Hartlepool United 0-0 AFC Bournemouth (Bournemouth Fan’s Perspective)

Posted by: Jim Stevens February 12, 2012 in Uncategorized 1 Comment

Bournemouth and Hartlepool played out a goalless draw which won’t hugely help either side in their quest for the play-off spots. With the majority of League 1 matches wiped out by the snow, this was a chance for Bournemouth to move into the top 6 for the first time this season.

Lee Bradbury made just one change from Tuesdays win over Exeter, with Scott Malone, who impressed hugely that night getting the nod over Donal McDermott.

Cherries: Flahavan; Francis, Zubar, Cook, Daniels; Pugh, MacDonald (Arter 62), Gregory, Malone (McDermott 62); Tubbs, Thomas (Fletcher 82)

Hartlepool: Flinders; Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood; Murray; Brown, Sweeney, Liddle, Monkhouse; James (Nish 70)

In the fifth minute there was evidence that the new Tubbs-Thomas partnership was blossoming when, after some nice interplay, the £800,000 man fired just wide. Neither goalkeeper was tested in the first 25 minutes with both teams willing to be patient and neither willing to risk going behind. The slippery surface was halting Bournemouth’s pacey counter attacks with a number of players sliding around when moving at pace. With half time approaching, Bournemouth had two good opportunities to take the lead. Firstly, Marc Pugh teed up Wes Thomas after a Simon Francis cross but the former Crawley man blazed over from a great position. Then another close shave when Steve Cook headed at goal unmarked from a corner, but a Hartlepool man managed to desperately hack it off the line.

Wes Thomas continued to look for his second goal in the second half, he screwed an effort wide after an advantage was controversially played. This lead to MacDonald and Malone being replaced by McDermott and Arter in an attempt to push for the winning goal. Wes Thomas had yet another effort from the edge of the box as Bournemouth looked to turn the screw, but his effort was saved well by Scott Flinders. Hartlepool’s best effort came when substitute Colin Nish shot wide after a poor Stephane Zubar clearance. Ex-Hartlepool man Steve Fletcher was introduced as the cherries moved into the last-chance saloon. The away side knew it wasn’t going to be their day as Marc Pugh’s cross came out to Harry Arter and then again to Donal McDermott but the new man shot agonisingly wide of the target.

A tough (and long) away trip for Bournemouth is always a difficult place to get 3 points. In normal circumstances it would be seen as a good point to gain, but due to recent form, and Hartlepool’s lack of attacking prowess, this may be seen as 2 points dropped. The Cherries sit just outside the play-off places but the teams around them have games in hand. Wes Thomas and Matt Tubbs are going to need to start banging in goals for fun; otherwise the brave play-off attempt will come up short. Next up for Bournemouth is a home match against Leyton Orient on Tuesday night.

One comment on “Hartlepool United 0-0 AFC Bournemouth (Bournemouth Fan’s Perspective)”

cmbell310 on February 12, 2012 at 4:08 pm said:

Obviously I report more bias towards Hartlepool and you likewise with Bournemouth but I don’t think you’ve given us much credit, really. I’d agree you were probably the better side for the majority and penned us back but we did have our chances and James Brown worked very well.

Paul Murray dictated the midfield but credit must go to Zubar who was terrific. Good luck for the rest of the season, got a soft spot for Cheeries

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