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.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
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.
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