Alternative match report for Bristol City 3-1 Barnsley

The fans arriving to the game had high hopes after an exciting pre-season with eight victories out of a possible nine. Those high hopes were given an extra vote of confidence as City started the game well, playing good football and creating chances. Notably the best chance occurred after a long, direct free kick was floated into the Barnsley penalty area and the ball fell kindly to Josh Brownhill who unfortunately saw his strike cannon off the crossbar.

After a short spell of Barnsley pressure, that saw them too, hit the crossbar, City made the breakthrough courtesy of Bobby Reid, who has continued his good pre-season form into the new season.

A second shortly followed for City after Reid again got himself involved, after a nice turn on the by-line Reid hung up a cross for new record signing Farama Diedhiou, who nodded the ball home. Just five minutes later the third goal came and yet again it was Bobby Reid who had the ball in the back of the net. This time turning home a rebound after a low Joe Bryan drilled shot.

Diedhiou looked bright on his competitive debut for the Reds and provided some reminiscence of Jonathan Kodjia; willing to run in behind defenders, skillful and powerful.

As half-time arrived City were in cruise control and Barnsley posed little threat. The score line could have been further increased but for Adam Davies in between the sticks for Barnsley, it wasn’t. 

The second half continued as the first had finished, City dominant and Barnsley looking down and out. Bobby Reid had an opportunity to complete his hat-trick late on but, his shot was wild and the finishing that he displayed in the first half seemed to have escaped him.