Report | AFC Bournemouth

Cherries dominated for large periods, but couldn't find a way past inspired Oldham stopper Lee Grant.

Att: 5,453

Hart dispossessed the keeper Grant within two minutes, but nobod was in the area to appl a finish to his low cross. Fordyce then caused further problems in the six yard box and a vital touch from Grant denied Hayter a chance from eight yards out.

Oldham's first attack of any real menace came inside ten minutes when Richard Butcher found some space on the right side of the area. With Stewart rushing to close him down, it proved enough as Butcher drilled his shot beyond the far post.

Cherries continued to be the better side, asking more questions of the Oldham defence. The new look Cherries midfield of Cooper, Rix, Fordyce and Purches was operating well early on, showing no signs of a lack in communication.

In the twentieth minute a deft touch from Hayter, receiving the ball from a Purches throw, took out two defenders although his shot hit a third. From the corner Brett Pitman, making his first league start, confidently smashed in a shot from the edge of the area although just wide.

A silky touch from Fordyce midway through the half won Cherries a free kick twenty-five yards from goal just right of centre. James Hayter took responsibility with the kick and drew a save from Grant in the Oldham goal.

At the other end Butcher headed wide from a long ball by Branston. On twenty-six minutes Luke Beckett had the ball in the back of the net. So often a thorn in Cherries side for Stockport and Huddersfield, this attempt was ruled out for offside.

Beckett was then gifted the ball on a plate from Edwards' cross and an air shot from within the six yard area meant the game stayed goalless.

Oldham enjoyed more of the play towards the end of the half and won a free kick on the left hand corner of the area that Wellens fizzed over the top. Chris Hall then arrived late in the box to head over the right wing cross.

Half time: AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Oldham Athletic

Four minutes into the second half Ben Rix nearly claimed his first Cherries goal. As appeals went up for a foul on Hayter in the box the ball fell to Rix twenty yards out and he fired in an effort that Grant had to tip over the bar.

A well played advantage by referee Keith Hill earned Oldham a corner ten minutes into the half and Stewart came through a crowd of players to claim confidently before setting off a Cherries counter attack.

Brett Pitman hadn't been afraid to try his luck so far in the match and on sixty-two minutes a rasping half volley almost caught Grant out as he back peddled to tip the ball over the bar. The corner also found its way to Pitman, whose low drive forced Grant into another save.

Hayter and Pitman were combining much better in the second half and a ball from the youngster to the seasoned pro saw Cherries' top scorer flick the ball over his marker and power in a shot that Grant beat away with his fists.

Midway through the half the quiet Beckett showed that he could be a danger at any moment racing onto a through ball and chipping Stewart. Thankfully Stewart judged the shot just right and got a touch to make the save.

Fordryce was next to test Grant and once again the stopper proved his worth by diving full stretch to his right to keep out the eighteen yard effort.

On a rare Oldham attack Paul Edwards wasted a three on two chance ten minutes from time when he waited too long to supply a cross and then played the ball behind his waiting strikers. Rix then pounced on a loose ball, but got underneath it and blazed into the North Stand.

Final Score: AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Oldham Athletic