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Colchester offered hope by Kevin Lisbie
By David Edbrooke
Last Updated: 12:21am GMT 14/01/2008
Bristol City (1) 1 Colchester Utd (1) 1
The maxim that every dog has his day is finding favour with Colchester. Like a surprise intermission in the middle of a film, they have interrupted the progress of two of the Championship's promotion aspirants in the new year and given themselves a chance of survival.
Colchester are still at the foot of the division, yet the recent 2-1 win away to promotion-chasing Charlton, followed up with this commendable draw, has given Geraint Williams' side renewed belief in their ability. Consistency is key. "Now we have to take it on and do it every week, particularly at home," Williams said.
Kevin Lisbie, who scored both goals against his former club at the Valley, confounded Bristol's defence. With the match in its infancy, Clive Platt looped a header over City's back-four and the Jamaican ran clear before stroking a low shot into the corner. Lisbie almost repeated his exploits moments later, but goalkeeper Adriano Basso showed tremendous reflexes to turn his effort away.
Lisbie appeared to be hauled back by Tamas Vasko in stoppage time but the referee waved the penalty claims away. In between, Bristol had the majority of possession and penalty shouts of their own - Ivan Sproule was seemingly upended by Kem Izzet and Liam Fontaine appeared to be tugged back as he burst through on goal but City's penalty appeals were dismissed.
Sproule's pace eventually ruptured Colchester's rearguard. The Northern Irishman cut in from the left and blazed across the box before he shot an effort beyond the clutches of goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
Vasko thought he had notched the home side's second having bundled the ball in from close range, but his goal was ruled out after referee Grant Hegley spotted an infringement.
Colchester's Clive Platt forced a decent save from Basso with a deflected shot after the break and Johnnie Jackson almost found the top corner from a Lisbie cut-back, but his effort whistled just wide.
Bristol pushed more men up-field as time ebbed away, but Colchester crowded out all avenues to goal.
Gary Johnson, the City manager, implored his players to rekindle their creative fire.
"There was a lot of work-rate going in but not enough cleverness. It was a timely reminder; we've still got lots to do," he said.
Match detailsBristol City (4-4-2): Basso; Orr, Vasko, Fontaine, McAllister; Sproule, Johnson, Elliott, McIndoe; Trundle (McCombe 90), Byfield (Showunmi 79).
Subs not used: Noble, Skuse, Weale.
Goal: Sproule (32).
Booked: Sproule.
Colchester (4-3-3): Gerken (Cousins 82); Ifil (Balogh 90), Virgo, Coyne, White; Yeates, Jackson, Guttridge; Izzet, Platt, Lisbie.
Subs not used: Granville, Sheringham, McLeod.
Goal: Lisbie (6).
Booked: Guttridge.
Referee: G Hegley (Hertfordshire).
By David Edbrooke
Last Updated: 12:21am GMT 14/01/2008
Bristol City (1) 1 Colchester Utd (1) 1
The maxim that every dog has his day is finding favour with Colchester. Like a surprise intermission in the middle of a film, they have interrupted the progress of two of the Championship's promotion aspirants in the new year and given themselves a chance of survival.
Colchester are still at the foot of the division, yet the recent 2-1 win away to promotion-chasing Charlton, followed up with this commendable draw, has given Geraint Williams' side renewed belief in their ability. Consistency is key. "Now we have to take it on and do it every week, particularly at home," Williams said.
Kevin Lisbie, who scored both goals against his former club at the Valley, confounded Bristol's defence. With the match in its infancy, Clive Platt looped a header over City's back-four and the Jamaican ran clear before stroking a low shot into the corner. Lisbie almost repeated his exploits moments later, but goalkeeper Adriano Basso showed tremendous reflexes to turn his effort away.
Lisbie appeared to be hauled back by Tamas Vasko in stoppage time but the referee waved the penalty claims away. In between, Bristol had the majority of possession and penalty shouts of their own - Ivan Sproule was seemingly upended by Kem Izzet and Liam Fontaine appeared to be tugged back as he burst through on goal but City's penalty appeals were dismissed.
Sproule's pace eventually ruptured Colchester's rearguard. The Northern Irishman cut in from the left and blazed across the box before he shot an effort beyond the clutches of goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
Vasko thought he had notched the home side's second having bundled the ball in from close range, but his goal was ruled out after referee Grant Hegley spotted an infringement.
Colchester's Clive Platt forced a decent save from Basso with a deflected shot after the break and Johnnie Jackson almost found the top corner from a Lisbie cut-back, but his effort whistled just wide.
Bristol pushed more men up-field as time ebbed away, but Colchester crowded out all avenues to goal.
Gary Johnson, the City manager, implored his players to rekindle their creative fire.
"There was a lot of work-rate going in but not enough cleverness. It was a timely reminder; we've still got lots to do," he said.
Match detailsBristol City (4-4-2): Basso; Orr, Vasko, Fontaine, McAllister; Sproule, Johnson, Elliott, McIndoe; Trundle (McCombe 90), Byfield (Showunmi 79).
Subs not used: Noble, Skuse, Weale.
Goal: Sproule (32).
Booked: Sproule.
Colchester (4-3-3): Gerken (Cousins 82); Ifil (Balogh 90), Virgo, Coyne, White; Yeates, Jackson, Guttridge; Izzet, Platt, Lisbie.
Subs not used: Granville, Sheringham, McLeod.
Goal: Lisbie (6).
Booked: Guttridge.
Referee: G Hegley (Hertfordshire).
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