Game Summary:
Bradford City left the last of their last chance saloons with three points that they probably didn't deserve after this entertaining clash played, for the most part, in glorious sunshine at Valley Parade.
The difference between the sides was eventually the solitary goal that took Peter Thorne's tally for the season to 12 when he rose highest to head home Ben Starosta's cross after sixteen minutes.
*/*
Next game(s) :
******************************
A bit of City humour... http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
2007/2008 fixtures now out
FL2 Table Table
Must be a midlife crises - I'm on facebook !
******************************
******************************
Match Video and Picture Links
******************************
Highlights (UK only) Virgin Media
http://www.thestar.co.uk/spireites/Spireites-sunk-by-single-strike.3909434.jp
(also includes slideshow - maybe UK only)
******************************
Match Stats
******************************
Game Statistics
Bradford: Loach ,Starosta ,Wetherall ,Bower ,Heckingbottom ,Colbeck ,Penford ,Nix ,Rhodes (Johnson ,58 ) ,Topp (Brown ,63 ) ,Thorne (Conlon ,85)
Subs not used: Williams,O'Brien,
Chesterfield: Roche ,Picken ,Kovacs ,Downes ,Robertson (Moloney ,66 ) ,Lowry (Adam Smith ,58 ) ,Niven (Winter ,80 ) ,Leven ,Kerry ,Dowson ,Fletcher
Subs not used Annerson,Hartley,
Bookings: Downes ,Kovacs (Chesterfield)
Attendance: 13825
Referee: C Webster (Tyne & Wear)
City / Spireites
10 Goal Attempts 13
7 On Target 5
4 Corners 6
12 Fouls 16
0 Yellow Cards 2
48 % 52
******************************
BCFC Report (from the T&A )
******************************
Thorne reaches magic milestone
By Simon Parker
Bradford City 1, Chesterfield 0
It will be one of those imponderable questions when the end-of-season inquests are carried out.
But how would City have got on if Peter Thorne had begun his campaign in August rather than November?
Thorne, fresh after Saturday's breather, once again showed his worth with a textbook centre forward's header this afternoon.
It was his 150th career league goal and the 12th in a Bantams shirt - all coming in the last four months.
Every team needs a poacher and Thorne's absence from the opening quarter of the season - when he did briefly play, he was never fully fit - hit City's plans hard.
Another six or seven games early doors might have produced another four or five goals - and maybe half a dozen extra points.
Then where might Stuart McCall's side be?
All conjecture, of course, as the Bantams continue to muddle around the middle.
The fans at least can enjoy a rare home win - only the second in six attempts.
But perhaps they should have expected it. This was the third year running that Chesterfield have left Valley Parade empty-handed - and not too many visiting sides can say that.
The Spireites have not even managed a single goal in that time. The cynics would say they are even worse on West Yorkshire soil than City!
Thorne's 16th-minute goal was reward for excellent build-up play.
Joe Colbeck charged through the middle, drawing the red shirts to him like moths to a flame, before slipping a pass to Ben Starosta.
The right back is always keen to get forward and he relished the open space created to deliver a deep cross right on to Thorne's head.
The striker's connection carried too much power for keeper Barry Roche, who could only palm it into the net.
Starosta was at it again within minutes, threading a lovely pass into the Chesterfield box between left back and centre half which was wasted by Colbeck's disappointing cut-back.
McCall had praised the desire shown at Millmoor and, watching from his lofty perch in the press box, the gaffer would have been impressed with Alex Rhodes.
The winger appeared to have lost out to Derek Niven after a surging run into the area but battled to win back possession while on the ground and drill in a cross which unfortunately caught his team-mates napping.
Chesterfield were clearly missing 25-goal hitman Jack Lester, whose broken nose from the weekend is threatening to derail their play-off push. Without him, they looked toothless for much of the first half.
Aussie defender Aaron Downes should have got more on a header at a free-kick but Chesterfield's only other effort was an off-balance lob well wide from Lloyd Kerry.
Starosta was almost operating exclusively as a right winger as City looked for that second goal. And Thorne got free out wide to whip in a dangerous ball that just eluded his target Colbeck.
City had the chance to crank up the pressure on the Chesterfield goal in time added on after Rhodes was bundled over level with the corner of the penalty area.
But the opportunity was wasted as Colbeck rolled it short for Kyle Nix, whose half-hearted shot was easily blocked.
The game had a flat feel but City were good value for their advantage.
Spireites boss Lee Richardson made his feelings on the first 45 minutes crystal clear by sending his team out well early for the second half - no doubt, with a few choice words ringing in their ears.
Chesterfield had to wake up as an attacking force and veteran battering ram Steve Fletcher tried to flex his muscles within minutes of the re-start when he launched into Loach on the end of a long cross from Gregor Robertson. Both missed it but City comfortably cleared up the potential danger.
Peter Leven, briefly a Valley Parade trialist in pre-season, launched a long throw-in into the box which was carefully cleared by David Wetherall.
Then centre back partner Mark Bower clashed with David Dowson, leaving the on-loan Sunderland striker on the floor.
Chesterfield's fans behind the goal appealed for a penalty but referee Colin Webster was unmoved.
It was a good little spell for the visitors, although still there was nothing to seriously trouble City's lead.
City nearly cashed in on the break with Willy Topp and Colbeck combining brightly to force the game's first corner.
It had taken 55 minutes but was not worth waiting for as Colbeck's kick didn't clear the first defender.
McCall, now back at ground level, made his first switch just before the hour.
Rhodes, one of three changes from Saturday, made way for Eddie Johnson as Nix shunted across to the left.
Colbeck was seeing more and more of the ball and giving marker Gregor Robertson a run for his money. And City's pacy threat increased when David Brown came on for Topp.
The Kop had woken up to provide the noisy backing which had been lacking up to that point. The volume increased as Brown's persistence kept the ball alive on the touchline and Thorne forced another corner.
A constant chorus of "Stuart McCall's Bradford Army" drummed round the ground and it did not waver as Chesterfield's attacking ambitions were twice thwarted by the imposing head of Wetherall.
Loach was finally called upon to make his first save as Dowson drove towards the near post. The keeper's block was strong and Bower got in the way of the follow-up.
The home fans kept singing from the far end as Chesterfield won back-to-back corners - and the second should have produced an equaliser for substitute Adam Smith, who scuffed over the bar from point-blank range.
It was a warning sign for the Bantams, whose advantage was starting to look precarious. It had been seven games since the last clean sheet at home, a run stretching back to January 12.
Bower was starting to tire in the closing stages, understandably as he played his second game in three days after so long out.
But Fletcher brushed him off to make room for an effort from the edge of the box which cleared the bar.
Bower then launched a clearing header forward that was missed by two Chesterfield players and dropped straight at the feet of the dimunitive Brown.
Downes, perhaps undone by the striker's low centre of gravity, immediately bundled him over and was rightly booked.
Nix's free-kick was deflected just wide but Chesterfield responded instantly as Starosta was caught out by Dowson.
The right back did not see Dowson closing him down and turned straight into trouble but was baled out by Loach, who turned the resulting shot across goal and away.
Brown won another free-kick on the break to lift the pressure and Thorne nearly earned City some breathing space when the ball broke to him ten yards out but his firm shot was well parried by Roche.
Thorne went off to a standing ovation with five minutes to go and replacement Barry Conlon almost scored with his first touch, heading over from the penalty spot.
But Conlon was trumped straight away by Chesterfield's newly-arrived sub Jamie Winter, whose 25-yard belter was arrowing for the top corner until Loach flew across his goal to tip it clear.
Loach was into the action again to beat away Smith's cross as the four minutes of added time began with another melee.
Even the keeper appeared in the box for a corner as Chesterfield desperately pushed for an equaliser.
The visitors must have regretted their lack of conviction in the first 45 minutes.
But the game ended with City on the attack and, for once, the supporters went home happy.
******************************
Opposition Report
******************************
Official match report
Lee Richardson was forced into two changes and elected to make a third, to the line-up that beat Accrington on Saturday. Jack Lester's broken nose we knew about, but Jamie Ward's absence, with a tight hamstring, took everyone by surprise. David Dowson and Steve Fletcher thus started up front. Gregor Robertson moved from left midfield to left back, replacing Peter Hartley, who dropped to the bench. Adam Smith and Brendan Moloney were welcome additions to the substitute strength.
Chesterfield made a decent, measured start. Fletch found Dowson with a knock-down on 3 and he worked it towards Picken, but the ball was cleared. Picken was involved in getting the ball into the Bradford box on 6, but Weatherall cleared. Chesterfield looked the more comfortable side in the first ten minutes.
City's first effort came from Thorne, on 13, but it didn't trouble Roche in the visitors' net. Thorne was more accurate on 15, though, getting on the end of Starosa's cross to plant a free header past Roche, despite the keeper getting a hand to it. 1-0 City.
Having taken the lead City relaxed, and played the better football, looking to increase their lead against a Spireites side that seemed to lose its shape a little. Chesterfield clawed their way back into the game, at least in terms of share of play, thanks to determined work by Kerry, particularly.
Niven crossed on 36 after Dowson worked the ball wide well, but Fletcher was unable to make firm contact at the far post. City broke with Topp, but Niven was on hand to clear the danger.
Colbeck took a short free kick to Nix as stoppage time commenced but the end product was poor, and the free kick was wasted. The game was becoming drab as Bradford, in command, lacked the quality to build on their lead in a convincing manner, and Chesterfield lacked the impetus, organisation and width to mount a convincing comeback.
Both sides were probably grateful for the half-time break.
Chesterfield tried to press after the re-start. A Lowry shot was unfortunately blocked by Dowson; Robertson skied a cross but the City goalkeeper flapped under pressure, almost letting Fletcher in.Dowson broke into the penalty area but was baulked by an outstretched arm after flicking ball over a defender- the referee declined to award a penalty.
Topp got as far as the Spireites six-yard box but was stopped by Niven, at the expense of the game's first corner, on 55. Nix went through on Dowson, who seemed to have been identified as the principal threat by the City team.
Adam Smith replaced Jamie Lowry on 57, while City brought Eddie Johnson on for Rhodes. David Brown replaced Topp on 63. Brown beat Downes and crossed to Thorne, whose effort cannoned off Kovacs for a corner, which Downes cleared.
Moloney replaced Robertson on 66. City brought everyone back to defend a free kick which Kerry took on 67, but his effort came back off the wall. Dowson got a shot away on 68 but Loach saved; Leven look poised to pick up the afters but Kerry came in front of him. The ball was cleared and Kovacs was booked for a foul on Starosa.
Smith's cross to Fletcher was cleared for a corner which Kerry took on 70. Johnson headed it away for another; Kerry took that and it fell to Smith, who knocked it over from only a couple of yards with the goal at his mercy. The Spireites were unquestionably brighter and were having the greater share of the ball - with men absent up front, though, would they be able to conjure an equaliser?
Fletcher shot over the bar on 75. Downes was harshly booked for a foul on Brown after the diminutive chap was knocked off the ball by a bigger man. Nix took the free kick but the shot struck Downes and went out for a corner. Dowson broke through on 78 but Loach pulled off a great save to deny him, at the expense of a corner. Chesterfield kept the ball from the clearance and Kerry shot narrowly wide.
Winter replaced Niven on 80. Brown tumbled under a Kerry challenge to win a free kick on 81. The free kick came to Thorne who shot well, but Roche equalled it with a fine save. Conlon replace Thorne on 86 and headed over the bar almost immediately. Winter fired a fine shot at the Bradford goal but Loch pulled off another top-class save to preserve City's lead. Straight away Winter was back at the other end to deny Brown. Leven fed Kerry who shot, but Loach had a more comfortable time with this effort. A fine Smith cross was cleared, and City were left hanging on by their knicker elastic as Smith and Winter both put in balls that were cleared frantically. Roche came up for a corner on 91. As the four minutes of added time unfolded, though, City were able to slow it down enough to halt Chesterfield's momentum
Misc. Report(s)
http://www.thestar.co.uk/spireites/Spireites-sunk-by-single-strike.3909434.jp
(also includes slideshow - maybe UK only)
http://www.thestar.co.uk/spireites/How-did-we-miss-all.3913159.jp
******************************
Post match reaction
******************************
******************************
Other reports
******************************
From the Yorkshire Post
Bradford City 1 Chesterfield 0: Bradford owe debt to inspired Loach
Bradford city goalkeeper Scott Loach pulled off two stunning saves to frustrate play-off chasers Chesterfield and earn a much-needed home win for Stuart McCall's side.
City went ahead in the first half thanks to Peter Thorne's 12th goal of the season, but they were under the cosh for much of the second period and the visitors must be wondering how they did not find a way through.
McCall rang the changes after City's hard-fought draw at Rotherham and his fresh line-up bossed the game early on.
Winger Joe Colbeck posed plenty of problems with his pace and when he picked out overlapping full-back Ben Sarosta after 15 minutes he supplied a superb cross for Thorne to power in his header from six yards out.
But City failed to make the most of their early dominance and after the interval the visitors came out determined to get back into the contest.
Lively Chesterfield striker David Dowson went down under a challenge from Mark Bower, but referee Colin Webster waved away the penalty appeals and Loach, who had flapped at a couple of crosses, made amends when he blocked another effort from Dowson at his near post.
Twenty minutes from time City had a real let-off when Lloyd Kerry's corner beat everybody only for Adam Smith to scoop the ball over the bar.
Starosta blotted his copybook when his slip allowed Dowson a clear run-in on goal, but Loach came to his rescue with a smart one-handed save, before blocking Jamie Winter's 25-yard shot.
******************************
Other news
******************************
Thorne to begin contract talks
******************************
CFML – City Forward! Mailing List
“All the news and none of the views”
Since February 1997
******************************
No comments:
Post a Comment