Browning has final word for Sneyd Park
Andy Hayward gave Barca the lead, but substitute Ali Stuart grabbed an equaliser before Sneyd player-manager Gareth Browning netted a dramatic winner
"It was a great team performance," said Browning. "They had the better of the first half and I thought we had the better of the second half. We showed the Sneyd character, which helped us to battle through."
The game was a tight affair from start to finish. In the first half, Barcelona were the better side and they took the lead early on.
Hayward, receiving the ball on the edge of the area, looked up and saw Sneyd keeper Chris Button off his line and produced a sumptuous chip which sailed into the net. It was a delightful goal from the talented striker.
The rest of the first half was a bit of a stalemate, with both sides cancelling out the other and chances at a minimum.
Sneyd got their first real sight of goal when Antonio Carnevale whipped in a corner from the left and Browning jumped well to meet the ball at the near post, but his effort went over the bar.
Barcelona could have doubled their lead after great work by the corner flag from Hayward. He did well to create a yard before whipping in a stunning cross but Matt Roberts, who had made a good run into the box, was unable to keep his header on target.
Roberts almost made up for that miss when he curled a wonderful 30-yard free-kick against a post.
The second half was a more open affair as Sneyd came out looking for an equaliser. And they almost got it when Barca centre-half Andy Bush misjudged the bounce of the ball, which allowed Browning to go through on goal. He rounded keeper Simon Venn but was forced wide and could only shoot into the side-netting.
Sneyd's pressure eventually told with a deserved equaliser following a deep free-kick from Liam Bailey. The Barca defenders allowed the ball to go over them and Stuart, who had continued his run, beat Venn with a smart finish.
With the scores level, both sides went all out for the winner. Hayward received the ball from out wide and found himself with acres of space in the Sneyd penalty area. He took the shot early with his left foot but hit it straight at Button, who made a good save.
With the clock reaching the 90th minute, nerves were starting to show but Browning kept his composure superbly to settle the match.
A wonderful move ended with Carnavale playing a lovely through ball to Browning, who coolly slotted the ball home
This was a tremendous game and both teams, who are flying high at the top of Division I, deserve credit for going flat out for the win.
However, Sneyd shaded it for their second half performance. They showed a great spirit and determination to come back and win the game in the last minute.
In many ways, it was a shame that the two teams met so early in the competition as this would have made a terrific final.
Bristol Barcelona: Venn, Bush, Jupp, Portingale (Alfaraj 65), Hunt, Sheppard, Newell (Johnson 80), Cannon, Roberts, Hayward, Beesley. Subs not used: Tanner.
Sneyd Park: Button, Scott, Bartley, Robson (Appleby 75), Tulip, Davey (Stuart 51), Sargent (Marsh 77), Sharples, Bailey, Browning, Carnevale.
Tim Bartley (Sneyd Park): The centre-back was faultless throughout. He was up against a tough opponent in Andy Hayward but stood strong and never looked in trouble.
Comment on this story