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AFC
BOURNEMOUTH - MONDAY 01/01/07 |
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IMAGES
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| Waking
up with a head that feels like Anne Widicombe
has been sat on it for a week, there is no
better way to clear the post-New Years Eve
hangover than with a South Coast Derby away at
Bournemouth. After a night of hard partying, it
was a full Crocs contingent that made the
journey west to see if Dean Wilkins men could
halt the 3 game losing streak and start 2007
with a bang - and they would have good reason
to, with the unveiling of the new Crocs on Tour
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| Mode
of Transport: |
Tom
Witham restricted his alcohol consumption from
the previous evening, and it was therefore
decided we would use the Witham mobile to reach
Bournemouth
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| Team: |
Mr
Wilkins chose his preferred 4-4-2 line up, with
a team of: Henderson, Hart, El-Abd, Butters,
Rents; Robinson, Hammond, Fraser, Cox; Revell,
Gatting
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| Kit: |
Bournemouth
wore their home colours of red and black striped
shirts, black shorts and black socks. Brighton
wore their second choice attire of white shirts
with blue trim, blue shorts and clue socks.
Wayne Henderson epitomised flair, wearing two
differing shirts during the game - the first
half saw the lovely aqua blue with gold trim
jersey preferred, while in the second he went
for a striking charcoal grey number, both
combined with navy blue shorts and socks, no
doubt in honor of our close proximity to
Portsmouth and the pearl in the British navy's
crown, HMS Victory
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| Dean
Wilkins Attire: |
Another
disappointing day for Mr Wilkins, as he shows no
variation in his fashion decisions by wearing
the tracksuit, yet again combined with a
standard issue trench coat and his white dancing
shoes
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| Weather: |
A
crisp New Years morning transpired into monsoon
like conditions midway through the game, with a
lashing wind ensuring even the fans were moist
despite the advent of a roof at the Fitness
First Stadium
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| Stadium
Rating: |
Built
on the site of the old Dean Court, the Fitness
First Stadium is far superior to what it came
out of. Now completed with four sides, albeit
one a temporary 'Withdean effort', it is a
decent enough stadium to visit, despite the lack
of roof over one end. 7/10
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| Food
Rating: |
Rather
good, especially the huge burgers available
outside the stadium. Inside and there was also a
large selection of food on offer. 6/10
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| Entertainment: |
After
our pre-season friendly visit just over a year
ago, we were hopeful of seeing the same
selection of attractive cheer leaders. However,
these were nowhere to be seen, and the stadium
was completely devoured of entertainment, apart
from a mascot who was disappointly not a giant
cherry. 2/10
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| Friendliness
of Locals: |
Quite
friendly, we missed the chance to socialise with
most by neglecting a pub. However, the programme
sellers around the stadium, and one in
particular who appeared to be dressed as a
women, made the day quite enjoyable. 7/10
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| Standard
of Local Females: |
Disappointly,
we detected a distinct lack of females in and
around the stadium area, and the ones we did see
were of an average complexion. 3/10
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| Steward
Rating: |
Bournemouth
continued its reputation for decent stewarding,
as they were extremely helpful in the erection
of the flag, navigating us towards the ticketing
both, and impressively moving the small handful
of Brighton fans who were in the uncovered end
behind the goal into the seated area with a roof
as the monsoon battered down. 9/10
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| Flag
Attention: |
The
brand new, 10x6ft flag made its debut. After
initial problems in tieing it up thanks to flag
bearer Potters general incompetence, we
eventually had it erect, and it gained many
interesting stares from intrigued Albion fans.
7/10
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| Match
Report: |
Brighton
looked as if they had secured their first point
in three games until a bizarre and monumental
cock up by keeper Wayne Henderson sent them home
empty handed. With a poor game between two poor
sides balanced at 0-0, the Brighton keeper
slipped over on the wet turf after collecting a
long ball, allowing the Bournemouth striker to
finish into an empty net, and ensure that the
visitors continue to slide dangerously down the
table
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| Thought
of the Day: |
A
Brighton and Hove Albion band to rival the
Sheffield Wednesday one and create a bit of
atmosphere inside the stadium, with McCarthy on
the cello, Witham on the tuba, Stewart on the
piano and Potter on the triangle
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