Following Bristol’s 3-1 defeat to UWIC earlier this season, manager Alan Tyres penciled the arrival of the Welsh side at fortress Dingle in his notebook. Tyres had an inkling a good run of form could see the home tie become the defining match of Bristol’s season, and his players were determined to see that optimism become a reality.
Bristol responded better than even the seasoned Tyres could have imagined, and with a mixture of panache and steel, went on to score twenty-nine goals in their next 540 minutes of football without conceding. They also fulfilled Tyres’ prophecy: victory in the return game would snatch the fate of automatic promotion from UWIC’s clutches, while defeat would extinguish Bristol’s hopes once and for all.
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| Man of the match Matt Smith starts another Bristol counter attack against title rivals UWIC |
Finally the crucial game arrived, with Bristol brimming with confidence following the previous weeks 6-0 thumping of Cardiff. The opening exchanges, however, fulfilled Tyres’ pre-match expectations that UWIC would prove a different caliber of opposition. Strong in the tackle and quick to every ball, the away side adjusted quickly to a sticky pitch and set a frenetic tempo that was maintained throughout. Despite UWIC’s early dominance, it was Bristol’s lethal attack that drew first blood. Winger Nick Webb skinned the UWIC left back before slamming a cross-shot goalwards. Lurking at the back post Alastair Gourlay duly swept home the opener. UWIC rallied, but, prepared for a dogfight, the Bristol boys more than matched them. Their efforts were epitomised by debutant Will Russell, who put in a focused and committed performance despite playing in an unfamiliar left back role.
The Coombe Dingle pitch was affecting Bristol’s passing game, but captain Oz Osbaldeston proved the game does not always have to be played on the floor when he crashed home Bristol’s second on the volley from 35 yards. Osbaldeston’s stunning strike gave his side some breathing space, but going into half time Bristol were well aware that it was only their potency separating the sides.
Desperate for a goal, the second half was a more open affair as UWIC switched to three up top. Bristol responded, with centre back pairing Leo Sharer and Alastair Gourlay joined in their battle to protect Toby Smyth’s goal by holding midfielder James Chiang. Despite this momentous defensive effort UWIC scored, reducing the deficit and forcing Tyres into a reshuffle, with Sean Price and Alim Rahemtulla replacing Nick Webb and Jay Mistry. The change helped swing the game back in Bristol’s favour, with the desire shown by Price and Rahemtulla a reflection of the sides burgeoning team spirit. Saying that, the finishing prowess of striker Matt Smith probably deserves a mention as well. Getting ahead of his man it was Smith who tucked home a low Price cross to score his first of the day, restoring Bristol’s two goal advantage in the process.
However, UWIC are not top of the league for nothing. Somehow they forced themselves back into the game, their second goal setting Bristol hearts racing late in the half. Moment’s later Bristol hearts were really thumping as a long-range strike hauled UWIC back to 3-3.
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| Bristol First Team celebrate captain Oz Osbaldeston's stuning forty yard volley |
In a frantic last ten minutes it was Bristol, through the indomitable Matt Smith, who struck. Dispossessing UWIC’s tiring centre-half Smith raced through to fire home the crucial fourth goal. UWIC were shattered, Bristol elated, but it took another from Smith, completing his hat-trick, before victory felt truly tangible. The final whistle did not spark the wild celebrations many had expected, but the exhausted, mud-splattered smiles that plastered the faces of the Bristol boys spoke volumes. With a cup quarterfinal, varsity and five league games to come, proper partying can wait; this victory is just the beginning.
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