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Coca-Cola League Two
Bury (0) 1 Morrell 76
Bradford C (0) 0
Att: 4,112
MORRELL MAGIC SHAKES BANTAMS UP
Bury kept their place in the top three with a 1-0 win over promotion rivals
Bradford City at Gigg Lane in League Two on Tuesday night.
The Shakers were boosted by the news forward Andy Bishop has finally signed
a new three-and-a-half-year deal and strike partner Andy Morrell gave them a
deserved 76th-minute winner.
The hosts enjoyed the better chances in a hard-fought first half with
Bradford goalkeeper Rhys Evans denying Morrell an early opener after
deflecting Elliott Bennett's cross goalwards.
Barry Conlon replaced Peter Thorne up front for Bradford and headed well
wide from a Nicky Law corner before Bury's Mike Jones and Morrell fired off
target just after the half-hour mark, Bishop the provider on both occasions.
Evans had to turn wide a fierce effort from Jones just before the break,
while Paul McClaren blazed over from Bradford's first decent chance. Bury
remained on top after the restart, Morrell heading wide from a Brian
Barry-Murphy cross while Bishop was denied by Evans after being put through
by Bennett.
Bradford replied with Law firing straight at Mark Tyler, although the hosts
were the more adventurous, Morrell this time heading wide from a Jones
centre. But Morrell found the target with time running out, cutting in from
the left before firing inside the near post. Conlon and sub Michael Boulding
went close late on but Bury held out.
Stats: Bury - Bradford C
Possession: 52 - 48%
Shots on target: 7 - 3
Shots off target: 10 - 5
Fouls: 9 - 16
Corners: 7 - 5
Ref: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear).
Yellow card:
Bury: Buchanan (56 min.)
Bradford C: None.
Bury: 25. Mark Tyler, 2. Paul Scott, 5. Ben Futcher, 6. Ryan Cresswell, 3.
David Buchanan, 23. Elliott Bennett, 7. Stephen Dawson, 11. Brian
Barry-Murphy, 14. Mike Jones, 10. Andy Bishop, 18. Andrew Morrell (86).
Subs: 4. Steven Haslam, 8. Richie Baker, 9. Glynn Hurst (86), 12. Danny
Racchi, 16. Efetobore Sodje.
Bradford C: 1. Rhys Evans, 2. Paul Arnison, 5. Graeme Lee, 12. Matthew
Clarke, 33. Zeshan Rehman, 24. Nicholas Law, 8. Lee Bullock (78), 4. Paul
McLaren, 7. Omar Daley (79), 9. Barry Conlon, 25. Steve Jones (70).
Subs: 10. Peter Thorne, 15. Joe Colbeck (70), 16. Simon Ainge, 14. Michael
Boulding (79), 23. Dean Furman (78).
Next match: (H) Grimsby Town. Saturday January 31, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM.
Last season: Grimsby 1-1 Bradford C; Bradford C 2-1 Grimsby.
This season: Grimsby 1-3 Bradford C.
Next match: (H) Darlington. Monday February 2nd, 2009. K.O. 7:45PM.
(live on Sky Sports)
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http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford/Bury-1-Bradford-City-0.4919952.jp
Bury 1 Bradford City 0: City slip further off the pace
Bradford lose late on
Bradford City slipped out of the play-off places after going down to a late defeat at Gigg Lane.
The Bantams have struggled to convert draws into wins recently and their lack of a cutting edge showed again, creating precious little before Andy Morrell grabbed a deserved 76th-minute winner.
Zesh Rehman came into the side after signing on loan from QPR, while Lee Bullock and Barry Conlon also came in, with Luke O'Brien, Dean Furman and Peter Thorne making way.
Bury were the better side throughout, though, and Bradford goalkeeper Rhys Evans had to be alert to deny Morrell an early opener.
Conlon then headed well wide from Nicky Law's corner, before the two sides became locked in a battle for midfield supremacy. Neither managed to forge an opening until Bury winger Mike Jones dragged a shot wide on the half-hour mark.
Bishop then picked out Morrell with a searching cross-field ball, only for Morrell to volley over from a tight angle, before Conlon sent an attempted lob well over.
Evans had to turn wide a fierce effort from Mike Jones and Morrell headed wide shortly after the restart, while Bishop was denied by Evans after being put through by Bennett.
The Bantams replied with Law firing straight at goalkeeper Mark Tyler after some uncertainty in the Bury defence.
Morrell then headed wide from Mike Jones's centre but he found the target with time runnng out, Graeme Lee standing off and allowing Morrell to fire past Evans at his near post.
Bury: Tyler; Scott, Cresswell, Futcher, Buchanan; Bennett, Dawson, Barry-Murphy, Jones; Bishop, Morrell (Hurst). Subs: Baker, Haslam, Rachhi, Sodje.
Bradford City: Evans; Arnison, Clarke, Lee, Rehman; Daley (Boulding 79), McClaren, Bullock (Furman 78), Law; Conlon, Steve Jones (Joe Colbeck 70). Subs: Simon Ainge, Peter Thorne.
Referee: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).
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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4080742.Lacklustre_City_punished_by_play_off_rivals/
Lacklustre City punished by play-off rivals
7:10am Wednesday 28th January 2009
Bury 1 City 0
City slipped out of the play-off places after a poor display at promotion rivals Bury.
It was a costly way to start a crucial five-game period, including four against fellow promotion fighters, which could have a big say in their hopes of going up.
On this evidence, there is work to be done.
Bury, who are now four points above them, weren't brilliant but they had the better chances and always looked much more likely to score.
For City, that was not the case.
After the euphoria of Saturday's breathless fightback at Kenilworth Road, they were sent crashing back to earth in the Gigg Lane rain.
With two home games coming straight up, City need a big response.
With Luke O'Brien calling off ill at lunchtime, on-loan defender Zesh Rehman was pressed straight into action as a makeshift left back.
Straight away, tricky winger Elliott Bennett cut back from his challenge and drilled in an awkward low cross that Rhys Evans just managed to dig out after a touch off Andy Morrell.
Given the high stakes, it was hardly surprising that the game set off at a frantic pace and Graeme Lee had to be alert to nod away another Bennett cross as Andy Bishop lurked menacingly.
Barry Conlon, Saturday's last-gasp hero, had a great chance to head City in front after eight minutes from the opening corner. The Irishman was unmarked but could not hit the target from ten yards out – it was a big miss and he knew it.
The City fans were again out in force – 1,800 out of a 4,110 crowd – and created a wall of noise behind Evans' goal. There were also a few derogatory songs about Bishop, the much-coveted Bury striker that City had been linked with.
Bishop responded with a long-range free-kick but it flew straight into Evans.
The game had settled down after the helter-skelter opening but Morrell forced Matt Clarke into coughing up a cheap corner as he tried to shepherd the ball out. Evans, though, cut out the danger with a confident take at the back post.
Rehman, despite playing on his wrong side, had settled well and looked strong and composed for his first start of the season.
Both keepers had been largely untroubled in the first half hour and when Bishop flicked down to set up Mike Jones, the winger thrashed his shot wide.
Bishop then tried an angled ball over the City centre halves to pick out Morrell for an ambitious volley high into the away end.
Omar Daley had not managed to get into the game, finding himself shackled by at least two white shirts every time the ball came his way. Bury had also switched their wingers over to put the quicker Bennett on him.
Conlon attempted a first-time lob from near the touchline but it was never coming down enough to worry home keeper Mark Tyler.
At the other end, Evans was called into serious action at last as David Buchanan neatly found Morrell in the box. He struck the shot cleanly but Evans confidently pushed it behind.
Bury broke through Morrell and Bennett fired a terrific cross into the danger area. Luckily for City, Lee was there in the middle of the scramble to calmly clear away.
The play was opening up and Daley suddenly pressed on the accelerator to scoot past Buchanan and power towards the byline. The Jamaican pulled the ball back to Paul McLaren, who was unable to keep his effort down from the edge of the Bury box.
It was patchy stuff and nowhere near the thrills and spills of Kenilworth Road but there was nothing to choose between the sides. Both knew it was there to be won in the second half.
Daley and Nicky Law swapped wings when the action resumed and the visitors tried to introduce a bit of snap into their play.
City looked more positive but Bury had the first chance of the half as Buchanan's deep cross picked out Morrell for a header over the bar.
And the Shakers should have been in front after 51 minutes as Bennett raced away on the counter-attack with City caught upfield. He drew Rehman inside before slipping a pass to the unmarked Bishop on his right.
The striker looked odds on to score but his shot was at a good height for Evans, who turned it away superbly.
His opposite number Tyler was then caught out in an aerial challenge with Conlon but Law could not connect cleanly enough with the volley as the ball fell loose.
Referee Colin Webster had kept a calm hand on matters, a welcome change after the weekend histrionics from Trevor Kettle. But the Tyne & Wear official had to brandish a yellow card when Jones was upended late by the sliding Buchanan.
The away volume rose again, sensing the tide was turning in City's favour. It almost did as a long free-kick from Bullock just ran away from Conlon as it dropped invitingly in the goalmouth.
Daley was punished for high-kicking to give Bury a free-kick five yards outside the corner of the box. Skipper Paul Scott fired it over the wall but Evans clutched comfortably, as he had done all game.
Daley was more embarrassed when he tried a trademark effort after cutting inside – only to catch the ball with his standing foot and miss the shot completely.
McCall made his first change after 69 minutes, bringing on Joe Colbeck for Jones. The substitute headed for the right wing with Daley pushed up front. Bury, though, issued another warning as Jones delivered a wickedly bending cross which beat the head of Lee. Morrell was right behind him and guided the ball no more than a foot wide of the post.
City did not heed the message – and fell behind with 15 minutes left.
Bennett, the best player on the pitch, was the architect with another driving run through the middle. He found Morrell on the edge of the box and his finish was clinical, firing past Evans at the near post.
City were once again chasing a game and responded by making their final two changes, Dean Furman and Michael Boulding coming on for Bullock and Daley.
Bury were bubbling and even their supporters finally came to life. With City committed to pushing men forward, they sensed more joy on the break as gaps appeared.
Morrell was denied by a strong sliding block from Clarke. The striker picked up a knock in the process and limped off to be replaced but he had got the job done.
City were throwing everyone forward in a frantic hunt for an equaliser. Furman's cross was headed towards goal by Colbeck but it struck Conlon, who was unable to get out the way.
As stoppage time began, Boulding and Conlon opened Bury with a lovely one-two but Tyler beat the sub's shot away.
City pressed again and thought they had equalised in a late scramble. Lee's flick-on down the middle seemed to fall perfectly for either striker to pull the trigger.
Cresswell got in a crucial challenge but the ball ran loose invitingly to Colbeck. The Bury goal beckoned but he snatched at the shot and it deflected against the offside Boulding.
But City would not have warranted a point. Bury, worryingly, wanted it more.
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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4080745.McCall_fumes_over_lack_of_desire/
McCall fumes over lack of desire
7:10am Wednesday 28th January 2009
Angry Stuart McCall accused City of "not wanting it enough" after losing promotion ground at Bury last night.
The Bantams were sunk by Andy Morrell's second-half goal to drop out of the League Two play-off zone.
And McCall rounded on his players for lacking the appetite for battle against a rival who are now four points above them.
He blasted: "It was unacceptable. Bury were hungrier, wanted it more and were first to the ball all over the park.
"It just wasn't good enough full stop. We came up against a team who had more desire and I hope I don't have to say that again this season.
"You can play poorly, make wrong decisions and miss chances but I'm not accepting being second best and that's what we were."
City were backed by more than 1,800 away fans who watched a performance short of ideas and inspiration. The defeat leaves McCall's men with only one win from their last ten games.
He added: "We've let a lot of people down and I hate doing that. We've got to be better – and we will be better.
"We've got good players in the team but when you come up against strength and desire, you need that little bit more. I picked a strong, physical team because I knew what to expect from Bury.
"But in the first half a lot of our players didn't show the desire needed. It was a bit more even in the second half but there are no excuses. After the comeback on Saturday, we could only bring confidence into the game. But we got what we deserved – nothing."
On-loan QPR defender Zesh Rehman made his debut at left back for virus victim Luke O'Brien and was spared his manager's criticism.
McCall said: "That was not his natural position but I thought Zesh was one of the better players for us.
"But there were too many who didn't turn up. Going forward we weren't good enough and lost too many battles.
"I'm hurt by it and we've got two home games coming up now to put it right. The team that go out against Grimsby on Saturday will be left in no doubt what is required.
"We have to show character now to make amends. The team will know exactly what's expected of them."
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http://www.buryfc.co.uk/page/MatchAction/0,,10422~1536409,00.html
Lots of match photos
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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4084000.Lawn__It_s_May_when_it_counts/
Lawn: It's May when it counts
6:50am Thursday 29th January 2009
Mark Lawn today urged fans not to panic after seeing City drop out of the play-off picture.
Tuesday's dismal defeat at Bury dropped the Bantams into ninth spot – their lowest position of the season.
Stuart McCall's men have won only once in the league since the end of November, picking up nine points from a possible 27.
McCall is demanding an immediate response from his side this weekend when they face crucial home clashes with Grimsby and promotion rivals Darlington.
Joint-chairman Lawn appreciates the fears of the fans but said: "It's not May 2 yet. That's when it counts.
"It is concerning and everybody is bound to be worried. I can quite understand that.
"But we've got the squad capable of doing it. All we've got to find is the right mixture.
"I'm sure we will make serious inroads into the teams above us, starting against Grimsby on Saturday."
City took more than 1,800 supporters to Gigg Lane and Lawn paid tribute to their backing.
He said: "I have to say that our fans were amazing and the Bury chairman couldn't believe it as well. They've never seen that number of away supporters at their ground for a midweek game.
"It was a pity the performance let them down but now we've got to get that out of our system. Let's do what the Man Uniteds of the world always do at this time of the season and turn up the pressure."
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