City completed the comeback which will top all comebacks staged by City this season. Coming from 2 goals down against a near full strength premiership side seemed impossible untill City came out and played some amazing football in the second half and nearly won the game too.
City started in a unusual 4-5-1 formation with Brooker missing out, with a shock return to the team for David Noble just behind the lone striker Showumni. On the left there was also a start for Liam Fontaine with McAllister pushing into the left midfield role.
In a game where City dominated posession but lacked the penatration in the first half, Middlesboro got off to an early lead. After a poor cross-field pass from the normally invincible Louis Carey, Downing stole in and cracked a shot at Basso who fumbled at the feet of Yakubu who had a easy tap-in for 1-0.
Citys pretty passing lacked the edge to create a chance, which Middlesboro did have, when Downing put Christie one-on-one for Basso, only for the Brazilian to stick out and leg and see the ball go past the post to keep the score 1-0.
City then looked the most likely to get a goal when Nobles deflected shot caused problems, but not enough for City to force the ball home. City then had plenty of corners and attacking free-kicks only for the superb Woodgate to shut City out.
A neat one-two between Johnson and Skuse created a shooting oppourtunity for the young bristolian, only to shoot straight at the world cup goalkeeper Schwarzer.
Middlesboro then caught City on the break after another defensive slip up, this time from Fontaine, slipping at the vital moment. This let James Morrison nip in and slide Christie through, this time he got the better of Basso, cleverly chipping it over him and tapping into the open goal.
A pacey free-kick lacked the placement Johnson would have wanted when his son saw a shot flash just past the post. Downing also saw his shot hit straight at basso to keep the score at 0-2 just before half time.
New signing Kevin Betsy, signed from Wycombe for 150k was then paraded in front of the big 19,008 crowd to give him the perfect welcome to the club.
City then started off the second half perfectly when Lee Johnson won a free-kick 35yards from goal which he chipped superbly onto the head of Keogh who glanced past the stranded Schwarzer for 1-2.
City then from a simular posistion had another free-kick, again floated in by Lee Johnson, only for Schwarzer to surly punch away to safetly. But not in the eyes of Scott Murray, who half-volleyed from 25yards sublimly into the top corner to set a sell out crowd extatic. The crowd thought it was game over, not by this teams mentality, the players even believed they could get the win!
That they so nearly did get when a Murray corner was headed on goal by Fontaine, only to be cleared off the line by Mcallister. The dominant City, playing the best football you could want out of this team, had another chance when McAllister fired narrowly wide when well placed.
Graham Poll then tried to win the game for Boro, handing them 2 free-kicks in dangerous areas, but the roaring City crowd pushed us onto the draw. The replay will be played Feb 13th (8pm KO)
Player Ratings
Adriano Basso
Not the best performance but he didn’t have much too do, could have done better with the first goal but made up by keeping City in the game with a fine save from Christie.
Bradley Orr
Improved as the game went on, had Downing running him ragged first half but second half he had him in his pocket. Looking promising.
Liam Fontaine
The young defender, starting his first game in a while slotted in at left back really well. Showing some decent attacking play at times, but also defending as good as he normally does.
Louis Carey (capt)
Another brilliant display from the captain, kept Christie at bay and had to be strong in the air against Yakubu when needed to be.
Richard Keogh
Possibly the best I have ever seen the young lad play, and thats a big compliment. Hes always impressed but today he kept Yakubu as quiet as any premiership team would. Won many balls in the air and always looked naturally composed on the ball.
Jamie McAllister
Slotted in on the left of midfield and did a very good job, could have been motm, his passing and confidence on the ball is top draw. Makes interesting runs down the left and shows he can attack with nobody running ahead of him.
Scott Murray
Keeps improving, even at 32! This lad is a absolute legend now and todays goal proved that. Absolutly brilliant.
Lee Johnson
(see star player)
Cole Skuse
The man in the middle who kept City tight and attacked well, looks better and better every game. His passing kept City calm and just makes us look solid in midfield.
David Noble
A suprise to be put in the line-up. But he did not look off the pace, took his chance brillantly, would be disappointed to see him dropped.
Enoch Showumni
Looked decent against a world class Woodgate, held up the ball as the game went on, just needs to work on his first touch and he’ll cause even more problems.
Manager Rating
Absolutly brillaint tactics from Johnson, again words of wisdom at half time got the fight-back going. |
