Once again City relied on there mentality to fight back as they came from behind but this time to win 3-2 in a thrilling home encounter against Tranmere.
A lackluster and poor first half display lead City going in 2-0 down at half time after goals from McCombe (og) and McLaren. But the players came out in the second half desperate to put it right and after goals from Showumni, Jevons and Myrie Williams City came away with a massive 3 points to win 3-2.
The match started with an air of expectation for a game of good passing football with both teams being in the top 8. But those expecting were left disappointed with early play being scrappy midfield play. And feeding off scraps were what either side were doing as Cole Skuse worked hard to put goalkeeper Joe Hart under-pressure and forced him into a mistake. Skuse then picked up the loose ball and squared to Jevons on the edge of the box who scuffed his shot towards goal but was cleared by the tranmere defence with Brooker lerking.
Tranmere then started to get on top with succesive corners leading to Jamie McCombe having to clear two successive Taylor headers on goal.
Tranmere then won a dubious free-kick 30yards out as Carey looked to have won the ball fairly in the air but City were made to pay. Slack marking lead to a free-kick from Steve Davis finding it’s way to the un-marked Sheriff who fired his shot across goal with McCombe being the unlucky man to deflect it into his own goal.
City almost replied straight away as Jevons latched onto a poor backpass and was unlucky not to chip the ball over the on-coming Hart who made a fine save to deny Jevons.
City, still pushing for the equaliser came close again as good build up play lead to Bradley Orr firing straight at Hart to keep the score and 0-1. On a rare attack Tranmeres Shuker then shot well wide of the post when well posistioned to make Basso work.
Tranmere then unbeliveably got away with a blatent penalty claim when Ian Goodison handled the ball in the box from a City free-kick and decided he would give Tranmere a free-kick for pushing in the box! To my and the rest of the crowds disppair!
And City were then punished more when after Skuse poorly miskicked the ball straight to McLaren on the edge of the box who dispatched a superb effort low into Bassos corner of the net for 2-0 just before the break where the Ref was booed off the pitch.
With City needing a quick-fire response in the second half, they got one. When finally a City set-piece worked when McAllister put a fine ball in the box for Showumni to head into the empty net. 2-1
City then almost made it 2-2 when a fine Jevons flick on put Brooker one on one with the defender Goodison, he touched it past the big centre back but put his finish just wide of Harts post when it may have been easier to score.
Brooker then worked Hart with a fine drive but again the young keeper denied City the goal they needed. Efforts from Harrison and Shuker were kept out by Basso as City ralied forward for the equaliser. And that came when on 59minutes Jevons picked up the ball from a defected Brooker shot and finished with aplomb across Hart and into the bottom corner to send the Ashton Gate crowd into delight.
Then with Brian Wilson being introduced in place of Bradley Orr for his debut, Jennison Myrie-williams made the impact after replacing Phil Jevons.
When Brooker turned and hit a superb shot against the bar with the ball coming out to Myrie-Williams to tap into a empty net for 3-2, the comeback was complete.
Tranmere then had to respond with 25minutes left on the clock but City comfortbally saw the game out with solid defending seeing City through to a well deserved 3-2 win over promotion rivals Tranmere.
Player Ratings
Adriano Basso
Didn’t have much to do today but some of his kicking was poor which many thought had been erased from his game. Made a few easy saves though. Good handling.
5/10
Bradley Orr
Seems to be getting better and better with his distribution and now has more competition than ever with Wilson and Keogh challenging him for right back. More performances like that and he should stay in the team.
6/10
Jamie McAllister
Came close to being man of the match just behind Skuse, Had a super game and was never beaten by his man. Passing skills are top draw and just keeps performing.
8/10
Louis Carey
Not as dominant as normal put a good solid perfomance from the captain.
6/10
Jamie McCombe
Same as Carey, not as dominant against 2 big strikers but although being unlucky for the own goal, did nothing wrong.
6/10
Scott Murray
Not as effective as recent games but always a threat out wide, a great option to have. Works unbelievably hard from the first minute to the last. A big plus for City at the moment.
6/10
Cole Skuse
STAR MAN- Had a super game, kept the ball, sprayed it around superbly and was a driving force going forward at times. Going to be a superb player.
9/10
Lee Johnson
Not one of his best passing performances and not effective as he should do. But someone who works very hard and will not give up.
5/10
Enoch Showumni
Yet again the big man scores! Had a decent game, always a threat with his pace and power and always improving.
7/10
Phil Jevons
After joining the rest of the team in a poor first half performance, he was one of the pick of the bunch in the second half with a great goal and some good build up passing.
7/10
Steve Brooker
After the worst first half I have seen Brooker have, he was much improved after the break and looks better and better as the games go on. Yet again involved in the winning goal.
6/10
Brian Wilson
Looks like a good signing, very quick and looks a good defensive option and especially a good attacking option, putting in some superb crosses which City could have benefitted from.
6/10
Jennison Myrie Williams
Came on and made an immediate impact by scoring with his first touch. Was a threat on the game as soon as he came on.
6/10
Was not on long enough to make a judgment.
Manager Rating
Johnson proved us wrong with his tactics yet again. After calling for subs at half-time Johnson stuck with the same 11 and they pulled us back to 2-2 with the subs winning it 3-2 with Jennison making an immediate impact.
Opponent Rating
Ronnie Moore would have settled for a point but I think he should agree that City were the better side and deserved to 3 points in the end.
