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Nationwide League Division Two Bristol City v WYCOMBE
Friday 17th December
Division Two
Wycombe battled for a point in a goalless encounter at Ashton Gate on Friday evening after Andy Baird was sent-off in the 72nd minute for a second bookable offence. City were frustrated by a resolute Wycombe back-four and were also denied twice by the woodwork. Sanchez reverted to four at the back, with Chris Vinnicombe dropping to the bench and Steve Brown getting his chance in midfield.
Although the game lacked goals, it was never short of action. As early as the fourth minute Baird and City's Shaun Taylor clashed heads and referee Wiley eventually pulled back the Wycombe player for what proved a costly yellow card. Moments later Baird had Wycombe's best chance of the half but Billy Mercer in the City goal spread himself well in a one-on-one situation.
Ex-Wanderer Mickey Bell looked to enjoy a run against his former teammates.
City also looked threatening through their loan signing from Arsenal Tommy Black. Black saw a 13th minute shot blocked by Jason Cousins while Bell's work on the left flank saw  Peter Beadle head over three minutes later. Wycombe looked dangerous attacking a relatively weak City defence and in the 23rd minute Mercer had to quick to block Ryan's shot from the right side. Baird was then allowed to run down the left before Devine weaved in only for Shaun Taylor to block. The end to end play continued on 32 minutes when Carl Hutchings thumped a 25 yard effort against Martin Taylor's right hand post and eight minutes later Black flashed a chance inches wide of the same post. Back at the other end Matt Lawrence delayed too long when presented with an opening on 43 minutes before Black fooled half the City fans in thinking he had scored when he crashed the ball into the side-netting a minute before the break.
Half-time 0-0
Wycombe began the second-half brightly. First Brown drove an effort wide after Carroll had crossed the ball low from the right and in the 50th minute Lawrence crossed from a similar position but Gerard Lavin got there before Ryan. From the resulting corner Ryan headed inches wide with the goal at his mercy.
Black continued to be the dominating player for City. Nine minutes into the second-half he struck an effort against the Wycombe post from 12 yards after Steve Torpey had knocked down. Jamie Bates and Gary Ablett stood strong at the back for Wycombe but the game began to flare up in the 66th minute. First Ryan was booked for dissent and then four minutes later City's Peter Beadle looked to have stamped on Steve Brown but after a mass brawl both Brown and Beadle ended up in the book. The ill-feeling continued and two minutes later, after Baird had tackled Lavin fairly but followed through into Black, the referee went power crazy and showed a second yellow to the Wycombe player and he was off down the tunnel.
After order was restored both sides still had chances to take all three points. Wycombe had the better chance when Sean Devine flicked the ball in from the right wing on 80 minutes but Ryan saw his shot tipped over the bar by Mercer. Wycombe held on during five minutes of stoppage time and were eventually grateful to hear the final whistle.
Final Score Bristol City 0 Wycombe 0
WYCOMBE TEAM: Taylor, Lawrence, Ablett, Cousins, Bates, Carroll (sub 86 Bulman), Ryan, Simpson, Brown, Baird, Devine (sub 88 Senda) subs not used:Osborn, Vinnicombe, Harkin Att:8,195


Click here for Carling Opta StatsMickey Bell v Steve Brown pre-match Head to Head stats from Carling Opta

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