City started playing football our traditional way. That is, high tempo, attacking, passing football. Straight from the first minute Mooney looked to feed Gow only for Watford ‘keeper Loach to save well and deny Gow a tap in goal. Then Jay DeMerit was lucky not to concede a penalty for hand ball when his raised arm blocked Sammy Cllingan’s freekick.
Watford were trying to fight back through the lively Tommy Smith, but City looked like being able to overcome Watford providing they could remain patient and resist any counter attacks.
Otsemobor took the game by the scruff of the neck by dribbling from within our own half and exchanging passes with David Carney, then driving towards the Watford box when Rose, Watford’s 18 year old midfielder, attempting a tackle come clearance which looped over Loach into the Watford net. Certainly it was well deserved and helped ease a few nerves that we may huff and puff but not score.

To be fair Watford did us a favour and rested a couple of players that were carrying knocks from the weekend, Priskin (injured) missed out, while Cork, Cauna and Henderson all moved down to the bench.

City: Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Shackell, Bertrand, Carney, Russell, Clingan, Gow, Mooney, Lee. Subs: Nelson, Drury, Croft, Lappin, McDonald.

Watford: Loach, Mariappa, DeMerit, Williamson, Doyley, McAnuff, Jenkins, Rose, Harley, Smith, Hoskins. Subs: Lee, Cork, Cauna, Henderson, Stepanov.

Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset)

Match Stats;

Goals: 2 – 0
Possession %: 61 – 39
Shots On Target: 7 – 1
Shots Off Target: 6 – 3
Corners: 13 – 8
Fouls: 15 – 8
Most Fouls: Lee (6) Williamson (2)
Yellow Cards: 2 1
Red Cards: 0 0
Scorers: Doherty (84)
Rose (14)

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And so the path to League One football is paved with good intentions.

The cold hard facts show that Coventry scored twice. We scored once. Never mind the referee missing a stonewall penalty, Jamie Cureton missed another sitter. Coventry hit the bar at 2-1.

So, eleven games to go, four points adrift of safety. We’ve lost our two top scorers in Lita and Lupoli and our top assist merchant in David Bell, who, incidentally provided the opener for Coventry. Lee Croft is waiting to see which division we’re in next season and should we go down there will be hardly any players here as most of our squad are on loan from other clubs. There won’t be any money to buy players as we can’t afford them in this league never mind in the third tier with even less TV rights money.

As everyone keeps saying, we’ve got the players capable of being up at the other end of the table, meaning it comes down to confidence and team spirit. The general team performances are good. However, we need to be much more clinical in front of goal and more resolute at the back. That again comes down to confidence and team spirit. That can’t be fixed overnight, but players can’t keep talking a good result and not delivering it. It doesn’t matter what they say to the press, being part of a team is all about working for each other and that is who they should be going out and playing for. Sure, we help pay the wages, but they have to come in to work every day and face each other and believe in their teammates.

I love this club. It’s given me some really great memories and some absolutely terrible ones. Would relegation spell disaster? I’m not sure either way. The fat lady hasn’t begun singing yet so we don’t have to cross that bridge yet. But it shouldn’t be dismissed.

Norwich started off quite well, winning a corner after just 18 seconds, however, Clingan’s ball in was cleared. Adebola up against The Ginger Pele looked like being an interesting battle. The opening minutes saw a pretty frantic amount of play in midfield with no end product from either side and City seemed to be a little slow getting their heads into the game. This was typified in the 8th minute with a quarter chance falling to Bristol’s favourite son off the back of Croft, Cureton could only hit the ball off of his thigh from 5 yards and the Bristol ‘keeper gratefully fell upon the loose ball. Bristol seemed spurred on and a good run through by Maynard was halted on the edge of City’s area but we gave the ball away immediately to Adebola and his shot was blocked for a corner. From which Carey beat Grounds to the ball and flashed his header wide of Marshall’s post.

City were living dangerously on 10 minutes when Adebola stayed on his feet when he could have gone down and appealed for a penalty, then moments later, Fontaine crashed a free header off the bar.
With this warning not heeded, and City’s heads seemingly still in the dressing room, Bristol took the lead on 13 minutes. Maynard was in the channel and turned to roll the ball to Skuse who had broken from midfield to the edge of the area, with the City defence all on the six yard line he was free to lash the ball home unmarked. A poor goal to concede but well executed by Bristol City.

With confidence growing in the Bristol camp Liam Fontaine tried his luck with a bicycle kick after cutting through defence, which went wide.
The front men for Bristol were causing problems utilising the channels to break markers and Adebola did just this then switched play with a lovely cross field ball to McIndoe who was hugging the touchline stretching City wide. Jon Otsemebor tackled back really well though to halt the attack.

At the other end Carl Cort looked lively with some good flicks and runs but lacked real support.
Five minutes after falling behind, City had their first real attack. Wesley Hoolahan stirred memories of Marc Libbra’s debut goal against Man. City. Here Wes flicked the ball over the defender, kneed it up into the air and hit a volley, unfortunately, wide.

On 20 the lively nicky Maynard twisted and turned to create space for a shot but it was well blocked and cleared. City were looking like Wolves in the first 20 minutes at Molineux in mid week.
Minutes later Mcindoe was in again but shot straight at Marsh. As it broke Croft crossed for Cureton to get onto but the Bristol defence cleared.

After 24 minutes Sammy Clingan took an indirect free kick from the right which was flicked on for Cort at the far post. His header hit the upright but fell into the middle of the six yard box for Grounds to lash into an empty net to make it 1-1.
With the 24000 home fans still on their feet celebrating Nicky Maynard headed an absolute sitter from three yards out, wide, after Bristol exposed City’s mental frailty straight from the restart.

Step forward Mr. Andy D’Urso, who obviously wasn’t getting enough attention from the fans, so decided to take matters into his own hands. His opportunity came when Cort was blatantly fouled, his shirt being pulled all over place but D’Urso sees nothing and sparks a reaction form the home crowd.
He then made a whole raft of strange decisions. There was a foul on Drury, which he didn’t give, but strangely if it wasn’t a foul then City should have had a throw in but he gave it to Bristol. Then he gave City a goal kick when it was a blatant corner to Bristol. He hadn’t got a clue what was going on and was half arsedly waving his arm around.

Darel Russell had his shot blocked and appeals for handball were rightly turned down as it looked ball to hand, not hand to ball, City corner after a good spell of pressure from City, but it came to nothing.
Not to be out done Bristol upped their pressure and forced a corner, again Adebola was causing problems. He popped up from the corner to head for the top corner but it looped in Marshall’s arms.
Bristol then let City off again with five minutes of the half remaining. Another ball carrying run down the channel by Adebola who cut inside and put the ball across the face of goal with City at sixes and sevens Maynard just can’t reach it to poke home. So, miraculously, it remains 1-1!

With injury time remaining at the end of the half David Marshall receives the ball to feet and with Maynard approaching hits a poor clearance to Aebola. He gratefully took the ball on a direct run at Marshall and The Doc brings him down, although he may have nicked the ball first. D’Urso can’t get the red card out of his pocket quick enough while pointing to the spot. The linesman doesn’t come to Doc’s rescue and off he trudges for an early ice bath. Bradley Orr stepped up to send Marsh the wrong way and restore Bristol’s lead after it had looked like they would go in all square at the break. instead, it was 2-1 Bristol City.

City came out after the break playing a lone striker up front in Carl Cort with Jamie Cureton substituted. Mark Fotheringham took his place, and the Captain’s armband from Doc, slotting into midfield and Sammy Clingan falling back into centre half.

City started brightly in the second half and looked to restore parity on the scoreboard through Cort who got on the end of Croft’s cross but nodded it just wide of the far post. Then Basso spilled Hoolahan’s effort and Croft’s ball back into the danger zone was put behind for a corner, which resulted in another corner and Basso’s gloves gathered the ball safely this time.

Croft really had the bit between his teeth and has certainly really impressed since Roeder left. This time he broke and played a one-two with Cort but he could only scuff his effort and Orr headed behind for another City corner. Another poor delivery though and Bristol countered. Marshall was quick off his line to halt Maynard who’s foot was slightly raised to the annoyance of the home fans. Mr D’Urso didn’t think so, and it was play on.

City won another brace of corners but couldn’t find any penetration from either. But, as was the case against Forest, City were fighting hard with 10 men and looking strong. Otsemobor was again running freely with the ball and headed for the by-line unopposed, before putting a cross which Basso plucked from the air.

Sproule nearly added to Bristol’s lead on the hour mark driving just wide of Marshall’s post with a daisy cutter. He then played the ball out off Drury and from the resulting short corner McIndoe’s cross was cleared by Grounds.

The lack of a killer ball in the final third was beginning to show for City as Hoolahan and Drury combined down City’s left flank before feeding Rusty but his cross to Cort was easily intercepted by Carey and the threat was diffused again. Carey was there again to clear a Croft cross and captain Foz had the crowd up off their seats blasting the ball back on the volley but it flashed just wide with Basso beaten.

Basso spilled an exocet from Hoolahan but recovered to smother it. He certainly looked vulnerable to pressure, the Bristol ‘keeper, and City needed to exert more on him but the Bristol defence were keeping City at arm’s length.

With 20 minutes left D’Urso treated himself to another barrage of abuse from the Carrow Road crowd, by not awarding what appeared to be a blatant penalty. Drury burst into the box and Orr bundled him over with no intention of getting near to the ball. The Bristol player even gave himself away, but D’Urso is no Columbo and awarded a goal kick. It seemed it was not going to be our day and Fozzy was restricted to another long range effort that was easily seen wide by Basso.

On 74 Carrow Road got to wish Chris Killen an official Kia Ora as the New Zealander replaced the improving and impressive Cort. City breathed a sigh of relieve as Adebola was withdrawn and Stern John replaced him.

Another set piece went awry but City managed to salvage a corner. Bristol cleared but Fozzy got to the second ball only to swing and miss on his attempted shot and Bristol hit city on the counter. Stern John firing straight at Marshall.

With eight minutes remaining, Izzy Iriekpen replaced McAllister who had picked up a knock. Marshall produced a brilliant save to deny John after more good work from Sproule reminding City who it was in the driving seat.

With five minutes to go Alan Gow replaced Croft but it was surely too late for City.

Another City corner after Basso hit Carey with the ball and it bounced behind, yet again a poor delivery and Bristol quickly broke, Sproule firing his shot into Drury, and despite attempting to contrive to their own downfall, City survived again.

At the death Rusty showed his defensive mettle dispossessing Williams as he was about to pull the trigger.

And so, following three additional minutes, the referee put the whistle to his lips to end this weeks edition of the Andy D’Urso Show, and had his ears filled with the fans’ true feelings for him, which I’m sure he loved.

Match Stats:
Shots (on Goal) City 8(3) Bristol 22(9) Attendance 24,691
Fouls 8 9
Corner Kicks 12 7
Offsides 3 3
Possession 50% 50%
Yellow Cards 0 0
Red Cards 1 0
Saves 10 5

A minutes silence was immaculately observed for the sad passing of former Wolves and Villa legend Paul Birch who lost his battle against cancer yesterday aged just 46.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Craddock, Ward, Kightly, Henry, David Jones, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake, Keogh.
Subs: Higgs, Edwards, Vokes, Iwelumo, Reid.

City: Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Grounds, Drury, Croft, Clingan, Russell, Bertrand, Cureton, Cort.
Subs: Nelson, Killen, Carney, Hoolahan, Gow.

The game kicked off with both teams playing 4-4-2, and City took the first shot on 2 minutes with Darell Russel trying his luck from 25 yards which Hennessey saw wide. Cureton then had a shot after robbing the centre half, Stearman.

Wolves first real attack came in the 8th minute but Rusty tackled back and broke up play. Feeding Croft

Foley up to eBlake, Drury beats him to it. Wolves don’t look at the races yet and City are looking bang up for this game.

Norwich really up in Wolves’ players face getting to every loose ball typified by Rusty’s tenacious play. On 10 Rusty won ball with strength and Henry brought down Rusty earning the Wolves player a booking for cynical play stopping city attacking.

eBlake and Keogh linked up and eblake took shot from 30 yds which was seen well wide by Marshall.

Game opened up after 15 when attack broke down for City seeing Wolves counter and earning the first corner of the game, which Marshall took comfortably.

Wolves were looking out of sorts and weren’t being assisted by a rather quiet crowd.

Henry and Rusty were really enjoying their midfield tussle with good old fashioned challenges going in from the two ex Stoke team mates.

eBlake hit the crossbar after a rising pile driver from 12 yards. Kightly had gone through City like a hot knife through butter to create the opening. Certainly a let off for us as Wolves are waking up.

Good play from Drury to shepherd Keogh down the flank and his cross is straight to Marsh.

eBlake scores after a poor initial save from Marsh who spilled the initial Kightly shot which Jarvis slipped to eBlake and he made no mistake.

The Molineux came to life following eBlakes opener after the nervy start from their heroes.

Cureton was in after Cort headed on and the Wolves defence allowed the ball to bounce, but his shot was straight at Hennessey.

Croft scores after another mix up in Wolves defence. A weak, weak header from Stearman to his keeper, but Croft had anticipated and rounded the keeper to slot in.

A minute later and Croft was gifted another half chance from Wolves’ defence.

Kightly crossed into the box but City’s defence didn’t deal with it and Keogh should have scored. Then Drury tried to clear with his right foot which went straight to Wolves but they couldn’t capitalise.

Grounds put the ball out for Kightly to receive treatment on 35.

Cort and Cureton were given a dubious offside after bending their runs to get in behind the defence.

Grounds cleared and set Cureton away but Stearman made partial amends by halting Curetons run.

Sam Vokes replaced Michael Kightly after he couldn’t recover from his shoulder injury. Vokes played up front and Keogh moved into the wing berth. Vokes made an instant impact winning Wolves another corner. Grounds clears and the ball comes in only for Cort to clear amid shouts from the fans for handball, however the referee was well positioned and no penalty given.

At the other end Cureton ran onto Cort’s flick on to be one on one with Hennessey but was flagged offside.

eBlake into Keogh who returned the ball and Marshy redeemed himself by saving first from eblake then whilst on his knees, and with Wolves half celebrating, from Keogh.

Rusty was fouled 35 yards from Wolves box and Clingan blasted it into the wall but Wolves broke with Jarvis but Semi mopped up after playing him onside.

Cort slipped himself between the centre halves to create an opening but it was saved.

Half time and City are good for the draw.

Carney on for Bertrand in a more attacking move following Kightly’s removal due to injury.

Carney nearly got Cort in with a beautiful ball but Cort didn’t read it.

Cort scores his first City goal. A sublime side footed finish from 20 yards after Rusty’s through ball, just two minutes after the restart.

Stearman slips allowing Cureton in but the assistant gives a foul on the Wolves player.

Carney raced forward and put a beautiful ball into the far post for Cureton to bury but he fluffs it. Oh dear, that would have surely seen it won even at this early stage.

Semi made a great break and fired his shot straight at Hennessey, great counter from Gunny’s men. McCarthy is doing his nut on the sidelines.

Henry shoots but it’s blocked on the penalty spot and the ball is pinging around before Wolves shoot and Doc blocks it out for a corner. Croft again tracks back and helps the team out.

eBlake turned in the area to shoot but it’s blocked and in the ensuing scramble eBlake bundles it over the line. Wolves had got in behind City.

Lee Croft is booked for a sliding tackle on Ward. From free kick eblake heads but it’s cleared off line. Jarvis robbed Rusty after he dithered and slips in eBlake for his hatrick after another scramble in the box. In a mad ten minute spell the game has turned on it’s head with eblake’s 20th goal of the season. has this taken the wind out of City’s sails.

Carney put a great ball into Cureton who heads it past the post when it was easier to score. He’s missed two sitters now. I bet Arturo would have slotted them both in.

Wolves drove forward with full back Ward who kept going and won a corner. Jones put the ball in and another scramble ensued, this time it’s cleared as far as Stearman. Semi gave possession away and eBlake was in again but closed down well this time.

City won their first corner after a long ball from Marshy to Cort and he fed Cureton who got held up. From the corner the Ginger Pele charged through to put the ball and half the Wolves defence in the back of the net. 3-3!! We may as well take off all defenders as they’re not doing a particularly good job for either side!

Croft crosses in for Carney who lifts the ball over Hennessy but wide, Semi collects the loose ball and crosses in.

Cureton deservedly gets taken off to make way for Alan Gow. He knows he should have scored at least two tonight and was shaking his head as he made way to bench.

Henry brings down Rusty late and the referee tells him that’s his last chance. Hopefully he doesn’t get sent off as it’s a great battle between the two pals, no doubt trying to have the last word after all their texting to each other this week.

Gow was bundled over and from the ensuing free kick Drury ended up on the ball but the attack broke down.

Sam Vokes was chased down by Jonathon Grounds and could only fire his shot into the side netting.

With ten minutes remaining, Jarvis crosses and Keogh can’t put in a shot of any worth after pressure from Drury.

City were on the back foot and Andy Keogh chose to pass rather than shoot with boos of the Wolves fans ringing in his ears. McCarthy substitued Keogh to the applause of the fans some of whom felt the wrath and derision of McCarthy for their lack of support.

Wolves with a corner which was excellently headed away for a throw to Wolves, who were starting to assert continued pressure, but with the woeful defending on show City couldn’t be ruled out to score another goal.

Stearman took the ball half the length of the pitch but rather than shoot passed it straight to Rusty. Again they broke and Rusty cleared to set us on the counter.

Cort made way for Killen having played a great game. Killen was nearly in as Ward went walkabout but was fouled.

Then Croft committed a foul but with the crowd baying for blood the referee showed common sense, as with Henry, and told him no more.

Matt Jarvis made way for 15 goal Chris Iwelumo, what a bench! He had a minimum of five minutes of stoppage time to make a difference. Wolves got a throw that should have gone City’s way. From that they got a corner and eBlake looked odds on to score but a great block from the Doc, I think, gave them another corner, which came to nothing.

Croft crossed into the box which was cleared and hacked clear. Carney fed Drury who found Gow and as he tried to win a corner it went out for a throw.

This is no match for the faint hearted, still 90 seconds remain and it’s still anyone’s game although many fans are streaming to the turnstiles.

Carney breaks but the linesman gives him offside incorrectly. From the free kick the ball comes to eBlake who fires it into Doc and Marshall gathers.

wolves are attacking but Croft breaks it up and starts off down the wing in yet another counter attack but the final whistle goes and honours are even in a match neither side truly deserved to lose. I can hardly breathe after that pulsating game. Gunny’s unbeaten run continues.

Both Saints and Charlton lost so that’s a point gained in the relegation race and certainly one I’d have taken prior to kick off.

City had the best of the opening play and after 13 minutes Jon Otsemebor marauded forward without facing a challenge until the edge of the Doncaster box where the ball broke to Jamie Cureton who found Darel Russell but he couldn’t get a shot away. Wes Hoolahan was looking full of running but was struggling to control the ball on the threadbare, bobbly pitch and some of the easier short passes were not finding their target.

Norwich were temporarily down to ten men after 15 minutes when the Ginger Pele was forced to leave the pitch following a nasty clash of heads which required stitches, whilst he was off the pitch Rusty dropped deeper and the boys worked hard for each other forcing Doncaster back when they had possession. Another City attack saw Croft beat his man and put the ball into Cureton who could only stab his effort wide.

After 20 minutes Hoolahan misplaced another pass but chased back and manged to tackle his man and clear the danger eventually. Minutes later Jonathon Grounds cleared off the line for a corner from a Doncaster attack when the linesman failed to flag for offside. The resulting corner was fisted away behind by Marshall. This time the flick on wasn’t dealt with and Paul Heffernan headed in from four yards to give Doncaster the lead after their first spell of pressure.

The goal brought a tactical change from Doncaster with their three front men tucking in and getting behind the ball along with the rest of the team as they tried to defend their lead and hit Norwich on the long ball counter attack. Lee Croft was still getting in behind his fullback, Chambers and our best play was coming from the right side.

Both teams were cancelling each other out with the pitch becoming crowded as Doncaster kept everyone behind the ball. It was going to take a mistake or set piece to get back into the game and on 35 minutes Wes Hoolahan nearly delivered. Not with a 35 yard thunderbolt as he did on Tuesday night, but from a direct free kick just outside the area. With Sullivan still lining up his wall, Hoolahan asked referee Oliver if he could take it quickly and flashed his shot just to the outside of the upright with Sullivan well and truly beaten.

Grounds then had a mad two minute spell, firing a back pass that nearly beat Marshall for a corner, and then miscontrolled the ball giving away a throw in. This undue pressure led to Doncaster attacking 3 v 3 and Mark Fotheringham decided to go in late and have some afters from the unknown Donny player both players squared up to each other. The referee calmed things down and both players escaped a card, Doncasters’ fans weren’t pleased, obviously they like to see their own players booked, but it was good refereeing again from Michael Oliver.

Another City attack down the right saw Croft’s cross cleared behind for a corner. Clingan put the ball in which Grounds flicked on for Otsemobor but Doncaster cleared and hit Norwich on the break until Hoolahan again tracked back and broke up their play before being fouled.

There was still no threat in the final third from City and Carl Cort started a pretty long warm up. Which was just as well as Darel Russell went down and the doctor was straight onto the pitch. After lengthy treatment he left the pitch under his own steam, some of which was directed at the referee. Rusty didn’t seem to look too clever on his feet and was substituted for Cort.

Half time Doncaster 1 City 0

Cureton had the chance to restore parity almost from the kick off, taking a lovely ball from Hoolahan inside the area but Sullivan had come off his line and closed down the opportunity which Cureton couldn’t get either side of him.

Doncaster were pushing up more which helped open the game up as a contest. Brian Stock was pulling the strings in midfield for them. Otsemobor again made a good forward run beating two men and finding Hoolahan whose cross was cleared. We were enjoying good approach play but lacking a final product as no one could pick out Cort.

Stock put a good cross in for Doncaster which Marshall palmed away. O’Driscoll decided to change his front line with half an hour remaining and brought on Taylor for Spicer.

A long ball was won by Doherty onto Croft who crossed for Grounds to give himself an early 21st birthday present and head in from 4 yards for his first ever senior goal. City were level and deservedly so on balance of play.

Doncaster still came forward in search of a second goal and Heffernan’s cross was put out for a corner, which was taken short but the City defence pushed out and caught Donny offside.

On 65 Gunny made his second change and replaced Hoolahan with Matty Pattison. Hoolahan wasn’t pleased and went straight to the bench but Gunny made him go and shake hands with Matty. Pattison nearly made an instant impact as he put Croft through with City 2 on 2 but Cort was flagged offside and the goal was disallowed.

Doncaster made some good running and put a couple of good balls into the box the first Heffernan was unable to control and second he flicked on but there was no one up in support.

Cort was holding the ball up well and on 70 fed Croft on the edge of the area who passed short inside to Cureton, he chipped a lovely ball into the onrushing Otsemobor who blazed his volley over the bar. It was a lovely move and one which deserved a goal. Semi probably could have taken a touch or passed it into the net instead of going for power.

At the other end O’Connor laid off for Wellens to hit a drive which was blocked and Croft cleared. Coppinger then had a shot which was saved for a corner and Wellens’ shot was cleared off the line with the fans appealing for a handball from Grounds, which wasn’t given and the Donny players weren’t appealing, instead Stock shot which was saved by Marshall.

Stock over hit a free kick into the area which City gave up on but Matt Mills hadn’t and his shot went well over. City were absorbing the pressure but would they break?

With the pressure telling Fozzy went into the refs book for persistent fouling this one 20 yards out on the left. However Wellens shot went straight into the wall.

Taylor then went close for the hosts at the near post after a cross from Coppinger. They were certainly turning the screw but quite a few of the Doncaster fans were heading for the exits!

Still doncaster pressed and Coppinger had a shot off target but it went for a corner. That was cleared but fell to Wellens whose shot was wide.

Lupoli replaced Cureton for the final 10 minutes. Semi came forward again and blasted a 40 yard effort into the fans. From the resulting goal kick Sullivan miscued and Lupoli took control of the ball but was closed out with Cort being fouled but the referee failed to award a free kick.

Final score Doncaster 1 City 1