|
|
 News LATEST NEWS REPORTS RECENT SIGNINGS TRANSFER RUMOURS COMING UP Interactive MESSAGE BOARD POLL CHAT ROOM E-MAILS Multimedia ONE TEAM IN BRISTOL PROGRAMME NOTES GATEPOST LINKS Features MAIN FEATURE CLUBS IN CRISIS MY VIEW Stats RESULTS AND FIXTURES LEAGUE TABLE TOP SCORERS STATISTICS Club SQUAD CLUB INFORMATION CLUBSHOP PUBS STADIUM SUPPORTERS CLUB CATS TICKET INFORMATION DISABLED AND BLIND Quiz QUESTIONS ANSWERS |
CITY 0-2 Preston NE No Reliant Robins report is available for this match, so I have used the report and information from the Bristol Evening Post Fawthrop's big day turns into anti-climax Evening Post 8/5/00 By Simon Parkinson Score: Bristol City 0 Preston 2  SELDOM can there have been so much intrigue on an afternoon that meant so little. Bristol Rovers' grave misfortunes in Cardiff brought carnival scenes to three sides of the stadium, aided by some unsporting updates via tannoy and electronic scoreboards during the game. Some 3,000 Preston fans packing the away end didn't disappoint with their enthusiastic backing as they bade farewell to the Second Division. Then there were the tears from City chairman Scott Davidson as he received the acclaim of a large group of supporters chanting his name. One couldn't help wondering whether his gestures of emotion were signalling the end of an era for him. And as opposing fans met in the centre circle, shaking hands and dancing jigs of delight, one somewhat bemused-looking Yorkshireman was undergoing possibly the most underwhelming appointment in British football history! Has there ever been a scenario like it where a man has been appointed manager of a club, only to hear his chairman brandishing the move as a big mistake? One wonders what Tony Fawthrop made of it all as he listened to a few anticipated calls for a Peter Taylor regime from sections of the crowd which, in truth, soon fizzled out. There was no official ceremony or photocall. With celebrations still ongoing outside, Fawthrop was left to rather sheepishly acknowledge his appointment and promise to give of his best, while three City directors and Peter Taylor advocates - Bob Neale, John Clapp and Davidson himself - were licking their wounds after the morning board meeting had, as expected, gone against them. The whole afternoon was a touch surreal and made one feel quite uneasy, too, given the fact that members of the board were now questioning their own positions, not least Davidson. As for Fawthrop, he was simply feeling a pang of anti-climax that the afternoon, which had begun brightly enough, had ended in defeat - when a victory on what should have been his big day would have meant so much more. He said: "The game allowed us to measure our play against the best team in the division and we certainly learnt a lot about quick movement and good passing. "We couldn't afford some of their players but all of their squad is strong and you can see why they're going up. "The last few days, with all that's been going on off the field, hasn't helped our lads to focus." And he warned: "Things have to change, so it's a case now of going away and thinking about restructuring the set-up. But I wouldn't take on the job if I didn't think we could achieve things." Certainly the City players, who had clapped loudly at the news of Fawthrop's appointment, looked hungry as they tore into Preston early on. But the impressive visitors weathered the storm, sneaked in front courtesy of a bullet-like header from the powerful Brett Angell and, after that, looked composed and assured. Michael Appleton stroked home a sweet second thanks to Angell's tee-up shortly after the interval and had it not been for some acrobatic goalkeeping from Steve Phillips, the margin would have been greater, although Brian Tinnion went close from a terrific free-kick and Tony Thorpe threatened once or twice but lacked the conviction in his finishes. Substitute Kay Odejayi, in a good position, also saw a shot saved on the line.
ATMOSPHERE: 7 ENTERTAINMENT: 6 Fan's View: It wasn't a great game but Preston were one of the best sides I've seen this season. I enjoyed the atmosphere, which was very friendly, and Steve Phillips made some great saves. But I'm disappointed Peter Taylor won't be joining us. Sammi Bell, Knowle Referee: Ray Oliver (Sutton Coldfield) . . . allowed the game to flow Teams: City (5-3-2) Steve Phillips- Star man 8 Kevin Amankwaah- A tough afternoon for the youngster who tried hard to penetrate with some good forays 5 Keith Millen- Battled well until his premature end with a hamstring tweak 6 Joe Burnell- Coped reasonably well in the face of a wave of Preston attacks - and Angell's power 6 Andrew Jordan- For the first time since his fine run began, the centre-back looked a little uncomfortable at times 5 Mickey Bell- Steady enough but not his usual threat motoring down the left 5 Paul Holland- At the heart of some good moves but, like his team-mates, struggled to get a real grip 6 John Burns- Made a bright start before Preston began to dominate 5 Brian Tinnion- Again quiet by his standards but still provided some astute passing and shooting 6 Alex Meechan- Tried hard to create without seriously troubling the Preston keeper 5 Tony Thorpe- City's best hope for a goal. Threatened more than once but couldn't find the finish 5 Preston (4-4-2) Teuvo Moilanen 7 Graham Alexander 7 Rob Edwards 6 Colin Murdock 7 Michael Jackson 8 Michael Appleton 7 Mark Rankine 8 Paul McKenna 7 Jonathan Macken 7 Brett Angell 8 David Eyres 7
|
