Next two will give Cherries true taste (From Thisisdorset)

Next two will give Cherries true taste

10:04am Monday 28th July 2008

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WHILE gentle warm-up games against Portsmouth and Bristol City may have certain benefits, Cherries will probably reap greater rewards from what lies ahead.

Following a couple of looseners against Hamworthy Rec and Poole Town, Kevin Bond's men significantly stepped up their pre-season campaign last week.

Having been put through their paces by star-studded Pompey on Monday, Cherries enjoyed another work-out against loftier opposition at Dean Court on Saturday.

However, forthcoming duels with non-league Dorchester and Eastleigh are likely to stand them in far greater stead for the rough and tumble of League Two.

The likes of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe will be a distant memory by the time Cherries take to the field against Dorchester at the Avenue Stadium tomorrow.

And the spectre of Bristol City matchwinner Dele Adebola will be long gone when they lock horns with Eastleigh at the Sparshatts Stadium in five days.

Cherries' slick passing game is likely to be put to the test against the Blue Square South duo, while their ability to compete on physical terms could also face a stiffer examination.

Boss Bond said: "No disrespect to Dorchester or Eastleigh but we've played two classy outfits in our last two games and we're probably going to need to show battling qualities against them.

"I thought we did okay against Bristol City. It wasn't a high-tempo game and I think both teams found it extremely hot.

"I spoke to Gary Johnson (the City manager) after the game and he said he felt his players were flagging. He also said he thought we had carved out the better chances."

Cherries' latest opponents lined up with eight players from the side which started the Championship play-off final against Hull at Wembley in May.

However, the opening 30 minutes were a top advertisement for watching cricket on the final Saturday of July, with action and incident in short supply.

Possession was the order of the day as the two teams knocked the ball around at their leisure and enjoyed a stroll in the sun in front of a sparse crowd.

The two goalkeepers were rarely tested with Marvin Bartley's scuffed effort easily saved by Adriano Basso before Louis Carey glanced Michael McIndoe's corner past the post.

However, proceedings burst to life when Darren Anderton's incisive pass sent Shaun Cooper scampering towards goal in the 31st minute.

But after shrugging off his marker and getting a shot away from a tight angle, Cooper was denied when the faintest of touches from Basso guided the ball wide.

As the Robins countered, Bradley Orr planted a firm header past the upright before Brett Pitman skied a shot over the crossbar after latching on to Sammy Igoe's assist.

Pitman was again in the thick of the action when the move of the first half almost led to a breakthrough for Cherries five minutes before the break.

The striker's crisp first-time drive was superbly turned away by Basso after Lee Bradbury had clipped Warren Cummings's deep cross into his path eight yards out.

Shwan Jalal, who again impressed, flung himself to his right to paw away McIndoe's teasing header at the start of the second half before Cherries made three substitutions in the space of 12 minutes.

Paul Rutherford, on as a 58th-minute replacement for Igoe, made an instant impact when his fizzing centre had to be cleared by Carey as Pitman prepared to pounce.

And following another probing cross from the Chester City man, Cummings saw his thumping volley blocked on the line by City defender Cole Skuse.

The deadlock was finally broken six minutes from time when Adebola rose unopposed to power James Wilson's cross past Jalal.

Cherries: Jalal, Bradbury (Hutchings, 84), Cummings, Shotton, Pearce, Cooper (Ward, 72), De Laet (McQuoid, 52), Anderton, Bartley (Roberts, 80), Pitman (Ritchie, 64), Igoe (Rutherford, 58).

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, McAllister (J Wilson, 78), Elliott (B Wilson, h-t), Skuse, Carey, Sproule, Noble, Adebola, Johnson, McIndoe.

Referee: Lee Probert (Avon).

Attendance: 1,486.

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