Bristol City F.C. narrowly secure Championship Playoffs after dramatic 2-2 draw with Preston North End.

By Tim Weber, Second Year, History and German

A sold-out Ashton Gate stadium saw Liam Manning’s Bristol City claw their way back from a bleak 0-2 scoreline to settle the game in a 2-2 draw. However, the true saviour for the Robins’ play-off ambitions came in form of both Blackburn Rovers (7^th) and Millwall (8^th) failing to win their respective matches against Sheffield United and Burnley. Although spirits were high and celebrations abounded after play-offs were in the bag, Bristol dropped from 5^th to 6^th in the table and will therefore face Sheffield United rather than Sunderland in the play-offs- tougher match-up, with Sunderland now on a 5-match losing streak.

Going into this game hopes of a win were high, with Bristol City only losing 3 times at their home ground of Ashton Gate this season, yet with 8^th place only 2 points behind, City needing a win for guaranteed safety. Preston North End on the other hand, only won 1 of their last 10 games coming into this match, and at 20^th place were hovering dangerously close to relegation. Nothing was out of the realm of possibility, with both teams wanting a win, and the disparity in the table between these sides offering little comfort to City fans, with Bristol having lost to now-relegated Luton Town 3-1 only a week prior. The Championship play-offs are considered among the most valuable matches in football due to the lucrative financial incentive of a Premier League spot, so the importance of this match cannot be overstated.

With so much on the line for both sides, the tension was palpable, and both teams showed they wholeheartedly wanted the win from the first whistle. Energy was high, but no clearly dominant side emerged within the first 10 minutes, with both teams trying to get into the game and creating few clear chances. Preston however became progressively more dangerous, putting Bristol City’s goalkeeper Max O’Leary to the test several times, creeping ever closer to an opener. On the other end of the pitch Preston’s solid defending meant that the City players resigned to pacing along the 18-yard box to try and find an opening, and the resulting shots lacked any real danger. Although the game seemed like it could go either way, Preston’s promising chances made reward seem inevitable. Eventually the moment came, and Danish forward Emil Riis muscled his way to a free header from a well-placed corner to put the visitors ahead in the 28^th minute.

Despite the dampened mood in the stadium, Bristol’s first great chance came soon after, when attacking-midfielder Scott Twine’s volley from outside the box just narrowly floated over the crossbar, one of Bristol’s few real signs of life in the first half. City almost seemed to be trying to pass their way into the back of the net, although credit must be given to Preston’s defending, which stayed strong and disciplined throughout, despite the absence of coach Paul Heckingbottom from the sideline following a two-game ban. Meanwhile, the away fans certainly made themselves heard, and they had plenty to cheer for as Preston's forwards continued their assault on O'Leary's goal. The rest of the half continued goalless, with Bristol City seeming in urgent need of a reset at half-time.

As the second-half began, the pressure on City to conjure up a response mounted, with news starting to trickle in of Blackburn Rovers scoring against Sheffield, putting the dreams of a Top-6 finish seriously at risk. The situation only got more dire when in the 60^th minute Milutin Osmajić got on the end of a through-ball and easily slid it under goalkeeper O' Leary to make it 2-0 to Preston North End, crushing Bristol fans' hopes with the prospect of a 7^th place finish. Preston fans went wild, even toppling the pitch-side advertising boards in their exhilaration, causing the match to be paused for several minutes to re-establish control. Nevertheless the unwavering support from the home crowd continued, and things started to look more promising for the home side, with players like winger Yū Hirakawa getting more involved in the game. The ball began to enter Preston's box more frequently, and after Nahki Wells received the ball on the right-hand side, he floated a ball into the box to find a completely unmarked Ross McCrorie at the back post, who headed it into the back of the net to leave City only one goal behind in the 69^th minute.

McCrorie had already seemed like Bristol's best player, with a stellar performance even in the first half from the Scottish full-back. The goal breathed new life into the team, a true exemplar of the power of momentum in football, with Bristol City's performance drastically improving after the first goal and Preston seeming severely shaken. For the first time Bristol seemed to be truly on the front foot, and excitement in the stands only grew, as soon after Jason Knight smashed the ball into the crossbar from range, missing out on an equaliser by centimetres. Yet supporters did not have to wait long, as salvation arrived in the form of Ross McCrorie once more, as Jason Knight slid a beautiful pass behind the Preston defence and McCrorie comfortably slotted it into the net to tie the game up 2-2.

When news of Luton Town's poor performance and hence Preston's guaranteed safety from relegation reached the stadium, all urgency was gone from Preston's game, and they were happy to stall for time. The result ultimately suited both teams somewhat, and despite noticeable impact from City's substitutes like George Earthy and Anis Mehmeti, the game stalled out slightly and City seemingly lost their zeal. Even City coach Manning bringing on striker Sinclair Armstrong in the 84^th minute did not shift the tides significantly. Preston put up one last fight with a free-kick just outside City's penalty area that had fans on edge, yet the shot never got past City's wall, and so the final whistle blew. With Bristol City's placement in the table relying entirely on Blackburn Rovers not scoring another goal with a couple of minutes left to play, 2 torturous minutes of waiting ensued with the players huddled in the middle of the pitch, anxiously awaiting the other game to end.

Fans nervously checked their phones, but then cheering from the South Stand announced the end of the match and a spot in the play-offs secured, and the stadium erupted. Despite not having won anything yet, and a generally frustrating performance, a sea of City fans flooded the pitch to celebrate the achievement. Stewards helplessly tried to stem the flow, yet to no avail, and the pitch was soon filled with red and white as the players scrambled for safety.

Bristol City have yet to ever reach the Premier League, and it remains to be seen whether this year they can finally achieve this feat and make history.

Liam Manning's 'Cider Army' will play Sheffield United in the play-off semi-final over two legs on the 8^th and the 12^th of May to decide who plays the winner of Coventry vs. Sunderland.

Featured image: Tim Weber