Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Bristol Rovers 1 AFC Bournemouth 0 - Oh What a Night

Wow what a night!

My clipping from this morning's paper
Rovers had their collective backs to the wall as Bournemouth battered them, but the home side clung on for three vital points and moved out of the relegation zone.

Before discussing Rovers, I think it’s only fair to take a look at the Cherries.

The south coast club have now not won in six games as things hot up at the top end of the table, but thy really did deserve something out of this fixture.

Danny Ings must have left for home wondering what he had to do to beat Conrad Logan in the Rovers goal. The Irishman – on loan from Leicester City – stopped everything the Bournemouth striker threw at him and used his hands, legs and, on two occasions, his chest to thwart his opponent.

The one time Logan was beaten, central defender James Tunnicliffe covered for him to head a Danny Hollands drive off the line.

Bournemouth will no doubt have felt aggrieved at their lack of luck, but get another bite at the cherry (no pun intended) when Rovers visit in a few weeks time.

Manager Lee Bradbury complained that they did everything they could, but “the ball just wouldn’t drop for us.” He was also decent enough to give credit where it was most certainly due – to the Rovers defence.

And Bradbury isn’t fazed about the fight ahead. He said:

“The pack are closing in behind us in the battle for play-off places but I wouldn't swap places with any of them and we still have it in our hands to secure a top-six finish."

Rovers have now won four of the six games since Stuart Campbell took on the role of player-boss after Dave Penney was sacked and this result sees them get out of the relegation places for the first time this year.

When you listen to Campbell speak about his side you can feel his genuine pride. In fact he said:

"I'm immensely proud of them and their effort, desire and commitment. From front to back, they all put their bodies on the line and were phenomenal. It was a fantastic performance from everyone and I couldn't have asked for any more. The lads are fighting for their lives and it showed in their performance."

Although he’s no mug and with games against Southampton and Brighton coming up (as well as the Cherries reverse fixture when you can be guaranteed they’ll be looking to set the record straight) he admitted:

"The job's not done yet. We've been in the bottom four for far too long. We'll enjoy this result but then we have to prepare for Saturday's game.”

All of the other results at the bottom went in Rovers favour last night and even though they have played a game more than most of their rivals, Notts County, Tranmere and Dagenham all seem to be playing like Rovers were at the turn of the year and are dropping like stones. In fact even the Swindon players must be thinking survival is possible … assuming they can win a game or two in the very near future.

The saddest sight of the night came only 15 minutes into the game when Will Hoskins appeared to twist his ankle and hobbled off. At half time he needed to be supported by two of the backroom staff as he hopped across the Mem towards the dressing room.

Rovers showed that they could win a game without him last night, but there’s no doubting he will be sorely missed in the run in if his injury is as bad as it looked.

Maybe the Rovers board should have loaned him to Brighton (if rumours are to be believed) on deadline day with a view to a £1 million summer move, but then again, hindsight is always a wonderful thing.

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