Last Gasp Bowerman Pops Bournemouth’s Cherry

Cherries’ new signing David James

Walsall secured their third away win on the bounce with a 2-1 win at the expense of Bournemouth as George Bowerman’s 89^th minute winner dampened the debut of former England number one David James.James, 42, with 536 top flight appearances, was making his Cherries’ debut against the Saddlers at the Goldsands Stadium. Bournemouth secured the signature of James earlier this week following his summer departure from Championship club Bristol City.

Bournemouth were also handing a debut to Lorenzo Davids, cousin of former Dutch icon Edgar, who recently signed from German outfit Augsburg.

Despite these unveilings, it was Walsall that started brightly. 11 minutes in, a sweeping move across the pitch led to nippy winger James Baxendale dragging his shot across the face of goal to no avail.

Walsall’s intent to attack continued with Bowerman posing problems down the left. It was the striker’s teasing cross that was met uninvitingly by Cherries’ defender Miles Addison who diverted the ball against his own crossbar.

Bournemouth’s first chance arrived in the 35^th minute through Eunan O’Kane. O’Kane created space for himself 18-yards out before pulling his shot to the left of the post, a chance he should’ve put away.

It proved costly as five minutes later Walsall’s ever-tricky Baxendale made a delightful cross met by a stooping header from Andy Butler eight yards out to put Walsall into the lead at half time.

Early in the second half, James made note of why for so many years he was known as ‘calamity’ after a back-pass from Stephane Zubar. James’ hesitation on the ball allowed Will Grigg to block his clearance only for the ball to bounce to safety much to the keeper’s relief.

With 10 minutes to go, against the run of play, Bournemouth equalised. Charlie Daniels took charge of a pinball situation in the area, firing home underneath the body of the helpless Darlow.

Bournemouth believed that they had stolen a point but Walsall had other ideas. In the 89^th minute, a Walsall corner was nodded down by Butler to Bowerman who hooked home the winner sending the Saddlers’ fans into raptures and spoiling David James’ Bournemouth introduction.