Match report - Grecians v Cherries

Exeter City were defeated 2-1 at the hands of Barclays Premier League opponents AFC Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly at St James Park.

The Grecians led at the interval through David Wheeler, who netted just after the half-hour mark, but second-half strikes from Dan Gosling and Junior Stanislas gave the Cherries the win.

Summer arrivals Bobby Olejnik and Troy Brown were in the starting XI for the Grecians’ home game against AFC Bournemouth. Manny Oyeleke began on the bench, while trialist Will Hoskins was also in the matchday squad.

The first chance of the afternoon went the way of the hosts – Lee Holmes nipped in to win the ball high upfield and slotted in Tom Nichols, whose shot was deflected through into the arms of Adam Federici.

Bournemouth began to see more of the ball as the game progressed and it was Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu who went close for the Cherries, firing across goal and wide after good work down the right from Adam Smith.

Midfielder Marc Pugh was within a matter of inches from putting the guests ahead when the ball broke his way on the edge of the box – however it was just high and wide from the edge of the area. Then Pugh was blocked out by a brave challenge by Christian Ribeiro, as the scores remained level.

A strong Cherries defence was holding strong and seeing to Exeter’s threats. Federici commanded the six-yard box well when Holmes whipped in an inswinger after David Wheeler’s persistence won a corner, and an important challenge from Tyrone Mings denied Holmes an opportunity to break.

A quick interchange of passes in the Exeter area and a dummy from Atsu allowed Tokelo Rantie to have a shot from close-range, but a lunging block from centre-half Brown kept the ball at bay and the scores level.

And minutes later at the other end, the Grecians led. Matt Oakley spun a ball out to the right flank for Wheeler to carry – he cut inside onto his left foot and hit a low shot, which picked a gap in the crowd and found the far corner.

City had a chance to double the advantage soon after – a raking ball into the area from Holmes looked like it was going to be dealt with by either goalkeeper Adam Federici or defender Steve Cook, but indecision allowed Nichols to nip in. Ultimately the goalkeeper got down well to save.

Andrew Surman had a chance to level before the interval when he struck a right-footed free-kick from 22 yards, but stopper Olejnik scampered across goal and turned the effort around the post.

Half-time: Exeter City 1 AFC Bournemouth 0