MATCH REPORT: BOURNEMOUTH 2ND 1-2 SOLENT 1ST

Solent Men's 1st team started off their 2019/2020 season with an emphatic victory in the South-Coast derby, writes Jordan Hall.

 

Goals from Imran Mpaata and Diego Romero saw off Bournemouth University's 2nds. 

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The reds took the lead through Mpaata on the stroke of half time and Romero got his first goal for the BUCS six minutes into the second half.  

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Bournemouth got one back, but the visitors were defiant and claimed all three points in what turned out to be a blockbuster affair. 

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Solent kicked off in red and started brightly. Okine leaped onto an error made by Bournemouth’s left back in the opening five minutes and despite being through on goal, was unable to find the net. 

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After what was a good spell from Solent who couldn’t work out what to do in the final third, Bournemouth should have scored in the 17th minute.

 

Paddy’s foul at the back was fired in and with all the goal to his realm, the Bournemouth attacking midfielder couldn’t convert. 

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Minutes later, Bournemouth were on the attack again, this time a quick succession of passes was met with a cross from the right but Solent captain Dom Oakes stood strong and parried away.  

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Okine hit the post from a stormer of a cross but his effort was ruled offside and Mpaata also came close after a quick Romero set-piece as his curling effort forced a good save from the Bournemouth keeper.  

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Despite what seemed to be a dull affair with both sides not wanting to score, Dom Oakes decided to take things into his own account on the 31st minute and produced something almost unearthly.

 

His free kick from the edge of the penalty box caught Bournemouth’s goalkeeper off-guard and almost crept in.  

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Solent finally made the breakthrough. As the ball bundled and ricocheted around in the final third, Mpaata was there to score arguably the easiest goal he’ll ever score as he was at the right place at the right time to put James Campbell’s side in the lead going into the break. 

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Solent came out all in the second half with confidence and got their second six minutes into the second half.

 

A fine overlap by Romero was sought out by Okinbulhumo and the winger's quick feet and diagonal shot was enough to beat the opposition keeper.  

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Bournemouth seemingly were playing for set-pieces and it payed diligence on the 73rd minute when a 25 yard free kick crept through the wall, bounced and left the tall Dom Oakes with no time to get down and parry away. 

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The encounter climaxed in the final five as Solent were holding onto their lives. A late Bournemouth corner somehow avoided the net as the initial header was tipped onto the bar and the follow up was blocked off the line. 

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The full-time whistle was blown as a shot was desperately fired over the bar and Solent BUCS deservedly claimed all three points.