The Opposite View

The win ensured that City’s promotion hopes stayed well on course – with their first win in 6 games – whereas the ‘Pool’s took another knock.

The match was a hard-fought display from both teams considering their FA Cup Replay commitments mid-week – 120minutes for either side, with City ending up going all the way to penalties against Premiership side Middlesbrough.

Speaking on the result on saturday, the Bristol boss said; “I’m buzzing really. It’s a great result and I’m very proud of the effort the lads put in.”
>”We had the big game against Middlesbrough in midweek and people were wondering whether we could come back from that and produce another good performance today.”

Oldham and Nottingham Forest both suffered setbacks this weekend. Top of the league Latics suffered a 2-1 loss to Millwall thanks to a controversial penalty and Forest fell to the same result away at Brighton.

Those results ensured that City regained third spot in the League and still on course for automatic promotion, leaving Johnson relieved;
>”We’ve just seen the other results from around the division and it doesn’t bear thinking about had we not taken all three points.”

“Everyone in our football club has reached 100 per cent now – and that’s where we’ve got to keep it.”

Johnson opted for the more experienced Adriano Basso in goal for the fixture, which meant dropping Chris Weale -who played their last two games.

“Chris has been out a long time. He’s done fantastic in the last two games and you never get a second chance to make a first impression”.

“Now when I bring him back in, everyone will know why I’ve done it and what a good keeper he is. Basso’s fitter mentally and physically, for the simple reason he’s got more games behind him.”

At one point, Basso pulled off a fantastic save to deny Keigan Parker of a goal from outside the area with his weaker left foot.
>”Basso won the day for us with some good saves. Wealey understands all that, and it won’t be so long again before he’s back in.”

Next up for City are their rivals Bristol Rovers on Wednesday night in the Johnston Paint Trophy Southern Sector Final.