Promotion celebrations at AFCB

While the stewards tried admirably to prevent the crowd from going onto the pitch there was no hope really. The crowd gathered at the tunnel to await Sheffield's result and when it came the noise was thunderous, "We are going up!'' over and over again.

 Pitch invasion

Eddie and Jason's lap of honour 

Eddie Howe leads the tributes

It was some time then before the crowd dispersed and the players came out one by one to cheers, followed by the back room staff, physios and Jason and Eddie. It seemed obligatory that you carry a child out, but once everyone was out on the centre circle it was time for the monster bottle of champagne to be opened with Tubbs getting a full soaking.

Eddie then thanked the supporters for their efforts and his players as well as Eddie Mitchell for what he has done for the club. Speaking to MC Mike Botto, Eddie Howe said: ''It's not mathematically confirmed yet is it. Not on goal difference.''

Charlie Daniels thinks AFCB fans could celebrate a bit more.

Someone is going to get wet!

Shacky, shacky, shacky!

Look out!

Drink up!

''Oh, Eddie we're up'' replied Mike. ''Goal difference, who cares about goal difference?'' There was plenty of laughter from home supporters.

"To achieve it all at home was the world to us,'' Eddie Howe said. We did not know what we had when we got here.. 9 or 10 players we knew, the rest were a mix of Lee Bradbuy's, Paul Groves' and Shaun Brooks' signings.

''At the first training session the level of ability surprised us and the attitude of the players.'' Eddie then spoke about how Jason and he looked to integrate the group better and work on their mentality.

Speaking about Eddie Mitchell, Eddie Howe said: ''We have been through a lot together. This club was on its knees in terms not only of finances, but the ground and he has done a lot of work to build the club up and he has done it in the right way from the youth side upwards, the stadium is now aesthetically pleasing. As well as financing it he has put his heart and sole into it... hopefully the club will be here now for the next generation and the future.'' 

Eddie said he was not bothered about the Brentford v Hartlepool game and that it would only matter to him if AFCB were to play Brentford in the play-offs. His mind was already on the Tranmere game and working out how to win the league and to go up as champions.

Can't wait! Look out Tranmere the best team in the league are headed your way and are looking for 9 wins in 9 games. Unbelievable.

AFCB's win against Carlisle promotes them to the Championship

Match Report

AFCB 3 v 1 Carlisle Utd

20 April 2013

Attendance 9014 (away supporters - lots of smurfs)

Smurf convention at Dean Court

What a day! AFCB enjoyed what was a historic day as the team achieved what so many  supporters had prayed, no dreamt of for so long - a place in next season's Championship. 

While we waited for Sheffield Utd's game to end to see if it was confirmed as a Pompey victory, we knew that it was going to be virtually impossible for Brentford and Doncaster Rovers to both over take us in their final game when they play each other, barring a total turnaround in goal difference. That was the feeling at 5:30 after the home win against Carlisle and promotion was confirmed for AFC Bournemouth by 7:30 when Brentford could only earn a draw in their late kick-off against Hartlepool.

No more  nerves, time to secure promotion

Before all that there was a game to be won at Dean Court. Far from being an easy match, Carlisle had  come to try an topple the Cherries having themselves been on a run of nine unbeaten. The Cumbrians lined up with 5 in midfield and started brightly in the first few minutes. They were helped by a slip from Steve Cook which let Miller in, but Allsop was alert to make the save in the first few minutes. 

Grabban, Daniels and Pugh made Bournemouth's first attack down the left. Bournemouth won an early corner and when Pugh crossed, Elphick made good contact but headed left and wide of goal.

Pitman was trying to link with the fast running Grabban but was over hitting his passes on the well-watered pitch. At the other end, Francis was doing his best to shrug Carlisle off the ball, while Arter was often first to the ball when moves broke down. Pitman was his usual industrious self, running and linking with Daniels.

However, Carlisle were pushing the Cherries back with Loy almost getting in but for O'Kane's strong challenge after 10 minutes. A few minutes later Miller brought off a tremendous save from Allsop who was headed in the other direction, but luckily the shot was at a good height for him. 

Carlisle also won a corner after 13 minutes and the home fans were beginning to wonder if this was going to be one of those days. The smurfs in the Carlisle stand were enjoying their team's play perhaps more than the ref's desire to play the advantage, no matter what.

Grabban then stretched his legs as the on coming keeper rushed at him. Grabban slid for the ball but the Carlisle keeper came out with the ball.

O'Kane was finding space in the middle and was also finding Grabban as the best outlet. Pugh, Arter, Pitman and Ritchie were zipping the ball around, while O'Kane went for a long range shot which Carlisle's keeper smothered on 21 minutes. Grabban also came close a moment later.

But it was after a corner that AFCB broke the deadline, when a cross from Francis found Cook leaping above the Carlisle defenders to head home on 24 minutes. While the noise had been amazing at the stadium, it just went up about another 10 notches, on the dial, as Cook jumped like a school boy in celebration, on his way back towards the half way line - 1:0.

Meanwhile, the crowd heard that Pompey were ahead against Sheffield Utd. ''Play up Pompey,'' was now the home crowd's call. Grabban was enjoying the ball a lot on the right and seemed involved in most of AFCB's attacks, although Pitman was usually screaming at him when he was not given a pass to let him shoot.

Before you knew it Pompey were 2:0 up! Was this really happening? Were the Cherries heading up? Notts County had also gone ahead against Doncaster - unreal!

Pitman was playing with such confidence it was almost hypnotic as he flicked the ball nonchalantly round the corner for Grabban with the Carlisle defender dumbfounded. 

While AFCB kept possession for a spell Pompey went 3 up. This was turning into a great day. Surely, this could not be happening.

Meanwhile, Carlisle were back in control and AFCB were having to defend their box manfully as clearance after clearance was having to be made. Loy managed to get behind the defence on the left wing and pulled back a ball for Noble but Francis managed to get a block in just in time. 

Cook and Daniels were next beaten by McGovern who put his cross right across the Cherries' box. He then fed Loy who hit the bar, perhaps after a deflection from Elphick, we could not see clearly in the Family stand. Loy also had another shot wide moments later. We were quite pleased that it was half time.

HALF TIME

The second half also began with Carlisle on the front foot. Cook's backward header cleared the immediate danger and Allsop was quick to collect the ball ahead of any attackers. Cook then miss-controlled a ball off his knee in front of the Cherries' box, while Loy pounced on the ball he could not finish. 

However, on 49 minutes the ball was provided from the right when AFCB's players seemed to stop. There was no flag though and from the dead ball line the whipped in cross reached Miller with his back to goal and he swept the ball into the goal with an over head kick that will no doubt be replayed several times on League One's highlights. 49 minutes gone and 1:1. 

I knew it was too good to be true!

Carlisle had deserved to be level, but it was supposed to be our day! But with Eddie Howe's name ringing out the Cherries were not to be denied. 

Elphick tried to reply instantly but his attempt went over the bar. Carlisle's Noble also had a shot that went over our goal.

AFCB were pushing now, Arter seemed full of energy  spreading wonder balls across the pitch for Grabban and Ritchie to run after. Then after 54 minutes Arter decided to go himself drifting towards the box from the right and while we all screamed ''shoot'!', he was taking aim before swinging his left foot and making the perfect connection, firing the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal from all of 19 yards. Whoopiee!!! We were back in front and the party was back on again. ''We are going up! We are going up!''

We thought Pitman might put us further ahead after another of Arter's passes to him but he blasted over on 60 minutes. Francis then put a great ball in from the right that went behind Pugh and Grabban when it looked all set up to be the third goal.

O'Kane's game came to an end when he was fouled by Berret who went straight into the ref's book. While O'Kane tried to struggle on he had to be replaced on 63 minutes and Richard Hughes took his place.

Francis and Arter were now getting at Carlisle's left back and Harry's cross almost did the trick with Pugh running on at the far post, but he just could not get there in time when a touch would have put the ball in.

With 70 minutes gone it was Francis on the receiving end of a bad tackle from Noble. While the home crowd shouted ''off'', the Carlisle player allowed himself a wry smile as he took a drink knowing that the ref was only holding out a yellow. Daniels was also booked.

On 76 minutes Carlisle made a sub as Loy came off and Manset came on. It was Arter though now controlling the game and pulling the strings and almost put Grabban in. 

Carlisle also brought on Salmon for McGovern, while Francis then went into the book for kicking the ball away when Carlisle had a free kick. Carlisle tried a last few efforts with Noble having a shot blocked and Mustoe's high cross headed out by Pitman. 

Bournemouth also wanted that third goal though and Daniels went on a strong run like a stag striding over opposition players before finally being stopped. Pitman was a bit less cultured in managing to hoof the ball out over the East stand, but at times anywhere would do. Hughes in particular made a great tackle to gain AFCB possession again when others were unable to get a foot in.

On 87 minutes MacDonlad came on for Grabban, while Ritchie took the ball into the corner to kill time. There was a howl of despair when the crowd were told their would be 4 more minutes of extra time. Carlisle the brought on Mustoe for Beck.

Before you could look up at the scoreboard to check that we were still ahead, the ball was crossed from the right wing and Pugh and Pitman found themselves up against the last Carlisle defender on the edge of their box, wide on the left. But Pugh managed to nudge the ball on to Pitman in space and he smashed home AFCB's third goal into the bottom of left corner. Pitman had done it again! That's 8 goals in 8 games. The Cherries had done it. Pandemonium broke out.

The score we all wanted to see

Did someone say keep off the pitch?

We want Eddie Howe, we are going up!

Summary

Mass hysteria in the stands and on the pitch was well under way now. The Cherries had put away a very dangerous team who at times had threatened to take the game away from them. But AFCB were too strong for Carlisle today. I can't believe we will be playing in the Championship next year. 

I was asked today what it would mean to me to see AFCB at that level, all I could say is it means everything to me.

We wait for news of Sheffield Utd's result

And what a bonus - I won't have to fast forward half an hour through the Championship highlights on the BBC's football league programme before getting to AFCB's match!

Party time for the players

We can all look forward to the Tranmere game now. Happy days!

A tearful but happy Eddie Howe carrying his child

Eddie Bear still on the pitch!

Player Ratings

Cherry Chimes let Robert and Stephen do it for the last home game, but I'm not sure about their scoring. Arter MoM for sure.

Allsop 10, Francis 10, Cook 10, Elphick 10, Daniels 10, Ritchie 10, O'Kane 10, Arter 10+, Pugh 10, Grabban 10, Pitman 10

AFCB Subs
Jalal 10, Seaborne 10, Hughes 10, McQuoid 10, Fogden 10, MacDonald 10, Tubbs 10

AFCB players and staff and the souvenir photo

Heart in mouth time for fans of the Cherries!

Well, the last home game of the season is just a few hours away now. How are the nerves doing? I am a complete wreck and yet am also brimmed to the top with heart felt excitement - or buzzing as my boys would say. I still have to drive down to Bournemouth, so I hope to calm down a bit.

I can't really believe that AFCB are on the verge of securing automatic promotion to the Championship. Someone will pinch me in a minute. But this day is going to be special, I am sure. The players want this just as much as you or me, perhaps even more so. They want to repay Eddie Howe for the fabulous fellow he is. Simply being around him must be infectious for the players. What a job Eddie, Jason and all the back room staff have done. Quite amazing.

The atmosphere will be calm at first with the player awards being handed out, but come 3 O'Clock there will be more of an intense felling around the ground as the Red&Black shirts look to make history. Of course, we will still need Sheffield Utd and Brentford to draw or lose their games as well as winning our own match for automatic promotion today. I'm not even going to go into goal difference. 

I know there will be moments when I will look around the faces at Dean Court and see those expectant eyes of fans hoping and praying for the Cherries to have one of their outstanding games of the season. We will be checking our phones for scores elsewhere.  I will see the Junior Cherries look in puzzlement at their mums and dads who may seem slightly more tense than usual today. I'll hear the roar as the players come onto the pitch. Balloons and horns at the ready.

Whatever happens we will sing with pride today. This team deserves everything we have got in our hearts to drive them over the finishing line. Don't let up. Show your passion. Wear your shirt with pride and cheer the Cherries on to a memorable win.

There is every possibility that grown men from Bournemouth will be crying this evening or next weekend. I was a boy last time that the Cherries played at the Championship level. It's been too long since we adorned that league.

The Cherries are going up! We can help make it happen.

Good luck to the 11 on the pitch and the subs when they come on. We are all rooting for you.

Let's make some noise for the boys.

Just another normal Saturday then. And yes, we might have to try and do it all again next weekend a little further away from home.

UTCIAD!

Happy Birthday to Duncan Graham, avid AFCB fan and Cherry Chimes reader.

If you haven't already checked out Cartoon Capers episode 4 yet, Robert and Stephen have been working on a new winning strip for the Cherries. Please take a look.

I apologise if my match AFCB report will be a little late this weekend, but I will probably be keen to see the Hartlepool V Brentford game before driving back and starting to write things up on Sunday.

Stay off the pitch!

There is a very good reason want AFCB want you to stay off the pitch after tomorrow's game as the club also has the Alresford Town match in the final of the Senior Hampshire Cup on Monday!

In addition, if the Cherries are in the play-offs they will have a home game on the pitch to come. So while it seems a bit of fun, Cherry Chimes supports the club in asking fans to remain in the stands.

This way you will be supporting the club you love in the best way.

UTCIAD!

Dare Carlisle spoil the Cherries' party?

There is an invited guest to AFCB's final home match of the season and while its always exciting to have a highly competitive game, do you know what? Most AFCB fans would probably rather Carlisle Utd did not put up too much resistance on Saturday. Who wants to be a party pooper anyway?

Well let's see what the have to offer in the way of danger men and their current form going into this match.

Carlisle are 15th in League One and well clear of relegation worries but could perhaps have done slightly better this season. I was rather surprised that they never managed to secure a higher position than the eighth spot they had in the table after the first week of the season.

They have let in a staggering 72 goals this season by far the most of any team in the division so defence is not their strong point. However, keeper Mark Gillespie has been in great form between the sticks of late - he has had to be when so many of his defenders have gone awol I suspect.

January was their low point when they plummeted to 20th position, but they have steadily recovered their form since then under manager Greg Abbott's guidance.

Their away form has certainly been a mixed bag having won 7, draw 6 and lost 9. They certainly excelled in their last away game beating Doncaster 2:0 with Liam Noble scoring both goals. Noble also scored in the Cumbrians' away outing before that at Oldham, so he is one to watch. Top of their goal scoring chart are strikers Lee Miller, Joe Garner and defender Matt Robson all of whom are on 8 for the season.

You may also remember striker Danny Cadamarteri who has played for Everton and more recently Huddersfield Town, well he is on Carlisle's books and featured in their last outing as a sub against Preston.

While Carlisle managed a 1:1 draw with us last season at Dean Court, when Robert and Stephen were the mascots (not much luck from them on that day then!), Bournemouth beat then 2:4 in the reverse fixture last October and AFCB are likely to be aiming for a similar target of 4 goals this time around, but with a clean sheet at the other end as well.

The Cherries are going for a club record of 8 wins in a row. Automatic promotion form don't you think? Meanwhile, Pitman has Defoe's consecutive goal record to go for as well.

I am hoping it could be a long drive back home for the Cumbrians.

Carlisle Away Form:
DLDWW

Cherries Home Form: 
LLWWW

Some players will leave AFCB this summer but who?

I don't want to depress you all having had such a great last week, but there is a real chance that this weekend is the last time you will see some of our players at the Goldsands Stadium. Some of our players will be off to pastures new in the summer and guess what, neither you nor I get to decide who. Thank goodness for that, how do you decide who to let go?

There is no doubt that AFCB's squad is still fairly large and while it is hoped that we can play in the Championship next season, before that first game there will be some decisions to be made at Dean Court, especially over who stays and where we need to strengthen.

I am sure that Eddie and Jason already have a good idea in their mind of potential targets if (or should I say when?) we do get promoted. While the generosity of Mr Maxim Denim has given the team a good platform from which to climb the leagues, it is likely that such funding is not limitless. Mr Mitchell is keen it seems to do some restructuring and this summer is a good opportunity to make sure we are shipshape for next season.

Cherry Chimes can only guess who may leave AFCB over the summer.

As Darrel Flahavan was not one of Eddie's signings I think he will be under most pressure to keep his place at the Cherries and I expect him to move on with the younger keepers we have already on our books.

Dan Seaborne is on loan to us at the moment from Southampton and his future is uncertain as he will enter new  contract negotiations over the summer with the Saints. I have a feeling he may return to AFCB.

Miles Addison is also likely to be leaving having resigned the captaincy. Moreover, if Eddie prefers Dan Seaborne and wants to keep hold of Joe Partington as a young central defender, Miles may be on his way.

Stephane Zubar has been injured but will make pre-season training. The trouble is I am not sure he is a player that Eddie wants, even though he is adored by the fans. I think he makes great cover for Francis. I hope he stays, but fear he may be allowed to go.

Donal McDermott is young but has not forced his way into the team much this season and he may be surplus to requirements.

Wes Thomas has stated that he does not want to be a Cherry any more so if the price is right I am sure he will be off when this current season ends.

There are one or two others that I feel are borderline like Josh McQuiod, Charlie Sherringham and maybe even Wes Fogden and Richard Hughes.

It is not just the players current form, age and contracts that have to be taken into consideration, but also if other players become available that Jason and Eddie think can do the job better.

As for Steve Fletcher, he promised that he would lead the team out for the first match if they reached the Championship and I'm holding him to it. You'll have to do a whole pre-season though for the privilege of 10 minutes Steve!

Of course Bournemouth may receive other offers for players and will decide if they can release any of their players if a top Premiership or Championship team comes in for them. It should be quite an exciting summer ahead.

Who do you think is heading out of Dean Court? Add your comments.

AFCB's party celebrations may wait an extra 90 minutes on Saturday

It has been brought to my attention that Brentford's Saturday 20 April 2013 away fixture against Hartlepool kicks-off at 5.20pm. So when the Cherries know their result against Carlisle Utd and know how Doncaster and Sheffield Utd have done in their fixtures, we will still have to wait to see if we might have won automatic promotion. That is of course if AFCB have managed to beat Carlisle Utd, which is not a given.

I expect that AFCB will probably keep the bars open after our game but it does mean a delayed celebration to some extent if it does all work out for the Cherries on Saturday.  How do you feel about that? As a football fan I am rather disappointed.

BBC Radio Solent's Kris Temple tweeted that the game between Hartlepool and Brentford is being televised and that is the reason for the late time of their kick-off. 

If the automatic promotion places are not sorted out on Saturday and go to the last weekend you will be pleased to know that all fixtures will then kick-off at 3pm.