 |
CHAMPIONSHIP 2012-13 |
 |
Barnsley FC 1 |
Bristol City 0 |
 |
Mellis 50 |
- |
Following on from some poor performances on the road including being taken apart at Brighton in the last game, the Reds came back to the fortress Oakwell and pulled in another three points with a typical battling, at times backs to the wall performance as we held on with 10 men for half the game.
< >
Barnsley were once again in control at Oakwell in complete contrast to our away form, that is until talisman Bobby Hassell was sent off for a two footed challenge just after the re-start and following the goal from Jacob Mellis. It was near a complete half with a man down and Bristol City started applying the man advantage, going close several times but a resilient Reds side held out for a rousing three points and a welcome confidence booster.
Jacob Mellis headed the Reds into the lead from close range just after half time, and it proved to be the winner, as the Reds recorded their second home win out two games and two clean sheets.
Due to several injuries it was a depleted home side with Luke Steele, David Perkins, Matty Done, Jim O'Brien, Jimmy McNulty all on the croc's list.
City who were fourth in the division at the start of the day following a strong start and a recent impressive 4-2 victory over Cardiff City were hoping to continue their good start, but its still early days and they will more than likely be closer to the other end of the table by May'13.
Bristol did start quite positively with Sam Baldock firing over the bar and Steads 25 yard effort being denied by new Reds keeper Alnwick.
Davies failed to convert a decent chance for the Reds before Jacob Mellis fired in an effort at Tom Heaton in goal for City.
Mellis had a couple more chances which he failed to make anything of, but he was determined and rose up from close range to power in his header off the underside of the bar from a Martin Cranie cross to put the Reds into a deserved lead after a period of dominance.
Almost immediately after the goal, Bobby Hassell got drawn into a two footed challenge, which was a bit unneccessy in the middle of the park, and a bit of a waste really as it put the team and the lead under intense pressure, but we weathered the half with ten men so no harm done Bobby.
A bit of a reshuffle by Hill brought on some more defence with Stones coming on and doing a brilliant job including one incredible block on the line which he built into a run out of the area, he really is star in the making, I think with a look of Carl Tiler who came through the Oakwell ranks to become a big transfer from Oakwell.. (familiar story?) Well I hope we manage to hold onto players like Stones, or else how do we move forward as a club?
Steve Davies came on for Bristol City and with his first touch headed just wide of goal, then the away side got a free kick in what looked like a dangerous area, Davies again struck a very powerful freekick that hammered back off of the cross bar, to set a few palpitations off in the on looking ponte end. We weathered these chances, defended well, tackled resiliently and sent the fans home again with something to shout about, and another two fingers up at the bookies with their annual very basic blinkered view of who will survive and what will happen in the division, we may have one of the smallest budgets in the division... but we have the biggest heart!
