Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Pearce believes in promotion push
SKIPPER Jason Pearce revealed his faith in Cherries' promotion push after spectacularly lifting them into fourth spot. The Dean Court captain began 2011 with a bang when his well-executed overhead kick earned Cherries a 2-1 victory at Swindon Town on Saturday. Pearce, who kept Robins hotshot Charlie Austin quiet with a superb defensive display, bagged an 80th-minute winner as Eddie Howe's men ended a run of three consecutive defeats. The victory, only Cherries' second on the road this term, kept them in the play-off mix at the top of a tight League One table ahead of today's home game against Brentford (3pm). Pearce is hoping Cherries can keep their prize assets during the January transfer window and continue their form. He said: If we can keep the lads together, I think we can have a real good go. On Saturday's performance, if we can carry that on, we will be up there. We've still got a couple of players to come back so if we get them back and try to keep everyone fit, hopefully we can have a real good push. Top scorer Marc Pugh put Cherries in front at the County Ground on Saturday, scoring from close range after his penalty had been pushed out by Swindon keeper Phil Smith. Matt Ritchie levelled for the hosts before Pearce struck late on. Discussing his acrobatic finish, the centre-half said: I don't think I'll ever score a better goal than that! I'd never tried it in training before, so I thought I'd hit it and it flew into the back of the net. I couldn't believe it. I was delighted for the lads because we had lost three matches and to come back and win away from home was brilliant. We can take a lot of confidence from that. Marvin Bartley, who produced an all-action display in central midfield, praised his team-mate's wonder goal and joked: I think he thought he was at the other end trying to clear it! Fair play to him, it was a great goal and I don't think he'll ever repeat it.