Luton have a few injury worries with the experienced Chris Coyne not available in defence and no Steve Robinson in midfield, but the Hatters will welcome the return of Paul Underwood from injury. Kevin Foley is also unavailable having been injured at Port Vale. Steve Howard and Rowan Vine will threaten up front. But no place in the squad for new teenage signing from Spurs Danny Stevens.
The City faithful sound in good voice, about a 1,000 have made the trip.
City are caught offside early on. A dangerous cross from Underwood is cleared by Mickey Bell. Another Paul Underwood cross is met by Steve Howard whose shot hits the crossbar goes up into the air and back onto the crossbar before going behind for a goal kick.
Swindon are 1-0 down at home to Bournemouth. Hartlepool are a goal up against Wrexham. Phil Jevons has scored with a penalty for Yeovil. Tranmere lead Hull 1-0.
City are caught offside again. A Brkovic cross is headed wide by Underwood who arrived in the box unmarked. Dinning is beaten easily by Underwood who crosses for Brkovic to score.
1-0 (Brkovic 10mins)
Wrexham have equalised at Hartlepool.
Another Brkovic cross is met by Steve Howard whose header is caught by Phillips. A Sol Davis effort from distance is saved by Phillips. City haven't threatened yet and are in danger of being over-run. City have reverted to 4-4-2. Clayton Fortune is booked for a foul on Brkovic. The free kick is met by Steve Howard and Phillips saves brilliantly in the top corner and then claims the resulting corner. City launch their best attack with good work from Smith, Brown and Lita but the ref is fussy in giving a free kick against Dinning with Smith about to shoot.
Wrexham now lead at Hartlepool.
Lita surges forward and is brought down. Mickey Bell curls the free kick straight at Beresford but their first effort on target. The referee gives a strange penalty as Louis Carey appears to clear the ball well. Kevin Nicholls sends Phillips the wrong way.
2-0 (Kevin Nicholls pen 25 mins)
City bring on Bradley Orr for Tony Dinning. Wilkshire has a shot from distance easily saved. City clear another Luton chance from Howard off the line. Danny Coles is booked for a foul on Rowan Vine.
Hartlepool against Wrexham is now 2-2, but then Wrexham again take the lead (2-3 after 35 mins).
Bradley Orr curls a shot well over after collecting a cross from Mickey Bell. Wilkshire has a stinging shot which Beresford saves at the second attempt. City force a corner but it is cleared. Bradley Orr has a shot as City have a spell of pressure. Leroy Lita flicks on for Scott Brown but Marlon Beresford saves bravely at his feet.
Hull City have equalised at Tranmere.
Jamie Smith fouls and the freekick is cleared by Bradley Orr. Howard has a shot parried by Steve Phillips but the ball falls to Sol Davis to score.
3-0 (Sol Davis 45mins)
Mickey Bell has a cross shot and Brooker just fails to get onto it and collides with the post instead. The half time whistle goes with City in line for a thrashing.
HT 3-0
Danny Coles makes way for Cole Skuse at the start of the second half. Steve Howard fouls the City youngster and Paul Underwood is booked for dissent. Skuse then heads a Luton corner clear. City win a corner and a bit of pressure and good work from Brooler and Brown leads to another corner which Beresford catches.
A more promising start to the second half but no chances are being created. Sol Davis is replaced by Enoch Showunmi for Luton. Steve Howard is booked for a foul on Louis Carey.
Brentford have taken the lead at Colchester. Bradford are 2-0 up at home to Huddersfield. Bournemouth are 2 up at Swindon. Hartlepool-Wrexham is now 3-3.
Steve Phillips does well to claim a corner. Bradley Orr has a shot cleared. Lita is fouled by Nicholls as he looks to break clear. City make their final substitution with Marc Goodfellow replacing the hard working Scott Brown. Rowan Vine is strong and passes to Peter Holmes who scores.
4-0 (Peter Holmes 61 mins)
Brooker has a feeble effort straight at Beresford. Phillips saves well tipping the ball for a corner. Phillips punches clear. Luton are singing "One Danny Wilson". City are being humiliated.
Wrexham now 4-3 up at Hartlepool. Hull have taken the lead at Tranmere and lead 2-1. Danny Wilson's MK Dons are 2-0 up. Hull are now 3-1 up with a goal from Craig Fagan. Wilkshire has a shot that finds Goodfellow by the corner flag. Bradley Orr is booked for a two footed challenge. Steve Brooker is booked for an elbow on Kevin Nicholls.
Swindon now 3-0 down at home to Bournemouth. Troubled Cardiff lead Sheff Utd.
Steve Phillips saves from Steve Howard. The corner bobbles around in the undefended City box and Brkovic rams the ball home
5-0 (Brkovic 80 mins)
Mickey Bell limps off injured and City have to play the last ten minutes with ten men.
Hartlepool equalised to make it 4-4, but Wrexham get yet another to make it 4-5. A day of freak results or are City just crap? Wrexham now 4-6 in the lead!
Luton make a double substitution, Vine and Holmes going off to be replaced by Leary and Andrew. Steve Phillips lands awkwardly and looks hurt. He is ok to continue and saves bravely at the feet of Steve Howard. Cole Skuse chases a ball and ends up in the City fans having collided with the advertising hoardings. Phillips who has a good game despite conceding 5, is still looking uncomfortable.
Congratulations to Gretna who have just been promoted. Most City fans are on their way home as we enter injury time. Marlon Beresford has a shot from the half way line as the full time whistle goes.
City are well short of play off standard today and are soundly thrashed by the champions elect. Goodbye to our season.
FT 5-0
Attendance 8,330 (968 from Bristol - Steve Lansdown personally apologises to you all, as well he should)
Teams
Luton
Marlon Beresford, Keith Keane, Russell Perrett, Curtis Davies, Sol Davis, Paul Underwood, Kevin Nicholls, Ahmet Brkovic, Peter Holmes, Rowan Vine, Steve Howard
Subs: Michael Leary, Dino Seremet, Enoch Showunmi, Calvin Andrew, Leon Barnett
Bristol City
Steve Phillips, Danny Coles, Louis Carey, Clayton Fortune, Jamie Smith, Luke Wilkshire, Mickey Bell, Tony Dinning, Scott Brown, Leroy Lita, Steve Brooker
Subs: Paul Heffernan, Bradley Orr, Marc Goodfellow, Dave Cotterill, Cole Skuse
Ref: P Danson
|
