06.04.24 : Chapel Gate : KO 3pm.

Bournemouth Sports held promotion chasing and cup finalists Sturminster Newton to a 1-1 draw at Chapel Gate on a blustery afternoon. 

The visitors adopting their usual direct style found a strong and resilient Bournemouth defence coping very well with whatever was thrown at them. The half itself lacked any clear cut chances mainly settling for a number of set-pieces which largely came to no avail. 

However the Sturminster left back found himself in on goal having beaten the off-side trap only to seem to fall over his own feet when about to shoot ! a let off for Bournemouth. The deadlock was broken into injury time at the end of the half when Nick Thomson bundled home from close range following a corner giving the visitors the lead. HT 0-1

Into the second half and Bournemouth started very well and equalised in the 48th minute when winger James Bergin capitalised on some hesitation in the Sturminster defence to fire home from just inside the box. 

As the game went on both sides seemed to cancel each other out, Bournemouth with a 3 man midfield working tirelessly to deny the visitors any time and space on the ball and with a backline coping well and being very organised. 

The only real chance of the half saw Sports Goalkeeper Marc Davies tip over a long range effort, but other than that it was a hard battle for both teams who deserved a share of the spoils.

Bournemouth – Marc Davies, Matt Ellis, Cameron Shaw, Eddie Myers, Max Norris, Karol Borowski, Taylor Edwards, Jamie Trimble, Gabriel Spennato, James Bergin, Sam Darlow 

Subs – Matt Gane for Max Norris (70), Jack Voisey for Karol Borowski (80), Jai Crowther for James Bergin (85) Jack Jones for Matt Ellis (90) 

Picture – Bournemouth Sports Captain Eddie Myers