Saints triumph at Bournemouth

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Saints maintained their 100 per cent start to pre-season with a 2-1 win at AFC Bournemouth.

But the win was marred by the first-half dismissal of Darren Powell, which is likely to see him miss the first three games of the season through suspension.

The centre-back took exception to a hefty challenge from Bournemouth winger Phil Mulryne, and after landing heavily on the Northern Irishman a scuffle between the two ensued in which Powell appeared to strike out at Mulryne.

After consulting with his assistant Brendan Malone, who was right in front of the incident, Hampshire referee Keith Stroud, a newly-appointed Premiership official, showed Powell a straight red while Mulryne was cautioned for the tackle.

All the goals in this pre-season friendly at League One Bournemouth's Fitness First Stadium came in the second half.

Kenwyne Jones fired Saints into the lead from the edge of the box just a minute after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Sam Vokes headed in the equaliser for Bournemouth 10 minutes into the second half before Bradley Wright-Phillips turned home the winner on the hour to seal a fourth pre-season win out of four games for George Burley's side.

Saints: Bialkowski, Ostlund, Pele, Darren Powell, Chris Makin, Hammill (Lundekvam 46), Surman, Wright, Skacel (Licka 75), Rasiak (Jones 46), Wright-Phillips (Dyer 60)