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.
Showing posts with label Port Vale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Port Vale. Show all posts
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.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
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.
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.
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