Cherries: Malone provides twist for Tubbs to shine (From Thisisdorset)

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Cherries: Malone provides twist for Tubbs to shine

7:00am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Neil Perrett

GOAL GLEE: Matt Tubbs celebrates

Cherries marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens by living up to the great expectations of their supporters – thanks largely to a great Scott.

The introduction of Scott Malone as a 68th-minute substitute ensured this contest would be a tale of two halves, the returning midfielder playing a starring role in the victory.

An uneventful opening 45 minutes were quickly forgotten as the sparky Midlander put a two-month injury nightmare behind him to dramatically alter the course of the game.

Until his arrival, Cherries’ attempts to edge closer to the League One play-off places had seemed destined to be thwarted by their stubborn opponents from Devon.

However, just 10 minutes after replacing Donal McDermott, Malone had scored one and been the architect of a goal for Matt Tubbs, his match-winning cameo taking Cherries to eighth in the table.

Malone’s industry set up the opener for Tubbs, the striker bagging his 19th goal of the season – and his first for Cherries since his big-money transfer from Crawley. It was also the first goal of his career in the third flight.

Tubbs then repeated the favour, the 27-year-old providing the assist for Malone to seal victory after Cherries had mounted a swift counter-attack, prompted by Malone, following an Exeter corner.

Just minutes before Malone came on to breathe life into proceedings, a stunning save from Cherries goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan had denied Richard Logan to prevent the Grecians going ahead.

On a bitterly cold night, chances were few and far between during a largely uninspiring first half, with neither goalkeeper seriously tested as defences dominated.

Daniel Nardiello should have done better after he had skipped past two defenders, the striker firing straight at Flahavan, who saved at the second attempt.

Shaun MacDonald took aim after Cherries had made their first foray into enemy territory in the ninth minute, the Welshman’s effort way off target.

Although Cherries showed plenty of attacking intent, with Marc Pugh and McDermott busy down the flanks, the final ball from the hosts lacked penetration.

Tubbs was beaten at the near post by Artur Krysiak, the Exeter goalkeeper racing off his line to clear after Charlie Daniels had helped on a clever pass from MacDonald.

McDermott let fly with a speculative left-foot drive, the Dubliner’s shot midway through the half landing near one of the diggers behind Krysiak’s goal.

The visitors’ defence came under heavy fire towards the end of the opening period, with Cherries fashioning no fewer than four shots in quick succession.

However, although the Grecians failed to clear Pugh’s corner, they did manage to block heroically from Tubbs, Daniels, McDermott and Steve Cook.

And as the first half drew to a close, Thomas raced down the right flank before whipping in a low centre, with the lively Tubbs only inches from converting.

The same combination went close to unlocking the Grecians defence early in the second half, with Thomas firing across the face of the goalmouth after Tubbs had dinked a Simon Francis pass into his path.

And from the resultant corner taken by Pugh, Thomas went even closer to drawing first blood, only to see his bullet header come crashing back off the crossbar.

Cherries’ encouraging start to the second period continued when Pugh rolled a free kick invitingly to Tubbs, the striker’s low effort flashing past the upright.

Although some Exeter supporters thought Troy Archbald-Henville had headed the visitors in front after 53 minutes, his effort was chalked off for a blatant check on Flahavan.

Cherries were then thankful to their goalkeeper and captain for a top-drawer save, Flahavan superbly clawing away Logan’s glancing header from a James Dunne cross.

Thomas was denied when Daniels’s through ball landed between the legs of Krysiak before Malone made a welcome return to action as a 68th-minute replacement for McDermott.

Archbald-Henville’s timely challenge stopped Thomas in his tracks following a neat one-two with Tubbs before Cherries finally made the breakthrough 18 minutes from time.

The goal, despatched confidently by Tubbs at the far post, owed much to the tenacity of Malone, who started the move by battling hard to win possession around 30 yards from goal.

And after the former Wolves man had traded passes with Thomas, he picked out Tubbs with a low centre that the striker controlled before drilling into the back of the net from close range.

Malone again took centre stage as Cherries doubled their lead in stunning fashion in the 78th minute, the midfielder starting and finishing a sweeping move following an Exeter corner.

The 20-year-old collected the ball deep inside his own half and embarked on a marauding run before feeding Tubbs on the right wing.

Malone then made his way to the far post and applied a clinical finish into the roof of the net after Tubbs had found him with an inch-perfect cross.

Krysiak saved after Thomas had tested him with a 20-yarder before Tubbs received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Steve Fletcher a minute from time.

Cherries (4-4-2): Flahavan 8, Francis 7, Zubar 7.5, Cook 8, Daniels 7, Pugh 7, Gregory 6.5 (Purches, 89), MacDonald 7, McDermott 7 (Malone, 68), Tubbs 7.5 (Fletcher, 89), W Thomas 7.5.

Unused subs: Arter, D Thomas.

Grecians (5-3-2): Krysiak, Tully, Archbald-Henville, Duffy (O’Flynn, 73), Coles, Jones, Noble, Dunne, Bennett, Logan (Bauza, 66), Nardiello.

Unused subs: McNish, Taylor, Pidgeley (g/k).

Booked: Nardiello.

Referee: Oliver Langford (W Midlands).

Attendance: 5,497 (inc 299 away supporters).

Comments(58)

Pandasfromhell says...
7:28am Wed 8 Feb 12

How many boys 9000 +
Touts out with tickets ?
The stars really did bring erm in .
Should take 5000 + to the Pool
hope its on
makes life worth it all this