Bournemouth Sports Reserves secured a convincing 3-1 victory against Cranborne First in a league away match held at the Mick Loader Memorial Recreation Ground on 5th October 2024. The match kicked off at 3:00 pm, with the home side looking to make a statement against their opponents.
Bournemouth lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while providing ample support for their attacking players. Harry Main took his position in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Ryan Franklin and Joe Beaven as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Ash Nippard and Joe Proctor forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Alex Rankin and Jack White operated as central midfielders, tasked with controlling the tempo and linking play. The attacking trio featured Mike Loven-Rogerson on the right, Jordy Betts in the central attacking role, and Rob Howard on the left, with Dan Hayward leading the line as the striker. The substitutes for Bournemouth included Harry Stokes, Liam McKinney, Kian Bright, and Jacob Franklin.
The match began with Cranborne First taking an early lead in the 19th minute, capitalising on a defensive mistake from Bournemouth. A lapse in concentration allowed the opponents to score with a well-placed right-footed shot, putting the visitors on the back foot.
Bournemouth responded positively, and their persistence paid off just before half-time. In the 40th minute, Rob Howard found the equaliser following a goalmouth scramble, with Dan Hayward providing the crucial assist. The first half ended with the score level at 1-1, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
As the second half commenced, Bournemouth made tactical changes, bringing on Harry Stokes and Liam McKinney for Rob Howard and Jordy Betts, respectively, at half-time. However, the match took a turn for the worse for Bournemouth when Dan Hayward received a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 52nd minute, putting him on notice for the remainder of the match.
Bournemouth continued to adjust their tactics, introducing Kian Bright for Mike Loven-Rogerson in the 55th minute. The substitutions aimed to inject fresh energy into the team as they sought to take control of the match. In the 75th minute, Jacob Franklin replaced Ryan Franklin due to injury, further altering the dynamics on the pitch.
The breakthrough for Bournemouth came in the 81st minute when Harry Stokes converted a penalty with a composed right-footed finish, putting his side ahead 2-1. The penalty was awarded after a foul in the box, and Stokes showed great poise to slot the ball home.
As the match drew to a close, Bournemouth sealed their victory with a third goal in the 89th minute. Rob Howard, who had returned to the pitch as a substitute, scored with a powerful header from a cross delivered by Kian Bright, extending the lead to 3-1 and ensuring all three points for his side.
The match concluded with Bournemouth Sports Reserves emerging victorious, showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess against Cranborne First. Rob Howard's performance, highlighted by a goal and an assist, earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, reflecting his significant contribution to the team's success.
