AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers has been rewarded for his fine performances in 2021/22 with a new five-year contract.
The 23-year-old dominated the club’s end of season awards, winning the Supporters Player of the Season, Vice Presidents Player of the Season, and the Daily Echo’s Micky Cave award.
His 20 clean sheets across the campaign earned Travers the Sky Bet Championship Golden Glove award.
To celebrate his new contract, afcb.co.uk is looking at his top five performances in the 2021/22 season.
AFC Bournemouth 2-1 QPR, 14th September 2021
A sublime second half performance saw Travers named man of the match at Vitality Stadium.
Jaidon Anthony and Dominic Solanke put the Cherries in the lead in the first-half before Sam McCallum set up a nervous finish with a deflected strike.
Travers had to make as many as five saves in the final ten minutes to protect the Cherries’ lead, making an excellent double save from Jordy de Wijs and Rob Dickie.
He made another block from George Thomas’ volley before reacting quickly as Lloyd Kelly deflected Dickie’s cross, tipping it beyond the far post.
In the dying seconds, Travers pushed Ball’s looping cross away for a corner before saving Andre Gray’s header following a frantic goalmouth scramble.
Barnsley 0-1 AFC Bournemouth, 29th January 2022
The Republic of Ireland international was key to the Cherries securing a valuable three points at Barnsley.
In windy conditions, Philip Billing rose highest to meet Solanke’s lofted cross to give Scott Parker’s side an early lead.
However, Barnsley responded well, Aaron Leya Iseka cut into the box and aimed for the far corner, but Travers did well to push it away.
He made a good stop from Cole’s fierce effort before blocking a close-range shot from Callum Styles.
Cole had another chance as he ghosted in to meet Styles’ free kick but Travers reacted well to make the save.
AFC Bournemouth 3-1 Birmingham City, 9th February 2022
Another stand-out performance from Travers helped the Cherries to victory over Birmingham City at Vitality Stadium.
Parker’s side started quickly as Ryan Christie and Solanke opened up a two goal lead.
Travers maintained the scoreline with a superb save from Gary Gardner’s header before Jefferson Lerma saw red for a challenge on Onel Hernandez.
Hernandez’s deflected shot gave Birmingham a lifeline and the Cherries suddenly found themselves under sustained pressure.
Travers made a top-drawer one-handed save from Lucas Jutkiewicz’s strong shot from the edge of the box.
Anthony netted the third goal to secure the win, Travers making another fine stop in the dying moments from Ivan Sunjic’s fierce drive.
Blackpool 1-2 AFC Bournemouth, 12th February 2022
Arguably Travers’ best performance of the 2021/22 season, he made a series of sensational stops to allow the Cherries the opportunity for a dramatic victory.
Solanke missed a first-half penalty before Josh Bowler curled home an impressive effort from long range to give Blackpool the lead.
The Cherries goalkeeper made a good stop from Bowler on the stroke of half-time, getting down smartly to stop his low effort from finding the bottom corner.
Travers made another fine stop from Bowler in the 53rd minute, clawing away the winger’s effort, which looked destined for the top corner.
Gary Madine looked set to double Blackpool’s lead in the 80th minute as his point-blank header was somehow stopped by Travers. A truly world class save from the number 42.
Those stops presented Parker’s side the chance to make a stunning comeback, which they did via Jamal Lowe and Siriki Dembele.
AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Stoke City, 26th February 2022
A fourth consecutive man of the match award for Travers, who enjoyed an incredible February.
Tommy Smith opened the scoring for visiting Stoke with a drilled effort before Travers was forced to make an acrobatic save from Jacob Brown’s deflected effort.
Morgan Fox saw red for an overzealous challenge on Billing to give the Cherries a numerical advantage.
Solanke headed home from close range before Lowe tucked home in the dying moments to give the Cherries a dramatic lead.
Josh Maja had a chance with seconds on the clock to net a last-gasp equaliser but Travers made a strong save to confirm the win.
