MAGPIES 0 AFC BOURNEMOUTH 11

EVERYONE knew about the gulf in class between the Magpies and their visitors from the Championship going in to this pre-season encounter – but not many would have foreseen a result quite like this.

The complete mis-match in all departments pretty much turned the fixture into a training session for the Cherries from minute one.

And as the ball hit the back of the net time and again, you couldn't help but feel that, on the pitch at least, no-one was really getting anything worthwhile out of the game.

Bournemouth took the lead through Harry Arter inside two minutes and from there it only got worse for the home side.

Arter struck the woodwork and Alan Walker-Harris saved well from Shaun MacDonald before it was 2-0, Yann Kermorgant stroking the ball past the Mag-pies’ keeper from 20 yards.

Matt Ritchie converted Ian Harte’s cross a minute later, and the former netted again after Dan Gosling’s effort had been blocked on the line by home skipper Nathan Walker.

The fifth arrived on 27 minutes when Kermorgant sent Walker-Harris the wrong way from the spot following a handball by Walker.

Number six came on the half hour, Kermorgant completing his hat-trick with a superb volley, then substitute Brett Pitman made it 7-0 from a few yards out.

Dorchester’s half from hell was made worse in the 43rd minute when Pitman delivered another clinical finish.

The hosts made four changes at half-time but the Cherries continued their assault and three minutes into the second period a Kermorgant free-kick found the top corner.

Visiting manager Eddie Howe then made seven substitutions, introducing the likes of Eunan O’Kane, Junior Stanislas and Jake McCarthy, on loan at the Avenue last season.

Replacement Callum Wilson took the Cherries’ tally into double figures just after the hour mark and another substitute, Ben Whitfield, rounded off the scoring with a few minutes left.

“I defy any side at our level to live with that,” added Simkin. “They were far too good for us and we couldn’t compete with them.

“The defending was poor, but the defending was poor because they’re so much fitter and quicker than us that you just can’t stay with the runners.

“I ripped into them at half-time, which I don’t normally do, but I didn’t think they did themselves justice – they were over-awed.

“I’d like to think we’ll get some confidence back against Bridport tomorrow.”

Magpies: Walker-Harris (Murphy 46), Lanahan, Smeeton (Old 67), S Walker (Peprah-Annan 46), N Walker, Crittenden (Parrett 74), Brookes (Hanger 46), Gleeson, Joyce, Godfrey (Munday 46), Smith (Kennard 82). Subs not used: Alden, Twyford, Walters, Clement

Cherries: Buchel (O’Flaherty, 70), Smith (McCarthy, 46), Francis (Cargill, 66, Whitfield, 70), Cargill (Cook, 60), Harte (Daniels, 60), Fraser (Matthews, 27, McQuoid, 60), Gosling (O’Kane, 60), Arter (Pugh, 60), MacDonald (Pitman, 27), Ritchie (Stanislas, 60), Kermorgant (Wilson, 60).

Referee: Chris Powell (Poole).

Attendance: 913