--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-09-20T16:49:25.709Z last_updated: 2026-09-18T21:02:21+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/bristol-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnJpc3RvbHBvc3QuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWF0Y2gtcmVwb3J0cy9icmlzdG9sLWNpdHktaGVhZC1pbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsLWJyZWFrLTExMTYyODg3 --- # Bristol City head into international break on a high after Dom Ballard's winner - **Source:** - **Published:** 18 Sept - **Club:** Bristol City - **Original URL:** https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/bristol-city-head-international-break-11162887 Michael Skubala’s side were on top for large parts of the game, and arguably could have killed it off when summer signing Lorent Tolaj was introduced from the bench, only to miss two good opportunities to double the hosts’ advantage. After losing their last two outings to Southampton and Lincoln, respectively, a win tonight felt like a must for the Robins ahead of kick-off, and they delivered with a controlled performance, despite a slightly nervy finish. It takes them up to fifth and just a point off the top - albeit with the rest of the weekend's fixtures still to be played Skubala made seven changes to his starting lineup following City’s 1-0 defeat to Lincoln City on Tuesday evening. Rob Atkinson, Noah Eile, George Tanner, Adam Randell, Joe Williams, Sam Greenwood and Ballard replaced Cameron Pring, Lisav Eissat, Gibson Yah, Jed Wallace, Scott Twine, Tolaj and Rob Dickie, who missed out through injury. City got their first chance of the night inside three minutes, when Ballard’s left-footed cross found the head of Jason Knight, but the Robins skipper couldn’t direct his effort on target. Watford missed a good chance of their own moments later, when Luca Kjerrumgaard fired over from close range. The first shot on target came from Greenwood, who chested the ball down in the area before forcing a smart save from Federico Ravaglia. Mamadou Doumbia was shown a yellow card in the 20th minute after bringing down Knight, who was leading the charge on a City counterattack. His teammate, Amin Nabizada, quickly joined him. City took the lead on the half-hour mark when Cardines’ cross found Ballard, who flicked his header into the far corner, for a third goal of the season, and a first at Ashton Gate. The hosts held on to their lead going into the break, without the Hornets causing them too much trouble. Both sides started the second-half strong, with Tanner and Nabizada seeing efforts blocked for their respective team. Off-the-ball clashes between Williams, Knight, Edo Kayembe and Bramimir Mlacic in the 53rd minute saw Oliver Langford book all four players. Skubala turned to his bench on the hour mark, introducing Tolaj and Wallace in favour of Yu and Ballard. Tolaj looked to make an immediate impact, breaking beyond the Watford defence and bearing down on goal before firing his shot into the side netting. The Robins’ next change saw Pring replace Greenwood as the game entered the final 20 minutes of regular time and City shifted to a back three system. Tolaj had another excellent opportunity in the 78th minute, this time latching onto a brilliant lofted ball from Tanner before sending his shot over the crossbar; the Swiss forward was fouled minutes later by Matty Pollock, who entered the referee’s notebook. The Robins’ final changes saw Eissat and Yah replace Randell and Eile. Stephy Mavididi looked to rescue a point for Watford in the final moments, but his volley was well caught by Sam Tickle, securing his first clean sheet in Bristol City colours and all three points for the Robins. Join Bristol City Live's Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol City stories sent straight to your phone Bristol City Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community. Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol City news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone. To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team. We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like. To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Click here to join our WhatsApp community.