Robins lay half-dozen
PETER ODEMWINGIE scored his first goal for Bristol City as they further eased their relegation fears with this thrashing of rock-bottom Bolton.
The loan signing from Stoke notched his side’s third goal with a brilliant left-footed finish from the edge of the box after latching onto Aaron Wilbraham’s 53rd-minute flick-on.
Manager Lee Johnson was delighted – even more so with his side’s positive response to negative publicity after defender Luke Ayling was reprimanded for appearing in lurid photographs of players from other clubs behaving badly at the Cheltenham Festival.
Johnson said: “The dressing room was quiet before the game and I didn’t know quite what to make of it. But the players were desperate to show the good side of Bristol City.”
Bolton are surely condemned to League One football next season. They are 12 points from safety with only eight games left and it was a miserable start for academy boss Jimmy Phillips, placed in charge after Neil Lennon’s exit.
Phillips said: “I want to apologise to the Bolton fans who made the trip. Their treatment of the team was better than we had any right to expect. It is one of the lowest points of my long association with the club.”
City took a third-minute lead when Joe Bryan’s fierce shot was parried by Paul Rachubka into the path of Wilbraham, who volleyed in.
Then Lee Tomlin got the better of Dean Moxey and buried a low shot.
After Odemwingie had made the game safe, City piled on late pressure and were rewarded when Jonathan Kodjia crossed low for fellow sub Scott Wagstaff to convert at the near post.
There was still time for Jonathan Kodjia to head home Adam Matthews’ cross and Bryan to round Rachubka before making it six. Possession .......... 51% .... 49% Shots On Target ... 8 .............. 2 Shots Off Target ... 3 .............. 2 Blocked Shots ...... 4 .............. 2 Corners ................... 2 .............. 3 Fouls Conceded ... 5 ............. 9 Offsides ................... 3 ............. 0 Yellow Cards ......... 0 .............. 2 Red Cards .............. 0 ............. 0