Despite going 1-0 down, Bristol City came from behind to earn an important three points at Ashton Gate this afternoon.
Liam Manning welcomed back his old side to Ashton Gate in a Championship Matchday six clash against Oxford United.
The hosts, winless in three, made three changes to the Starting XI following last weekend’s defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers. Cam Pring, Mark Sykes and Fally Mayulu made way for Haydon Roberts, Anis Mehmeti and Sinclair Armstrong.
The visitors similarly, made one change from their win over Stoke City, the injured Cameron Branagan being replaced by Ruben Rodrigues in midfield.
The visitors started the better of the two sides, having the line share of possession and trying to craft an attack together. However, the hosts quickly settled into the game, venturing themselves into Oxford’s half on a few occasions. Roberts unleashed the first shot of the afternoon, but the U’s defence blocked it and the subsequent corner landed in the arms of the grateful Jamie Cumming.
The hosts in the opening ten had the line share of chances after their slow start to life, this time Zak Vyner heading a good chance over the bar. A few seconds later, Anis Mehmeti’s driving run and subsequent shot was once again saved by Cumming who stood tall in the Oxford goal.
The biggest chance of the game so far came just after the 15-minute mark, with striker Sinclair Armstrong steering his header inches wide of the far post. At the other end, mere moments later, Tyler Goodrham beat his man at the near post, but couldn’t quite steer Peter Kioso’s cross into the back of the City net.
Mehmeti then had his second chance of the afternoon to put the hosts ahead, but couldn’t finish his chance, Cumming once again equal to the Albanian’s effort on goal. As the rain hammered down at Ashton Gate, Mehmeti saw his third shot of the game saved, with the Robins not able to capitalise on the rebounded effort.
The visitors were the first to break the deadlock, despite all of City’s chances, with the previously mentioned Rodrigues lobbing his effort over the head of City keeper Max O’Leary. 1-0 to the newly promoted side before the half-hour mark.
Moments later, City came close to an immediate equaliser, new signing Scott Twine’s deflected effort not able to reach the feet of the onrushing Mehmeti. The U’s were the next to strike, O’Leary called into action to make a fairly routine stop to avoid further damage to the scoreline. It was end to end towards the end of the half, Josh Knight’s header, again, agonisingly close but over the bar. The Robins were really pushing for an all-important equaliser, Armstrong’s powerful headed effort again close but no cigar.
Siriki Dembele was the next to try his luck, this time for the visitors, his strike from 25 yards cannoning off the crossbar.
The yellows playing today in white made a change just before the break, with Will Vaulks coming on for Josh McEachran.
Half time: Bristol City 0-1 Oxford United
One change for the hosts after the break, Yu Hirakawa on for his home debut, replacing Joe Williams.
City came out the traps firing, Twine’s powerful effort again just inches away from the equaliser. Claims for a handball from the Robins faithful were downplayed, and Armstrong’s deflected effort was comfortable for Cummings.
The visitors’ top-scorer Mark Harris came within inches of scoring his fifth goal of the season, his effort bobbling out for a goal kick. It was a let-off for Bristol City after their fierce start to the second half.
City’s efforts all paid off in the end, Armstrong on the end of Jason Knight’s lowball into the box. The hosts found that all-important equaliser and it was one all just before the hour mark at Ashton Gate. They went close to a second in close proximity, Mehmeti firing his effort over. With the game seemingly flipped on his head since the equaliser, City continued to dominate, with the visitors trying their best to get a foothold of the game.
Goalscorer Armstrong was then taken off by Manning, and replaced by the experienced Nahki Wells. Oxford then took off their own goalscorer, Tottenham loanee Dane Scarlett replacing Rodrigues at the 67th-minute mark.
City won themselves a penalty when Roberts was deemed to have been tripped in the penalty area. Substitute Wells stepped up and slammed his spot-kick home. The hosts had completely turned this game round, 2-1 with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Oxford were now chasing an equaliser of their own. Substitute Scarlett’s effort from long range rolled wide of the target, with time running out for the visitors.
The U’s made a double substitution with 10 left on the clock, Goodrham and Dembele making way for Kyle Edwards and Malcolm Ebiowei.
Despite having the lead, The Robins kept pushing for another goal with five minutes left on the clock.
Manning then made a more defensive-minded change, Mehmeti was replaced by defender Cameron Pring.
Four minutes of added time were played, and despite Buckingham’s side looking for an equaliser, it was to no avail.
Full time: Bristol City 2-1 Oxford United
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