Brett Pitman scored his third goal in as many matches for the hosts to give them the lead on 8 minutes.
Although Andy Bishop equalised for Bury with a header, Bournemouth took the game to Bury in the second period. Andy Ritchie, Harry Arter and Matt Tubbs scored to help Bournemouth capitalize on Sheffield United’s postponement with Brentford due to the weather.
Bury came into this game having won only twice in their previous nine games. Injuries meant they could only name four substitutes for the long trip to Dorset.
The Cherries started strongly. Matt Ritchie was denied in the first few minutes by the Bury goalkeeper Trevor Carson before Pitman rounded the ‘keeper and kept a cool head to score.
The in-form striker almost added a second for Bournemouth after latching onto Lewis Grabban’s low cross.
Bury, however, found themselves level against the run of play in the 24th minute. Andy Bishop was well placed to direct Craig Jones’ cross with his head from close range.
Bournemouth continued to take the game to their lowly visitors though. They had a strong case for a penalty waved away by the referee when Grabban fekt Carson had upended him in the box.
Nevertheless, the home side failed to retake the lead before half time. Andy Ritchie, ten minutes into the second half, produced the moment of magic Bournemouth needed to turn the game into their favour.
The winger cut inside from the right to smash a glorious effort beyond Carson from 25 yards out.
Ritchie, signed in January from Swindon Town, was a constant threat. He nearly added to his goal by curling an effort just wide moments later.
Harry Arter did, however, find a third for Bournemouth and sealed the game off. He smashed home from inside the area before substitute Tubbs tapped in from close range in the dying moments.
The emphatic win, Bournemouth’s third on the bounce, sees them join Swindon on 67 points in the league and are only separated on goal difference.
Source: DSG
