FA Cup: Two Jay Emmanuel-Thomas goals take Bristol City past Doncaster
Wednesday 14 January 2015 08:15, UK
A goal in each half from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas sent Bristol City into the FA Cup fourth round with a 2-0 win over League One rivals Doncaster.
The striker, who made 14 appearances for Rovers during a loan spell five years ago, showed predatory instincts to force a rebound over the line in the 36th minute for his fifth of the campaign.
He had a lot more to do when he made it 2-0 and sealed a home tie in the next round after fine work from Marlon Pack as City caught their visitors on the break.
Matt Smith came into this clash looking for his ninth goal in eight starts for City but it was the unlikely figure of Aden Flint who had the game's first real chances, first the centre-back powering a header over the bar before screwing a half-volley wide.
City were then inches away from the opener when Mark Little's fantastic touch led to a driving run and cross which Matt Smith and then Scott Wagstaff failed to force home.
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But it was from the resulting corner that the Robins took the lead, Emmanuel-Thomas nodding in his second goal in four days from a yard out after Flint's effort had been parried by Marko Marosi.
Having played a key role in the opener, Little was the City hero at the other end in the 45th minute, heading James Coppinger's curling effort off the line.
Frank Fielding then found Enda Stevens' drive too hot to handle but the ball was hacked to safety as Doncaster ended the half with a flourish.
Rovers goalkeeper Marosi, making the first start of his career, had his heart in his mouth when he smashed a kick straight at the back of Matt Smith and watched on as the ball just looped to safety.
Matt Smith, looking to score for the sixth successive game, then sent a header inches wide of the keeper's far post from a fantastic Emmanuel-Thomas delivery.
It was the former Doncaster loanee who sealed City's progress with 12 minutes to go at the end of a swift counter-attack. Emmanuel-Thomas showed great close control having picked up Pack's pass before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
