Burnley have scored 45 times in the leagues which is actually four less than the Cherries. Their top marksman though is Danny Ings who has 19 to his name and will be keen to make it 20 or more at Dean Court. If dealing with Ings is not enough Burnley are also enjoying the talents of Samy Vokes who has 14 goals in the league. Stopping these two will have been a major point of discussion all week around the Kings Park area.

The real Devlish quality of Ings was seen to my mind when he left QPR's Assou-Ekotto for dead and ran clean past him having had five yards to make up, only to set up Vokes with a tap in the other week. Danny was always quick and tenacious and AFCB's defenders are going to have to be more determined to keep one step ahead of him if they are to keep him quiet. They managed to do it for 80 odd minutes at Turf Moor but he spoilt the Cherries day in the end. He is the party crasher that I really want to see have an off day when turns up at Dean Court. It is a shame that Ings could not be held on to for longer when he was with AFCB, but his talent deserved playing at a higher level and I believe he will be an England striker in the not too distant future.

His partner is the ever youthful Sam Vokes, who is powerful and strong and makes a nuisance of himself in the box especially with his heading abilities. I see some similarities in Vokes and Yann Kermorgant as each controls the ball so well and can bring other people into the game. Vokes has certainly added some great finishing to his game and Burnley have the best striking duo in the Championship without doubt.

There are other players in Burnley's team though that are getting noticed like Marney, Arfield and Trippier who have all come on string and are helping to keep the Claret's promotion push on track. Kightley and Tracey are also good players that Eddie Howe will know well and it will be difficult for Eddie not to constantly enthuse about Burnley's quality. 

AFCB's players must be told though that this is a game that they can win. Having held them earlier in the season and almost won at their ground they will be aware of how well they need to play. Burnley have only lost once in their last 10 games, a 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on Boxing Day. They have been drawing a few games, but their ability to score always gives them a chance in games. They are in a real tussle for the second spot with QPR and will be looking to take all three points.

Burnley Away form:
DWDDW

AFCB Home form:
WDDWL