One of the real highlights of a trip to
Bristol of course is the pubs, which with an arrival time close to 11.00 am, gave us
plenty of time for exploration and exercise (very hilly Bristol) using the CAMRA ale
guide. At the end of the marathon, described in the pubs section of the London Clarets
website, reached the ground at some ridiculously late time. There to be faced with a
thirteen pound entrance charge to sit in the away end on seats without a back, bolted to
the terrace. Downright dangerous. Plenty of Clarets, 2000+, also in attendance.
Paradoxically, decided to stand on the plinth at the back of the stand risking the three
foot fall. Knee and ankle injuries by full-time.
Sometimes, 0-0 draws can be quite interesting affairs. Believe me this was
not one of them! First half was very scrappy with neither side really stringing much
together, although Cook was prompting as well as he was allowed to. The Legend was back to
his best, immaculate in a strong but positive defensive display with Mitchell Thomas.
Their new signing Holland from Chesterfield went close early with a drive. Then the
curiously named Pinamonte, nicknamed Delcolada by his mates, wasted two chances, without
much of a reply from the Clarets as an attacking force. Frankly he was a ‘top pocket
job’ to the Legend and his henchman Mitchell Thomas, and he soon made way for the
evergreen Thorpe. Good job Akinbiyi has gone, although our tormentor in chief Goodridge
was in the team and buzzing around. Curiously despite the pressure, no real save from
Crichton. Payton was virtually surrounded and fouled each time he got the ball, and
inevitably therefore we didn’t look like scoring.
Plenty of 'We are top of the league' chants at half time, and a sighting
of a sober Shaggy Dog. The surreal day continues!. Frankly it was all a bit of a yawn, and
the post match pint was looking particularly welcoming, as was the televised 2nd
division league table.
Bit more action in the second half, with Paul Cook’s brilliant shot
saved by Phillips in the City goal, and a Payton chance having been put through by Glen
Little. Goodridge continued to cut inside Smithy as is his normal game. Davis also had a
chance at a free kick before the usual Little substitution and the closure of the
shutters. Negative defensive line spread across the penalty box (is it wise to defend this
deep?) led inevitably to the siege of the Alamo. The Bristol centre half Taylor’s
header hit the inside of the post and bounced out, from a Tinnion cross in the dying
minutes. Easily the best chance of the game. Mega close that one. No Cookey, a stupid
Mullin booking and the inevitable Johnrose and Jepson substitutions led us to the end of
the game.
So there we have it. Not much of a match report, late as usual, but then a
technicolour yawn of a game in mitigation. Would have settled for a draw before the game
anyway, as I believe this Bristol team will be in the shakedown at the end of the season.
With the departure of Akinbiyi and their Scandinavians however, they are not the team they
were, and are beatable. As we didn’t try to beat them, we will never know the truth
of this statement. Defence was very solid however, certainly in the 1st half,
and we are toppish of the league. OK second then. Got a feeling the Wigan, and Bournemouth
away games might be similar matches with hopefully similarish results.
As a postscript to the match, three points of interest. Firstly in the
‘home’ pub opposite the ground after the game, the City supporters were
bemoaning their not losing the game, as it had allowed the hated Gas to go top! Very
strange. Second point is that Tony Pulis the new City manager had said straight after the
Burnley Gillingham 5-0 thrashing last season that he expected Burnley to be close to the
top of the pile the following season. Prescient, and more confident in the team than I was
at that very time. Thirdly, what happened to Mr Hewlett? On loan from Bristol City of the
1st division to crappy Burnley last season to get back to match fitness after
injury. One of the very worst loan signings, and now can’t make the Bristol team,
prat. Probably wears socks in bed and knits incontinence patterns for interest.
