Goals from Marc Pugh and Matt Ritchie have given Bournemouth a 2-0 lead in their Championship match against Bolton Wanderers this evening, as they edge closer to a place in the Premier League.
Callum Wilson had an early chance for the hosts when he shrugged off Tim Ream and cut inside, before seeing his attempt blocked by the feet of Adam Bogdan.
Ritchie was next to threaten for Bournemouth, as he was found in space by Wilson and fired in a strike that was saved by the keeper.
Against the run of play, Bolton almost took the lead when Adam le Fondre met Dorian Dervite's flick-on, but he planted his header straight into the arms of Artur Boruc from point-blank range.
The Cherries continued to press and Yann Kermorgant headed an effort narrowly over the bar from Harry Arter's corner.
Bournemouth came close again when Wilson raced through on goal and saw his effort blocked by the on-rushing Bogdan, before Ritchie drilled in a low strike from the edge of the box that the keeper palmed away at full stretch.
In the 39th minute the hosts finally made the breakthrough, as Pugh was picked out at the back post by Ritchie and he shifted the ball past Liam Feeney before firing a drive into the top corner.
With a minute of the first half remaining Bournemouth doubled their lead, when Kermorgant laid the ball off for Ritchie to slide an effort into the corner from just inside the box.
Alex Meyers
