Bristol City - 26th October - 24/25
Bristol City v Leeds United
Saturday 26th October 2024 - Ashton Gate, Bristol
2024/25 Season
After getting only a couple of hours sleep before having to get up to go to Bristol, I was very glad that once I got to Leeds, I would be travelling by coach with Fullerton Park Supporters Club. The journey wasn’t a bad one as I managed to catch up with sleep both going to the game and coming home. The physical and mental toll that has been taken out of me since my husband’s death can’t be underestimated but the Leeds family are worth their weight in gold, for the support they are giving me and my family. As well as my own family and friends, we all support each other and knowing there are others facing their own battles that support is invaluable. As we pulled up outside the ground my emotions took over as I bawled my eyes out but the therapy of the hugs, comments, support, taking photos and talking did me the world of good as usual. That said, before the game kicked off there was a remembrance tribute and one for the baby son of their manager who died recently that contributed to the sense of sorrow. Having lost my own baby daughter at 17 days old from an undiagnosed heart defect, my heart goes out to them. The silence was immaculately observed and once this had finished everyone got behind the teams.
Team: Meslier, Struijk, Rodon, Bogle, Byram, Tanaka, Rothwell, Piroe, Gnonto, James, Aaronson
Subs: Joseph for Piroe (70), Solomon for James (70), Bamford for Gnonto (87). Subs not used: Darlow, Gelhardt, Crew, Debayo, Schmidt, Guilavogui
Leeds drew the game 0-0
Attendance: 25,283, 3,000 Leeds fans
Referee: James Linington
Booked: Gnonto, Tanaka, Bogle
Bristol started off on the attack and saw plenty of the ball but in reality, didn’t put Meslier under too much pressure. They did have one attack where we struggled to clear the ball but luckily their overhead kick went wide. Another attack saw their shot deflected wide. The nearest Leeds came to scoring saw their keeper made a good save from a Gnonto shot from the edge of the box. Prior to that Bogle got on the end of a cross from Gnonto and headed into the side netting, and later a Rodon header went straight to the keeper. Gnonto put James through, but he couldn’t beat their keeper. I thought the half had passed quickly as we went in still goalless at half time.
I thought Leeds were going to take the lead when a great run by James on the left-hand side towards us, crossed the ball into the penalty area. I was convinced Gnonto was going to put the ball into the net, but it was kicked off the line. Aaronson’s shot hit the side netting and when Byram put in a cross, Joseph saw his header clear the crossbar.
To be honest it wasn’t the best of games as it felt we were happy to play for the draw. We passed back a lot without too much urgency but again the positives are, that we did not get beaten and had another clean sheet. One point is better than none which we will always take.
At least with the early kick off we got home at a reasonable time and have a respite now until next week’s home game against Plymouth.
See you there, LUFC – Marching on Together!
