Post-match preamble
Chatting with a 'Bristol' fan, I was quickly and grumpily corrected when I did not include 'City' as germane to their title. There is another team in Bristol apparently, and though Bristol Rovers are currently 21st in League two, whenever they do meet in a Bristol Derby, the rivalry has been rated as "very fierce".
(This reminded me of my 'Notts County' but not just 'County'(cricket) and Nottingham not Notts Forest quandary last season).
So – 'Bristol City' have played their home games at Ashton Gate since 1904. The club's home colours are red and white, and their nickname is The Robins—a robin featured on the club's badge from 1976 to 1994 and from 2019 onwards”. They are also called The Cider Army and The Red army.
On the train
My companions tonight were Dudley and his son Justin. We discussed Saturday’s game and were all feeling fairly positive for the match ahead. Dudley predicted 2-0, Justin said 3-1 and I had been optimistically thinking the same.
First half
With just 8 minutes gone Jens Cajuste spun away in the City half, passed through to Clarke, who moved into the penalty area and fired a clever shot, angled across Vitek and into the right hand corner.
Ten minutes later Robins had a great opportunity to equalise due to some slapdash defending. Walton cleared to Cedric Kipre but his attempted pass rebounded off Twine and fell on a plate for Riis. Luckily Walton made a good save.
On 27 minutes, former Town skipper Sam Morsy, was subbed onto the pitch for Vyner, to a round of applause and a chorus of his ‘Egyptian song’. He signed for Bristol City earlier this month, after his initial move to Kuwait FC did not work out.
Burns' superb pass across the field to Azon looked like being goal number two for town when struck well from just outside the penalty area. It grazed the roof of the net, but would have raised the roof if successful.
Later Vitek amazingly stopped another shot from Azon, from a blocked strike by Cajuste, tipping it over the top from 4 yards out. A fantastic instinctive save.
The next action was from Riis but he fired straight at Walton for an easy gather, then Mehmeti, fired a stronger shot which was punched clear by Walton.
The tempo had slowed somewhat from the beginning of the half, but possession was roughly shared by both sets of players, with Town having more attempts on goal.
Second Half
City came out pressing to get a foothold in the match and a shot by Borges came close, flying across the far post.
Town added a second goal on 55 minutes. A headed clearance from Dara O'Shea was picked up by Azon, who sent a perfect ball to Clarke. He duly planted it in the left hand corner and Vitek was well beaten.
Both teams kept up the pressure and McAteer almost made it 3-0 when he attacked near the post but Dickie sent it out for a Town corner.
As the game drew to a close there was a kerfuffle in The Robin’s penalty area, a clash between Armstrong and O’Shea in which the Bristol City man appears to have been fortunate not to see a red card.
In the dying moments a clever corner taken by Young looped goalwards without any help, and needed deflection by Vitek. Now that would have been something to write home about.
Men of the Match
Azon, Nunez, Cajuste, and Burns were stand outs.
All those in defence were pretty solid except for the one dangerous slip up.
My only criticism, and I’m sorry to say it, is that Hirst does not perform like a natural in the number 9 position.
MotM: Jack Clarke – one of my favourite players. Does he have a song? He should have a song. I suggest the chorus from a Rolling Stones Classic – "But it's alright now, in fact it's a gas - But I’m alright - I'm Jumping Jack Flash, It's a gas, gas, gas”.
Post-match pondering
It was strange seeing Sami Morsy in another kit. I’m pleased he got a good reception from the fans as he was an excellent skipper for us in the last few years and a great character. (He didn’t disappoint this evening – he got an almost habitual yellow card (his second in 3 games I notice) and we all cheered). Some have expressed regret at his leaving, but it was by choice and amicable so we should wish him well and move on.
At the start of the season, we had quite a few new faces to assimilate and it did feel a little strange after three or four years of virtually the same team make-up. But now, I think we are warming to all of them, they are becoming familiar and that strange affinity football creates is building.
There are still rumours of new blood in this transfer window, though that may well be all they are, and the Robin’s Anis Mehmeti has featured in one of these. The Albanian international attacking midfielder did not shine in this match as far as I could see, with one rather soft attempt on goal, but he has 8 goals/6 assists to his name over 27 games. He does also however have 6 yellow cards…
I was asked who I would choose if we could get someone in to usefully add to our fire power. My wishful and wistful choice would have been Julio Enciso, but I find he’s tied up in a deal with Strasbourg and Chelsea, so I’m afraid the boat has very much sailed on that one for us.
Barring injuries and illness (e.g. Philogene and Nunez are now a worry) maybe we can see this through with our current squad. They are beginning to play such good cohesive football after a wobbly and slightly unpredictable start. Everyone was enjoying the game yesterday, the team looked so much more confidently competent. And we have strikers! Jack C. is now into double figures and Jaden on the cusp with nine. Sammie Szmodics is looking lively and Wes Burns and Marcelino Nunez are adding another dimension with pinpoint passes and clever runs. Long may this winning streak continue.
Next! Away to Sheffield United, Saturday, 24th January.
p.s. Oh and well done Dudley, you were spot on.
