The buzz at Millwall was good, but this was something else! Huish Park, the first game of a new season, and a derby match as well.
What a match to start!
So out came the teams and the crowd cheered and sung, then new manger Russell Slade was introduced to the faithful and the stadium exploded into applause. The scene was set, and with it both teams looking for their first win of the new season.
Coming into the game, the Yeovil manager stuck with the same starting line-up that served so well up at Millwall at the weekend.
This saw the employment of the diamond formation, with an attack minded team of Gray and Harrold up front and Arron Davies tucked in behind, backed by the growing Barry/Cohen partnership, anchored by Paul Terry operating just in front of a flat back four.
So to the game itself, and the Cherries were intent on putting a stop to the Glovers party with some good early pressure which saw James Hayter prove his worth by going close in the first minute, with the only the intervention of Terry Skiverton and Steve Mildenhall stopping him from scoring at the near post.
Bournemouth continued to press, but cool play from Terrell Forbes, Terry Skiverton and Andy Lindegaard soon calmed the storm, allowing some Glovers to attack, with Lindegaard again, Harrold, Terry, Cohen and Gray all well involved.
As the game approached the ten-minute mark, the visitors were still the better attacking team, with much of the play taking place around the area of the Yeovil penalty box.
Luckily Forbes and Skiverton were bang on form, so Mildenhall didn't have too much to do. They had to be wary though, with Hayter and Fletcher a constant threat.
On 14 minutes the visitors had a good chance when Purchase took the ball down the wing to send in a good looking cross met by Cooper, who's header brought a good save from Mildenhall.
In the twentieth minute Mr Slade could see the diamond was not responding to the fast moving Cherries attack, so changed the team shape back to a more conventional 4-4-2.
Arron Davies was the only natural wide player though, so as much as the team had improved, they still lacked the speed and bite going forward.
In essence the game was levelling out now, with equal possession and both sides enjoying some reasonable attacks.
Harrold was busy up front but enjoying little success, and was ably backed by some fine play from Terry, Cohen, Lindegaard, Jones and Davies.
On 23 minutes Davies got the ball to Gray to try an ambitious overhead kick. It looked to be going well over but dipped at the last second, but not quite soon enough as it in the and went over the bar.
It was worth a try though and got a round of applause from the support.
This got the Glovers tails up now as they attacked with renewed vigour, ably backed by an ever noisy crowd.
Bournemouth were still very much in the game and enjoying some good possession in the final third, with Hayter, Cooper, Fletcher and Broadhurst enjoying plenty of the ball.
This resulted in a few half chances, and with it they were still on top.
Yeovil were doing okay though, with Cohen oozing class whenever he got near the ball.
Terry, Barry, Lindegaard, Gray and Jones were doing okay too, but as the match eased past the half hour mark the lads were still not really getting enough sustained possession, and with it were not really attacking as a unit.
It was coming though, with the play improving as the game went on.
Bournemouth were the only one of the two teams creating any form of chances, even if they were only half chances.
Fletcher was the livewire, having two opportunities towards the end of the half, with his first effort going wide and his second over the bar.
Then on 40 minutes Cooke broke into the box at speed to put in a good shot which went just wide.
The Glovers were getting in on the act too, with a move involving some excellent build up play by Harrold, Jones and Barry seeing Wayne Gray break into the box, being unlucky to be dispossessed at the last.
Seconds later Mr Singh blew for the break and as the team came off the pitch Bournemouth could have considered themselves unlucky not to have been in the lead.
Both Fletcher and Hayter had been very lively and it had taken some excellent defensive play from both Forbes and Skiverton to keep the Glovers on level terms.
Yeovil had put in a reasonably good performance with Cohen, Forbes and Terry standing out.
In reality though not enough of the team were playing well enough to have really made an impression on this game so far.
It was however still poised, and very winnable.
Half Time - Yeovil Town: 0 AFC Bournemouth: 0
Russell Slade wielded the changes at half time, firstly bringing on David Poole for Anthony Barry. This saw Davies continue on the right wing, Poole on the left, and Terry and Cohen into the centre.
Kevin James also came onto the pitch, replacing Matt Harrold, and straight away the Glovers had more bite in the attack.
On 50 minutes Poole made a wonderful run up the left, getting the ball to James who's first time effort went unfortunately wide.
Attacking the Westland now the Glovers had the wind in the sails and attacked with a lot more fluidity and venom.
Both Poole and James were looking lively and had definitely put an extra spark into their team's play, and with it, the Glovers were now definitely on top.
Saying that, the Cherries were still very much on the pitch, and proved it well on 57 minutes when Best got the ball to Hollands in the box, who to the amazement of his supporters managed to put it over the bar from just a few yards out!
It was end-to-end stuff now for a while as both teams ran well with the ball.
The best example of this was when Lindegaard accelerated at speed into the area from the right side, getting the ball to Poole whose shot was deflected away.
Minutes later Hollands had a great shot at Mildenhall's goal. He beat keeper, but couldn't get it past Lindegaard who halted the ball with what looked like a hint of handball.
Bournemouth now had the bit between their teeth, and were awarded a free kick on 65 minutes which was converted very well by Foley, bringing off an excellent two handed save from Steve Mildenhall.
Soon after, Arron Davies was brought down half way into the Bournemouth half.
Chris Cohen took the resulting free kick, firing it to the head of Gray, who in turn brought the best out of Gareth Stewart in the visitor's goal.
This was now an entertaining game with both sides playing some fine football, and as the proceedings entered the final 15 minutes it was still anybody's game, with both teams creating well.
For the Glovers Gray and James were looking good up front, with Poole, Cohen and Terry the pick of the bunch.
Although the visitors had a good spell of attack leading up to the final ten minutes, this game was still very much for the taking.
The Gaffer introduced the speed of Lee Morris for the final 8 minutes in the hope that his team could still grab it at the end. Davies was the player to make way, as both teams still looked for the late advantage.
Lee Morris make a good difference, and on 87 minutes put in a lovely flick across the box to Poole who then got it across to James to have a go.
Unfortunately he couldn't quite control it, not making enough contact to be able to get a shot in.
This seemed to give both teams the acceptance of the game's destiny to end a stalemate, with it was now largely played out to its ultimate conclusion.
In the end Yeovil had justified their part in the game with a reasonably good second half performance.
Bournemouth had dominated the first period though and should have gone in at the break two goals up.
With this in mind, the Yewovil players were probably quite happy to in the end take a point from this match.
After two games now, the Glovers on two points, have as many as they had after six matches last season, so progress is being made.
Russell Slade will however be definitely looking to pick the lads up now and go for the win against Carlisle on Saturday
Full Time - Yeovil Town: AFC Bournemouth: 0
Report by Ali King
