Goals either side of half time from Brian Stock and James Hayter set Bournemouth on their way to a comfortable win against Bristol City.

Stock's clever free kick opened the scoring and City never threatened following James Hayter's second half penalty.

Cherries: Moss, Young, O'Connor, Howe, Maher, Browning, Stock, Spicer (Cooke 87), Surman (Rodrigues 78), Fletcher, Hayter (Coutts 89).
Subs: Stewart, Gowling.

City: Phillips, Heywood, Partridge, Carey, Bridges, Brooker, Stewart (Murray 55), Cotterill, Woodman (Golbourne), Brown, Skuse.
Subs: J Smith, G Smith, Fortune.

Att: 6,544

Steve Fletcher was restored to the starting line-up and played his part in the win, impressing in a tough physical battle against Matt Heywood. As early as the third minute he burst through the City defence, but the ball was too far ahead of him to direct it once he'd beaten Steve Phillips to it. Bridges then fired a wayward shot over the bar; the former Leeds and Sunderland striker only showing glimpses of his Premier potential.

James O'Connor once again put in a sterling performance on the left hand side and the right footed defender had to cut inside just after ten minutes. It nearly paid dividends as his cross come shot deceived Phillips and landed on the roof of the net. Bournemouth continued to be the driving force in the match and Browning's quick thinking on thirteen set up Hayter, whose snap shot was a little too high.

Neil Moss was in fine form and showed a hint of what was to come by clutching onto a well struck effort by Cole Skuse, skimming across the greasy surface caused by the heavy rain.

The deserved opening goal came the way of the home side on twenty minutes. Surman's battling nature won Cherries a free kick. Stock swung an inviting ball towards the far post; nobody got t ouch onto the ball and it nestled neatly into the far side of goal.

City were at their most dangerous in the twenty minutes leading up to the interval, but only created two notable chances. Both were from Bridges and both required Moss to be on top form. The first was a low rasping effort beaten away and he saved his best for first half stoppage time.

Bridges broke clear of halfway eluding two Cherries players sliding on the surface. He had options, but decided to go on his own and chip the Cherries keeper. The Robins looked certain to be heading into the break on level terms, but somehow Moss got a fingertip to the ball to divert it the other side of his right hand post.

Half time: AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Bristol City

That was City's chance gone and five minutes into the second half David Partridge all but handed the win to Bournemouth, too literally for his manager's liking! He contested a throw into the box with Spicer and rose and arm to deliberately handle. He received a booking for his trouble and gave Hayter the chance to place a cool finish low into the corner.

Five minutes later it could have been three as a flowing move released Hayter into the area. He finished with aplomb, but the goal was ruled out by the assistant's flag.

Skuse and Brown both had half chances for City midway into the half, but the Cherries defence ensured Moss had no further part to play in the match until the closing stages. Cherries entertained the home crowd to a confident display of possession football. Even Neil Young got into the act with a stunning volley across the face of goal at the end of a fine switch of play, what a goal that could have been.

Howe and Maher were more than a match for Brooker and Bridges as the City attack, still without a goal this season after three games, were visibly frustrated by the lack of chances.

With six minutes remaining however, Brooker did manage to break clear of Maher with Howe languishing injured on halfway. Moss covered his angles well and met the ball low down with a good stop.

Final Score: AFC Bournemouth 2-0 Bristol City