U21s triumph over Bristol City
At a soggy Playford Road at noon, Town’s U21 team defeated Bristol City 2-0 thanks to two goals in the first half. Tommy Taylor (pictured) scored the second goal after Josh Campbell-Slowey’s own goal had given the Blues the lead.
Solomon Honor, a 17-year-old goalkeeper on trial for Town who was previously with Manchester City’s development team, started in goal for Blackburn Rovers. The only other player on the team with Championship experience was Cameron Humphreys.
Matt Ward’s early free kick against the wall gave the Blues a strong start. Taylor, a striker, missed the mark on 10.
Town, led by Humphreys, maintained control of the match and took the lead on the 20th minute when Campbell-Slowey, under pressure from Taylor, sliced his clearance into his own net after Harry Barbrook whipped over a cross from the left.
And Town extended their lead in the thirty-fiveth minute. Taylor slid in across the goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net after Barbrook again crossed the ball low from the left.
Town continued to dominate before halftime, and Leon Ayinde missed a clear opportunity. In the first minute of the second half, Ward’s attempt was stopped, and he subsequently fired the rebound high and wide.
Ben Acey missed the left post with a shot on 50, while Blues forward Matty Roberts was punished on 63 for a foul on Jed Meerholz.
The second half saw the Robins get stronger, and their replacements had a significant impact.
Callum Hutton’s shot was deflected wide in the 67th minute, and Honor dropped a cross after the next corner, but Town managed to get the ball away before the visitors could capitalize.
After two minutes, Ward was sent off on the right in what had become into an infrequent over his face when it could have been preferable to cut back to Taylor.
On minute 73, Town made their first substitutions, replacing Steven Turner and Ayinde with Emmanuel Okunowo and Jesse Nwabueze.Before the Robins had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead, Ward hit a shot that was easily stopped by City keeper Joe Duncan.After Raekwon Nelson, a substitute, was played through on goal, Honor made a fantastic save with an outstretched foot. When Kai Churchley hooked the rebound in the direction of the empty goal, Barbrook retreated and nodded over from beneath the crossbar. Town traded Taylor for Chuks Uzor-Greey on 82.
Honor blocked an effort from a tight angle on the right as the visitors placed more pressure on the Blues in the latter moments. Honor continued to impress.After a minute, he made a good save on Taine Anderson’s low free-kick from just beyond the area by bending down and moving to his right, and the players gathered on the second try.
Understandably considering the extremely wet conditions, Honor dropped a cross on 85. Callum Hewitt cut back to Churchley, who raced over with the goal open.
A minute later, Humphreys carried the ball to the outside of the box at the opposite end, but Duncan stopped his attempt with his right hand. Churchley then claimed a penalty after his shot struck a Town player.
Honor, who only joined the Blues yesterday, could not have impressed anyone with his performance. He again denied Churchley, blocking the edge-of-the-area strike down to his right, and then in injury time, Roberts missed the target for the Blues.
In terrible conditions, Town had to fight for the three points against the stronger Robins in the second half after being the much superior team in the first.
The team led by David Wright and John McGreal has now won two straight after defeating Cardiff City 3-1 on the road last week.
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