Matchday Live: Cherries v Oldham Athletic (From Bournemouth Echo)

5:51pm

We have just interviewed Eddie Howe and Lewis Grabban. Howe video reaction will be online shortly and Grabban article with video will be available tomorrow morning.

4:58pm

Cherries good value for the points. Far better after the break.

4:55pm

4:52pm

Non-league: Poole Town leading 3-2 against promotion rivals Merthyr at Tatnam.

4:51pm

4:50pm

Six minutes added time here...

4:50pm

4:44pm

Official man of the match...Lewis Grabban.

4:44pm

Cherries sub: McDermott on for Pugh.

4:43pm

Cherries have been superb in the second half. A clinical display and Oldham haven't been in it at all since the break.

4:40pm

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4:39pm

Harry Arter is yellow carded during the first half...

4:39pm

Cherries subs: Fogden and O'Kane have replaced Grabban and Arter.

4:38pm

4:32pm

The was an 18-minute hat-trick for Grabban.

4:30pm

Baxter booked for catching Arter late.

4:30pm

Baxter booked for catching Arter late.

4:22pm

Goalscorer Lewis Grabban in action during the first half.

4:18pm

Josh McQuoid

4:16pm

Two quickfire strikes from Grabban. Both cool, instinctive finishes to put Cherries in charge.

4:11pm

Charlie Daniels attacks down the left in the first half.

4:09pm

Good low strike from Josh McQuoid and well saved by Dean Bouzanis.

4:08pm

Huge penalty appeal from Cherries. Pugh appeared to have been felled but nothing given.

4:08pm

Marc Pugh

4:08pm

First-half action pictures...

4:06pm

Second half under way here...

3:58pm

My guess would have been 50-50 in terms of possession.

3:58pm

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3:56pm

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3:54pm

HALF-TIME THOUGHTS

The game failed to really spark to life during a largely uneventful first period.

Cherries look threatening in wide areas, with Josh McQuoid utilising his pace to skip past defenders and Marc Pugh also finding plenty of space.

The best effort came via Lee Barnard's dipping long-range volley but neither Dean Bouzanis nor David James has had a save to make.

Jose Baxter looks a talent for Oldham, who have not offered a great deal going forward. Jean M'Voto has impressed for the Latics in defence.

Fletcher, Tubbs and McDermott offer plenty of options for Howe, should he opt to use his substitutes to get Cherries going after the break.

3:47pm

3:46pm

Into two minutes of added time here now.

3:44pm

Fantastic strike from Lee Barnard from 25 yards. Sweetly struck right-foot volley has Dean Bouzanis worried before landing on the roof of the net.

3:43pm

Pretty uneventful half here. Neither keeper has had a meaningful save to make.

3:42pm

Rugby: Lions now trailing 17-15 against Launceston at Chapel Gate.

3:40pm

3:39pm

3:39pm

Great chance for Baxter from 18 yards but he lashes into the Steve Fletcher Stand.

3:37pm

Pugh tees up Grabban who pops up on the left, but his attempted curler is off target.

3:37pm

Pugh finds space galloping down the left yet again. He picks out Grabban but Grounds does well to block the 15-yard drive. Decent move, good defending in the end.

3:32pm

Not the most eventful of games so far. Cherries posing a threat when they get the ball wide.

3:31pm

Cherries youngster Jayden Stockley has started for Woking against Alfreton this afternoon. He joined on loan until January earlier this week.

3:28pm

Cherries in the clear on the left again, this time Pugh, but his cross is over-hit.

3:26pm

3:24pm

Charlie Daniels rampages clear on the left. He has an age to decide whether to shoot or cross but his square ball is cut out before it can reach Lewis Grabban. Oldham were wide open - great chance.

3:23pm

3:22pm

Rugby - Lions 15-7 ahead against Launceston at half-time in National Two South.

3:22pm

3:20pm

Arter forces way into the box but his cross is cleared.

3:19pm

Harry Arter booked for challenge on Youssouf M'Changama.

3:18pm

Non-league: Merthyr have also been reduced to 10 men against Poole at Tatnam.

3:16pm

Non-league: Ex-Cherries trainee Luke Burbidge puts Poole Town 1-0 up against promotion rivals Merthyr Town.

3:15pm

Daniels short to Pugh, Pugh fashions crossing opportunity but Oldham clear.

3:14pm

Harry Arter shot deflected. Cherries corner. The counter came following a superb block from Shaun MacDonald.

3:12pm

Very little action of note so far. Oldham looking to get Baxter on the ball as often as possible. McQuoid has given the Oldham left-back Jonathan Grounds a bit to think about.

3:10pm

Oldham are wearing outrageous bright orange shirts and socks. Pass the sunglasses.

3:04pm

RUGBY - Lions have made a good start in search of a fourth consecutive win in National Two South.

3:03pm

3:02pm

We're under way here.

3:00pm

2:58pm

The teams are out. One change for Cherries - fit-again Simon Francis starts at right-back in place of Steve Cook.

2:56pm

2:54pm

HEAD-TO-HEAD
League games only…
Cherries wins – 19
Oldham wins – 15
Draws – 16

2:53pm

Back to Cherries...

FORM GUIDE

Cherries are flying – unbeaten in seven in all competitions since Eddie Howe’s appointment.

Oldham Athletic are down in 19th position following back-to-back defeats.

Past five league games…
Cherries – W W W D W
Oldham – L L D L W

2:52pm

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2:49pm

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2:48pm

ONE TO WATCH – MARC PUGH

One of Eddie Howe’s major tasks remains trying to tie Pugh to a new deal.

Out of contract in the summer, his recent form is sure to have attracted interest from potential suitors.

Pugh has excelled in his preferred left-wing position since Howe returned to the club.

A key player during Cherries’ seven-match unbeaten run, the Lancastrian has netted four goals during that sequence. In total, the 25-year-old has five goals and contributed three assists this term.

2:46pm

MANAGER’S THOUGHTS – PAUL DICKOV

Dickov told the club website: “We thought we had turned the corner after suffering only one defeat in seven games, only to suffer two defeats in the same week against two of our local rivals, which was really disappointing.

“When we were on the good run, I mentioned that a week is a long time in football. And the two defeats got everyone on a downer.

“We will stay positive as not long ago we were on a good run. Two defeats in the space of a week doesn't make us a bad team overnight.

“It has been massively disappointing but I don't buy into it that there is a crisis.”

Dickov added: “Eddie has gone in and rejuvenated Bournemouth and has picked them up since he went back.”

2:44pm

MANAGER’S THOUGHTS – EDDIE HOWE

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Paul Dickov’s teams are always very difficult to beat because they are very hard-working and organised. We need to be focused on the next two games because it is going to be an important few days for us.

“Oldham will be looking to get their momentum going again so we will need to be aware of that. I just think we need to reproduce our recent home form and try to play the same way because we have been excellent at times.

“Oldham were on a good run before the past two games and that is why they will get our full respect. They have some very good players and Jose Baxter is on the short-list for the League One player of the month. He is having a really good season. He has scored a few goals and is certainly a talent so we need to be aware of him.

“Matt Derbyshire is an experienced player and has played in the Premier League. He has been there and done it and played at a good level. They have players we will need to be aware of and we will not be taking them lightly.

“When you have two games in quick succession, it tests your preparation and everything that goes on behind the scenes. We have got a really good team of people here and will be ready and prepared.”

2:42pm

DANGERMAN – JOSE BAXTER
Former Everton prospect Baxter has already hit six goals since joining the Latics in September on a four-month contract.
The 20-year-old talent joined Everton at the age of six and eventually became the Toffees’ youngest first-team player.
Having spent the first half of last season on loan at Tranmere, versatile forward Baxter rejected the offer of a new two-year deal at Everton in the summer and spent pre-season at Crystal Palace.
His search for regular football saw him join Oldham on an initial loan basis before penning a short-term contract until January.
Baxter has been capped by England at under-16 and under-17 level.

2:40pm

THE GAFFER – PAUL DICKOV
Dickov has been at the Oldham Athletic helm since being appointed player-boss in June 2010.
The Scot moved into management following a distinguished playing career with clubs including Manchester City, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.
A full and under-21 international with Scotland, Dickov scored more than 100 career goals before hanging up his boots and moving into the dugout.
The 40-year-old is the fourth longest-serving manager in the division behind only Greg Abbott, Russell Slade and Karl Robinson.

2:30pm

Good afternoon all and welcome to Goldsands Stadium. Pre-match build-up and team news to follow...