MAX: FLOWERS IS BLOOMING GOOD FOR ME

BRISTOL CITY

Eliasson 89 MAX O’LEARY believes former England keeper Tim Flowers helped him bloom.

The 22-year-old made an impressive league debut for Bristol City – keeping Brentford at bay and notching up an important clean sheet.

But earlier this year the thirdchoice academy product was on loan at National League Solihull Moors, being coached by the former Blackburn and Southampton No.1.

With Niki Maenpaa injured and Frank Fielding recovering from viral meningitis, O’leary was handed his big chance.

And together with matchwinner Niclas Eliasson (above), who grabbed a late winner, he helped spoil new Brentford boss Thomas Frank’s big day and first match in charge.

The Bees’ hopes were badly hit when Chris Mepham was sent off for two bookings in eight minutes before the hour.

O’leary, who has also played on loan at Kidderminster and

Bath City, said: “I enjoyed playing at Solihull. All I want to do is play, so to get those 23 games with them last year was fantastic.

“I was working under Tim, now the manager, and Mark Yates. Obviously, it sways you when you see Tim Flowers working there.

“He was really good for me and my development, and texted me on Saturday morning to say good luck, and then I spoke to him on the phone before the match.”

Bees defender Yoann Barbet said: “I won’t talk too much about the referee because I don’t want to get banned. But I don’t think it was a second booking.”