Cherries: Dan runs the show as Dean Court rocks once again (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Dan runs the show as Dean Court rocks once again

1:00am Wednesday 10th February 2010 in

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THIS was a match few pundits would have given Cherries a chance of winning.

With a squad thinned by injuries and not aided by the club’s ongoing transfer embargo, the hosts at Dean Court probably started as underdogs for one of the first times this season.

Their much-talked-about opponents, with their League Two top goalscorer, ex-Premier League keeper and seven-man subs bench, seemingly had the odds stacked in their favour.

But somebody forgot to tell Eddie Howe’s men.

Lacking in creative spark and urgency in a dismal draw against Cheltenham on Saturday, Cherries were a team transformed.

In a performance even better than the one they produced at Rotherham last week, Cherries were quite simply magnificent.

Unrecognisable from the side that toiled without reward at the weekend, Howe’s charges started more like Barcelona than Bournemouth.

Another double from the increasingly influential Danny Hollands, their heartbeat both last night and in the memorable win against the Millers last week, put them deservedly in the ascendancy in a pulsating opening 45 minutes against County.

And despite Neal Bishop giving the visitors a glimmer of hope five minutes after the restart – and a spell of pressure from the Magpies during a nervy second half – Cherries deservedly claimed a victory which keeps them on course for the most remarkable of promotions.

Following a minute’s applause for Cherries fan Bob Keniston, who passed away on Saturday, Howe’s men made the perfect start.

With just 90 seconds on the clock, Hollands, the hero at Rotherham, set the ball rolling. An inswinging corner from Rhoys Wiggins gave the midfielder all the invitation he needed to shrug off his marker and thump home a powerful header from six yards.

Having struggled to break down Cheltenham in Saturday’s low-key stalemate, Cherries proved a totally different proposition during an impressive opening to this crucial encounter.

Bright in possession, sharp and energetic when not, the hosts bossed the early exchanges, with Brett Pitman, Hollands and Lee Bradbury all trying their luck.

Magpies responded with two wayward shots, but they were restricted to attempts from range, with lively Cherries giving them little room – or time – for manoeuvre.

Liam Feeney, operating on the left, soon showed his desire to get on the scoresheet by cutting inside on to his favoured right foot.

And the move almost paid dividends in the 23rd minute, but his scorching 25-yard rocket flew just over the angle of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal, with the keeper beaten.

Marvin Bartley, who replaced Josh McQuoid in the starting line-up after overcoming a calf injury, showed no ill-effects and was handed a glorious chance to register Cherries’ second on 31 minutes. Released by a clever Pitman through ball, the former non-league star saw his low shot kept out by Schmeichel’s outstretched left leg.

But Cherries were rewarded for the quality of their display when Hollands doubled their lead three minutes later.

The midfielder, who had been denied by a spectacular scrambling save from Schmeichel moments earlier, fired home from 12 yards, as a wicked deflection off County defender Mike Edwards took the ball past the keeper and his despairing dive.

At this stage, County looked rattled, with stray passes and wastefulness in possession the result as the half came to a close.

But just as they had when defeating Cherries in an FA Cup tie at Dean Court in November, County stepped up a gear after the break.

Within five minutes of the resumption, Dave Kevan’s side were back in the contest. After Shwan Jalal had saved with his legs from Craig Westcarr’s low shot, Bishop was perfectly placed to slot home the rebound from 12 yards.

Schmeichel, at full stretch, kept out Anton Robinson’s powerful 20-yarder on 53 minutes as Cherries quickly tried to restore their two-goal cushion.

County were next to go close as Ben Davies’s looping free-kick from the left touchline caught Jalal by surprise and cannoned back off the crossbar.

Bradbury and Pitman, twice with powerful attempts, then had efforts for Cherries as both teams showed their attacking intent as the entertaining contest continued to unfold.

In a bid to earn a positive result, County called on Luke Rodgers from the bench to boost their frontline. And the change almost worked, as the striker nipped in to flick goalwards on 72 minutes, but Jalal was alert enough to tip the effort over from close range.

With nerves jangling among a large and raucous home crowd, Karl Hawley almost found a way through Cherries’ resolute defence, but Jalal saved his well-struck shot low down to his right.

But with Cherries’ back four on fine form – and keeping the division’s top scorer Lee Hughes quiet throughout – the recent blip on home soil was ended in emphatic style.

It was Cherries’ first victory at Dean Court in 2010 – and the timing of this fine performance could not have been better.

Cherries: (4-4-2) Jalal 7.5; Bradbury 7.5, Pearce 8, Garry 8, Wiggins 7.5; Feeney 7.5 (Cummings, 85), Robinson 8, Bartley 8 (McQuoid, 75), Hollands 9*; Pitman 8, Fletcher 8. Unused subs: Connell, Goulding, Thomas (g/k).

Booked: Bradbury.

Notts County: (4-4-2) Schmeichel; Thompson (Lee, 89), Edwards, Hunt, Jackson; Westcarr (Rodgers, 69), Bishop, Ravenhill, Davies; Hughes, Hawley. Unused subs: Hamshaw, Fairclough, Clapham, Akinbiyi, Hoult (g/k).

Booked: Bishop, Hunt.

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).

Attendance: 5,472.