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Date: 19 August 2000
A disappointing first home game of the season, and first match without Mel Machin as team manager, in many ways.
Cambridge led for most of the game, having exploited a Menetrier error which left a gaping goal mouth in the eighth of the first half. But in fact that half was generally lacklustre, and the team's shape gradually disintegrated as Carl Fletcher moved infield.
The second half was far more promising as the introduction of Willie Huck wide on the left, and the move of Claus Jorgensen to a corresponding position on the right, 'flattened' the midfield and spread the Bournemouth play better. Day gave way for Huck, and at the same time Tindall replaced Angus one-for-one in the centre of defence.
Later, a cynical challenge on Purches led to Slade, who had earlier set up Cambridge's goal, being rightly sent off. Purches hobbled off injured, which was a shame because he had co-ordinated well with Huck in the second half, as well as effectively playing both roles - getting well forward when necessary - in the first half.
Hayter numerically took Purches' place, but in fact we exploited our one man advantage by playing 3-4-1-2 with Hayter just behind the two strikers. Bournemouth piled on the pressure towards the end and could have had several goals (although, in fairness, so could Cambridge during the first half). In the end we had to make do with a single consolation goal two minutes from time, when Steve Fletcher headed in after some excellent preparatory work by Huck and Jorgensen.
My scores out of ten :
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Menetrier (6);
Young (7), N Fenton (7), Angus (6), Purches (8);
C Fletcher (8), Day (6), Hughes (7);
Jorgensen (7);
Eribenne (6), S Fletcher (7)
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