Football: Australian sets up City victory

Wyn Griffiths
Sunday 16 March 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Bristol Rovers 1 Bristol City 2

Crowd trouble again marred the Bristol derby despite stringent security measures as City secured only their second victory on Rovers' territory in 14 visits.

Trouble flared when City went into the lead, and two Rovers directors, Geoff Dunford and Barry Bradshaw, raced to the fans' enclosure behind the goal and appealed for calm.

Only a goal-line clearance by Tom White and a desperate lunge by player- manager Ian Holloway saved Rovers falling behind early on. Then, after 31 minutes, Rovers' supporters lost control as failure to defend a long goal-kick soon had their side in trouble. Stuart Naylor's kick was skimmed on by Shaun Goater's head 10 yards inside Rovers's half. Australian striker Paul Agostino shot around the advancing keeper, Andy Collett, to give City the lead.

The match was always in City's control after Peter Beadle had had a hotly disputed penalty saved by Stuart Naylor. The Bermudian, Shaun Goater, added a second, his 19th of the season, before substitute Julian Alsop replied for Rovers with nine minutes to go.

Alsop, 6ft 4in and signed from Halesowen two months ago for pounds 15,000, stretched to a Holloway corner and his downward header bounced up and over Naylor into the top of the net.

Goals: Agostino (31) 0-1; Goater (72) 0-2; Alsop (81) 1-2.

Bristol Rovers: Collett; Pritchard, Martin, Skinner (Hayfield, 76), White, Tillson, Holloway, Miller (Alsop, 76), Cureton, Power (Bennett, 60), Beadle.

Bristol City: Naylor; Owers, Barnard, Edwards (Paterson, 45), Taylor, Hewlett, Bent, Carey, Agostino, Goater (Nugent, 87) Brennan. Substitutes not used: Kuhl.

Referee: C Wilkes (Gloucester).

Bookings: Rovers: Skinner. City: Barnard, Edwards.

Man of the match: Bent.

Attendance: 8,078.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in