Full-time: Doncaster Rovers 1 Bristol City 0
Billy Sharp’s ninth goal of the season condemned
The livewire striker proved the difference between the two sides in this keenly-contested Coca-Cola Championship scrap, breaking away to net the only goal in the 11th minute.
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Full-time report from Bristol City
City turned up in confident move after winning 3-1 at
Second best in the first half, they improved after Gavin Williams and Alvaro Saborio were introduced and the latter came closest to grabbing an equaliser when forcing Rovers keeper Neil Sullivan into a smart save.
But City were simply unable to find a way through a well-drilled Doncaster defence and must now look to bounce back when Reading visit Ashtron Gate next Saturday.
City boss Gary Johnson made an enforced change in the centre of midfield, recalling Marvin Elliott in place of the suspended Evander Sno, who collected his fifth yellow card of the season at
Elliott was immediately in the thick of the action, reacting quickest to a Danny Haynes cross, only to sky his first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Their next raid proved altogether more profitable as leading scorer Sharp fired the home side in front. Forced to defend a Paul Hartley free kick, Rovers cleared their lines with a long punt up-field, which Cole Skuse could only head back towards his own 18 yard box.
Sharp was onto it in a flash, taking the ball in his stride and glancing up momentarily before firing a low angled drive between keeper Dean Gerken and the far post to register his ninth goal of the season.
It was a soft goal to concede and the worst possible start for City against opponents whose confidence was high following a run of three wins in four games.
City threatened an equaliser on 20 minutes, Hartley threading a pass into the path of Haynes, whose shot was kept out by keeper Neil Sullivan’s feet. Had he scored, his effort would have been ruled out for offside.
Rovers continues to pose the greater threat going forward and Dean Shiels sent a header high and wide at the far post as the Yorkshire outfit looked to establish a two-goal cushion.
Hartley again did his best to unlock
Bradley Orr became the first player to be shown a yellow card, courtesy of a crunching challenge on Rovers defender Jason Shackell seven minutes before half time.
Ivan Sproule may have been the hero at
Haynes then met a lofted pass from Williams with sweet volley into the top corner, but his celebrations were cut short by a linesman’s offside flag.
City had created more chances in a few minutes than in the entire first half and
Rovers remained a threat on the break and on-loan midfielder Simon Gillett shot just over after incisive approach play by Shiels and Mark Wilson, while James Chambers sent a long-range drive just the wrong side of the upright.
Sharp should have put the home side further ahead in the 69th minute, seizing upon a long clearance and outstripping the covering defence, only to send his shot across goal and beyond the far post with only Gerken to beat.
City came close to conjuring an equaliser soon afterwards, Liam Fontaine rising to meet a free kick with a header which crept agonisingly wide of the post with Sullivan struggling to make his ground. When Williams sent another effort wide from 18 yards out, City knew it was not going to be their day.
Bristol City (4-5-1): Gerken; Orr, Fontaine, Nyatanga (Johnson 77), McAllister; Sproule, Skuse, Hartley, Elliott (Saborio 46), Haynes; Maynard.
Referee: Jarnail Singh (Middlesex)
Attendance: 9,572







20 Comments
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by Chris, Bristol
Tuesday, December 15 2009, 9:08AM
“A thread of no substance and cheap assumption based insults! Yep, you are definitely a AG boo boy! Case closed!”
by Mark, Bristol
Monday, December 14 2009, 7:33PM
“Dolman Bob, I think you hit the nail on the head so to speak and also touched a raw nerve in doing so.
You think you are clever in your answers but the majority of fans on here and on other threads think that you are a right nerd, so carry on with your drival and keep us all laughing, I'm ashamed to think that someone like you could be a City fan, god help us all.
The trouble with your type Chris is that you have tunnel vision, you don't or can't seem to see the whole wide picture and in doing so makes you look ridiculous and childish.
I will continue to support City whatever happens and I hope they can sort this problem out sooner rather than later, I may even see you next weekend, I'll look out for the chap wearing his anorak and eating spam sandwiches.
I have my reasons for not buying a season ticket which is my business, this is my last word on this subject as I am tired of your stupidity and obvious lack of knowledge of the game.”
by Chris, Bristol
Monday, December 14 2009, 4:49PM
“Bob, please read again as i must have missed the bit where i said i traveled on the coaches! I just merely commented on how many they took up! Of course, its too much for you to fathom that i may have seen them pull up at Donnie or even spoke to others who travelled up by coach! Of course, its unlikely i have friends in Yorkshire so its unlikely i stayed at theirs at the weekend! Tut tut sloppy bob, a bit like your style of support!”
by dolman bob, bristol
Monday, December 14 2009, 12:52PM
“Chris travels on CATS.
I bet a-pound-to-a-penny his mum makes him a packed lunch for the return journey.
I think we know exactly what type of 'supporter' we are dealing with here.
i won;t be wasting any more time responding this our resident CATS fan.”
by Chris, Bristol
Monday, December 14 2009, 12:38PM
“So Mark, let me get this straight you go to "most" games but are not a season ticket holder? That's a bit dim isn't it? Surely that costs you a fortune? Of course, then i see you have a gripe with "some" season ticket holders so maybe that's the reason, albeit a pretty lame one! I think the reality is that you attend "now and then", of course i expect you to dispute this but the statement seem to indicate as such.
Yes, i did go on Saturday, i thought that was clear, even though i didn't spell it out, but then again its not to see that my post referring to the coaches would indicate i went!
Of course, its easy people to accuse others of being "out of this world" when they aren't able to conjure up a decent argument and then the same people resort to rather infantile psychology like accusing people of having "love affairs" with GJ, that's a line straight from the play ground. Of course, some may say managers have a life span, others such as Sir Alex and Arsene state longevity will earn you success. I happen to agree with that school of thought, as the facts tend to back this up!
There is no need to silly comments about Sir Alex needing my help, i merely mentioned it to state i had some experience running a "real football club" and it isn't as easy as the arm chair fans and gamers of this world dream of.
The majority support the manager and the players, however you are in what's known as the vocal minority, who always have made this club look rather stupid hence the gas head laughing at us and whose fanatically negative approach to football support holds this club back!
Then, rather oddly you state me to look elsewhere!
There is none so blind as those who cannot see.”
by Mark, Bristol
Monday, December 14 2009, 11:30AM
“Chris. I have followed City since the early 70's and go most weeks home and way and I still went during the dark days of the 4th division so I am entitled to my opinion, just because you are a season ticket holder that don't mean that you are always right, you are the type of fan that if we were sitting bottom of the league you would still have this unhealthy love affair with GJ.
Every manager has his sell by date and GJ has passed his.
Every supporter of every club has the right to their views and I don't ever boo or shout abuse at City because they are my team.
I ask you again, did you go Saturday? get off your high horse and come to live in the real world, the only way forward id to replace GJ.
By attending each week I do support the team, the trouble with some season ticket holders is they think that they are above the rest of the supporters.
I can't for the life of me see why you brought up the fact that you played football or been involved in one, guess what? so have I and I still am but how does that help? I'm sure Sir Alex would like some of your valued experience.
You are in the minority of fans who keep on backing Johnson and in doing so is holding this great club back, do us all a favour and support someone else.”
by Gas Head Steve, Bristol
Monday, December 14 2009, 10:26AM
“MOAN MOAN WE HATE THE JOHNSONS GJ ISNT AS GOOD AS SIR ALEX OR REDKNAP BBBOOOOOOOOOO HHISSSSSSSSSS LOL LOL FICKLE OR WHAT! UP THE GAS”
by Chris, Bristol
Monday, December 14 2009, 10:25AM
“Marcus, had you been there you would have realised the actual support was no way near that figure! I would say 300 if that! Indeed only 2 coaches left AG and one wasnt even full up! Of course, i wouldnt know that as i didnt go.....”
by Chris, Bristol
Monday, December 14 2009, 10:23AM
“Glenn,
It was sarcasm, a fairly blatant example of such humour i felt!
Of course, most managers wouldnt change a winning formula and most managers would keep the same shape, had GJ changed to 4-4-2 with the obviously unfit Clarkson on the left and we lost, he would have come in for even more critcism. The fact is he replaced Sno for Elliot which most fans felt was the right thing to do certainly away from home, even tho most realise Elliot is far from the player he was two seasons back. Of course, no one forseen Ivans injury. I feel sorry for any manager at this club as its a lose lose situation, one wonders if this culture of negativity is the reason this club fails to fulfil its potential. The answer is becoming obvious!”
by Marcus, Wilts
Monday, December 14 2009, 10:18AM
“Ironic how myself and Mark were both there on Saturday and hold very similar views.
We are two of the 492 who made the effort to go to South Yorkshire yet our support is questioned by people who didnt attend the match and did NOT actually see for themselfs how poorly we played.
We've not performed on so many occasions this season....this should be a concern to all City fans.”