by Robbie Armstrong
AFTER an impressive 4 – 1 win away from home at Bristol last week, USW would have expected more of the same on home turf.
A fast start from the visitors saw them take the lead inside five minutes. Harry Robinson sprung the offside trap to slot the ball neatly past the on-rushing Lloyd Carr.
Going behind so early can have an adverse effect on the scoring team. This was certainly not the case for Bristol as they dominated much of the first half.
USW showed glimpses of their quality as the half went on. Frederick Stevens saw his cross fumbled by the Bristol goalkeeper but Corey Mckerry could not capitalise.
The home side were all over the place at the back at times and Bristol’s second goal was a prime example. A poor cross from the right hand side was headed up in the air by winger Louis Hemmings. Carr appeared to leave the ball to his full back who misjudged the flight of the ball and it bounced off Hemmings and into the back of the net.
The only real threat for the hosts came down the right hand side. Cullen Rodgers played a ball into the channel for Mckerry who’s low cross just evaded the stretching Markus Hogbakken.
A different USW was expected in the second half and that was definitely the case. McKerry scored straight after the break after Rodgers’s low cross evaded the defenders.
McKerry had a host of chances throughout the second half. The most notable one the forward will want to forget.
Another low cross found McKerry, who put the ball over the bar inches shy of the line when it seemed easier to score.
McKerry showed his quality in attacking areas time and time again but since getting his side back into the game, he could not find the finishing touch.
The game ended 2-1 to Bristol but the score line did not reflect how the game went. On another day USW would have come away with the victory on number of chances alone.
