AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Bradford City

Saturday 3 April 2010
Coca-Cola League 2
AFC Bournemouth 1 (Pitman 41)
Bradford City 0
Kick Off: 3.00pm
at the Fitness First Stadium at Dean Court

Attendance: 6239

Bournemouth top scorer, Brett Pitman, ensured that the Bantams left the South Coast empty handed.

Pitman strike from the edge of the area towards the end of the first period ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides, although the home side were good value for their victory.

Bournemouth were the stronger of the two sides during the first period, mainly due to their ability to keep possession more successfully than the Bantams.

As the pressure began to build towards the end of the first period, City couldn't quite make half time unscaved as Pitman curled an effort past a motionless Matt Glennon.

The second period started in a similar fashion, but when Evans rattled the Bournemouth crossbar, City slowly began to offer more of an attacking threat as a result.

The Bantams were unable to test Jalal to often unfortunately and were left to start the long journey home with nothing to show for it.

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0min: AFC Bournemouth kick off to get the match underway.

3min: Its a steady start by both teams as the sides get a feel for the match.

5min: City register the first strike in anger of the afternoon as Hanson heads a long free-kick into the path of Kendall. The young forward takes the ball on first time, but volleys wide from the edge of Bournemouth's area.

8min: Kendall again gets a shot away within the first ten minutes. This time it is on target, but it has nowhere near enough power to worry Cherries keeper Shwan Jalal and the keeper saves easily.

13min: Bournemouth certainly look to use the height, strength and experience of Steve Fletcher whenever possible, Fletcher is the first player to test Matt Glennon, but the veteran forward's looping header is easily claimed by the Bantams stopper.

Bournemouth, as you may expect being the home side, are enjoying the edge in the possession stakes, but both sides are struggling to make goalscoring opportunities at the moment.

20min: There's a brief moment of panic in the Bantams defence as a hanging cross drops to the feet of Fletcher. The veteran striker is fortunately crowded out and can only feed Pitman though, who fires over from just inside the area.

21min: Bradford hit back with a promising flurry forward of their own. Hanson, Evans and Bullock all have shots blocked around the edge of the area in quick succession as Bournemouth work hard to deny the Bantams.

24min: Bournemouth are growing in confidence and looking to test the Bradford backline. Shaun Cooper is the latest player to try his luck against Glennon, but his long range effort skids wide of goal.

28min: Bullock gives the ball away and then proceeds to drag down Marvin Bartley in a vain attempt to win possession back. The midfielder receives his eleventh yellow card of the season in the process.

28min: Glennon comfortably saves Brett Pitman's resulting free-kick.

Bournemouth are forcing City further and further back as the half progresses. Cherries winger Liam Feeney looks a dangerous outlet for the home side, while Bournemouth's duo of Bartley and Danny Hollands are currently winning the midfield battle.

35min: The Bantams are briefly down to ten men as Kendall decides on a change of footwear.

36min: Kendall rejoins the match as Bournemouth continue to be on the front foot with the match ticking towards half time.

40min: Evans needs to be alert as he nips in to rob the ball off Anton Robinson's toes as the midfielder looked ready to shoot.

41min: GOAL Bournemouth 1 Bradford City 0 - Bournemouth finally grab the breakthrough after knocking at the Bantams door for some time. Bournemouth's topscorer, Brett Pitman, on hand to curl the ball past a motionless Glennon from just inside the area.

41min: Bournemouth immediately make a substitute as Shaun Cooper is replaced by Alan Connell.

45min: Connell races behind the Bantams backline, but can only fire a bouncing ball over the bar with an angled shot.

45min: 2 minutes injury time to be added on.

HT: AFC Bournemouth 1 Bradford City 0 - The Bantams head into the interval behind as they just fail to hold the home side in the opening period. Bradford are struggling to gain hold of the ball on a consistant basis and are unable to really test Bournemouth's defence as a result.

Bournemouth enjoyed more and more possession as the half progressed as they dominated control of the football for large periods.

To their credit, the Bantams have restricted Bournemouth to limited chances on Glennon's goal during the first half. City do, however, need to find a way of forcing the home side onto the back foot on more regular occasions if they wish to grab anything from the match.

46min: There are no changes from either side as City get the match underway once more.

47min: Bournemouth start the half with a nice move as Pitman chests Connell's cross into Robinson's path. Fortunately for the Bantams though, the Bournemouth midfielder bobbles his effort wide.

50min: There's a worrying moment for City fans as Hanson pulls up and clutches his hamstring as he chases an attempted forward pass.

51min: Feeney's fierce half volley is deflected just wide of Glennon's far post.

52min: Its bad news for Hanson and the Bantams as the big striker is forced to leave the field and be replaced by Gavin Grant, Thats a big blow for City.

As Evans moves up front to take the place of Hanson, home side continue to look the stronger of the two sides. Sub Grant will play on the right wing.

55min: Holland fizzes a shot straight at Glennon as the home fans sense a second Cherries goal.

58min: Leon Osborne is brought on in place of Kendall, who has been ineffective in truth.

Grant and Osborne are now under instruction to support Evans whenever possible from wide areas, while Luke O'Brien will tuck inside to join Bullock and Bolder in central midfield.

60min: Fletcher heads a Feeney cross wide.

62min: Lee Bradbury is able to spin and fire goalwards, although Glennon has the effort covered.

63min: A rare opportunity eventually comes the Bantams way and its a big one. Evans gets away from the Bournemouth defence before rattling a fierce strike against Jalal's crossbar.

65min: Evans is involved again as he fires a fizzing shot across the area, but no-one is on hand to tap home into an empty net.

67min: Pitman twists and turns into the Bantams penalty area as Bournemouth race away on a counter-attack. The striker is able to get a shot away, but Glennon can gather it at the second attempt.

Since Evans rattled the Bournemouth bar, City seem to have a bit more belief and purpose in their play. The Bantams caused has been helped by a few misplaces passes in the home defence in key areas.

71min: City minor recovery is nearly halted in its tracks before it has really begun. Pitman is somehow denied a second goal as Glennon thrusts out his left hand to keep out his close range effort with the goal gaping.

76min: Peter Taylor makes his third and final change of the match as Jonathan Bateson replaces Luke O'Brien.

The sub means that Rehman will revert to central defence, allowing Oliver to go forward and play up front.

81min: Oliver will joined by Grant in attack, while Evans moves to right wing. The Bantams new right winger is slotted into space by Bullock, but his shot is deflected through into Jalal's arms.

As time ticks away, the Bantams continue battling for something from the match, but they don't look like scoring at present.

87min: City survive a massive, massive scare in the late knockings of the game. Feeney fires goalwards from a Pitman pull back on the byline, but somehow a floored Steve Williams is able to flick out a leg and clear the effort from off the goal-line

89min: Grant is booked for tripping Robinson.

90min: 3 minutes will be added onto the end of the match.

Brilliant report Bantam, shame we can't get more of your supporters on here ; at least I appreciate your reports and I know others do too

Well, I've tried to get more of our supporters on here and managed to get about 3 to join, which would have been alright for a League 2 club if those 3 posted often, it's just they make one post then are never seen again.

I'm glad some people read my reports as I have no Bantams at the moment to read them, ah well.

Good report mate.