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.