Bradford City 0 - 0 Port Vale - Match Report

15th August 2009 - League Two

After a 5-0 hammering by Notts County on the opening day of the season, followed by another cup thrashing at Notts Forest in midweek, City came into this fixture with plenty to prove, but left manager Stuart McCall with plenty of positives to take from the game as he attempts to get City’s season back on track.

A defence which lacked organisation in those preceding games appeared much tighter this afternoon, and Port Vale never looked in any danger of scoring from open play.

The Valiants did, however, threaten from set pieces and Robert Taylor’s corner in the third minute curled dangerously to the back post before City skipper Peter Thorne hacked clear.

At the other end, Thorne should have done better with a chance created by James Hanson. A cross from the left-hand touchline was ushered to the edge of the six yard box by Chris Brandon but Thorne could only prod his shot into the hands of Valiant’s ‘keeper Chris Martin from close-range.

John McCombe had a half chance for the visitors when he volleyed off target after Hanson’s header had been returned to the edge of box, but a better chance fell to Lee Collins, who headed over unmarked from another corner.

Antony Griffin could have perhaps done better with a long range effort at an unguarded net after Simon Eastwood made a hash of an attempted punch clear, but fired over the bar, whilst the impressive Steve Williams averted a one on one situation with Robert Taylor with a crucial sliding tackle after his man had skipped past him into the area.

McCombe directed yet another header off target for Micky Adams’ men before Hanson again looked the man that may unlock the Vale defence with a wicked ball across the face of goal that was asking to be tapped in, but was put behind for a corner.

By this point City were starting to offer more of a threat and the lively Chris Brandon saw his corner headed wide by Thorne. This was Brandon’s best game in a City shirt although he may feel as though he could have done better with a tame effort down the centre of goal that ran straight into Martin’s hands with six minutes of the half remaining.

In the second half City began to stamp a little bit more authority on the game and played some neat, passing football, however, they lacked a final ball with Luke O’Brien inparticular guilty of wasting decent crossing opportunities.

Brandon remained at the heart of City’s best moves in his free role and City had two other half chances through Michael Flynn, whose ambitious chip from 25-yards sailed over the bar, and O’Brien whose daisy-cutter failed to trouble Martin.

As the game wore on the tiring Brandon and the ineffective Michael Boulding were both withdrawn as McCall attempted to change things from the bench and the lively Gareth Evans impressed on several occasions, firstly dispossessing an opponent on the edge of the Vale area and playing into the path of Ramsden, but Vale cleared the resulting cross with Hanson lurking at the back post, and secondly when trying his luck with an ambitious half-volley – to demonstrate he is a bright young prospect playing with confidence.

Hanson played very well for City despite being shifted out onto the wing and he gave the fans another glimpse of his decent looking left foot with a low shot in injury time, but neither side could break the deadlock and a point was a fair result on reflection.

City must do much more from an attacking point of view in future matches, but after suffering two heavy defeats in the run up to Saturday, this was a step forward, a pleasing point, and one upon which we can aim to build upon on Tuesday night against Lincoln.

BCTID MOM: Simon Ramsden was excellent at right back, defending solidly and also offering support from an attacking point of view whilst James Hanson was a constant aerial threat on the left wing, perhaps asking to be moved upfront for City's next game after such a promising display, however, Steve Williams was the one that shone for me. It is remarkable to think this lad has been playing non-league and mixing amateur football with a job as a part-time barber as he looked accomplished and totally at ease at the back. His superb last ditch tackle on Robert Taylor prevented a one on one with Simon Eastwood and he looked very comfortable in possession, something that cannot be said about some of the other centre backs City have had in recent seasons.