Bristol City 2-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 3rd Dec 2016 17:13 A controversial Lee Tomlin penalty and a goal of the season contender from Luke Freeman saw Bristol City to a 2-0 victory over the Blues at Ashton Gate. Tomlin converted from the spot after Bartosz Bialkowski had been adjudged to have fouled Tammy Abraham in the 31st minute, then Freeman smashed home a volley on 72 to seal the three points with David McGoldrick having come closest for Town when he hit the post earlier in the second half.
Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side on Thursday with the only switch in the matchday 18 Myles Kenlock replacing Teddy Bishop, who had picked up a knock, among the subs.
Cole Skuse was facing his hometown club, who he was with for 17 years until joining the Blues in 2013, for the first time back at Ashton Gate and received a warm ovation from his old fans when his name was read out.
Robins boss Lee Johnson made five changes from the starting XI which lost 2-1 at Reading last week with Freeman, Adam Matthews, Scott Golbourne, Korey Smith and Aaron Wilbraham, who wore the armband, coming into the side for Joe Bryan, who was suspended, Mark Little, Gary O’Neil, Jamie Paterson and Bobby Reid with the latter trio on the bench.
Kick-off was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of the Chapecoense players, who died in the Colombian air disaster earlier in the week, while both sides wore black armbands.
The home side had all the ball in the opening minutes against a Town team wearing their all white away strip.
The game’s first chance came in the fourth minute when Freeman crossed from the right and found Wilbraham but the former Norwich striker shot well over. The Robins captain claimed the ball had struck a defender but referee Stuart Attwell awarded a goalkick.
Wilbraham’s frustration regarding that decision appeared to boil over in the seventh minute when he lunged in on Christophe Berra well after the ball had gone with what looked to be two feet. While an angry Berra received attention, Wilbraham was probably fortunate to see only a yellow card, despite protestations at his innocence.
Town first threatened in the 16th minute when Adam Webster found Tom Lawrence out on the left with a cross-field ball. The on-loan Leicester man cut in but Matthews slid in to scramble the ball behind off the Town player.
McGoldrick was becoming increasingly influential and in the 20th minute the Blues striker cut in from the right past two defenders and hit a shot which deflected through to home keeper Frank Fielding, just too far in front of Luke Varney.
Having started slowly Town had got on top but without creating a significant opportunity. On 17 Lawrence curled a shot well over from 25 yards after Varney had seen an effort from the edge of the area blocked.
However, the home side went in front in the 31st minute via a contentious penalty. On-loan Chelsea striker Abraham chased a flicked-on diagonal ball which looked to be running through to Bialkowski to the right of goal and stabbed it away and out of play ahead of the keeper before going to ground.
Referee Attwell initially appeared not to be interested in the England U21 international’s protests before eventually pointing to the spot, much to the anger of the Town players. Whether there was contact or otherwise it looked very soft and a penalty very much won rather than conceded, although Bialkowki will feel he ought to have dealt with the situation.
Tomlin took the spotkick and slammed it into the corner past the Town keeper, who wasn’t too far away from reaching it down to his right.
The momentum was back with the Robins and they came close to a second in the 35th minute when Tomlin cut in from the left and hit a shot which Webster diverted over the bar.
Aden Flint, scorer of two headers from corners in last season’s corresponding fixture, claimed he had been hauled down as the first of several flag-kicks came on from the left a minute later but referee Atwell waved away his appeals.
Former Peterborough and Middlesbrough man Tomlin was booked soon afterwards for clipping Lawrence midway inside the Bristol City half.
Grant Ward hit a low strike wide from distance on 43, then as half-time approached Abraham headed over from a Scott Golbourne cross from the left.
After a quiet start the Blues had been getting on top when Bristol City were awarded the penalty and Tomlin netted their first goal in a first half in 11 games.
Having gone behind Town struggled to impose themselves on the game with Robins looking more likely to add to their lead than the Blues were to equalise with home keeper Fielding never seriously tested.
Town began the second period on the front foot and went within a whisker of levelling in the 55th minute.
After neat work on the right involving Ward and McGoldrick, Skuse played in the Town number 10 on the right of the area, from where he hit a shot across Fielding, which the keeper managed to tip on to the outside of his post.
The Blues continued to take the game to the home side but without creating a further chance.
Shots at goal had also been rare at the other end, although on 63 Icelander Hordur Magnusson hit a 25-yard freekick off the wall and wide.
In the 66th minute, with the Robins again starting to look the more dangerous team, Town made two changes with Varney and Ward making way for Leon Best and Freddie Sears.
Soon after the switch Freeman headed Magnusson’s cross not too far wide for the home side, then on 69 Sears created an opening for the Blues when he fed Jonas Knudsen overlapping to his left inside the area but the Dane wildly overhit his cross.
Bristol City doubled their lead in the 73rd minute via a brilliant Freeman strike. Knudsen headed out a freekick from the right and the former Arsenal and Stevenage man hammered a perfect volley past Bialkowski to the keeper’s right from just over 20 yards.
Town immediately switched Lawrence for Jonny Williams as they went about chasing what now looked to be a lost cause.
The Robins weren’t too far away from a third soon afterwards when Freeman cut the ball back from the right and Wilbraham left it for Abraham, but his low strike was saved down to his right by Bialkowski.
Tomlin shot wide for the Robins, then as the game moved into its final scheduled 10 minutes McGoldrick similarly missed the target for Town. Moments later Freeman was replaced by Josh Brownhill.
Despite a comeback looking very unlikely, the Blues continued to look for openings and on 85 Sears was found in the area and hit a low shot on the turn which was too close to Fielding.
Town continued to huff and puff in the closing minutes but without creating another chance.
The Blues had started the second half brightly but aside from McGoldrick’s effort against the post had created little.
The Robins had started to look more dangerous prior to their goal, although there had been little in the game and Town were still in it at that stage, but Freeman’s excellent strike meant they had a mountain to climb.
The Blues, who still haven’t won back-to-back games this season, drop to 16th ahead of next week’s home game against Cardiff City.
Bristol City: Fielding, Matthews, Flint, Magnusson, Golbourne, Freeman (Brownhill 82), Pack, Smith (O’Neil 90), Tomlin (Reid 86), Wilbraham (c), Abraham. Unused: Lucic, Moore, Paterson, Engvall.
Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Ward (Sears 67), Lawrence (Williams 74), Varney (Best 67), McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Emmanuel, Kenlock, Bru. Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire). Att: 18,309 (Town: 1,115).
Photo: TWTD
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yorksblue added 17:50 - Dec 3
Are we all getting ready for Oxford, Rochdale, Bury, Swindon etc, because we're rapidly heading in their directions. |  | |
Swn98 added 17:50 - Dec 3
MICHAEL 11 you'd of been better saying nothing | | |
grumpyoldman added 17:50 - Dec 3
Well that's another false dawn over, all the feel good factor some supporters experienced last week has gone. I was speaking to a season ticket holder yesterday who said he doesn't really go for the football but enjoys meeting up with his mates, so the club can rely on folks like this going out of habit rather than the entertainment on offer. Sums up the attitude of too many in my opinion. When we criticise MM and the team it seems to them we are having a go at them when I am not personally bothered by their choices | | |
therein61 added 17:51 - Dec 3
Well for me it was only a 24 mile round trip instead of the long slog going to home games, that I'm sorry to say has been the only positive this afternoon we are going backwards at an alarming rate and heading for div1(last week was a false dawn and we've had too many!!!!!!!) unless the man who thinks we are idiots is replaced P.D.Q and a stop is put to leaving his underperforming favourites on the field when they don't even work up a sweat(thought you might have had a go against your old club Skuse, but as usual you were totally inept!!!) is proof that his blinkered loyalty is costing this club shed loads, kindly go and take your tired old mates with you there's enough talent at this club(that you continue to ignore) that will at least put in an honest performance and effort that will get us behind them, I'm not for all the name calling and insulting comments on here, but all I will say to you Mick is that you have had a go it's gone wrong so please just go away!!!! as you have no creditability left with the usual defence of your chosen few who are wrecking(along with yourself)our great club |  | |
geminimustang added 17:59 - Dec 3
Bristol City 2 Ipswich 0. Sack MM!Sack the Board!!Perhaps we should look at the statistics first.Possession 49% BC,51% Ipswich.Shots 11 BC,10 Ipswich.Shots on target,3 BC Ipswich 3.Controversial penalty,one shot rebounded off the post.Such are the fine margins in this league that 10 points cover the 6th place in the league to 21st.Please can we judge MM,TC & ME after January as regards investment and at the end of the season as regards performance?Shooting from the hip won't help. | | |
Suffolkboy added 17:59 - Dec 3
Disappointed though lots of people may be,& I understand those who think buying a ticket entitles you to see winning football,I too have been a supporter for over 50 yrs; though now we live 100 miles away can't get to many home games.
Why don't those wanting to voice complaint start at the very top?- or can they not take in that unless we spend outside the agreed constraints it's unlikely we can find those of sufficient strength ,skill and character to act as lynch- pins in the heart of the team?We lack enough players with drive ,character and determination to inspire either the side ,or the watching customers !
It ought, however ,to,be pretty plain to anyone thinking about our future ,that the management from top down are intent on developing from the academy upwards( as used to be the case,before disastrous managers like PJ and RK ,who sacked BK ) and this is going to take time and patience.
Just look carefully at the number of home grown younger players now knocking on the door ; BUT realise they need to be steadily nurtured ,and grow in strength and physicality ,AND knowledge before we can expect them each to be regularly in the team !
To compromise on expectation is hard to live with, but I'm certain MM & TC have brought a praiseworthy commitment to this sort of future and structure . | | |
Swn98 added 17:59 - Dec 3
Plan B let's get rid of Mickma and get Holloway his good. | | |
Orraman added 18:03 - Dec 3
Going in one goal down at half time to an apparent dubious penalty I fully expected Jonny Williams to start the second half in place of Douglas. How can anyone leave this talent on the bench and play Douglas even if he is "different class". When JW eventually comes on with about 8 mins left who goes off but one of our two other creative players. Unbelievable!!!
No problem with Best replacing Varney ( no other option ) but shouldn't Freddie gone up front with Best with Didz dropping in behind them.
All that can be said about Mickosaurus Rex has been said. How much longer must we put up with this. When reluctantly renewing my season ticket this season it was in the genuine belief that after last season things could only get better. How wrong could I have been?
Only 48 hours to wait to see who knocks us out of the FA cup this season.....as if I really care.
Respect to the 1000+ who made that long trip to Bristol - you deserve so much better. | | |
StochesStotasBlewe added 18:04 - Dec 3
By all accounts, we were comfortably beaten. The whole setup has slowly become stale to the point where the apathy amongst a large section of supporters is frightening. Action surely must be taken now to address this alarming slide. Evans must take his share of the blame, but the buck stops with what happens on the pitch with McCarthy & Connor. A very long winter ahead folks because unless MM walks, i just can,t see any Evans making changes. |  | |
martin587 added 18:04 - Dec 3
The trouble is ,the young lads knocking on the door will get very little game time with MM in charge,will they.!, |  | |
prebsa added 18:05 - Dec 3
Mick Out Marcus Out | | |
Lightningboy added 18:06 - Dec 3
Would just like to congratulate Mick this evening (and Marcus Evans & Roy Keane,not Paul Jewell so much)..for getting me to the unforgivable point now of not being at all bothered when we lose.
It used to hurt for a good couple of days after a defeat but that was back in the days of Magilton,Royle,Burley and further back...tonight I could not care less and it's getting that way with victories too.
So,well done Mick cos that's quite some achievement...and yes,i'd love to tell you that to your face...cheers. |  | |
Cloddyseedbed added 18:06 - Dec 3
Unfortunately MM will still be in charge to spend the January transfer kitty on players of his choice. He will still be in charge of picking his team and his tactics. He will still pick his favourites ahead of better players. As a supporter and season ticket holder for many decades I find that totally unacceptable. MM will not walk and ME will not relieve him of his duties, both men stand to loose too much. Who suffers the most, the supporters as usual! | | |
prebbs007 added 18:09 - Dec 3
People. Get this for certain. We ARE in a relegation battle !!!
Our players are NOT good enough !!!
We have the worst two fullbacks in the league. We have the worst uncreative midfield I have ever seen at the club. We don't have any goalscorers.
Said this before. The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. This IDIOT of a manager continues to play the same dross individuals week in week out no matter how they play and expecting them to win.
If we don't make a change now and allow the new man to make signings in January then the longest serving club in the championship will no longer be in it because we will be in division 1.
The owner and the manager need to shoulder responsibility. We can't beat teams like Rotherham at home or Bristol City away. We are an utter disgrace and you McCarthy supporting fans are deluded beyond doubt. As hello66 said above I will not be back until dinosaur is gone. That's 40 years of supporting this great club and the darkest days of Duncan Ferguson Keane and Jewell were nowhere as bad as this. We may have had lower league positions but we didn't play with such lack of desire skill ability nor did we play such awful hoofball tactics.
With this regime we are doomed. | | |
dukey44 added 18:12 - Dec 3
Mick just a quick favour as your after match spill will be interesting not!!! But why is Jonny on the bench from the start behind what u put out??? | | |
yorksblue added 18:15 - Dec 3
Who gives a stuff about stats? Possession and shots on target won't keep us in the league, unless they turn into points. Wake up people | | |
martin587 added 18:17 - Dec 3
Prebbs007
As Berra said the other week,we have all the players nobody else what's.!! | | |
superblue70 added 18:20 - Dec 3
Swn98 I wish you'd say nothing | | |
brittaniaman added 18:22 - Dec 3
Andre Dozzel was advised to stay here because he will have better chance of playing football !!
Some hopes of that with McCarthy as manager??? unless his favourites get injured or suspended the Youth of this once great club stand no chance. Surely a Decent manager would be able to blend in the youngsters into the team, it happens at other clubs ???? But this Dino will not take a risk so what is the prospect for the boys, just wait and hope for another manager to come in !!!
Right that is my bit said for the day !!!!! | | |
Swn98 added 18:29 - Dec 3
Superblue I'm afraid that's not possible somebody has to aire an alternative opinion. | | |
BillBlue added 18:30 - Dec 3
Essex57(SWN98/Suffolkboy) - I just have to say I have never read so much crap in all my long life.
Prebbs I disagree with you on one point, it isn't that we havn't got the players it is just the Manager we have will not play them. |  | |
Michael11 added 18:33 - Dec 3
@Swn98
Why is that then mate? Enlighten me... |  | |
Taricco_Fan added 18:37 - Dec 3
The writing has been on the wall for a couple of years, folks. I'm all for getting behind the manager but McCarthy's footballing doctrine is so negative, so uninspiring and so one-dimensional that I can't help but feel the game has passed him by. The lack of a sizeable transfer budget is no excuse for tactical ineptitude. Shunning youth players is unforgivable for a club in our position.
Time for a change. |  | |
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