Johnstone's Paint Trophy - Regional Quarter Final
10th November 2009
City's last game in this competition against Notts County had ended in a 2-2 draw at Valley Parade and had been decided in favour of the home side on penalties, and tonight, on the same ground, the same full-time scoreline and outcome was recorded against Port Vale.
The Valiants had already visited Valley Parade earlier in the season for a game that ended goalless, and for much of the first half here, a repeat scoreline looked likely in a drab opening 45 minutes.
Michael Boulding, recalled to the City side at the expense of the injured Gareth Evans, had two tame shots along the ground at Chris Martin in the opening quarter of an hour and Steve Williams should have also done better with an unmarked header from a Michael Flynn free-kick, which was diverted wide.
The visitors first real chance fell to Louis Dodds who fired over on the turn after quarter of an hour, whilst Jamie Guy stretched desperately to get onto the end of a long pass from Robert Taylor, but diverted a header wide two minutes later.
Gareth Owen saw a header tipped around the post by Simon Eastwood but Micky Adams' men finally broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when the City defence was caught napping and John McCombe fired in a half-volley at the near post.
Guy bobbled a shot wide after City had failed to clear a corner and City entered the break one goal down.
Thankfully City boss Stuart McCall made two inspired substituations at the re-start, replacing Boulding and Luke Sharry with James O'Brien and Chris Brandon, both of whom breathed life into an up-to-that-point delapidated City side.
It was J. O'Brien that had a hand in the equaliser too, crossing from the left hand touchline for Michael Flynn to head home from close range for his fifth goal in City colours.
That brought the game to life and Flynn almost added a second later but saw Martin scramble clear as he tried to chase down a loose ball, whilst Brandon angled himself a shooting opportunity and wasn't a million miles away when curling a low shot narrowly wide too.
Robert Taylor continued to exert an influence for Vale and fired a twenty yard rocket just wide of the right hand post but it was City that netted next with James Hanson, who had seen an excellent knock down across the face of goal cleared minutes earlier, glancing home a header from a Luke O'Brien cross in the 70th minute.
Taylor did finally draw blood when City allowed Dodds to cut infrom the right and failed to pick up the onrushing full-back who slammed home in fine style, but there was still chances thereafter for either side to secure themsleves a place in the semi-final.
J. O'Brien played a neat one two with Michael Flynn on the edge of the area before dragging his shot disappointingly wide after bursting into the box whilst Vale nearly netted a freak equaliser in the 77th minute when a ball that seemed to be set to roll into touch hit a divot and slowed down, allowed a Vale winger to cross from the right, only for a teammate to fire over the bar from close range.
Kris Taylor lashed a free-kick across the face of goal as Vale attempted to snatch a later winner, but the ball rolled out safely into touch and the tie went to penalties.
Both Marc Richards and then Flynn netted opening kicks for either side before Dodds and Kris Taylor and then J. O'Brien and Brandon missed kicks for either side and failed to expoit one anothers misses. As the shootout entered sudden death Robert Taylor and Zesh Rehman each held their nerve but Adam Yates saw his kick saved by Eastwood and when Steve Williams lashed in City's seventh kick, McCall's men progressed to the next round to set up a possible clash with Leeds, Carlisle or Accrington.
BCTID MOM - Matt Clarke - dominated in the air and a generally solid display at centre-half.
Wednesday 11 November 2009
Tuesday 10 November 2009
JPT vs Port Vale - Fill your boots time?
Bradford City vs Port Vale - Tue 10th Nov - Johnstone's Paint Trophy
One of the benefits of following lower league football is that ignorant odds compilers often falsely price up certain bets in particular markets because they generally cater for the masses and spend less time on niche markets which attract little money. As a result, when searching for a bet, prices that are out of line quickly stand out like a sore thumb. Despite the fact Michael Flynn has netted more than his fair share from midfield this season, several bookmakers price him up at 16/1 to net first against Port Vale in the JPT tonight. The likes of Ladbrokes know the score and have him down as a 9/1 chance but the likes of Skybet and VC Bet are quite happy to lay 16/1 to you, and it looks a price too big to ignore.
City are without Gareth Evans (foot) and Lee Bullock (suspended) which probably means a recall for Michael Boulding upfront, with the midfield position possibly being filled by Leon Osbourne who came off the bench at Notts County on Saturday. On the whole, that probably weakens City's side, and it could be one of those games where decent goalscoring chances are at a premium, and we grab one from a set-play.
Port Vale have already visited Valley Parade this season, and looked distinctly average, only threatening from set-plays, and if they play the same tonight, a goal from open play seems unlikely. Boulding struggled against the Valiants back in August and will be hoping for better service tonight but City often lacked a final ball that day and will be pinning their hopes on Scott Neilson and Osbourne to unlock the opposition defence.
The jury is still out on Osbourne and Neilson has looked jaded in recent starts, and I think the more likely source of a goal is though the wicked right foot of Michael Flynn. The combative midfield has made a big impression since signing from Huddersfield in the close season and has netted four goals in nineteen games for Bradford. That is impressive for a central midfielder and being a set-piece expert he also offers danger from free-kicks.
Stuart McCall has said on the visitors.."You look at Port Vale's record away from home and they're very hard to beat so I'm sure we'll be practising penalties because it could be a tough night......when they came here they were resolute, nil-nil, didn't have many chances bit of a drab game but they did the job and got a point" and at 16/1 it is worth chancing that Flynn will be the man to break the deadlock with one of his long range thunderbolts.
Michael Flynn First Goalscorer 16/1 VC Bet/Skybet, 4 pts win/1 pt place.
One of the benefits of following lower league football is that ignorant odds compilers often falsely price up certain bets in particular markets because they generally cater for the masses and spend less time on niche markets which attract little money. As a result, when searching for a bet, prices that are out of line quickly stand out like a sore thumb. Despite the fact Michael Flynn has netted more than his fair share from midfield this season, several bookmakers price him up at 16/1 to net first against Port Vale in the JPT tonight. The likes of Ladbrokes know the score and have him down as a 9/1 chance but the likes of Skybet and VC Bet are quite happy to lay 16/1 to you, and it looks a price too big to ignore.
City are without Gareth Evans (foot) and Lee Bullock (suspended) which probably means a recall for Michael Boulding upfront, with the midfield position possibly being filled by Leon Osbourne who came off the bench at Notts County on Saturday. On the whole, that probably weakens City's side, and it could be one of those games where decent goalscoring chances are at a premium, and we grab one from a set-play.
Port Vale have already visited Valley Parade this season, and looked distinctly average, only threatening from set-plays, and if they play the same tonight, a goal from open play seems unlikely. Boulding struggled against the Valiants back in August and will be hoping for better service tonight but City often lacked a final ball that day and will be pinning their hopes on Scott Neilson and Osbourne to unlock the opposition defence.
The jury is still out on Osbourne and Neilson has looked jaded in recent starts, and I think the more likely source of a goal is though the wicked right foot of Michael Flynn. The combative midfield has made a big impression since signing from Huddersfield in the close season and has netted four goals in nineteen games for Bradford. That is impressive for a central midfielder and being a set-piece expert he also offers danger from free-kicks.
Stuart McCall has said on the visitors.."You look at Port Vale's record away from home and they're very hard to beat so I'm sure we'll be practising penalties because it could be a tough night......when they came here they were resolute, nil-nil, didn't have many chances bit of a drab game but they did the job and got a point" and at 16/1 it is worth chancing that Flynn will be the man to break the deadlock with one of his long range thunderbolts.
Michael Flynn First Goalscorer 16/1 VC Bet/Skybet, 4 pts win/1 pt place.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Bradford 1 - 0 Hereford Match Report
Saturday 24th October
League Two
City's results at home this season have not always met the performances they have warranted, but today they managed to beat a poor Hereford side without ever really hitting top gear themselves.
It was all Bradford in the early exchanges, with Chris Brandon collecting a short corner from Gareth Evans but wasting a decent crossing opportunity, and it wasn't until Kenny Lunt dragged a left-footed shot wide that the Bulls looked like even threatening the home goal.
Michael Flynn threatened throughout with his impressive long-range shots, and although his effort of his weaker left foot trailed into the arms of Adam Bartlett in the 28th minute, he did create the opening goal when allowed a shooting chance on his stronger foot, crashing a shot off the post that was greatefully turned home on the rebound by Evans in the 41st minute to open the scoring.
Other Bradford chances had come to Brandon, whose well hit 25-yard drive sailed wide, and Scott Neilson, who flicked nicely around his marker before hitting a low shot that was claimed by Bartlett.
The other noteworthy moment in the first half came when Steve Williams should have done better with a header inside the visitor's box, but mis-directed his effort to Lee Bullock, who needlessly handled instead of conceding a goal kick, ensuring he walked the rest of the game on a tightrope as a result of the yellow card that followed.
In the second half Brandon saw a shot parried and cleared and Flynn registered a half volley after his own free-kick had come back to him but the second half in general lacked quality.
Simon Eastwood gave the Bradford fans a heart-in-the-mouth moment when tripping as he attempted to collect a mis-hit clearance from Bullock, and although he slipped as he attempted to claim the high ball the ball bounced off the top of the bar and was cleared by his defenders, although he did later make amends by smothering at the feet of King who had squirmed his way past Williams deep inside the the Bradford area.
James Hanson and Neilson both had the ball in the back of the net for City before seeing their efforts ruled out for offside, and when the former did manage to finally spring the Hereford backline, latching onto a cross from Jon Bateson, Bartlett produced a fine save to tip over and keep his side in with claims of a point.
However, that equaliser would not come for John Trewick's men and Lee Morris' diving header after he had beaten Williams to a cross went out for a corner, and City, reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Bullock for a second yellow in the 82nd minute, survived an anxious end to the game and clung on for all three points.
BCTID MOM: Despite his silly red card for which he only has himself to blame, Lee Bullock had a very impressive game, especially in the first half when he was virtually faultless.
League Two
City's results at home this season have not always met the performances they have warranted, but today they managed to beat a poor Hereford side without ever really hitting top gear themselves.
It was all Bradford in the early exchanges, with Chris Brandon collecting a short corner from Gareth Evans but wasting a decent crossing opportunity, and it wasn't until Kenny Lunt dragged a left-footed shot wide that the Bulls looked like even threatening the home goal.
Michael Flynn threatened throughout with his impressive long-range shots, and although his effort of his weaker left foot trailed into the arms of Adam Bartlett in the 28th minute, he did create the opening goal when allowed a shooting chance on his stronger foot, crashing a shot off the post that was greatefully turned home on the rebound by Evans in the 41st minute to open the scoring.
Other Bradford chances had come to Brandon, whose well hit 25-yard drive sailed wide, and Scott Neilson, who flicked nicely around his marker before hitting a low shot that was claimed by Bartlett.
The other noteworthy moment in the first half came when Steve Williams should have done better with a header inside the visitor's box, but mis-directed his effort to Lee Bullock, who needlessly handled instead of conceding a goal kick, ensuring he walked the rest of the game on a tightrope as a result of the yellow card that followed.
In the second half Brandon saw a shot parried and cleared and Flynn registered a half volley after his own free-kick had come back to him but the second half in general lacked quality.
Simon Eastwood gave the Bradford fans a heart-in-the-mouth moment when tripping as he attempted to collect a mis-hit clearance from Bullock, and although he slipped as he attempted to claim the high ball the ball bounced off the top of the bar and was cleared by his defenders, although he did later make amends by smothering at the feet of King who had squirmed his way past Williams deep inside the the Bradford area.
James Hanson and Neilson both had the ball in the back of the net for City before seeing their efforts ruled out for offside, and when the former did manage to finally spring the Hereford backline, latching onto a cross from Jon Bateson, Bartlett produced a fine save to tip over and keep his side in with claims of a point.
However, that equaliser would not come for John Trewick's men and Lee Morris' diving header after he had beaten Williams to a cross went out for a corner, and City, reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Bullock for a second yellow in the 82nd minute, survived an anxious end to the game and clung on for all three points.
BCTID MOM: Despite his silly red card for which he only has himself to blame, Lee Bullock had a very impressive game, especially in the first half when he was virtually faultless.
Saturday 10 October 2009
Bradford 2 - 3 Crewe - Match Report
Saturday 10th October
League Two
Bradford's ten game unbeaten run came to an end against Crewe this afternoon as the Railwaymen temporarily steered City's promotion charge off course.
In what was a thrilling advert for League Two football, Calvin Zola fired the visitors ahead with a wonder strike in the 8th minute, collecting a throw in on the right-hand touchline and lashing in an unstoppable dipping shot from what appeared to be an impossible angle.
The gangly forward, a £200k purchase from Tranmere last season, has made a big impact this season netting eight goals before this game and led the Crewe line well all afternoon, teeing up Shaun Miller in the 21st minute before his teammate saw his volley well blocked by Zesh Rehman.
For all of his guile though, Zola should not have been presented with the opportunity that led to Crewe's second. Steve Williams tried to side step an onrushing Crewe man but cheaply lost possession and was punished by Zola who tucked home from 20 yards with the assistance of the post, again leaving City 'keeper Simon Eastwood with no chance.
However, this was an end to end game of football and City too created plenty, if not more of the chances in the first half. As early as the second minute Michael Boulding had come close with a sweeping shot at the near post from a Luke O'Brien cross but seen his effort blocked by Patrick Ada.
Faced with the prospect of losing his place in the team to the returning-from-suspension Gareth Evans next week, Boulding worked his socks off for his side this afternoon and although he will still be scratching his head as to how he managed to clout the bar from six yards out after James O'Brien's shot had deflected into his path, he did make amends in first half injury time neatly glancing in a cross from the same player into the bottom left hand corner past David Button to take his tally to three in three since his recall.
Large portions of this match could be summed up in one word for City - frustration. They allowed John Brayford to cythe his way through their defence before he fired a bobbling shot wide whilst at the other end they were getting close to the goal without really troubling Button.
In the second half, that frustation was compounded when Crewe added a third and it was former Bantam Steve Schumacher on the scoresheet. The cheeky scouser had fired a warning to City that he was after a goal when, in the second minute of the half, his close range header had been batted out by Eastwood, but in the 65th minute he went one better with a 25-yard drive that took a late bounce that appeared to deceive the City stopper.
Nevertheless, even at 3-1 down City were not out of this contest and James Hanson saw several well hit shots deflected wide before he marked his recall to the side - after a bout of flu - with a superbly taken goal, adjusting his body well to a Boulding cross from the left to fire in a hook volley to put his side back in with good claims of a point.
City lacked width at times though, which was adressed around the hour when Scott Neilson replaced the ineffective Chris Brandon and he saw a volley palmed wide by Button who had become stranded in the middle of his area.
Miller missed a sitter from close range when he appeared to have been in an offside position after a Schumacher shot, but the most controversial moment of the game came with around 20 minutes of the match remaining when Lee Bullock's intended pass to Neilson appeared to have been controlled by the arm of Ashley Westwood around the edge of the area. City claimed the offence had taken place inside the box, the linesman claimed otherwise, and the referee sided with his assistant, as City wasted the resulting set-piece, a comment that applied so often this afternoon as they dominated the corner count too with 16 as opposed to Crewe's 7.
Ramsden saw a shot cleared off the line whilst Mat Mitchel-King had to throw his body on the line with a superb block to deny Flynn from inside the area, but the best chance in the closing minutes of the match fell to sub Anthony Elding who picked up a poor Luke O'Brien header - intended as a backpass for Eastwood - but saw his attempted lob saved as the 'keeper came charging out.
In summary, this was an end to end game of football that had you on the edge of your seat but with some horror defending and some class finishing from Crewe, City would have never been deserving of anything more than a point here, but their effort cannot be faulted and as fans that is all we ask for.
BCTID MOM: Calvin Zola - the best performance from a visiting player I have seen at Valley Parade this season. Everything about the guy smacked of a player that was playing below his level and if he carries on his current form Dario Gradi may be fending them off in January.
League Two
Bradford's ten game unbeaten run came to an end against Crewe this afternoon as the Railwaymen temporarily steered City's promotion charge off course.
In what was a thrilling advert for League Two football, Calvin Zola fired the visitors ahead with a wonder strike in the 8th minute, collecting a throw in on the right-hand touchline and lashing in an unstoppable dipping shot from what appeared to be an impossible angle.
The gangly forward, a £200k purchase from Tranmere last season, has made a big impact this season netting eight goals before this game and led the Crewe line well all afternoon, teeing up Shaun Miller in the 21st minute before his teammate saw his volley well blocked by Zesh Rehman.
For all of his guile though, Zola should not have been presented with the opportunity that led to Crewe's second. Steve Williams tried to side step an onrushing Crewe man but cheaply lost possession and was punished by Zola who tucked home from 20 yards with the assistance of the post, again leaving City 'keeper Simon Eastwood with no chance.
However, this was an end to end game of football and City too created plenty, if not more of the chances in the first half. As early as the second minute Michael Boulding had come close with a sweeping shot at the near post from a Luke O'Brien cross but seen his effort blocked by Patrick Ada.
Faced with the prospect of losing his place in the team to the returning-from-suspension Gareth Evans next week, Boulding worked his socks off for his side this afternoon and although he will still be scratching his head as to how he managed to clout the bar from six yards out after James O'Brien's shot had deflected into his path, he did make amends in first half injury time neatly glancing in a cross from the same player into the bottom left hand corner past David Button to take his tally to three in three since his recall.
Large portions of this match could be summed up in one word for City - frustration. They allowed John Brayford to cythe his way through their defence before he fired a bobbling shot wide whilst at the other end they were getting close to the goal without really troubling Button.
In the second half, that frustation was compounded when Crewe added a third and it was former Bantam Steve Schumacher on the scoresheet. The cheeky scouser had fired a warning to City that he was after a goal when, in the second minute of the half, his close range header had been batted out by Eastwood, but in the 65th minute he went one better with a 25-yard drive that took a late bounce that appeared to deceive the City stopper.
Nevertheless, even at 3-1 down City were not out of this contest and James Hanson saw several well hit shots deflected wide before he marked his recall to the side - after a bout of flu - with a superbly taken goal, adjusting his body well to a Boulding cross from the left to fire in a hook volley to put his side back in with good claims of a point.
City lacked width at times though, which was adressed around the hour when Scott Neilson replaced the ineffective Chris Brandon and he saw a volley palmed wide by Button who had become stranded in the middle of his area.
Miller missed a sitter from close range when he appeared to have been in an offside position after a Schumacher shot, but the most controversial moment of the game came with around 20 minutes of the match remaining when Lee Bullock's intended pass to Neilson appeared to have been controlled by the arm of Ashley Westwood around the edge of the area. City claimed the offence had taken place inside the box, the linesman claimed otherwise, and the referee sided with his assistant, as City wasted the resulting set-piece, a comment that applied so often this afternoon as they dominated the corner count too with 16 as opposed to Crewe's 7.
Ramsden saw a shot cleared off the line whilst Mat Mitchel-King had to throw his body on the line with a superb block to deny Flynn from inside the area, but the best chance in the closing minutes of the match fell to sub Anthony Elding who picked up a poor Luke O'Brien header - intended as a backpass for Eastwood - but saw his attempted lob saved as the 'keeper came charging out.
In summary, this was an end to end game of football that had you on the edge of your seat but with some horror defending and some class finishing from Crewe, City would have never been deserving of anything more than a point here, but their effort cannot be faulted and as fans that is all we ask for.
BCTID MOM: Calvin Zola - the best performance from a visiting player I have seen at Valley Parade this season. Everything about the guy smacked of a player that was playing below his level and if he carries on his current form Dario Gradi may be fending them off in January.
Tuesday 6 October 2009
Bradford 2 - 2 Notts County - Match Report
Johnstone's Paint Trophy - Second Round
Tuesday 6th October 2009
The member of the Notts County staff that leapt down the touchline infront of the home fans, as Delroy Facey netted what he thought was a match winning goal in the 85th minute, really does need to learn the meaning of the phrase 'its not over until the final whistle' as his side were dumped out of the Johnstone's Paint trophy on penalties after a late equaliser from Chris Brandon handed Bradford a lifeline.
The 3,701 fans that turned up on this wet Tuesday night were treated to an entertaining cup tie even if the game was played under difficult, boggy conditions, following late deluge of rain in the afternoon that left the pitch particularly boggy infront of the Sunwin stand.
In the first half City controlled matters but to their surprise found themselves a goal behind when Craig Westcarr caught the City defence napping and sidestepped Simon Eastwood to roll home in the 10th minute.
After then, City created the better chances throughout the remainder of the first half, Michael Flynn drove over the bar from 25 yards, and Luke O'Brien's cross was nearly turned into his own net by Mike Edwards but it was Michael Boulding - making the most of his recall to the team at the expense of the suspended Gareth Evans - that levelled matters, collecting a long punt from Flynn after former City skipper Graeme Lee had got caught under the ball, before rolling in past Kasper Schmeichel. The big Dane looked like his goalkeeping jersey had been stuffed with banknotes he was that big, and as he collapsed to the ground and two of his teammates slid back onto the line to try save his bacon, the ball somehow managed to trickle over the line in the 20th minute.
Simon Eastwood made a good save to deny Karl Hawley from range whilst Leon Osbourne had gone close with a low shot just wide to the left for City, with further chances for the home side falling to Boulding, who shot tamely at Schmeichel from inside the box, and when Luke O'Brien's cross was palmed in the area and cleared before City had chance of a tap in.
In the second half Notts County stepped their game up a notch and began to control matters, with City offering very little throughout the second period even after the substitions of Sharry for Flynn and Thorne for Neilson. It wasn't until the 85th minute though that the Magpies managed to actually regain the lead, with former loan-Bantam Delroy Facey turning in a cross from the right wing from Westcarr.
That had come after the dismissal of Lee for a second bookable offence just after an hour and appeared to have killed off the game, before the tie sprang into life in the final ten minutes and Brandon headed in an equaliser at the back post unmarked after a superb James O'Brien corner from the right.
There was still time for lively substitute Matt Richie to tonk the bar in time added on for the visitors but City failed to make the most of a couple of corners themselves and the game went immediately to penalties.
Things were not looking good for the Bantams when County converted their first spot kick and Boulding missed his team's first. However, sub Peter Thorne managed to squirm his kick under the big frame of Schmeichel and when Eastwood magnificently saved low to his right next time up City were back in the contest. Skipper Simon Ramsden converted to draw his side level and when James O'Brien coolly slotted home high into the right hand corner after County had fired wide, City went ahead. Schmeichel declared himself the man to keep County in the game but saw his powerful effort saved by the legs of Eastwood, meaning it was City that threw their name into the hat for the draw for the next round countesy of a 3-2 victory on penalties.
BCTID MOM - No one was particularly outstanding in my opinion on what was a difficult night to play football but having produced two good saves in the shoot out I find myself leaning towards young Simon Eastwood yet again as those saves proved vital in City getting through to the next round of the competition.
Tuesday 6th October 2009
The member of the Notts County staff that leapt down the touchline infront of the home fans, as Delroy Facey netted what he thought was a match winning goal in the 85th minute, really does need to learn the meaning of the phrase 'its not over until the final whistle' as his side were dumped out of the Johnstone's Paint trophy on penalties after a late equaliser from Chris Brandon handed Bradford a lifeline.
The 3,701 fans that turned up on this wet Tuesday night were treated to an entertaining cup tie even if the game was played under difficult, boggy conditions, following late deluge of rain in the afternoon that left the pitch particularly boggy infront of the Sunwin stand.
In the first half City controlled matters but to their surprise found themselves a goal behind when Craig Westcarr caught the City defence napping and sidestepped Simon Eastwood to roll home in the 10th minute.
After then, City created the better chances throughout the remainder of the first half, Michael Flynn drove over the bar from 25 yards, and Luke O'Brien's cross was nearly turned into his own net by Mike Edwards but it was Michael Boulding - making the most of his recall to the team at the expense of the suspended Gareth Evans - that levelled matters, collecting a long punt from Flynn after former City skipper Graeme Lee had got caught under the ball, before rolling in past Kasper Schmeichel. The big Dane looked like his goalkeeping jersey had been stuffed with banknotes he was that big, and as he collapsed to the ground and two of his teammates slid back onto the line to try save his bacon, the ball somehow managed to trickle over the line in the 20th minute.
Simon Eastwood made a good save to deny Karl Hawley from range whilst Leon Osbourne had gone close with a low shot just wide to the left for City, with further chances for the home side falling to Boulding, who shot tamely at Schmeichel from inside the box, and when Luke O'Brien's cross was palmed in the area and cleared before City had chance of a tap in.
In the second half Notts County stepped their game up a notch and began to control matters, with City offering very little throughout the second period even after the substitions of Sharry for Flynn and Thorne for Neilson. It wasn't until the 85th minute though that the Magpies managed to actually regain the lead, with former loan-Bantam Delroy Facey turning in a cross from the right wing from Westcarr.
That had come after the dismissal of Lee for a second bookable offence just after an hour and appeared to have killed off the game, before the tie sprang into life in the final ten minutes and Brandon headed in an equaliser at the back post unmarked after a superb James O'Brien corner from the right.
There was still time for lively substitute Matt Richie to tonk the bar in time added on for the visitors but City failed to make the most of a couple of corners themselves and the game went immediately to penalties.
Things were not looking good for the Bantams when County converted their first spot kick and Boulding missed his team's first. However, sub Peter Thorne managed to squirm his kick under the big frame of Schmeichel and when Eastwood magnificently saved low to his right next time up City were back in the contest. Skipper Simon Ramsden converted to draw his side level and when James O'Brien coolly slotted home high into the right hand corner after County had fired wide, City went ahead. Schmeichel declared himself the man to keep County in the game but saw his powerful effort saved by the legs of Eastwood, meaning it was City that threw their name into the hat for the draw for the next round countesy of a 3-2 victory on penalties.
BCTID MOM - No one was particularly outstanding in my opinion on what was a difficult night to play football but having produced two good saves in the shoot out I find myself leaning towards young Simon Eastwood yet again as those saves proved vital in City getting through to the next round of the competition.
Sunday 27 September 2009
Bradford 3 - 0 Chesterfield - Match Report
League Two
Saturday 26th September 2009
After a sticky start to the season Stuart McCall's Bradford have embarked upon a decent run of form of late and a comfortable victory over Chesterfield at Valley Parade extended their unbeaten run to seven matches and lifted them to within two points of the top seven.
That they never hit top gear bodes well for the Bantams, who generally controlled this game from start to finish although they did have a scare early on when Wade Small almost found himself one on one with Simon Eastwood before referee Gary Sutton - who had an excellent game and often played the sensible advantage - halted play for an alleged trip on Luke O'Brien.
With Jack Lester benched as he recovered from a recent virus, Chesterfield lacked bite and Donal McDermott's left foot shot from an angle was horribly off target. Michael Flynn had shown him how it was done two minutes earlier when he capitalised on a moment of hesitation from a Spireites fullback down the left wing to cut back onto his right foot and curl a beautiful shot into the top-right hand corner to open the scoring in the 23rd minute.
Although they were the dominant side, City did have a few hairy moments and Simon Eastwood was called into action after half an hour with a good block after Jonathon Bateson had been beaten to the ball by Wade Small at the back post.
Another City man playing well was Scott Neilson and he enjoyed another good game on the right wing as he settles down into the side. His effort in the 34th minute - after cutting inside onto his left foot from around 25 yards - would have been a contender for goal of the month had Tommy Lee not pulled off a top drawer save to claw the ball out of the top corner.
However, Neilson did later manage to get his name onto the scoresheet, and at a crucial moment too. Chesterfield began a little better after the break but Derek Niven saw a close range shot blocked by Eastwood and instantly City launched a counter attack that saw Gareth Evans' shot parried into the path of Neilson for an easy tap in in the 55th minute.
Other half-chances for Chesterfield had come from their best player, Small, who had dragged a low shot wide of goal after escaping Williams, and also to Gregor Robertson, who curled a left-footed shot over the bar.
A City chance fell the way of James Hanson, who, with his back to goal, hooked a volley over the bar after a cross from Bateson, but a more clinical finish came courtesy of substitute Chris Brandon who rifled home from inside the area after Hanson had challenged Lee - his second goal off the bench against his former clubs this season.
Lester, so often a tormentor of City in the past, was starved of service after his introduction on the hour and Chesterfield's heads seemed to have dropped long by this point, and with Martin Gritton's low shot a routine catch for Eastwood it was the Bantams that looked more likely to add to their tally in the closing minutes.
Neilson somehow managed to hit the post with the goal at his mercy after Lee had become stranded, and substitute Michael Boulding also found himself in a decent position before waiting for the ball to roll across him and allowing Lee in to intercept before he had managed to crack a shot away.
Nevertheless, those misses proved irrelevant as City collected a well deserved three points and left the feeling that they had much more to offer in the months to come.
BCTID MOM - Luke O'Brien continued his good run of form with another fine attacking performance on the left and Michael Flynn had another good game in the middle of the field and has really bedded into the side well now and is contributing plenty offensively. My gut instinct walking away from the ground was that Simon Eastwood was my man of the match based upon his two fine saves that kept his side ahead, but on reflection I think Scott Neilson was probably the star man for City. He's got a wicked shot on him, looks much classier than his predecessor when in possession and is proving to be a real find by Stuart McCall.
Saturday 26th September 2009
After a sticky start to the season Stuart McCall's Bradford have embarked upon a decent run of form of late and a comfortable victory over Chesterfield at Valley Parade extended their unbeaten run to seven matches and lifted them to within two points of the top seven.
That they never hit top gear bodes well for the Bantams, who generally controlled this game from start to finish although they did have a scare early on when Wade Small almost found himself one on one with Simon Eastwood before referee Gary Sutton - who had an excellent game and often played the sensible advantage - halted play for an alleged trip on Luke O'Brien.
With Jack Lester benched as he recovered from a recent virus, Chesterfield lacked bite and Donal McDermott's left foot shot from an angle was horribly off target. Michael Flynn had shown him how it was done two minutes earlier when he capitalised on a moment of hesitation from a Spireites fullback down the left wing to cut back onto his right foot and curl a beautiful shot into the top-right hand corner to open the scoring in the 23rd minute.
Although they were the dominant side, City did have a few hairy moments and Simon Eastwood was called into action after half an hour with a good block after Jonathon Bateson had been beaten to the ball by Wade Small at the back post.
Another City man playing well was Scott Neilson and he enjoyed another good game on the right wing as he settles down into the side. His effort in the 34th minute - after cutting inside onto his left foot from around 25 yards - would have been a contender for goal of the month had Tommy Lee not pulled off a top drawer save to claw the ball out of the top corner.
However, Neilson did later manage to get his name onto the scoresheet, and at a crucial moment too. Chesterfield began a little better after the break but Derek Niven saw a close range shot blocked by Eastwood and instantly City launched a counter attack that saw Gareth Evans' shot parried into the path of Neilson for an easy tap in in the 55th minute.
Other half-chances for Chesterfield had come from their best player, Small, who had dragged a low shot wide of goal after escaping Williams, and also to Gregor Robertson, who curled a left-footed shot over the bar.
A City chance fell the way of James Hanson, who, with his back to goal, hooked a volley over the bar after a cross from Bateson, but a more clinical finish came courtesy of substitute Chris Brandon who rifled home from inside the area after Hanson had challenged Lee - his second goal off the bench against his former clubs this season.
Lester, so often a tormentor of City in the past, was starved of service after his introduction on the hour and Chesterfield's heads seemed to have dropped long by this point, and with Martin Gritton's low shot a routine catch for Eastwood it was the Bantams that looked more likely to add to their tally in the closing minutes.
Neilson somehow managed to hit the post with the goal at his mercy after Lee had become stranded, and substitute Michael Boulding also found himself in a decent position before waiting for the ball to roll across him and allowing Lee in to intercept before he had managed to crack a shot away.
Nevertheless, those misses proved irrelevant as City collected a well deserved three points and left the feeling that they had much more to offer in the months to come.
BCTID MOM - Luke O'Brien continued his good run of form with another fine attacking performance on the left and Michael Flynn had another good game in the middle of the field and has really bedded into the side well now and is contributing plenty offensively. My gut instinct walking away from the ground was that Simon Eastwood was my man of the match based upon his two fine saves that kept his side ahead, but on reflection I think Scott Neilson was probably the star man for City. He's got a wicked shot on him, looks much classier than his predecessor when in possession and is proving to be a real find by Stuart McCall.
Sunday 13 September 2009
Bradford 1 - 1 Burton Albion - Match Report
League Two
Saturday 12th September 2009
Burton have adapted well to life in League Two following promotion from the Conference last term, and ground out a 1-1 draw from Valley Parade this afternoon.
In the first half Bradford just about shaded matters, but their inability to take their chances meant they were punished when Paul Boertien curled in a late equaliser for the Staffordshire side to deny City five wins on the bounce.
In the opening stages it was Gareth Evans and Scott Neilson that created City's best chances, with the duo combining to tee Neilson up for a shot inside the first ten minutes, but his effort was weak.
This was another livewire performance from Evans and it was the former Macclesfield man that opened the scoring after a defensive mix up between Burton skipper Guy Branston and a fellow defender, rolling home into an empty net in the 24th minute after the ball had squirmed loose inside the area.
With twenty minutes of the half remaining, Evans this time turned provider, latching onto a pass down the left from Flynn, and crossing to the back post where Neilson's ambitious volley sailed over.
For the visitors, John McGrath was at the heart of Burton's best moves. After Greg Pearson had drawn in his marker with his back to goal inside the area, a sideways flick set up McGrath, but a superb save from City stopper Simon Eastwood denied him his moment of glory.
McGrath then curled a free-kick narrowly wide of the top left-hand corner but Burton boss Paul Peschisolido will be cursing Lee Bullock, who threw his body on the line fior Bradford and clattered into the post to deny Pearson a simple tap in after Eastwood had again produced a fine save from close range after Zesh Rehman's mistake inside the box.
In first half injury time McGrath sold a dummy to the Bradford defence that enabled him to crack a shot away on the edge of the area, but it was angled horribly wrong and of no danger to Eastwood.
The second half was less exciting than the first and one of City's best chances came when Albion 'keeper Artur Krysiak punched the ball only as far as Michael Flynn and with his second attempt the City midfielder, who has been in fine goalscoring mood with two goals in his last two, lifted the ball narrowly wide of the left hand post with the keeper stranded.
However, City's best chance of doubling their advantage came when they broke rapidly and outnumbered Burton three on two at the back. Neilson was in plenty of space down the right but instead of playing in his team-mate Evans opted for a chip over the 'keeper, which sailed over the bar and wasted the opportunity.
That miss proved crucial for McCall's side though, as Burton worked their way into a nice position inside the City box and Boertien burst into the area before curling into the top corner from a Richard Walker lay-off to draw his side level with seven minutes remaining.
McCall threw on Michael Boulding and City went with a three-pronged attack in an attempt to salvage the win, but they failed to muster any other chances of note and a point, given their inability to really shake off Burton all game, seems a fair result on reflection.
BCTID MOM - There were good performances from Steve Williams, Michael Flynn, Chris Brandon and Gareth Evans but this was a pleasing performance from Simon Eastwood and the two saves he pulled off in the first half will do his confidence the world of good after many, myself included, questioned his place in the team in weeks gone by.
Saturday 12th September 2009
Burton have adapted well to life in League Two following promotion from the Conference last term, and ground out a 1-1 draw from Valley Parade this afternoon.
In the first half Bradford just about shaded matters, but their inability to take their chances meant they were punished when Paul Boertien curled in a late equaliser for the Staffordshire side to deny City five wins on the bounce.
In the opening stages it was Gareth Evans and Scott Neilson that created City's best chances, with the duo combining to tee Neilson up for a shot inside the first ten minutes, but his effort was weak.
This was another livewire performance from Evans and it was the former Macclesfield man that opened the scoring after a defensive mix up between Burton skipper Guy Branston and a fellow defender, rolling home into an empty net in the 24th minute after the ball had squirmed loose inside the area.
With twenty minutes of the half remaining, Evans this time turned provider, latching onto a pass down the left from Flynn, and crossing to the back post where Neilson's ambitious volley sailed over.
For the visitors, John McGrath was at the heart of Burton's best moves. After Greg Pearson had drawn in his marker with his back to goal inside the area, a sideways flick set up McGrath, but a superb save from City stopper Simon Eastwood denied him his moment of glory.
McGrath then curled a free-kick narrowly wide of the top left-hand corner but Burton boss Paul Peschisolido will be cursing Lee Bullock, who threw his body on the line fior Bradford and clattered into the post to deny Pearson a simple tap in after Eastwood had again produced a fine save from close range after Zesh Rehman's mistake inside the box.
In first half injury time McGrath sold a dummy to the Bradford defence that enabled him to crack a shot away on the edge of the area, but it was angled horribly wrong and of no danger to Eastwood.
The second half was less exciting than the first and one of City's best chances came when Albion 'keeper Artur Krysiak punched the ball only as far as Michael Flynn and with his second attempt the City midfielder, who has been in fine goalscoring mood with two goals in his last two, lifted the ball narrowly wide of the left hand post with the keeper stranded.
However, City's best chance of doubling their advantage came when they broke rapidly and outnumbered Burton three on two at the back. Neilson was in plenty of space down the right but instead of playing in his team-mate Evans opted for a chip over the 'keeper, which sailed over the bar and wasted the opportunity.
That miss proved crucial for McCall's side though, as Burton worked their way into a nice position inside the City box and Boertien burst into the area before curling into the top corner from a Richard Walker lay-off to draw his side level with seven minutes remaining.
McCall threw on Michael Boulding and City went with a three-pronged attack in an attempt to salvage the win, but they failed to muster any other chances of note and a point, given their inability to really shake off Burton all game, seems a fair result on reflection.
BCTID MOM - There were good performances from Steve Williams, Michael Flynn, Chris Brandon and Gareth Evans but this was a pleasing performance from Simon Eastwood and the two saves he pulled off in the first half will do his confidence the world of good after many, myself included, questioned his place in the team in weeks gone by.
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