Bristol City trialist against Watford rated as George Tanner and Shrewsbury Town’s Saikou Janneh return

With manager Nigel Pearson and his first-team coaching staff watching on, Bristol City’s U23s match against Watford U23s on Tuesday afternoon at the High Performance Centre was a a chance to catch the eye.

Having only conceded twice in their last five games and on a winning run that has seen them in contention for a second PDL2 South title, the Young Robins have some talent that the West Country outfit hopes to progress in the years ahead.

But Neil Swift and Ali Hines’ side failed to sparkle in the first 45 minutes against the second-from-bottom Hornets.

There were few highlights in the first half, as the visitors went closest to scoring as a free-kick crashed against the woodwork after 20 minutes.

Saikou Janneh - back from his Shrewsbury loan temporarily for a game - cleared superbly, with the goal gaping, to thwart the visitors’ hopes there, but there was little of note at the other end of the pitch, bar trialist Lucias Vine from Aldershot Town heading over the bar following Duncan Idehen winning a header from a deep corner.

After the break City took the lead when the outstanding Callum Wood rampaged through midfield from central defence. The defender’s through-ball released Vine who promptly won a penalty, although the offence may just have been outside the penalty area.

Janneh made no mistake from the spot before the hour mark. But Watford stepped up their game and grabbed a deserved equaliser with 90 seconds left: impressive forward Tiago Cukur fired home a direct free-kick from 25 yards.

Regardless, the point sees City go top of the PDL 2 South section, after Ipswich Town - above them at the start of the day - lost at home to Hull City, 0-1.

Bristol City players assessed

Josey Casa-Grande - Had to control an awkward back pass after half an hour following being beaten by a deflected free-kick early on. And smartly off his line to stop a Watford attack on 66 minutes. Could he have done better to keep out Cucur’s late free-kick though?

George Tanner - Shepherded the ball out early on as the former Manchester United scholar found his feet in the first minutes. Tried a nice through-ball to Janneh just before the break - though it was just off target - as he got 45 minutes on his return from injury. Steady display as he gets rid of the cobwebs.

Duncan Idehen - Picked up a knock early on dealing with a high ball, but was soon back on his feet. Travelled with the first team to Bournemouth and looks in line for a contract after another very good showing here. Displayed good acceleration and composure to carry across the pitch early on. And an excellent sliding tackle as Watford midfielder Shaqai Forde got the wrong side of Soady and in on goal on 78 minutes stopped the Hornets gaining a good chance.

Callum Wood - Played left-centre-back and dovetailed nicely with the athletic Idehen, Wood reading the play and picking up loose balls, and spreading play wide with his left foot, with Idehen doing the other side on his right. A nice run and long pass out to the right set Zac Bell off on the attack on 52 minutes. Brilliant run on 56 minutes to release Vine to win a penalty and got better as the game went on, intercepting and keeping the ball well, and stepping into midfield nicely when needed. Man of the match.

Barney Soady - Solid stint playing at left-back bar being beaten too easily by Watford and Turkey U21s winger Tiago Cukur (who does have League One experience with Doncaster Rovers, to be fair) after 35 minutes. Diligent defending against his opposing attacker before the hour mark and a nice sliding challenge just after 70 minutes.

James Morton - Captained the side. Swept a great early pass through to Kadji for an early sight of goal in the first 10 minutes, with Josh Owers not involved and having been on the seniir side’s bench of late. A reverse pass just after the break didn’t find its intended target but there were some lovely passes that did. Not given the ball early enough throughout bu his team-mates.

Dylan Kadji - Unable to make the most of a lovely early Morton pass and later slipped as Tanner marauded towards goal. Upended Watford winger Adrian Blake on the edge of the box as he got too tight to his opposite number before the half an hour mark. Cautioned for a lunge before a clumsy free-kick was conceded on the edge of his own box in the final stages. Not the best game from the leggy midfielder with great potential.

Omar Taylor-Clarke - One of only two from the U18s group to net a new deal (with Seb Palmer-Houlden) recently and the midfielder showed why here, as he nipped into challenges throughout. Tracked back well to stop counter-attacks and to show a great attitude before the break. Took City’s corners and an inswinger in the final act of the first half was one of City’s most dangerous moments in the first 45 minutes. Industrious display as he snapped into the tackles in the second half and retained possession astutely.

Olly Thomas - Played down the middle but the 16-year-old struggled to get on the ball in the first half, with the attacking midfielder penalised for a foul when he did get the ball in a dangerous area in first-half injury time. Replaced by Marley Rose at half-time.

Saikou Janneh - Back temporarily for the Robins from his loan at Shrewsbury Town (but with Steve Cotterill watching on from the stands), where he has only made one start, but appeared 10 times from the bench. Brilliant clearance to deny the Hornets after a deflected free-kick came back off the post on 22 minutes. Ran hard on 39 minutes but dribbled it out of play. Another surge forward a minute later led to a low cross and possible penalty appeal, before a third just before the break led to another low centre. Tucked away his second-half penalty well. A great run in the final minutes set up Henry in the box but the chance was spurned. Not clinical when presented with a late chance to sew up the game, from just inside the area with two minutes remaining though. A mixed performance.

Lucias Vine - The trialist from Aldershot Town headed a good early opportunity over the bar as he met Idehen’s header from a corner early in the game. He also span with the ball on the edge of the box shortly afterwards to show technical ability, although the ball didn’t run his way. Showed good footwork on the flank to flash a cross over before 20 minutes, while he tried some unsuccessful link-up play with Janneh soon after. Earned a penalty on 56 minutes as he collected Wood’s lovely through-ball and cut on to his right. And ended his spell with some good control and a prod into Kadji’s path before Henry replaced him on 65 minutes. Worth another look.

Substitutes

Marley Rose for Olly Thomas, 45’ - Stepped into midfield and lost possession too easily in the final stages as the visitors pressed for a winner in the final minutes.

Zac Bell for George Tanner, 45’ - Came in at right-back and an immediate cross created an opportunity for Vine that the trialist could not make something from. Consistently made room to cross but the accuracy was mixed. Showed good one-on-one defending late on to repel Watford’s Blake from his flank.

Prince Henry for Lucias Vine, 66’ - Stabbed a good chance wide after Janneh’s run and pull-back on 86 minutes. Worked hard, however, if unable to hold the ball up at times.