Bristol City 2 - 1 Hull City
Bristol City clinched top spot after defeating Hull City in a pulsating encounter yesterday. A crowd of 15,859 witnessed the match which boss Gary Johnson described "The match in which the crowd started to believe." With 11 games remaining this season, Bristol City are in pole position to gain back-to-back promotions and claim a spot in the lucrative Barclaycard Premier League.
Louis Carey was ruled out for the match, as his injured foot had not healed sufficently, so Brian Wilson stepped into the right back spot due to Carey's injury and Bradley Orr's suspension. For Hull, new loanee Neil Clement was drafted into an unfamiliar centre back role because of Michael Turner's suspension.
The players ran out, greeted by the now custom firework display, and an atmosphere so riled roared Bristol City onto the pitch willing them on to what was to be a memorable victory. The players had to deal with difficult conditions, as a blustering wind swept through Ashton Gate, with the ball holding up and racing through causing all sorts of mishaps in the process.
Hull should have been in front within one minute as a swift passing move started by Caleb Folan, culminated in Henrik Pedersen finding the leggy forward in the box only for the striker to slip and miscue his shot wide. With the wind causing problems for all players, Neil Clement making his debut was clearly struggling to read the flight of the ball, losing in the air to Adebola on countless occasions.
It was Clement's indecision that lead to the opening goal on 14 minutes, a hopeful lofted pass from Fontaine towards Adebola held and swerved in the wind and the new signing allowed Adebola the time to take the ball on his chest and emphatically volley the ball past Boaz Myhill in the Hull goal.
Despite going behind Hull continued to press forward, and only poor finishing let them down, with Richard Garcia and Dean Marney both guilty of wild shooting. When the efforts were on target, Adriano Basso, recently voted the best goalkeeper in The Football League by Four Four Two Magazine, stood firm in the Bristol City goal. Not only did Basso save shots, but he did not fumble any efforts with Campbell lurking.
With the half drawing to a close, another purposeful Hull attack culminated in Tigers' captain Ian Ashbee 8 yards out, only to slip on the ball, but somehow he was allowed the time to pick himself up, force the ball wide and cross across goal. With Fontaine scrambling back towards the goal-line, he was helpless to see the ball strike his hip and drop into the corner of the net. Hull had equalised on the stroke of half time. Gary Johnson needed to inspire his players at half-time, after that body blow.
Half - time Bristol City 1 -1 Hull City
Inspiring he was, as a Lee Johnson straight lofted free-kick landing on the penalty spot, so often effective this season, caused panic in the area and as the ball looped into the air Boom Boom Jamie McCombe produced a beautiful bicycle kick which Boaz Myhill could only watch and admire as it looped into the top left hand corner. Ashton Gate erupted, and the dream was still alive.
Hull City introduced Jay-Jay Okocha and pushed Henrik Pedersen up-front and became more direct with their attacking play. Throw-ins became corners as Okocha's almighty throws were aimed for the head of Pedersen reminicent of Allardyce era Bolton Wanderers. Still, the City defence would not cave in, with McCombe winning aerial battles and Fontaine managing to stay with the pacy Frazier Campbell. With just two minutes remaining, sloppy control from Fontaine allowed Folan to run into the area, and square the ball across the onrushing Adriano Basso and into the path of Frazier Campbell, who somehow, with the goal at his mercy, hit the foot of the post with his drive, and as McCombe's miscued clearnce fell to Pedersen, his shot struck the side-netting.
Perhaps God has noticed all of Adriano's praying and we are encountering some divine intervention. The ecstatic fans and players alike celebrated the final whistle fully aware the three points are huge in the context of this seasons run in. Exhausted and elated, I had been truly entertained by both sides, in a match I shall not soon forget.
PLAYER RATINGS
BASSO - Did well with handling shots and crosses, no fumbles or mistakes. 8/10
WILSON - Deputised for Orr and was solid, keeping Pedersen wide 8/10
FONTAINE - Didn't let Campbell breathe, tackled well and swept up, unlucky oggie 8/10
MCCOMBE - Goal to die for and was monumental at the back 9/10
MCCALLISTER - Solid at the back, sniffed out Garcia, harshly booked 8/10
SPROULE - Didnt really get in the game, one great surging run lifted us though 7/10
JOHNSON - Not at his usual standard first half, much improved second half 8/10
ELLIOTT - Back to his bustling best, challenging for every lost cause 8/10
CARLE - Worked incredibly hard, strong on the ball and found space between midfield and defence 8/10
MCINDOE - Another full throttle performance, a great outlet to the team 8/10
ADEBOLA - Absolutely bossed Hull's defence, dominant strong and effective 9/10
Ross Verbals
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