United 2 Bristol City 1
United 2 Bristol City 1
United: Potter; Robertson, Ellis, Charnock, Nicholson, Zebroski, Mansell, Wroe, Stevens (O'Kane 72), Gritton (Kee 66), Benyon. Subs: Rowe-Turner, Macklin, Halpin, Branston, Yeoman, Palmer, Lathrope, Bevan.
Goals: Mansell 63, Ellis 75
Bristol City: Henderson; Orr, McAllister ( T. Williams 57), Fontaine, Cisse, Johnson, Clarkson, Skuse (Elliott 46), G. Williams (Jackson 69), Akinde, Cambell-Ryce. Subs: Gerken,Sproule, Nyatanga, Edwards, Adomah.
Goals: Clarkson 55
Att: 1,081
United produced another very solid display to see off Championship side Bristol City at Plainmoor. United's entire first team squad was stripped for the match and there was a return to Plainmoor for Guy Branston who completed his signing on a one year contract earlier in the day and came on as a second half substitute. It was a strong Gulls line-up that started the match although Billy Kee, fresh from his five goal effort at Tiverton, started on the bench.
Twelve seconds after kick-off United nearly opened the scoring when Martin Gritton nipped a high ball inside to Elliot Benyon who turned his man and forced Henderson in the City goal to tip over for a corner. From the resultant play Benyon ended up with having three attempts at City's goal in a very confident looking start for last season's top scorer.
Right from the start there was a very positive look to the match and inside six minutes Mark Ellis for United and Akinde for Bristol had attempts at goal with Ellis testing Henderson with a header from 12 yards.
United were having the better of things as the first quarter of the match passed although Henderson wasn't unduly tested. Midway through the half Henderson was called into action when a knock back by Zebroski was flicked toward goal by Elliot Benyon but the City 'keeper palmed the ball back out toward Zebs who crossed again but the chance had gone and the ball was cleared.
It wasn't until the 29th minute that Danny Potter in the United goal was really tested and it came from a 25 yarder by Lee Johnson that was struck very well but it was straight at Danny who tapped the ball down before gathering.
The better chances were all falling to the Gulls and a superbly whipped-in cross from the right by Kevin Nicholson in the 38th minute somehow evaded the three United runners and went out for a goal kick.
Just as they have throughout the summer United were working hard and doing their very best to restrict the time the City players had on the ball and it was clearly working because the Robins were struggling to produce anything in the way of attacking pressure in the first half.
No goals at the break but plenty for Bucks to be content with, another half of good tempo and hard work against higher opposition.
In a carbon copy of the start of the match United nearly opened the scoring within seconds of the restart. Danny Stevens picked up the loose ball 40 yards out and dribbled his way across the edge of the City area but his final right footed shot was blocked and the ball was eventually cleared.
In the 48th minute United should have broken the deadlock; Chris Zebroski managed to get the ball across from the right and in a melee it almost fell to Danny Stevens but he couldn't get a touch on the ball. The ball finally fell to Martin Gritton but his shot from 8 yards was blocked and a final effort from Zebs went well wide of the mark and out for a throw-in.
City were missing a number of first team regulars and it showed as they weren't at all fluid in their passing or pressure and were creating next to nothing. From a throw-in down the United right Nicky Wroe slipped a pass inside towards Danny Stevens and the Gulls' winger wasted no time in taking a first-time right foot shot that forced Henderson to parry the ball out to safety.
For all United's pressure it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play. Johnson attacked down the City right and centred low where Clarkson beat Danny Potter low down inside the near post with a well struck left foot shot. The goal came out of nothing but that is always the danger when playing against teams from a higher division no matter what has previously occurred in the match.
Thankfully United didn't have to wait long for some reward for their efforts. In the 63rd minute a move down the right was completed with Chris Zebroski flicking the ball neatly inside to Lee Mansell who took a touch and from just inside the area, on an angle, rifled the ball past Henderson to level the scores.
Two minutes after the equalizer Guy Branston made a welcome return to Plainmoor action after completing his move to United earlier in the day. The Pickler was straight into the thick of it and won a couple of headers on the edge of his own area to clear a City attack.
United had a head of steam up now and some tough tackling from Elliot Benyon backed up with some quick passing by substitute Billy Kee created an opening for Danny Stevens but his 20 yard shot was deflected wide for a corner.
Things were going well for United and they got even better in the 75th minute when, from a Kevin Nicholson throw-in on the right, the ball fell to Mark Ellis who poked the ball home through a group of players and past Henderson inside the far post.
Danny Potter had been watching most of the second half but he was called into action eleven minutes from time when United gave Johnson time on the edge of the area and he forced Danny into a fine one handed save at the cost of a corner.
Bucks made a double substitution with eight minutes remaining; Damon Lathrope replaced Lee Mansell and Lloyd Macklin came on for Chris Zebroski.
United continued to press and looked the more likely to score the next goal in what has become a very satisfying summer programme of games so far. The Gulls continued the good tempo right through to the end of two added minutes and thoroughly deserved this latest friendly victory.
With the opening game of the season just over two weeks away United are doing everything they can to attract a big crowd to Plainmoor for the visit of Northampton by consistently producing high tempo, committed football that is bringing plenty of goals and positive results.
