Bristol Manor Farm pulled off a magnificent derby performance as they beat Cribbs in front of a raucous and record crowd at the NL Services Stadium, writes Jack Davies.
Both sides were just absorbing the atmosphere early on as the crowd of over 500 made themselves heard. The visitors had the game’s first real chance as both sides began to settle down. Jake Brown did well down the left and his cutback was struck by David Duru with Farm keeper Seth Locke flying through the air to make a fine save. The game turned in a blistering 15-minute spell midway through the half. Firstly, Jayden Nielsen somehow evaded three men up the left touchline and his wicked cross was shovelled into his own net by visiting keeper Mac Boyd. The wild celebrations from that record crowd had barely died down before Farm doubled the lead. Dan Dodimead spun inside his man and his precise through ball found George Kellow. The former Cribbs man collected and sent a lovely finish into the far corner. Cribbs looked shell-shocked as the noise grew and their half went from bad to worse. Dodimead again a menace as he linked with Kellow before forcing a save and there was Nielsen on the rebound to find the net via the far post for 3-0.
Cribbs looked set for an attempt at a comeback as they made the perfect start to the second half. A long goal kick was flicked on by Duru and Bailey Coombe latched on to score. Despite the suspected onslaught from the foothold in the game, Farm controlled much of the second half too. Kellow sent a curling effort narrowly over before Dodimead headed an Aron Robbins cross just wide. Cribbs continued their aerial onslaught as every throw corner and free kick was sent deep in Farm territory. The back four held together superbly and even on a rare occasion a header was won by Cribbs in the area, Locke was down smartly to save. The bumper crowd never stopped singing and the cheer that followed the final whistle echoed across Bristol as Farm collected a huge three points and their fourth win in a row.