Who stood out as Bristol City U23s waste good chances in defeat by Ipswich Town U23s
There was no former City U23s coach Rene Gilmartin, no former head of academy Gary Probert and no former CEO Mark Ashton, but Ipswich Town were in the South West to contest the top of the Professional Development League 2 title.
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Hide AdBristol City started the day top of the U23s league and looking to defend their title from last year, (although they lost to Birmingham in the playoffs a match later a year ago).
With Nahki Wells, Antoine Semenyo and Robbie Cundy encouraging the players as they entered the pitch, you could tell this game was important to the home side.
John McGreal’s team took the lead through the outstanding opposition winger Matt Ward - following a defensive error from Callum Wood - and had chances to add to the scoreline to make things more comfortable in the closing moments.
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Hide AdBut before that Bristol City should have equalised when both Tommy Conway somehow butchered the chance to equalise from a mere yard out as Sam Bell fizzed a cross over. And Bell too could have equalised late on.
The Robins lose this one and are leapfrogged in the table by Ipswich but the West Country men do have a game in hand, as things tighten up at the top of the PDL2.
Tale of the game
An agricultural head-high challenge on Ayman Benarous punctuated the early proceedings, before Tawanda Chirewa blasted over the bar following a lively run from Matt Ward.
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Hide AdA key duel was the highly rated Tyreece Simpson - who scored nine goals for Swindon in League Two in the first half of the season but is in a contract dispute with the Tractor Boys and was not sent on loan for the second part of the campaign - against City centre-back Duncan Idehen. The Robins centre-back did well throughout.
Sam Bell had an early shout for a penalty with the game in the balance before the aggressive Albie Armin was cautioned for a late tackle. Idehen then released Zac Bell with a pinpoint pass before the 20-minute mark.
Chirewa was ruled offside as he hit the post on 23 minutes, and the technically good visitors were holding their own at a packed-out Robins High Performance Centre.
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Hide AdA harsh yellow card for Josh Owers, who looked to have won the ball in a sliding lunge, then came and Ipswich took the lead when a mistake by Callum Wood occurred as the centre-back misjudged a high ball that cannoned off his back and allowed Ward to run in goal and finish.
Conway’s shot was blocked as City tried to respond but the home side came closest to scoring just before the break as Idehen volleyed wide as goalkeeper Lewis Ridd spilled an Owers’ free kick, with the goal open.
After the break Conway headed over the bar after Idehen won a header from Benarous’ free kick.
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Hide AdAnd somehow Conway could not convert from just a yard out, albeit running at pace, as Barney Soady flicked on to release Bell down the wing and the low cross created a sliding chance from just a yard out. The ball ended in goalkeeper Lewis Ridd’s open welcoming arms.
Seconds later Bell did likewise, unable to convert as Soady again was involved, setting Benarous away to scamper down the left but with the Robins striker unable to finish at the back post.
With Nigel Pearson having a cosy chat with Sam Pearson on the sidelines, the side in red were creating chances but unable to find that elusive score.
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Hide AdZac Bell saw off Simpson who was running in on goal before 65 minutes and the game was becoming more stretched.
O’Leary saved a Simpson volley after good work by Ward and the winger - the outstanding player - won a free kick against Zac Bell on the edge of the box with 20 minutes to go.
Hughes’ free kick was well saved and then Ridd was out quickly to stop Bell clipping in as Benarous played a delightful through-ball that deserved finishing.
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Hide AdBenarous shot low and Ridd saved again, as the home side built up steam on 72 minutes and again Ridd repelled a low Bell cross with now 10 minutes to go. City could not make the breakthrough.
Ipswich almost wrapped up the game as substitute Gerrard Buabo beat Callum Wood and with a two-on-one break a vital interception from Idehen kept the deficit down to one.
A late yellow card came for Brooklyn Kabongolo who brought down Sam Bell on the break as Chirewa dragged wide when through on goal with the chance to wrap up the game.
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Hide AdIdehen intercepted to stop another late Ipswich break, but the men from Suffolk held on as Sam Bell shouted unsuccessfully for a late penalty.
Who stood out and who didn’t
Max O’Leary was competent rushing off his line but handed a chance to Chirewa with a bad pass out from the back at one point, and at times in the second half the goalkeeper was wasteful with the ball too.
With Zac Bell winning duels on the right but unable to find a red shirt when crossing on occasion, City were sound at the back but unable to create early on.
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Hide AdDylan Kadji showed quick feet to retain possession at several moments in the game, with Josh Owers’ moving the ball quickly across the middle of the pitch and pushing City on in the final stages.
George Tanner looked a little rusty on his second game after return from injury, an early pass going straight out of play, but a better one almost released Conway on goal after 25 minutes. A good header in the box cleared Tommy Hughes’ fee-kick though and it was another good hour of play for the right-back returning from injury.
Meanwhile, Soady had an excellent game creating play from wide with two good contributions playing in Bell and Benarous, and Idehen was mostly imperious at the back. The centre-back will surely be staying on in BS3.
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Hide AdThe Robins were wasteful in attack though, despite some good prompting from Benarous in the final stages.
Starting teams:
Bristol City: O’Leary, Bell, Kadji, Wood, Idehen, Tanner (Rose, 60 mins), Benarous (Henry 86), Conway, Bell, Soady (Taylor-Clarke 73).
Ipswich Town: Ridd, Agabje, trialist, Alexander, Stewart, Armin, Ward, Humphreys, Simpson, Chirewa, Hughes.
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