AFC BOURNEMOUTH VS PORTSMOUTH CAPITAL ONE CUP

The Cherries continued their unbeaten start to the season with a one nil victory over south coast rivals Portsmouth.

Eddie Howe made seven changes to the side that beat Charlton on Saturday; Captain Tommy Elphick was recalled along with Ryan Fraser, Richard Hughes, Donal McDermott, and Eunan O’Kane.

Pompey boss Guy Whittingham before kick off

Howe also handed full debuts to Ian Harte and loan signing Andrew Surman, the Cherries also changed formation opting to play five in midfield and only one striker, Wes Thomas.

Pompey was visiting the Goldsands on the back of a 4-1 home defeat to Oxford United on the first game of the season.

Steve Cook shows off his skills

 Both sides started cautiously with the visitors holding their own early on, they even came close when Patrick Agyemang had an audacious shot from 25 yards that just flew passed Ryan Allsop’s post.

The Cherries started to dominate possession as the half wore on and Thomas spurned a great chance when he rose unmarked to head over.

The match sparked into life just before half time when Pompey keeper Phil Smith made a succession of stops, the first from a curling Andrew Surman shot and then pushing away a Ryan Fraser effort.

AFC Bournemouth started the second half the better side and were rewarded when a defensive mistake let in Fraser whose shot was blocked but O’Kane was on hand to expertly finish and give the Cherries the lead.

AFCB continued to dominate the second half and Surman came close to doubling the lead, Howe made a number of changes which included taking off Thomas and bringing on Charlie Daniels leaving the Cherries with no recognised strikers on the pitch.

The teams line up

McDermott filled in as a makeshift striker for the final 15 minutes and in truth Pompey failed to really put any pressure on the Cherries goal and the game fizzled out to a one nil victory.

A changed AFCB team look comfortable for the 90 minutes and it is understandable that Howe would want to change things up before we visit Vicarage Road on Saturday.

Fraser was man of the match

Let’s hope we get a home draw for the second round as I am sure most of us won’t be able to travel away on a Tuesday night due to work/family commitments.

The draw to the second round takes place on Thursday afternoon.

 Final Score: Cherries 2-1 Pompey

Attendance: 7,620

Essential Cherries Man of the Match: Ryan Fraser