Top Five: Pitman picks his best goals

Brett Pitman scored a host of crucial goals during his time with AFC Bournemouth – but which were his top five?

The striker netted 102 goals in all competitions in two spells and remains fourth in the club’s list of all-time leading league marksmen.

His exploits helped the Cherries preserve their Football League status in 2008/09 and played a vital role in three promotions from League Two to the Premier League.

Pitman, who won no fewer than three golden boots during his stay at Vitality Stadium, has selected his favourite five goals for afcb.co.uk.

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1. Fulham 1-5 AFC Bournemouth (March 6th 2015 – Championship)

We had two games in the space of four days and we went to Craven Cottage on a Friday night having beaten Wolves on the Tuesday.

At the time, we were in fourth place and the table could not have been any more congested. Six points separated the top seven and every point was so crucial.

I opened the scoring against Fulham and Matty Ritchie made it 2-0 before half-time. Fairly early in the second half I got my second and it was my favourite goal for the club.

I picked up a clearance from Tommy Elphick just inside our half of the pitch. I had a bit of time on my hands and just turned and started running towards goal.

I slipped the ball past one defender and held off a challenge from Scott Parker. I reached the edge of the box and side-footed it into the bottom corner of the net with my left foot.

It was a special night all round. We were exceptional and played really well in front of the Sky cameras against a decent Fulham team. The win took us to the top of the table on goal difference.

2. Exeter City 1-3 AFC Bournemouth (March 10th 2009 – League Two)

We were second bottom and reaching the climax of what was a nail-biting season. We were on a decent run when we headed to St James Park but Exeter were right up there and going for promotion.

It is a tight ground and their fans really get behind them at home. They scored early to take the lead and we didn’t play very well in the first half, me in particular.

The manager let me know in no uncertain terms at half-time. I had ten minutes to liven up or he was going to take me off.

Within about five minutes of the restart, I hit the crossbar from about 30 yards. We were much better in the second half and scored twice in quick succession to take the lead.

Danny Hollands equalised and, a few minutes later, I picked the ball up deep inside our half. I was probably ten to 15 yards outside our 18-yard box.

I went on a run and nutmegged a couple of people on the way and took on a couple of players as well.
I nearly lost the ball but got it back and nutmegged someone else on the edge of the box. Then, I just side-footed it in the corner.
I got another one quite late on and it was a big result for us. I seem to remember it took us out of the bottom two for the first time that season.

3. AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Burton Albion (September 26th 2009 – League Two)

We had made a great start to the season, we had won seven of our first eight league games and were top of the table heading into this one.

We had a few injuries at the time and could only name three substitutes, one of them being Jayden Stockley who had only just turned 16.

It was a game of few clear-cut chances and it looked like our winning run would come to an end as the clock ticked.

Alan Connell managed to scramble the ball out to me on the left wing. He had come on up front and I had been moved to the left wing.

I chested the ball and it went a little higher than I had wanted. Fortunately, it dropped nicely and I hit it on the volley.

More than anything, I hit it with a bit of anger because I think I was unhappy at being put on the left wing when we needed a goal. Luckily for me, it went into the top corner, otherwise I might have been in a bit of trouble!

The goal came late in the game and it was a big win for us. I remember it set a record for the club’s best start to a season so that made it even better.

4. Burton Albion 0-2 AFC Bournemouth (April 24th 2010 – League Two)

This was a game I won’t forget in a hurry!

We knew if we won, we would be promoted. There was a great atmosphere when we arrived at the stadium and everyone was excited.

But we knew we still had a job to do and we missed a few chances in the first half having dominated for long periods.

I had missed my fair share so it was great to open the scoring in the second half.

I latched on to a knockdown from Fletch and volleyed the ball into the back of the net with my left foot.

I think it settled us down, although we probably should have won more comfortably as we battered them in the first half.

It was a nice goal and an important one. Alan added a second late on and we could really start to celebrate then.

5. Shrewsbury 0-3 AFC Bournemouth (April 13th 2013)

This one gets the vote just ahead of a goal that I scored against Carlisle in our next game when we clinched promotion to the Championship.

We were on a great run when we went to Shrewsbury and had won six games in a row.
I scored a penalty early in the first half and doubled our lead at the start of the second half.

I had an interchange with Mark Pugh and the wind was in the right direction so I used it to my advantage and bent it into the top corner from about 25 yards.

Although we were pretty comfortable winners on the day, it was only 1-0 at the time.
That team was so well organised, so good on the break and so good at seeing out games that if we went 2-0 up, I never thought we would be pegged back.

For me, I would never differentiate between a 30-yard screamer and a one-yard tap-in because they all count the same.

I am sure if you asked most forwards they would say they wouldn’t mind how they scored.
As they say in golf, there are no pictures on a scorecard – in football, there are no pictures on the scoreboard.

Top Five: Pitman picks his best goals

1. Fulham 1-5 AFC Bournemouth (March 6th 2015 – Championship)

2. Exeter City 1-3 AFC Bournemouth (March 10th 2009 – League Two)

3. AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Burton Albion (September 26th 2009 – League Two)

4. Burton Albion 0-2 AFC Bournemouth (April 24th 2010 – League Two)

5. Shrewsbury 0-3 AFC Bournemouth (April 13th 2013)

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