Bristol City take the Servernside honours to leave Cardiff City boss unhappy with his players

Embed from Getty Images

Bristol City won a pulsating clash against their Severnside rivals Cardiff City in an eventful five-goal encounter.

The large, noisy crowd had plenty to interest them as they anticipated this clash. The visiting fans awaited former Wales star Andy King who would lead out the hosts, as for the Bluebirds, former Bristol City players Aden Flint and Marlon Pack were assured a warm welcome on their return to Ashton Gate.

There was a nice touch from the hosts prior to the game with the playing of Bat Out of Hell in tribute to the late Meatloaf who passed away recently.

Cardiff gave a debut to Tommy Doyle, the Manchester City starlet, rescued by boss Steve Morison from an unproductive loan spell in Germany at Hamburger SV.

The visitors made the early running with a series of corners, but no real goal chances emerged as Flint showed his intent with a robust early interception. Doyle was showing up well for the Bluebirds with Callum O’Dowda a lively outlet for the hosts.

James Collins produced the first effort on target after 14 minutes, heading into the hands of home goalkeeper Max O’Leary from close range.

The Robins suffered a blow shortly afterwards as defender Rob Atkinson was forced to leave the proceedings.

Both sets of fans performed lusty renditions of their national anthems in the intense England v Wales clash but on the field, it remained even, despite a series of half-chances at either end.

Flint was always in the thick of the action, contributing another no-nonsense clearance on 20 minutes. Collins was booked a moment later as this lively encounter continued to demonstrate the intensity of the rivalry between these Severnside neighbours.

King joined Atkinson in the dugout before halftime as the fierce battle continued. Jay Dasilva replaced him and became the second home substitute of the opening 45 minutes.

Suddenly, the game exploded into life. Following sloppy play at the back by Han-Noah Massengo, Collins made no mistake with a firm header after half an hour. However, just seconds later, Chris Martin fired past Alex Smithies to level the scores.

Flint again intervened with another weighty clearance off the line following more impressive work by the dangerous O’Dowda as this lively encounter reached the interval.

Cardiff City started the second half as they had the first, with the lion’s share of early possession as Doyle remained an influential figure. Mark Harris remained full of running for Steve Morison’s men as the eager Bluebirds continued to press.

By contrast, the opening quarter of an hour since the interval had seen little in terms of attacking threat from  Nigel Pearson’s Robins until a fierce drive from Antoine Semenyo warmed the hands of Smithies on the hour mark.

Pack, Doyle and Joe Ralls had formed an effective platform for the visitors in midfield but, somewhat against the run of play, Chris Martin fired the home side ahead with a 63rd-minute drive that left the goalkeeper with no chance.

Morison responded with a prompt double substitution, introducing Ryan Wintle and Max Watters to the proceedings.

A sharp drive from Semenyo was well blocked by the visiting defence but the Bristol City striker was finding plenty of space now and blazed another shot wide as the home side continued to threaten.

They had grasped the initiative and a third goal, added by Andreas Weimann on the counter-attack after 77 minutes, this no more than they deserved, despite the Bluebirds’ early promise.

Ashton Gate was a vibrant arena now as the home side held the upper hand over their visitors from across the Severn. O’Dowda and Weimann were constant sources of danger with their pace and skill.

Watters nodded home for Cardiff to bring some drama as we reached 90 minutes. A stoppage-time free-kick from Ralls was well held by O’Leary as the nerves rattled all around the home seats. Semenyo also had a chance as he hit the woodwork as the game reached a tense finale.

That was to be the last action of a barnstorming clash enjoyed by a noisy crowd as both teams left the field to generous applause. Despite the lively encounter, visiting boss Morison still pointed to a lack of fight on the part of his players in his post-match comments.