Bristol City 2 Coventry 1 - 01/01/2008
Bristol City 2 Coventry 1 - 01/01/2008
Bristol City: Adriano Basso, Tamas Vasko, Brian Wilson, Jamie McAllister, Jamie McCombe, Bradley Orr, David Noble (Enoch Showunmi 79), Ivan Sproule (Liam Fontaine 88), Marvin Elliott, Lee Johnson, Darren Byfield (Lee Trundle 79),
Subs not used: Scott Murray, Chris Weale
Booked: Tamas Vasko 75
Goals: Darren Byfield 5, Marvin Elliott 67
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Ben Turner, Gary Borrowdale, Arjan De Zeeuw, Michael Doyle, Isaac Osbourne (Elliott Ward 45), Michael Hughes, Dele Adebola, Michael Mifsud (Kevin Thornton 71), Robbie Simpson (Jay Tabb 60), Leon Best,
Subs not used: Liam Davis, Donovan Simmonds
Booked: Michael Mifsud 18
Goals: Dele Adebola 72
Attendance: 15899
Referee: P Taylor
Teamtalk
Bristol City secured a fourth straight home win in the Championship as goals from Darren Byfield and Marvin Elliott defeated Coventry 2-1.
Byfield took just five minutes to find the net at Ashton Gate as the Sky Blues were made to pay for a sluggish start.
Elliott headed a second just after the hour but Coventry produced a stirring second-half performance and eventually found a way back into the game through Dele Adebola.
Only a string of fine saves from goalkeeper Adriano Basso denied Iain Dowie's men a share of the spoils as he repeatedly frustrated Adebola and strike partner Leon Best.
Victory ensures the Robins stay in third spot and back-to-back promotions look a very real possibility.
Brian Wilson replaced the injured Michael McIndoe in the Bristol City starting line-up while Best returned from suspension to lead the line in attack for Coventry.
The hosts dominated proceedings from the start and goalkeeper Andy Marshall produced a fine save to keep out Wilson's close-range strike before Byfield broke the deadlock with barely five minutes played.
David Noble was afforded too much time and space out on the left flank and his pass allowed Byfield to fire a soaring right-footed drive past Marshall from 18 yards.
The 31-year-old, who has now scored eight goals this season, was also on target when the Robins beat Coventry 3-0 at the Ricoh Arena back in September.
Jamie McAllister and Lee Johnson both fired straight at Marshall minutes later and Adebola scuffed a close-range effort wide as the Sky Blues struggled to get a foothold in the game.
Jamie McCombe rose well to meet Wilson's outswinging corner but failed to find the target with a looping header while, at the other end, Adriano Basso reacted quickly to parry Michael Doyle's 18-yard shot on the half-hour mark.
Arjan De Zeeuw blocked Marvin Elliott's goalward-bound header shortly before half-time and Bradley Orr fired wide as the home side finished the opening 45 minutes strongly.
Coventry showed plenty to suggest they were capable of getting back into the game after the restart as Michael Mifsud was denied by Basso from 12 yards and Adebola flashed a header wide moments later.
Basso then produced a wonderful save to again thwart Adebola.
The Brazilian stopper showed great athleticism to somehow keep hold of Adebola's rasping 12-yard drive and on the hour was again on hand to frustrate Best from a similar range.
Basso's string of fine saves were made all the more telling when the home side doubled their lead after 67 minutes.
Elliott rose unmarked in a crowded penalty to meet Jamie McCombe's left-sided corner and steer a header past Marshall from six yards.
Bristol City had barely finished celebrating Elliott's fifth of the season when Adebola finally got the better of Basso to haul Coventry back into contention.
Substitute Jay Tabb made inroads from the left wing before crossing for Adebola to bag his second goal in as many games from close range.
Six minutes from time, Best thought he had salvaged a point for the visitors when he beat Basso from 18 yards but his effort cannoned to safety off the post.
CCFC
The Sky Blues produce a spirited second half display but start 2008 with a 2-1 defeat against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
City were rocked by an early Darren Byfield goal and appeared to be dead and buried when Marvin Elliott put the Robins two clear in the second half. Dele Adebola brought the visitors back into it and Leon Best should have equalised late on but it was not to be for Iain Dowie's men.
The home side started the game brightly and Andy Marshall was the first keeper to be called into action, making a good stop from Brian Wilson after he cut in from the right-hand side.
But it was only a temporary respite as Byfield opened the scoring in the fifth minute, smashing the ball past Marshall with a fine strike from 18 yards, with City's defence left at sixes and sevens.
It was an early blow to Coventry's aspirations and once again highlighted the side's defensive frailties. Against high-flying Bristol City, with three straight home wins ahead of this game, it was going to leave the Sky Blues with a tough challenge.
The Robins were threatening to extend their lead and a David Noble effort deflected narrowly wide of the target in the 23rd minute.
City got their first shot on target in the 33rd minute, when Michael Doyle forced Bristol keeper Adriano Basso into a good save with a shot from the edge of the box.
On the stroke of half time Leon Best fired a crisp 25 yard effort from a free-kick straight at Basso as City ended the half slightly better.
Elliott Ward came on for Isaac Osbourne at half time, forcing a defensive reshuffle as Gary Borrowdale switched to right-back and Ben Turner slotted in at left-back
Michael Mifsud went on a good run early in the second half but could not produce a shot until the angle was very tight, leaving Basso to produce a routine save. Adebola was next to force the Bristol shot stopper into action, when he went on a weaving run into the area and got his shot away, while Leon Best was denied by a goal saving block from Jamie McCombe after he had bundled past Basso before he hit the post from a tight angle after breaking clear of the Robins defence. It was better stuff from City who seemed revitalised after the half-time break.
On the hour mark Jay Tabb replaced Simpson, who looked like he was lacking match fitness on his return to the side following a two-month break with a hamstring tear.
After looking likely to get back into the match, City saw their hopes disappear in the 66th minute when Marvin Elliott headed the ball home to make it 2-0 after more shoddy defending at a set piece from the Sky Blues.
Iain Dowie's final roll of the dice came with just under 20 minutes remaining when Kevin Thornton replaced Mifsud and moments later Coventry were back in it when Adebola scored his second goal in as many games after being cleverly played through by Tabb.
Bristol boss Gary Johnson reacted by making a double attacking switch, bringing on Enoch Showunmi and Lee Trundle to keep City's defender's on their toes in the final ten minutes.
With 83 on the clock, Best spurned a golden opportunity to snatch a point for the Sky Blues, side-footing against the inside of the post from close range with the goal at his mercy and that was City's last chance of a frustrating game.
4thegame
Bristol City held off a spirited fightback by Coventry to keep their place in the big Premier League chase.
After building a two-goal lead with an early strike from Darren Byfield and a second-half header by Marvin Elliott, they thought the game was theirs.
But Dele Adebola fired up Coventry with a goal 18 minutes from the end and they only missed out on a point when Leon Best rolled his shot against a post after beating the keeper.
With the Robins' football bubbling with self-belief it took Coventry a long time to hit their stride.
It took the arrival of Elliott Ward at half-time to stiffen their defence while Kevin Thornton could have been used earlier than he was, as his running at defenders unsteadied the hosts.
Coventry don't do clean sheets and were a goal down at the start of the fifth minute, courtesy of a thumping left-footed 18-yard drive by Byfield.
Bristol City had twice been stopped by the offside flag but this time David Noble got through and, although his shot was blocked, the ball fell nicely for Byfield.
The home side were good value for their goal and, with Noble always an influence on the action, they cut through Coventry time and again winning corners but not finding a telling finish until Elliott's header from their sixth corner in the 67th minute.
Adebola put himself about as he always does but Coventry had to rely on first-half free-kicks around the box to give them any hope.
The best of their dead-ball chances came from Best although, in open play, Michael Doyle drew a dive out of Bristol City's Brazilian keeper Adriano Basso.
There was an early booking for Coventry's Michael Mifsud and the midfielder was lucky to stay on when he then brought down Elliott. It looked a clear case for a red card but referee Paul Taylor let him off with a long warning.
Bristol City: Adriano Basso, Tamas Vasko, Brian Wilson, Jamie McAllister, Jamie McCombe, Bradley Orr, David Noble (Enoch Showunmi 79), Ivan Sproule (Liam Fontaine 88), Marvin Elliott, Lee Johnson, Darren Byfield (Lee Trundle 79),
Subs not used: Scott Murray, Chris Weale
Booked: Tamas Vasko 75
Goals: Darren Byfield 5, Marvin Elliott 67
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Ben Turner, Gary Borrowdale, Arjan De Zeeuw, Michael Doyle, Isaac Osbourne (Elliott Ward 45), Michael Hughes, Dele Adebola, Michael Mifsud (Kevin Thornton 71), Robbie Simpson (Jay Tabb 60), Leon Best,
Subs not used: Liam Davis, Donovan Simmonds
Booked: Michael Mifsud 18
Goals: Dele Adebola 72
Attendance: 15899
Referee: P Taylor
Teamtalk
Bristol City secured a fourth straight home win in the Championship as goals from Darren Byfield and Marvin Elliott defeated Coventry 2-1.
Byfield took just five minutes to find the net at Ashton Gate as the Sky Blues were made to pay for a sluggish start.
Elliott headed a second just after the hour but Coventry produced a stirring second-half performance and eventually found a way back into the game through Dele Adebola.
Only a string of fine saves from goalkeeper Adriano Basso denied Iain Dowie's men a share of the spoils as he repeatedly frustrated Adebola and strike partner Leon Best.
Victory ensures the Robins stay in third spot and back-to-back promotions look a very real possibility.
Brian Wilson replaced the injured Michael McIndoe in the Bristol City starting line-up while Best returned from suspension to lead the line in attack for Coventry.
The hosts dominated proceedings from the start and goalkeeper Andy Marshall produced a fine save to keep out Wilson's close-range strike before Byfield broke the deadlock with barely five minutes played.
David Noble was afforded too much time and space out on the left flank and his pass allowed Byfield to fire a soaring right-footed drive past Marshall from 18 yards.
The 31-year-old, who has now scored eight goals this season, was also on target when the Robins beat Coventry 3-0 at the Ricoh Arena back in September.
Jamie McAllister and Lee Johnson both fired straight at Marshall minutes later and Adebola scuffed a close-range effort wide as the Sky Blues struggled to get a foothold in the game.
Jamie McCombe rose well to meet Wilson's outswinging corner but failed to find the target with a looping header while, at the other end, Adriano Basso reacted quickly to parry Michael Doyle's 18-yard shot on the half-hour mark.
Arjan De Zeeuw blocked Marvin Elliott's goalward-bound header shortly before half-time and Bradley Orr fired wide as the home side finished the opening 45 minutes strongly.
Coventry showed plenty to suggest they were capable of getting back into the game after the restart as Michael Mifsud was denied by Basso from 12 yards and Adebola flashed a header wide moments later.
Basso then produced a wonderful save to again thwart Adebola.
The Brazilian stopper showed great athleticism to somehow keep hold of Adebola's rasping 12-yard drive and on the hour was again on hand to frustrate Best from a similar range.
Basso's string of fine saves were made all the more telling when the home side doubled their lead after 67 minutes.
Elliott rose unmarked in a crowded penalty to meet Jamie McCombe's left-sided corner and steer a header past Marshall from six yards.
Bristol City had barely finished celebrating Elliott's fifth of the season when Adebola finally got the better of Basso to haul Coventry back into contention.
Substitute Jay Tabb made inroads from the left wing before crossing for Adebola to bag his second goal in as many games from close range.
Six minutes from time, Best thought he had salvaged a point for the visitors when he beat Basso from 18 yards but his effort cannoned to safety off the post.
CCFC
The Sky Blues produce a spirited second half display but start 2008 with a 2-1 defeat against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
City were rocked by an early Darren Byfield goal and appeared to be dead and buried when Marvin Elliott put the Robins two clear in the second half. Dele Adebola brought the visitors back into it and Leon Best should have equalised late on but it was not to be for Iain Dowie's men.
The home side started the game brightly and Andy Marshall was the first keeper to be called into action, making a good stop from Brian Wilson after he cut in from the right-hand side.
But it was only a temporary respite as Byfield opened the scoring in the fifth minute, smashing the ball past Marshall with a fine strike from 18 yards, with City's defence left at sixes and sevens.
It was an early blow to Coventry's aspirations and once again highlighted the side's defensive frailties. Against high-flying Bristol City, with three straight home wins ahead of this game, it was going to leave the Sky Blues with a tough challenge.
The Robins were threatening to extend their lead and a David Noble effort deflected narrowly wide of the target in the 23rd minute.
City got their first shot on target in the 33rd minute, when Michael Doyle forced Bristol keeper Adriano Basso into a good save with a shot from the edge of the box.
On the stroke of half time Leon Best fired a crisp 25 yard effort from a free-kick straight at Basso as City ended the half slightly better.
Elliott Ward came on for Isaac Osbourne at half time, forcing a defensive reshuffle as Gary Borrowdale switched to right-back and Ben Turner slotted in at left-back
Michael Mifsud went on a good run early in the second half but could not produce a shot until the angle was very tight, leaving Basso to produce a routine save. Adebola was next to force the Bristol shot stopper into action, when he went on a weaving run into the area and got his shot away, while Leon Best was denied by a goal saving block from Jamie McCombe after he had bundled past Basso before he hit the post from a tight angle after breaking clear of the Robins defence. It was better stuff from City who seemed revitalised after the half-time break.
On the hour mark Jay Tabb replaced Simpson, who looked like he was lacking match fitness on his return to the side following a two-month break with a hamstring tear.
After looking likely to get back into the match, City saw their hopes disappear in the 66th minute when Marvin Elliott headed the ball home to make it 2-0 after more shoddy defending at a set piece from the Sky Blues.
Iain Dowie's final roll of the dice came with just under 20 minutes remaining when Kevin Thornton replaced Mifsud and moments later Coventry were back in it when Adebola scored his second goal in as many games after being cleverly played through by Tabb.
Bristol boss Gary Johnson reacted by making a double attacking switch, bringing on Enoch Showunmi and Lee Trundle to keep City's defender's on their toes in the final ten minutes.
With 83 on the clock, Best spurned a golden opportunity to snatch a point for the Sky Blues, side-footing against the inside of the post from close range with the goal at his mercy and that was City's last chance of a frustrating game.
4thegame
Bristol City held off a spirited fightback by Coventry to keep their place in the big Premier League chase.
After building a two-goal lead with an early strike from Darren Byfield and a second-half header by Marvin Elliott, they thought the game was theirs.
But Dele Adebola fired up Coventry with a goal 18 minutes from the end and they only missed out on a point when Leon Best rolled his shot against a post after beating the keeper.
With the Robins' football bubbling with self-belief it took Coventry a long time to hit their stride.
It took the arrival of Elliott Ward at half-time to stiffen their defence while Kevin Thornton could have been used earlier than he was, as his running at defenders unsteadied the hosts.
Coventry don't do clean sheets and were a goal down at the start of the fifth minute, courtesy of a thumping left-footed 18-yard drive by Byfield.
Bristol City had twice been stopped by the offside flag but this time David Noble got through and, although his shot was blocked, the ball fell nicely for Byfield.
The home side were good value for their goal and, with Noble always an influence on the action, they cut through Coventry time and again winning corners but not finding a telling finish until Elliott's header from their sixth corner in the 67th minute.
Adebola put himself about as he always does but Coventry had to rely on first-half free-kicks around the box to give them any hope.
The best of their dead-ball chances came from Best although, in open play, Michael Doyle drew a dive out of Bristol City's Brazilian keeper Adriano Basso.
There was an early booking for Coventry's Michael Mifsud and the midfielder was lucky to stay on when he then brought down Elliott. It looked a clear case for a red card but referee Paul Taylor let him off with a long warning.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 11:49 pm
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