BOURNEMOUTH 0 CITY 1
Football League Division 2
19th November 1988
Attendance 9,500
Scorer Moulden(44)
Ref Paul Alcock
City Dibble, Seagraves, Hinchcliffe, Gayle, Brightwell, Redmond, White, Moulden, Morley, McNab, Biggins – Subs J Beckford(unused), Gleghorn(unused)
Bournemouth Peyton, Newson, Morrell, Bond, Williams, O’Driscoll, O’Connor, Brooks, Aylott, Bishop, Close – Subs Cooke(74), Pulis(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL
Paul Moulden, Manchester City’s prince of poachers increased his lead as top scorer when he tucked away a simple chance to put the Blues ahead a minute before half time at Dean Court today.
But it was Bournemouth who created the better chances with Maine Road old boy Kevin Bond adding to the home side’s anguish when he missed a 32nd minute penalty that cannoned back off the inside of the post
And Andy Dibble also sprang to City’s rescue with a string of superb saves in a cracking match played at a rare old pace.
A first minute clash of heads left Seagraves and Aylott receiving lengthy treatment as two unchained sides set about each other in brisk manner.
A splendid six minute diagonal run by Biggins created space for White, who drifted inside from the right before finishing with a crisp 18-yarder that soared narrowly over the bar.
Four minutes later. Morrell’s free kick was headed clear by Redmond but Hinchcliffe signing off today for a three-match suspension after topping 21 disciplinary points, found himself in trouble when Aylott brushed aside his challenge. Aylott’s low cross was a menacing one although Dibble had seen the danger and swooped from his line, to hold the low effort.
In the 11th minute Bournemouth again posed an ominous threat with Bishop’s Splendid cross from the right ending with Close flinging himself full length to connect with a header that Dibble again saved splendidly.
With quarter of an hour gone Moulden’s persistence almost paid off when he crossed the ball in from the left, but Morley, inside the six yard box failed to connect. Moulden then switched to the right to win the game’s first corner, a left-footed special from Hinchcliffe that saw Brightwell get the vital headed flick on only for the ball to dip behind the far post.
However, Bournemouth, yet to score a League goal against the Blues, who had won both the previous meetings 2-0, should have taken the lead in the 20th minute. O’Connor’s through pass was inch perfect, Bishop pounced with a close-in shot, but the Bold Dibble spread himself well to deflect the ball off his legs.
60 seconds later the busy Bishop again forced Dibble into the thick of the action, and the Welsh International goalkeeper, rapidly emerging a firm favourite with the Blues fans, picked off the right flanking cross.
City were again ripped open at the back in the 32nd minute with Brooks and Aylott trading passes before O’Connor beat Dibble with a fine lofted effort that cannoned back off the crossbar. The rebound fell to O’Driscoll, whose shot was heading goalwards until Seagraves scooped it to safety off the line, with the assistance from his hand.
The resulting penalty gave Bournemouth their best chance so far but Bond’s spot kick whipped against the inside of the post and bounced to safety.
Once more O’Driscoll found himself with the ball at his feet. This time his angled effort dipped to safety beyond the far post with City happy to escape.
The Blues reply came with a Hinchcliffe corner on the right, Brightwell again getting the headed flick on at the near post this time Aylott was backs assisting his defence to head over his own crossbar.
But Bournemouth’s threat was still a major one and Gayle found himself in trouble when Close evaded his challenge but once more it was daring Dibble to the rescue.
A clinically hit Hinchcliffe shot was well taken head high by Peyton but the Bournemouth goalkeeper was nowhere to be seen a minute from half time when City bounced off the ropes to take the lead.
Top scorer Moulden increased his tally for the season to nine with a simple tap from a mere couple of yards out after Biggins had created most of the damage with his fine low cross from the left.
Half-time: Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1
Bournemouth resumed, eager to wipe out City’s advantage, and again it took a fine save from Dibble to deny Bishop as he wormed his way inside to finish with a stinging low shot. At the other end Moulden with an acrobatic overhead effort was marginally off target as City set out to increase their advantage.
However, it was Bournemouth still looking the more positive side with Brooks clipping a 25 yarder just over dibbles crossbar.
Moulden again went close after an hour, McNab’s retaken free kick was played short to Hinchcliffe, as the full back drove a low shot through the Bournemouth defensive wall and the ball broke loose for Moulden on the right. With only Peyton to beat Moulden drove in a fierce effort that the Bournemouth keeper parried with William’s tidying up before further damage could be inflicted.
City began to find a more creative blend and Brightwell again set up Moulden whose shot on the run was saved at the second attempt by Peyton.
Brightwell was again involved in the thick of the action seconds later, but this time it was to receive a yellow card for descent.
In the 72nd minute McNab also received a caution for deliberate handball as tempers began to wear thin.
Bournemouth made a 74th minute tactical switch when they brought off Bond, replacing him with Cooke, a striker.
City maintained the great control they had achieved after the break, although they were still made to fight tenaciously at the back as Bournemouth made a spirited late rally.