City avenge play-off final defeat for Lansdown

Bristol City gained revenge for the 2008 play-off final defeat with a comfortable 3-0 win over Hull City to finish the season in style at Ashton Gate.

The Tigers, who arrived in the West Country on a 17 game unbeaten run away from the KC Stadium, were on the back foot from the start as the Robins stormed into a third minute lead.

Jon Stead gathered Albert Adomah's mis-hit shot at the back post to prod the ball under Hull 'keeper Matt Duke to give City a flying start.

That lead was soon doubled when Brett Pitman latched on to Stead's flick on and dinked the ball over Duke from a narrow angle with 14 minutes on the clock.

Hull's best chance came moments after half-time when Aaron Mclean headed over Tom Cairney's pinpoint cross from only six yards.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce then wrapped up the win in the 56th minute, springing Hull's offisde trap to race onto Jamie McAllister's long punt upfield before firing into the roof of the net from 18 yards.

Moments later, City's third goalscorer was replaced by 17-year-old midfielder Bobby Reid, who joined fellow debutant Joe Edwards for the final third of the game.

Stead was whiskers away from adding a fourth in the 79th minute when his close control created space for a left-footed curler that went wide off the post with Duke well beaten.

And with only three minutes remaining, substitute David Clarkson was also denied by the woodwork when his shot crashed off the post after rounding Duke.

CITY (4-4-2): James; Edwards, Wilson, Nyatanga, McAllister (Clarkson '76); Adomah (Woolford '24), Elliott, Skuse, Campbell-Ryce (Reid '57); Stead, Pitman.

HULL (4-3-3): Duke; Gerrard, Hobbs, Chester (McShane '33), Dawson; Harper, Koren (Mclean '34), Okpan; Amoo (Cairney '46), Fryatt, Simpson.

REFEREE: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire)

* Match ratings provided by The Cider Monkey.

COLE SKUSE - 8/10
Showed what he's capable of and having the youngsters in the team seemed to inspire a mature performance to add to his goal last week. Needs to produce this level of performance more often next term.


Spectator for much of the game, but did well when called upon.

Promising debut performance. Looked good technically with decent control and passing, while being brave in the tackle. One for the future.

Another solid performance and has finished the season strongly.

Quality and commanding performance from the academy graduate. If he can stay fit next season, he can become special.

Probably his best game of the season. Two excellent assists and generally sound in defence.

Accidental assist for Stead's goal and injured after about 17 minutes.

Today's MOTM.

Fluffed a couple of headers which could have brought goals, but at least he was there and made the runs. Usual high octane stuff as he galloped around and worked his socks off.

Great goal and was involved in excellent ball retention throughout until leaving the field injured.

Scored one and made another for for Pitman with his headed flick from an excellent crossfield diagonal ball. Hit the post second half and linked up well throughout. Looks back to his best.

Super finish, linked well with Stead and produced plenty of shots in a busy first half.

Confident and busy debut. Needs to develop physically and would probably benefit from loans and more exposure to first-team football.

Looked busy when he came on and hit a post.

Replaced Adomah on the right and, latterly, McAllister at left-back. Worked hard enough in both roles, but clearly lacks confidence.

A quality, professional performance from a team demonstrating commitment and confidence that provided a great send off for Steve Lansdown. The inclusion of seven products of our Academy in the squad was pleasing and none of those let us down.

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