L2 v Barnet (a) L1-4 Feb 21 2009

Barnet: Harrison, Devera, Yakubu, Breen, Lockwood, Adomah, Bishop, Deverdics, Bolasie (Gillet 88), Furlong, O'Flynn (Birchall 90).
Subs Not Used: Kadoch, Leary, Porter.

Booked: Bolasie.

Goals: Adomah 25, O'Flynn 41, Bolasie 58, Devera 62.

Bradford: Evans, Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien, Colbeck (Conlon 60), Furman, Law, Jones (McLaren 69), Thorne, Michael Boulding.
Subs Not Used: Convey, Arnison, Bullock.

Booked: Furman.

Goals: Michael Boulding 56.

Att: 2,445

Ref: Graham Scott (Devon).


Stats
Bees / Battered Bantams 
13 Shots On Target 4
6 Shots Off Target 4
11 Fouls (Conceded) 10
12 Corners 6
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0

Next game v Notts County (a) Feb 28 ko 3pm
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=243818&lang=EN



===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4145304.Freak_result_leaves_City_fans_horrified/

Freak result leaves City fans horrified
7:30am Monday 23rd February 2009

Barnet 4 City 1

"You'll be back again next year."

A taunt from the home fans that will have sent a shudder through anyone unfortunate enough to have witnessed City's capitulation.

This was supposed to be an away banker; three points earmarked towards closing the gap on the automatic promotion places.

You had more chance of guessing the winning lottery numbers than correctly forecasting this scoreline. It was a result totally out of left field.

One team had won only once in 21 attempts, with just one home victory all season. The other had lost only one of their last 11, not letting in a goal for more than six hours.

So who says football can be too predictable at times?

For the Man Uniteds of the world, maybe, but it's not like that in League Two.

Nobody was more shocked and stunned than Stuart McCall. The ink freshly dried on his new two-year contract, he could not have envisioned a follow-up performance like this in his worst nightmares.

But the City boss has been in the game long enough to know that freak results do occur, a painful one-off. He is determined to treat Saturday's humiliation as just that.

"I've had it at Rangers and Everton as a player," he said. "I remember getting whacked at home by St Mirren 3-0 once – nobody saw that one coming and at the time it feels like a disaster.

"It's hard to think why it happens but why do England get bowled out for 51 and then get 500 against the same team the other day?

"These results do happen in sport. That's still no excuse but you can't change it, only make sure it doesn't happen again.

"We'll all stand up and take the blame for the performance and now it's about how we react. We can't change the result – although we'd love to – so we move on and make sure we are right again at Notts County.

"How I'm feeling now is on a par with the Huddersfield game but we bounced back from that and I'm looking for us to do the same."

Appropriately, the game was sponsored by a local waste disposal firm. Because, from the view of the 701 travelling Yorkshiremen watching in horror along the infamous Underhill slope, it was utter garbage.

For 90 minutes, the tables were turned. Barnet looked the side eyeing a leap into the top three; City the thread-bare outfit clinging nervously above the relegation drop zone.

The memorable sight of players punching the Valley Parade air a week earlier after downing Wycombe seemed light years ago. On Saturday, the miserable Bantams were lucky to slink away with only conceding four.

The impregnable defence, the cornerstone of City's recent success, was ripped apart with startling ease. Barnet were first to every challenge; first to every loose ball.

They attacked at will, finding little opposition, and but for some late wastefulness and a couple of fine stops from Rhys Evans, the hosts could have rattled up a score to match the neighbouring cricket club.

Some will point to the inclusion of Evans as the catalyst for such a dramatic implosion. They would be completely off the mark.

Yes, a keeper not being able to take goal kicks handed the initiative to Barnet's bruising front pair, who were able to position themselves ten yards outside the penalty area knowing there was no danger of offside. And the feeling of uncertainty was not helped when Luke O'Brien scuffed the opening kick straight along the floor.

But Evans justified his manager's faith with his shot-stopping ability and the way he confidently stood up to the predictable Barnet tactic to stick every high ball straight down his throat.

City's problems stemmed from a general feeling that they only had to turn up to reel off the three points.

The players may deny it until they are blue in the face but there was a general malaise about the play, right from the start, that suggested they saw the home side as easy meat after the tougher predators encountered in recent weeks.

They were in for a rude shock.

Barnet admittedly did not look like a side without a win in 2009 and wingers Albert Adomah, City's nemesis at Valley Parade, and Plymouth's on-loan Yannick Bolasie took it in turns to torment the over-run back four.

O'Brien had a particularly tough afternoon against the electrifying Adomah, although the youngster got precious little support from Steve Jones in front of him.

Jones's only contribution of note in a wretched display was his early burst in the box after a neat one-two with Michael Boulding – only to slip as if shot by a sniper. The game went downhill from there.

Even City's centre halves weren't immune to the blanket of unease that smothered those around them as Graeme Lee and Matt Clarke came off distinctly second best to the 40-year-old Paul Furlong and his under-rated partner John O'Flynn.

Yet for 24 minutes, there was no hint of the carnage to follow. Both sides had seen efforts cleared off the line, Zesh Rehman bravely denying Furlong before Joe Devera made sure Peter Thorne's goal drought continued.

Then sloppy defending destroyed City's bid for a fifth straight clean sheet as Barnet struck from an awful corner.

Boulding switched off at the near post and let it run out of play – or so he thought. Only it didn't as Adomah appeared from nowhere along the byline to keep the ball alive.

There were still chances to clear it but none were taken and eventually, via a ricochet, centre back Gary Breen fed Adomah to poke home through a sea of legs.

Furlong was less than a foot away from heading a second before Thorne tested Lee Harrison with a smart snap-shot.

But City were in deeper trouble as half-time approached. Dean Furman, their best outfield player, fouled Bolasie and O'Flynn used his height advantage on marker O'Brien to glance home the free-kick from Nicky Deverdics.

Barnet went off to an ovation reserved for champions but there were still jitters among the home faithful.

That was understandable given that Barnet had already blown 15 leads this season, three of them from 2-0.

City, of course, had pulled the rabbit out the hat three times from two-goal deficits. McCall spent a fiery half-time drumming that message home.

It looked to have worked when they grabbed a lifeline 11 minutes into the second half. Thorne's header from Nicky Law's free-kick popped up invitingly for Boulding to nudge home from a couple of yards.

But before City had chance to play on Barnet's nerves, they had frittered away a third goal. Adomah, inevitably, was at the heart of it as City failed to clear their lines from a throw-in. The ball worked its way from left flank to right, where Adomah cut it back to Furlong and Bolasie diverted his shot home.

Harrison saved strongly from Lee's thumping setpiece before Barnet were celebrating a fourth, right back Joe Devera cutting in to drive the first goal of his career past Evans.

City were in bits and it could have got worse. Evans made a flying save from Adomah after City were exposed by another speedy counter, Furlong missed with another header before Evans came to the rescue again to deny O'Flynn.

The cries of "ole, ole" as Barnet brought out the party tricks and played keep ball just added to the unreal feel of the game. The final whistle couldn't come quick enough.


===========================
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/football/Barnet-4-Bradford-City-1.5004220.jp

Barnet 4 Bradford City 1: Bantams below-par at Underhill

BRADFORD saw their promotion push suffer a blow at Underhill.


Stuart McCall's below-par Bantams were blown away by the lowly Bees, who recorded only their second win in 22 matches.

Though the early stages were even, once Barnet had got their noses in front, they never looked back.

Trailing 2-0 at the interval, City needed a good start to the second half and they got it with a scrambled goal.

But their hopes of a comeback were dashed within two minutes, the Bees restoring their two-goal cushion and then going on to dominate.

Perhaps Bradford should have known it was not going to be their day when Steve Jones, clean through, tripped with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Barnet had their moments before their 24th-minute opener, winger Albert Adomah playing a one-two with ex-Republic of Ireland star Gary Breen and drilling under Rhys Evans.

Five minutes from the break, John O'Flynn stole in to glance home Matt Lockwood's free-kick. Bradford took just 10 minutes of the second half to pull one back. Nicky Law sent over a free-kick that came to Thorne. His shot looped into the air and Michael Boulding helped the ball over the line from close in.

But the hosts restored their two-goal cushion almost from the restart, Yannick Bolasie sticking out a foot to divert Paul Furlong's close-range shot into the net.

Barnet added a fourth after 62 minutes, full-back Joe Devera firing under Evans.

Barnet: Harrison; Devera, Yakubu, Breen, Lockwood; Adomah, Bishop, Deverdics, Bolasie (Gillet 88); Furlong, O'Flynn (Birchall 90). Unused substitutes: Kadoch, Leary, Porter.

Bradford City: Evans; Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien; Jones (McLaren 69), Furman, Law, Colbeck (Conlon 60); Thorne, Boulding. Unused substitutes: Arnison, Bullock, Convey.

Referee: G Scott (Devon).

Man of the match: Albert Adomah.



===========================
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1566726,00.html

Official interview



===========================
http://www.times-series.co.uk/sport/localsport/4144996.Bees_boss_celebrates_first_win/

Bees boss celebrates first win
8:28am Sunday 22nd February 2009



Barnet manager Ian Hendon was delighted with his side's stirring 4-1 win over promotion-chasing Bradford City yesterday.

Hendon said: "I'm very pleased with the performance. We deserved it. I would have taken a 1-0 win at the start, to be fair, but I'll take that."

It was Hendon's first win since taking the reins.

Barnet were 2-0 up at the interval, but City pulled one back at the start of the second half and many feared the worst.

Hendon said: "When Bradford scored, the crowd went silent. They all thought 'here we go again'. But the way we responded was great. We've gone straight up the other end and got our two-goal cushion back again.

"Bradford are a very good side and I'm sure they will be in the play-offs. To score four against them is fantastic."





===========================
Daley out for season as McCall reads riot act

Omar Daley faced a knee operation today that will rule him out for the
rest of City's League Two campaign.

The Jamaican went under the knife to repair the lateral ligament damaged
against Darlington last week.

I'm hurt, embarrassed, disappointed and angry. We were poor all over
the pitch from start to finish

Stuart McCall admitted: "The scan results were poor and depending on
what the surgeon finds, it could be a three to four-month job. It's hard
for Omar and hard for us but football injuries unfortunately happen and
the ligament is not in good nick."

The news that Daley is out for the run-in rounded off a dismal weekend
for McCall's side, who were thumped 4-1 by lowly Barnet.

The Hertfordshire club had won only once at home before Saturday but
blew City away – and McCall was offering no excuses for their heaviest
league loss of the campaign.

He rapped: "I'm hurt, embarrassed, disappointed and angry. We were poor
all over the pitch from start to finish.

"I'd struggle to name more than two players who could say they did their
bit. A few might have done okay but okay's not enough when you're a team
going for promotion.

"But we can't let this result derail what we are trying to do. It's a
bad result and bad performance but it's three points and we've got to
make sure it doesn't happen again.

"I've been in the game long enough to know you get a couple of these in
a season and you don't see them coming.

"We all stand up to take the blame for the performance and I want to see
a reaction from the players."

McCall defended his decision to play Rhys Evans, even though the
keeper's injured calf stopped him from taking goal kicks.

The City chief added: "I was 100 per cent confident in Rhys and I
thought he did everything asked of him, apart from goal kicks. You
wouldn't have known he was injured."

L2 v Darlington (h) D0-0 Feb 17th 2009

******
Also:
McCall agrees new Bradford deal
Signing City shirt deal made me so proud, says sponsor
CITY ASSESS INJURY SITUATION
City facing keeper crisis
******






L2 v Darlington (h) D0-0 Feb 17th 2009

Bradford: Evans, Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien, Jones (Bullock 73), Law, Furman, Daley (Colbeck 23),Thorne (Conlon 78), Michael Boulding.
Subs Not Used: Arnison, McLaren.

Darlington: Gerken, Austin, White, Foster, Valentine, Purdie, Kennedy (Hulbert 83), Ravenhill, Tremarco (Hatch 67), Abbott, Carlton.
Subs Not Used: Miller, Kazimierczak, Poole.

Booked: White, Carlton.

Att: 12,782

Ref: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).

Bantams / Quakers
3(1) Shots (on Goal) 11(3)
9 Fouls 13
3 Corner Kicks 4
7 Offsides 2
54% Time of Poss. 46%
0 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 3



===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4134173

History repeats itself in Valley Parade stalemate
7:40am Wednesday 18th February 2009

City 0 Darlington 0

City fired blanks again as their hopes of a fourth straight win – and a return to the automatic promotion places – hit a black-and-white wall.

A goalless draw with Darlington should come as no real surprise. This was the third time in a row that Valley Parade clashes between the two teams have ended in stalemate.

But it was not the worst result in the world against another side who are up there in the promotion fight.

Stuart McCall's biggest concern will be the injuries City picked up, with Omar Daley damaging medial ligaments in his knee and Rhys Evans pulling his thigh.

The Jamaican is likely to be sidelined for a chunk of the run-in and Evans will definitely miss the next couple of games.

Darlington were just glad to see a pitch again, having not kicked a ball since last month.

After an impressive run of four wins in five lifted them to fourth, the Quakers had been left twiddling their thumbs through three successive postponements.

Keeper Dean Gerken, on loan from Colchester, quickly cleared the cobwebs with a hurried clearance under pressure from Michael Boulding and a header away from the edge of his box.

After the excitement of Saturday, it was another fast-paced start from City, although the only shot in the opening stages came from Darlington's Pawel Abbott, who fired over the bar.

Matt Clarke produced two crunching blocks to snuff out another Darlo threat as the Valley Parade crowd kept up a noisy back-drop to the action.

They almost had something to cheer on 17 minutes as Steve Jones attacked from halfway and threaded a pass for Boulding to chase. Defenders Alan White and Carl Tremarco got in each other's way, allowing the striker through into the box.

He looked odds on to score but drove low and straight at Gerken, who blocked it with his legs and then got up immediately to punch the rebound out of danger.

But City suffered a big blow midway through the half when Daley stayed down after a hefty tackle with Neil Austin. The Jamaican was clearly in some discomfort and after brief treatment was taken off on a stretcher.

Joe Colbeck was the obvious replacement with Jones switching flanks to the left.

Clarke spoiled his game with a poor clearance that gifted Ricky Ravenhill possession 30 yards out. His shot was deflected off course and Rhys Evans slid to prevent the corner – and worryingly, got up limping.

With no substitute keeper on the bench – though Dean Windass was in the press box – City could not afford anything to happen to Evans. There was a universal sigh of relief that he was able to continue after brief treatment, although he looked hampered by his thigh.

There had been few chances at either end but City went closest to breaking the deadlock just after the half hour. Boulding almost got Luke O'Brien in but as the ball came out to Jones, his drive fell perfectly for Peter Thorne, whose snap-shot cannoned back off the Darlington bar with Gerken beaten.

The busy Dean Furman stumbled near goal as he looked to wriggle his way through and Colbeck had a cross whacked clear as City tried to up the ante ahead of half-time.

Boulding's clever runs were pulling the Darlo defence about and Nicky Law was starting to drive forward ominously. City won back-to-back corners but Boulding's flick across goal went unclaimed by a team-mate.

But Darlington suddenly cut City open with a swift counter-attack led by Abbott and Jason Kennedy. Danny Carlton pulled to the right and whipped in a dangerous cross, which Colbeck dealt with superbly as he back-tracked to nod away from his own six-yard box.

Jones lifted the tempo again right on the interval to force a third City corner.

Referee Tony Bates had a stiff word with Clarke and White after a spot of shoving before the City centre half rose to meet the kick but failed to direct his header.

The teams had cancelled each other out for the most part. Stuart McCall's side had just about edged it but the bobbly pitch was not aiding their usual passing game.

City began the second half on the front foot again with O'Brien and Colbeck both drilling in crosses to keep Gerken on his toes. Boulding then slipped the wrong side of marker Steve Foster but drove straight at White.

Referee Bates produced his first yellow card of the night seven minutes into the half when White tripped Boulding once too often.

Zesh Rehman, preferred to Paul Arnison at right back, showed his mettle to stay with Abbott as the big targetman fought to get off a shot.

But the Pakistan international then coughed up possession on halfway and was grateful for a text-book intervention from Clarke on the edge of the penalty area as Darlington looked to break.

City hit back as Law reeled off the pass of the match to spray the ball out to Colbeck, who cut in from the right flank before firing over the angle.

But there was generally not a lot of room to work in with Darlington quick to close down anything fancy.

City still carried the bigger threat, with Colbeck becoming more prominent and showing the appetite to break down the black and white wall of resistance.

Darlington boss Dave Penney threw on Liam Hatch as an extra attacker after 67 minutes to prove they were not content to sit on a point. As if to prove that, it needed a great tackle from Rehman to prevent Carlton firing the visitors in front as he burst away.

But they had still failed to test Evans with a direct shot on target – a record that Abbott was never going to alter with a wild thrash high into the Kop.

McCall made his first switch with 17 minutes to go as Lee Bullock replaced Jones. He took up a central role alongside Furman, with Law moving to the left.

And 12 minutes from time, he called for Barry Conlon to add a bit of muscle up front as Thorne went off.

Conlon, who had two spells as a Darlington player, was greeted with a roar from the fans.

But it was the away side who were pressing again and Evans was finally called into action after 80 minutes, responding with a tip-over to deny Abbott's rasping shot.

And Darlington went close again through Hatch, whose drifting effort just beat the far post with Evans looking on.



===========================
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford/Bradford-City-0-Darlington-0.4990826.jp

Bradford City 0 Darlington 0: Bantams left frustrated in bid to reclaim place in promotion spots


Bantams held

18 February 2009
By Richard Sutcliffe
at Valley Parade
A LITTLE over a fortnight after being thwarted by heavy snow, Bradford City were last night again left feeling frustrated after being held to a third goalless stalemate of the season at home.


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The Bantams had gone into the rearranged meeting with Darlington knowing that victory could, depending on results elsewhere, earn them a welcome return to the automatic promotion places.

Buoyed by having won all three games since the scheduled February 2 meeting with the Quakers fell victim to the arctic weather that brought Britain to a standstill, City did look the more likely to break the deadlock for much of the 90 minutes.

The home side certainly had the vast majority of the game's standout performers with Nicky Law and Dean Furman excelling in midfield, Matt Clarke being a towering presence in defence and Joe Colbeck a constant threat out wide after replacing Omar Daley midway through the first half.

But for all their pressing and probing, Bradford could not make the vital breakthrough with Peter Thorne going closest with a stabbed shot that bounced to safety off the crossbar.

It ensured the vast majority of the 12,782 crowd went home frustrated, even if the Bantams fans could at least console themselves with their team having been the better outfit for three-quarters of a keenly-fought encounter.

They certainly should have led at the break with Thorne being denied by the crossbar and Michael Boulding being presented with a gilt-edged chance by a fine pass from Steve Jones.

Unfortunately for City, the striker could only drive a fierce shot into the legs of Gerken who then leapt to his feet before punching the ball to safety.

Stuart McCall's side, who lost Daley to a suspected medial ligament injury after a heavy but legal challenge from Neil Austin, continued to press after the break with a fine crossfield ball from Law allowing Colbeck sufficient time and space to cut in from the right flank and unleash a fierce shot that flew inches over the crossbar.

It was not until the final quarter that Darlington sprang into life and the home side were grateful for Zesh Rehman having been alert enough to snuff out the danger as Danny Carlton looked set to race through on goal. Then, with 10 minutes remaining, former Huddersfield Town striker Pawel Abbott showed tremendous poise and skill to flick the ball over a Bantams defender before unleashing a thunderous drive that Rhys Evans did brilliantly to tip over the crossbar.

Substitute Liam Hatch then had the 452 visiting fans on their feet in the closing stages with a fierce shot that flew just inches over the crossbar and ensure City kept an eighth clean sheet in 11 outings.

It also meant that Bradford had, at least, claimed what could yet turn out to be a vital point in the race to get out of League Two.



Bradford City: Evans; Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien; Jones (Bullock 72), Furman, Law, Daley (Colbeck 23); Thorne (Conlon 78), M Boulding. Substitutes (not used): Arnison, McLaren.

Darlington: Gerken; Austin, White, Foster, Tremarco (Hatch 67); Purdie, Ravenhill, Kennedy (Hulbert 83), Valentine; Carlton, Abbott. Substitutes (not used): Miller, Kazimierczak, Poole.

Referee: A Bates (Staffordshire).



===========================
Some match photos

http://www.rivals.net/news/pgarticle.aspx?artid=13750_4940662&id=30




===========================




===========================
McCall signs new deal with Bantams
7:00am Friday 20th February 2009

Stuart McCall today put pen to paper on a new City deal and declared: All my managerial ambition lies here.

McCall wants to climb the divisions with the club he has served as player and now boss.

He signed on for another two years – and then set that as a realistic deadline to bring Championship football back to Valley Parade.



McCall said: "I know Julian Rhodes talked earlier in the season about back-to-back promotions. For me, by the end of the contract I'll have been here four years and I would hope we can reach the Championship by then.

"I want to manage in the Championship but I'd rather do it here in a couple of seasons than somewhere else now. I'm showing loyalty because I want to be here.

"If we got promoted and other teams came in, I wouldn't be looking to go. I don't want to go.

"Obviously if things don't go right, I could find myself somewhere else one day. But my managerial ambitions lie with this club. I can see myself being here for the long-run, taking us where we all want to go.

"People know what I feel for Bradford City and I wouldn't ever think of using this as a stepping stone. I'm also fortunate to have the two chairmen and people I work with and we've all got the same belief and feeling for the club."

McCall's present contract was due to run out at the end of June. But with a large number of players' deals up at the same time, sorting out his future now will remove uncertainty with squad negotiations and allow him to plan ahead.

He added: "It's nice to get it done and shows loyalty from both parties. I was happy to leave it until the summer but it makes sense if the two chairmen are happy to do it now and I'm pleased they've acknowledged what I'm doing.

"We haven't got a crystal ball. We don't know what's going to happen in the summer as in which division we will be in.

"But it gives me a chance to plan ahead. There are 15 games left, maybe more, and we're all focused on what we want to achieve.

"Either way, if we're successful or not, I know I'll be focusing on next season.

"Management can be frustrating at times but it's beneficial for the club to hopefully have that stability and be able to look forward."

Joint-chairman Lawn said: "Year on year we've certainly progressed and you can see that on the pitch with the way we're playing.

"We decided weeks ago that we were all happy for Stuart to continue. But with Gillingham, Wycombe and Darlington to focus on it wasn't fair to put him under pressure about this so we decided to talk about it straight afterwards and we're delighted it's now done.

"Like myself and Julian, Stuart is a fan as well as being the manager which can make it very difficult if we're on a bad run. We do feel the pain just as much as the fans, if not more.

"Stuart wanted to carry on but I can understand him talking to his family first. They feel it a lot more, seeing the angst and pain you go through when it's not going well.

"He wanted to make sure they were happy first and it was right to do that."

McCall had a meeting with the players yesterday to pick over the results during the second third of the season.

He added: "You look at the back-to-back 0-0s with Chester and Shrewsbury. If we'd taken the wins out of them that we should have done, we'd be sat top of the table now.

"We've just drawn a couple too many at home but we're in a decent position and I feel very happy with the squad we've got."






===========================
From Official website...

CITY ASSESS INJURY SITUATION

Bradford City are assessing the damage to their promotion push after losing
Omar Daley and Rhys Evans to injury.

Tuesday night's goalless draw with Darlington at Valley Parade came at a big
cost for Stuart McCall's side.

Daley damaged knee ligaments and Evans strained his thigh, meaning rookie
keeper Jon McLaughlin is in line to make his senior debut at Barnet on
Saturday.

Daley was stretchered off after just 20 minutes but Evans played on through
the pain because there was no back-up stopper on the bench, pulling off a
crucial save from former Huddersfield hitman Pawel Abbott late on.

Talking to the Telegraph & Argus Stuart McCall admitted: "It was a massive
point for us taking everything into consideration. We lost Omar early on,
Clarkey (Matt Clarke) got a bang early on, Rhys did his thigh and Luke
O'Brien was still feeling a bit of tonsillitis.

"It wasn't a great game but it was a great effort. Because of the
circumstances, it's a terrific result.

"There was nothing in it. It wasn't a great spectacle but we'd said before
the game that it would be a really hard match.

"But we're on a decent run and we'll take positives from this game. We'll
rest up now and look forward to hopefully getting the three points from
Barnet."

In a tight game of few chances, City had the best of them in the first half.
Peter Thorne struck the bar from close range and Michael Boulding was denied
when put clean through.

But Darlington, playing their first game since January, grew more dangerous
as the game wore on and threatened towards the end with Abbott, Danny
Carlton and Liam Hatch all going close.

McCall added: "I expected Darlington to get stronger. They threw the big boy
Hatch on and Abbott up top is probably the best in the division with
everything he does as centre forward.

"They might have been a bit rusty but Darlington teams are always hungry.

"But we showed some magnificent defending and Rhys has only had one save to
make, which was a terrific one."

Daley was going for a scan on Wednesday but he is set to be sidelined for
several weeks. Evans' thigh injury also looks a bad one and could rule him
out of City's plans for a while.

McCall has faith in McLaughlin, the keeper he plucked from non-league
Harrogate last summer. He will play in a private reserve game at Doncaster
on Wednesday afternoon - a match that will also see a welcome return for
Chris Brandon.

McCall has ruled out delving into the loan market for a stop-gap replacement
for Evans.

He said: "We brought Jonny in as a back-up for Rhys and it might be time to
give him a chance. We've seen him in training and in the reserves and he's
done nothing wrong."



===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4138070.print/

City facing keeper crisis
9:29am Thursday 19th February 2009

Stuart McCall is racing to find a keeper in time to face Barnet on Saturday after Jon McLaughlin got crocked.

The back-up stopper was lined up to make his debut at Underhill when Rhys Evans suffered a thigh strain.

But McLaughlin suffered concussion in yesterday's private friendly at Doncaster and spent the night in hospital. Under Football Association rules regarding head injuries, he is not allowed to play again for a fortnight.

City will assess Evans' condition today but boss Stuart McCall is expected to make a move for an emergency loan.

The City chief said: "With two keepers being out, you can get one in for seven or 14 days.

"But obviously we feel for Jonny. He hasn't had an injury all season and it's just typical that this should happen at the same time as Rhys.

"Jonny hadn't played for three or four weeks so he needed the game to get rid of a bit of rust. We were only going to give him an hour anyway and this happened just before he was due to come off."

McLaughlin banged his head in a collision with Doncaster striker Darren Byfield.

A more positive note from Doncaster's Cantley Park training ground was Chris Brandon's return to action after five months out. He came through an hour and McCall said: "Chris was full of running and really enjoyed it."

Rory Boulding put City in front but Doncaster, who fielded a near full-strength side, won 4-1.




===========================
Signing City shirt deal made me so proud, says sponsor
6:50am Thursday 19th February 2009

City's new shirt sponsorship will have an added poignancy next season.

MAP Group (UK) have taken up the reins from Bradford & Bingley after signing a deal that is "more than acceptable" according to the club.

And managing director David Keighley admitted it will be a particularly special moment for him when he watches City take to the field sporting his company logo.

Keighley watched Tuesday's draw with Darlington, the first time he had been back to Valley Parade since his father died three years ago.

He said: "I was a season-ticket holder until then but since my dad passed away I had not been back. So to do this sponsorship deal is emotional and I'm sure my dad would be really proud.

"The thought of City playing in shirts with our company name on makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck."

MAP Group (UK), a national supplier of installation engineers for companies such as Virgin Media, are based in the north-east but they employ around 30 engineers in the Bradford area – and boast two City fans on the board.

Director of operations Andy Long and his family are season-ticket holders and make the trip from Teesside to Valley Parade for every home game.

Keighley added: "Andy and I have got real ties with the city.

"We're both Bradford born and bred so this is a proud moment.

"It just feels right. The family angle the club have gone down in recent years is really coming through now.

"It's a great atmosphere when you come here and the management team at the club are genuine people.

"Sometimes you see the sponsors are far too remote and in it purely for commercial reasons. That's not why we want to get involved."

And Keighley would love to see the sponsorship deal kick in with City back in League One.

He added: "It would be fantastic. As someone said the other day, maybe MAP should stand for 'must achieve promotion'!"

L2 v Wycombe Wanderers (h) W1-0 Feb 14th 2009

Football League Two - KO 15:00
Bradford    1 (1) - 0(0) Wycombe 
Jones 43
     
  At Valley Parade on Feb 14-2009 


Bradford: Evans, Arnison, Rehman, Clarke, O'Brien, Jones, Furman, Law, Daley (Colbeck 85), Thorne, Michael Boulding (Bullock 90).
Subs Not Used: Ainge, McLaren, Conlon.


Goals: Jones 43.

Wycombe: Shearer, Casement (Oliver 66), McCracken, Johnson, Woodman, Doherty, Holt (Mousinho 66), Bloomfield (Phillips 85), Pittman, Harrold, Zebroski.
Subs Not Used: Young, Vieira.

Sent Off: Zebroski (78).

Booked: Johnson, Doherty.

Att: 12,689

Ref: Carl Boyeson (E Yorkshire).

Bradford City Wycombe Wanderers
18(10) Shots (on Goal) 14(8)
10 Fouls 12
8 Corner Kicks 9
1 Offsides 0
58% Time of Poss. 42%
0 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 1
10 Saves 11


Next Game v Darlington (h) Feb 17th 19:45 (GMT)
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=262313&lang=EN



===========================
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/yorkshire-soccer/Bradford-City-Jones-happy-to.4981879.jp

Bradford City: Jones happy to break duck


By Leon Wobschall
Steve Jones might have only been a Bantam for two-and-a-half months, but he's adamant he'd be challenging for the top-scorers' crown – with a goal-den double-figure haul – with a bit of luck.
Chances galore have come the loan star's way, but finding the onion bag has proved a different matter – though it's not for the want of trying.

Jones, whose loan spell from Burnley was extended until the end of the season on the final day of the January transfer window, has copped frustration aplenty, with his predatory touch in training failing to be replicated on game-day.

But the Northern Ireland international got the goalscoring monkey off his back, just when it was threatening to become a gorilla, in the recent 2-0 home success over Grimsby, celebrating with some gusto after netting City's late second against the 10-man Mariners.

It was his first goal in the claret-and-amber at the 11th time of asking and his first in the Football League since finding the net while on loan at former club Crewe in May – in their 4-1 home loss to Oldham – one of just two he scored in the whole of last season.

And having reacquainted himself with the goal trial, Jones – equally at home on the wing or through the middle – is hoping to hit a scoring streak and claim some belated dues.

Jones – whose seasonal best league goals tally stands at 16 with Crewe in 2002-03 – told Yorkshire Sport: "I could have had 10 goals at least since I've been here!

"I've been unlucky, because keepers have been making some great saves, I've been hitting the post and having shots cleared off the line.

"I've been firing them in from all sorts of angles in training as well and was just wishing I could save a few of them for matches!

"I didn't think it was going to come and it was so frustrating.
"But I kept persevering and it all came right in the end.

"Funnily enough, my last goal had come against Bradford in pre-season and I'd scored a lot for Burnley reserves, but it was great to find the net again in a league game."

After sinking the Mariners, it was snow joke for City two days later when their televised home clash with promotion rivals Darlington fell victim to the weather – costing them a tidy packet into the bargain.

The cold snap also placed a huge question mark over last weekend's clash at Gillingham in the frozen south, but the game survived, one of just a handful south of Birmingham in the whole Football League, with 10 games called off in total.

And City certainly weren't under the weather on the pitch, thanks to a superb 2-0 win on the Medway, just the hosts' second home league loss since August.

Jones – who had to negotiate the icy roads to travel to training from his Cheshire base over the past fortnight – said: "It was disappointing that the live game was called off. Everyone was on a high after the Grimsby game and up for it.

"With it being on TV, we wanted to show people across the nation what a good team we are and were gutted it wasn't played, really.

"Quite a few of us couldn't get home at night, so it was a bit of a nightmare and we ended up staying in a hotel.

"Travelling down on the Friday to Gillingham, we were a bit apprehensive with the weather and were thinking the game could be off and that we didn't want to travel all that way down again.

"So we were delighted with the result, and that the game was on, because we'd prepared all week and knew it was a massive game.

"We needed to be on our game and it was a good performance.

"Everyone in the team played really well, which is unusual. Usually, you get seven or eight hitting top form and the rest being carried through. But everyone was top-drawer and we certainly could have won by a lot more.

"It was probably our best performance since I've been here – we went to Brentford and absolutely dominated, but got beat, but with us winning at Gillingham, that was the icing on the cake.

"Gillingham have hardly lost at home for months, so they were on a roll and everyone played really well for us."

Despite being holed up in a West Yorkshire hotel after the Darlington match was called off, Jones at least had the consolation of signing on the dotted line at City ahead of the tea-time window deadline on February 2, with the Quakers game scheduled to have been the final game of his second month on loan.

As to his future, he is keeping an open mind, having been told he won't be getting a new contract at Turf Moor when his deal expires in the summer.

He added: "I don't know what will happen, but I'm enjoying my time here and am playing regularly.

"I'm out of contract at the end of the season, so this keeps me in the shop window.

"I feel I've settled in quite well and they are a good set of lads and staff here. So it was great to sign again, I actually signed on the last day at around 11am and the deadline was 5pm, but I knew it was always going to be done.

"It's been a struggle getting in some days with the snow, but thankfully I managed to sign on in time!"



===========================

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4128093.Jones_enjoys_cutting_big_boys_down_to_size/

Jones enjoys cutting big boys down to size
7:00am Monday 16th February 2009

City 1 Wycombe 0

Steve Jones reckons the bigger they come, the harder they fall after City bagged another major scalp.

The acid test after last week's great display at Gillingham was backing it up at Valley Parade against the best travellers in League Two.

Job done again. Two down and Darlington tomorrow to follow – Bantam tails are firmly up.

Michael Boulding calls it a "nice" pressure to have at the top end of the table and Jones thinks City can't get enough of the promotion six-pointers.

"The big games suit us," said the winger after notching his second goal in successive home games. "We've been dominating teams before but they were coming here playing five at the back and it was hard to break down.

"But we know what's at stake and the crowd were magnificent again. They were like having an extra man on the pitch.

"It was so important to follow up the Gillingham result with another win and we'd worked all week on how to break Wycombe down. We had to win to claw the deficit back on them and the lads were brilliant.

"We're on a high and the confidence is maximum because of the recent results. You can see why Wycombe are up there but it also shows what a good side we are."

Saturday was a cracking advert for League Two. Without getting presumptuous, it wouldn't be a bad game the next level up either.

Wycombe had lost only twice on their travels beforehand. Even given their recent wobble, they presented a major obstacle to City's newly rediscovered belief.

Once again, City finished up at Valley Parade against ten men, although Chris Zebroski's straight red card with 20 minutes left for going all Jackie Chan on Matt Clarke did not impact on the result.

Wycombe will feel hard done by not to get anything from a display Peter Taylor called their best since the turn of the year but then City were equally aggrieved to leave Adams Park with nothing in November.

But this was chalk and cheese compared to that sterile affair.

On that day you could count the number of chances from both sides on one hand. This time you could not take your eyes away for fear of missing something.

Encouragingly, City once again came bursting from the blocks. Like the week before, they forced a couple of immediate corners and David McCracken had to be alert to turn away a dangerous cross from Peter Thorne.

Fellow centre half Leon Johnson nicked another cross from Omar Daley off City's captain for the day and Nicky Law fizzed one just wide.

Law and Dean Furman had their hands full against experienced Wycombe pair Tommy Doherty and Gary Holt but what they may have lacked in game know-how, the young duo once again made up for in sheer endeavour and drive.

Their infectious influence is growing with each game and was never more evident than Furman's outstanding clearance off the line to defy John-Paul Pittman a debut goal. The striker's header from Wycombe's first corner was spot on, downwards and hard, but Furman managed to stretch across far enough to get a leg to it and avert the danger.

Once again, all those hours his manager had spent watching Rangers TV had been justified.

Stuart McCall said: "I saw Deano eight or nine times for Rangers reserves last season and he always stood out for me because of his tenacity, enthusiasm and energy.

"He showed that in abundance against two good midfielders in Doherty and Holt and I thought the legs and energy of Law and Furman just about got on top of them."

Lifted by that close call, Wycombe came back into the game and the next 20 minutes belonged to the visitors.

They should have had a penalty when Clarke bundled into Pittman but only Matt Bloomfield will know how he missed a gaping goal from 12 yards after the striker's cross had pinged straight to his feet.

Pittman, who looks a real coup from non-league, was also inches away with an instinctive overhead kick which flew past the left post with Rhys Evans motionless.

It was a tough examination for a back four minus suspended skipper Graeme Lee. The fact they came up with a third successive clean sheet – and seventh in the last ten games – was testament to their hard work.

Evans almost paid for a bizarre lapse of concentration when he took too long to clear his lines and suddenly found Matt Harrold in his face. Cue a madcap scramble to the touchline to elude the Wycombe front man.

But that apart, he had another rock-solid afternoon. The cut-up pitch made kicking a minefield for both keepers but Evans' handling, particularly from corners, was exemplary.

In front of him, the Lee-less back four stood firm under pressure. Luke O'Brien was back from illness on the left and slipped smoothly into the groove again. The left back was keen to go on bombing raids upfield and one led to City's goal two minutes before the break.

Doherty lost the ball in midfield and O'Brien's first-time cross from the left was worked on unselfishly by Thorne into the path of Jones. He left fly with a flashing left boot, smashing the ball inside the near post.

A half-time lead was a huge bonus for City but the game was far from won and Evans made an important save from Holt soon after.

But the home side, roared on by the fans, continued to ask their own questions. Gone were the doubts of a month ago, you could sense the positivity about City – both on and off the pitch.

There were less of the grumbles that too often accompany them at home and the game was much better for it.

Law drilled over after good work from Jones and Daley twice tried his luck, slicing one so much that he took out the corner flag!

At the other end, Bloomfield's miserable time in front of goal continued with another costly miscue and, as Wycombe's frustration grew, they lost Zebroski to a straight red card.

Wycombe had no complaints about Zebroski's dismissal for a ridiculously high boot which studded Clarke on the top of his shoulder.

Another six inches higher and the big defender would have been cancelling his Valentine's dinner with the missus.

Clarke said: "I could see him lifting his boot as I went to head the ball. I was about 70-30 towards it so knew I'd get there a little bit before him. These days you can't go in with your foot so high. Maybe it's a bit harsh to get a red card but if you're going to do that, you will pay the penalty."

Clarke went down right in front of the dug-outs and Taylor did not argue with referee Carl Boyeson's actions. The Wycombe chief said: "What Chris did was stupid. If he was a bit smaller, I'd beat him up."

Wycombe's ten men nearly conjured an equaliser seven minutes from time with the luckless Bloomfield's cross-cum-shot rolling past the far post when it just needed a nudge from Harrold.

But City had two glorious opportunities to double their advantage at the death. First Law was denied by a desperate tackle from Johnson, then substitute Joe Colbeck's shot was parried up in the air by keeper Scott Shearer, who managed to scramble back and hook the ball off the line.

McCall said: "I don't know how it only ended up 1-0 because both teams had a lot of chances but I'm delighted it did. We're on a run we'd like to be in and that was a big result for us.

"The next game can't come quick enough and it just happens to be another massive one."



===========================
The Wycombe View

http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10430~44679,00.html


===========================




===========================


LAWN REVEALS GROUNDSHARE THOUGHTS

Bradford City's joint-chairman Mark Lawn has revealed the club is exploring
the possibility of a groundshare with rugby league side Bradford Bulls.

Bradford City Council are expected to announce next month whether plans for
a new £50million complex on the current Odsal site will go ahead and the
Bantams have been invited to consider leaving Valley Parade, which costs
City £1.2million a year to rent and maintain after selling the stadium to
former chairman Gordon Gibbs in 2003.

Lawn told the Yorkshire Post: "The possibility of us becoming involved with
Odsal was mentioned to me by the council and it would be naive not to
investigate it.

"It is my impression that a decision will be made over whether the scheme
gets the go-ahead in the next couple of weeks and that the signs are
encouraging.

"Our possible involvement would be in the long term obviously and we have
not even had any projected figures from the council. But it is something we
have to look at - not least because of the huge overheads involved with
running Valley Parade."

It has been reported that Bradford Council are hoping the complex, which
would incorporate facilities for cricket, athletics and cycling, can be
completed in time for the 2012 Olympics and that Sport England are "very
supportive" of the scheme.

===========================
T&A to rescue over City shirt deal

6:40am Monday 16th February 2009

City have unveiled a new shirt sponsor – thanks to the T&A.

Next season's kit will bear the name of MAP Group (UK) after the
technology service provider read about the club's frantic search to find
a successor to Bradford & Bingley.

The north-east based company, who supply installation engineers across
the north of England, will this week sign a cutprice £60,000 deal for
one year, the T&A can exclusively reveal.

They also have first option on the following season.

City head of operations David Baldwin said: "The call came from their
managing director who'd had the T&A article forwarded to him. He wasn't
in the Bradford area at the time.

"Both him and one of his fellow directors are Bradford City fans, which
is fantastic. All along I've wanted people on that shirt who also have a
vested interested in the fan side of the football club.

"Commercially, it's a good deal anyway but to have somebody involved who
already has a love for the club is perfect."

City had to hit a manufacturing deadline last Friday to ensure a new
name would be on the home and away shirts for next season.

Bradford & Bingley's sponsorship had another year to run but they pulled
the plug in December because of their financial predicament. Baldwin
added: "It's been a headache because when you've got a contract there
for another year on the shirts, you weren't expecting a problem like
this to arise.

"We're working to a timetable to make sure we maximise income for this
club and then this came out of the blue. Everyone is on edge because of
the tough time we're in anyway and it can prove a bit of a distraction
during the season-ticket campaign.

"But everything is on schedule. We gave verbal confirmation to (kit
makers) Surridge at 4pm on Friday and we've got a seven-day window now
to go to signature. The contract will be signed and payment made this week.

"It's good that we've got that stability. I don't want to be going to
the chairmen and saying we need to put more money into the club.

"The bottom line is that we stand alone as a trading business in our own
right and we're able to grow with the security of income coming in, so
we are self-sustainable."

The deal coincides with the announcement of the latest season-ticket
offer. Fans can buy tickets for next term for £175 before March 31.


===========================
McCALL TO HAVE PERSONAL FA HEARING
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Stuart McCall will fight his corner after requesting a personal hearing over
his FA misconduct charge.

The Bradford City boss was charged by the authorities after being sent to
the stands during the controversial 3-3 draw at Luton last month.

Stuart McCall is accused of using foul and abusive language at assistant
referee Mike George when he flagged for a foul by Luke O'Brien, which was
later shown to be a well-timed tackle.

McCall's charge is one of five from the game, which finished with Barry
Conlon slotting home a dramatic penalty equaliser deep in stoppage time.

Luton boss Mick Harford is in hot water on two counts and there are further
charges against his skipper Kevin Nicholls and the team for their conduct
with referee Trevor Kettle.

If found guilty, McCall is likely to be banned from the dug-out for a couple
of games.

But he is determined to have his say in front of the FA after questioning
the evidence of the fourth official. McCall said: "I was sent off by the
referee for encroachment on the pitch which was 100 per cent correct. I've
no arguments with that but what the fourth official says I'm alleged to have
said is totally untrue.

"I'm not accepting what he's put in his statement and that's why I want the
chance to put my point across."

John Duncan from the League Managers Association has promised to support
McCall at the hearing, which is expected to take place within the next
fortnight.

McCall added: "I did swear, there's no doubt about that. It was a fantastic
tackle but to say I called the linesman a certain word is completely untrue.

"Hopefully it will sort itself out. You can write away and accept the charge
but I'm not accepting it with that on it. The punishment will probably be
the same but, for my own sake, I want the chance to say that the fourth
official's report is not correct."

Harford has been charged for his behaviour at the final whistle and his
comments to the press afterwards when he called the referee "despicable".


===========================
NEW CHARGE AGAINST LUTON BOSS
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Luton boss Mick Harford has been hit by a further FA charge from their
controversial game with City.

Harford has been charged with "bringing the game into disrepute" following
his comments to the press about referee Trevor Kettle.

Harford was fuming after Kettle awarded City a stoppage-time penalty which
Barry Conlon tucked away for a 3-3 draw.

The Luton manager said at the time: "He (Kettle) was despicable and I'm not
bothered if they charge me because it's the truth.

"I feel sorry for the 6,000 people who've paid money to see an incompetent
referee. I'm just voicing their opinions."

Harford is already facing an improper conduct charge for his behaviour after
the game. Stuart McCall has also been charged after he was sent to the stand
in the first half.

Luton have been charged for failing to control their players at the final
whistle. Captain Kevin Nicholls has also been charged separately with
improper conduct - he had to be restrained by police officers afterwards.

And the FA are still investigating the reaction of a section of the crowd
who threw missiles at Kettle in front of the players' tunnel.

******************************************


The CFML is now on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46810838356
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"

L2 v Gillingham (a) W2-0 Feb 7th 2009

===========================
A BCFC question in the BBC's quiz
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/7873159.stm


===========================
Coca-Cola League Two
Gillingham (0) 0
Bradford C (1) 2 Daley 45, Boulding 70.
Att: 4,866

GILLS SUFFER HOME LOSS TO BANTAMS

Bradford City leapfrogged rivals Gillingham in the play-off race as goals
from Omar Daley and Michael Boulding secured a 2-0 win at Priestfield.

Daley opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before Boulding gave the
Bantams only their second win in six games.

Stuart McCall's men started well with Nicky Law's clever short corner
finding Omar Daley in acres of space but the Jamaica international shot
wastefully wide.

Gills striker Simeon Jackson found the back of the net on the half-hour mark
but his strike was ruled out for offside.

Daley made no mistake to open the scoring in the 44th minute, scuffing the
ball home following a neat pass from Boulding.

The visitors made it 2-0 in the 70th minute when Mark Bentley missed a long
ball and Boulding converted.

Stats: Gillingham - Bradford C
Possession: 41 - 59%
Shots on target: 3 - 7
Shots off target: 5 - 5
Fouls: 5 - 19
Corners: 4 - 6

Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).
Yellow cards:
Gillingham: Miller (54 min.)
Bradford C: Lee (8 min.)

Gillingham: 1. Simon Royce, 4. Stuart Lewis, 6. Garry Richards (65), 5.
Simon King, 3. John Nutter, 24. Jaime Peters (55), 8. Mark Bentley, 14. Adam
Miller, 32. Andy Barcham, 10. Simeon Jackson, 21. Dennis Oli (78).
Subs: 9. Gary Mulligan, 11. Nicky Southall (55), 15. Rene Steer (78), 25.
Luis Cumbers, 30. Mark McCammon (65).

Bradford C: 1. Rhys Evans, 33. Zeshan Rehman, 5. Graeme Lee, 12. Matthew
Clarke, 2. Paul Arnison, 25. Steve Jones (86), 24. Nicky Law, 23. Dean
Furman, 7. Omar Daley (75), 10. Peter Thorne, 14. Michael Boulding.
Subs: 8. Lee Bullock (86), 9. Barry Conlon, 13. Jon McLaughlan (GK), 15. Joe
Colbeck (75), 16. Simon Ainge.

Next matches:
(H) Wycombe, Saturday Feb 14, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM.
(H) Darlington, Tuesday Feb 17, 2009. K.O. 7:45PM.
====================================

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4110461.Super_City_front_up_to_Gills/

SUPER CITY FRONT UP TO GILLS
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Gillingham 0, City 2

Who needs undersoil heating and pitch covers when you've got Stuart McCall's
mega-watt smile?

The beam that lit up the gaffer's face in deepest Kent would have melted the
most Arctic of blasts.

All week, City's long trek to the south-east had looked in serious doubt
because of the winter weather. By 5pm on Saturday, there were no doubts at
all that City were serious contenders again.

There were hopeful signs the week before with a much-needed win over Grimsby
but that was against a team who would have been bottom of the table but for
the points penalties of others.

This time the quality of the opposition was very different. Gillingham were
bang in form, having won four out of five, with a striker who has been
scoring for fun. Yet the home side might as well have stayed indoors in
front of the fire.

City were on top from first minute to last and delivered their most complete
performance under McCall. This was the type of away display that we dreamed
would be a regular occurrence when the legend took the Valley Parade helm.

It was a pity that so few fans had made the journey but totally
understandable given the snow and ice that had blanketed the country.

The hardy souls who did go were richly rewarded. No wonder McCall grinned
like the cat who'd got the cream.

As he said, there were big performances all over the pitch - but without
wanting to single one out, he mentioned two in particular.

The way front pair Peter Thorne and Michael Boulding never stopped chasing
down opponents, running the channels, bringing team-mates into play and
basically proving a constant pain in the Gillingham proverbial typified
everything that was right about City.

McCall said: "We defended ever so well as a team but you're always only as
good as your front two. They were our first line of defence.

"The strikers were very good, not just in an attacking way but in stopping
Gillingham from coming at us. We know Thorney and Boulders get the goals but
their work ethic was superb.

"Thorney was a typical centre forward, taking things in and setting people
up. We need some leaders and he's leading now down the middle of the pitch.

"We asked Boulders to play on the shoulder of the last defender all the time
and get down the sides of them. We felt they lacked a little bit of pace at
the back and wanted him to exploit that, which he did.

"They never gave Gillingham any time on the ball and that's what we ask from
the players. We had a lot of energy again in the middle of the park and
there was always a threat in wide areas but the front two set it all up for
me."

City wasted no time in showing they meant business, storming out of the
blocks to force a couple of early corners. They should have been in front
before Gillingham had even warmed up.

Omar Daley ruffled the back of the net - but unfortunately from the outside
- and then Boulding missed a gilt-edged chance with a free header. The home
defence went walkabout as Nicky Law swung in a cross to leave Boulding all
alone but he directed it the wrong side of the post.

Gillingham should have done better when Daley coughed up possession in front
of his own box but the puff-pastry header from Jaime Peters eight yards out
was a typical winger's effort.

Daley then showed the other side of his game with a mesmerising turn to
throw off his marker Stuart Lewis. He squared to Boulding, whose well-struck
drive was turned away by Simon Royce.

City had taken the game by the scruff of the neck, with Gillingham's
highly-rated Simeon Jackson left to feed off scraps by the dominant back
four.

Luke O'Brien had been forced to miss his second game in three with a bad
bout of tonsillitis but, with Zesh Rehman again switching to the left, Paul
Arnison slotted back in and played his best game yet in a City shirt.

Gillingham's attacking prowess relied heavily on loan wide men Peters and
Andy Barcham. Both tried Arnison's flank and both got nothing in return.

Rhys Evans was well protected throughout but needed to make one sharp save
from Adam Miller. The rebound was tapped home by Jackson but he was offside.

You sensed there was only one end where a genuine goal was going to happen
and it should have come eight minutes before the break when Law stole
possession from Lewis on the halfway line.

The youngster threaded a pass through to the path of Daley, who cut in on
goal with only Royce to beat, but the finish, on his favourite right foot,
was woeful and he dragged the ball into the side-netting.

City's tails were up, though, as Steve Jones and Boulding followed up with
close efforts. A goal had to come - and it did a minute before the break.

Boulding was the instigator with a surging run into the Gillingham half. He
got a lucky break when his pass intended for Daley bounced back to him off
the heel of Garry Richards but made no mistake second time and Daley turned
it home with an unconvincing side-foot.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally had used his programme notes to slaughter
the boo boys for their abuse after a recent home defeat to Lincoln. His
attack fell on deaf ears as the home fans made their feelings very clear at
half-time.

There was sign of a change in mood as the second half warmed up but the
pattern of play remained the same, with City looking in complete control.

Gillingham's day should have got a whole lot worse when Miller poleaxed
Jones with a very late challenge off the ball. Referee Paul Taylor, who gave
little City's way all afternoon, showed great leniency to only produce a
yellow card for the Gills captain.

Mark Stimson tried to counter Daley's danger by bringing on the more
resolute Nicky Southall for Peters but the home defence was coming under
attack from all sides.

Jones was also enjoying a productive day on the other wing and he supplied
the through pass that put the result to bed with 20 minutes left. Centre
half Mark Bentley dived at it but missed, which left Boulding with all the
time in the world to beat Royce for City's second.

The winning margin could have been more conclusive. Boulding flashed a
diving header wide and Daley took his eye off the ball to spoil a four
against three counter-attack.

Daley departed with cramp but it was nothing to worry about. He will be fit
for Jamaica's friendly against Nigeria at the New Den on Wednesday - and his
first chance to impress Reggae Boyz boss John Barnes.

The only downer was Graeme Lee's fifth booking, which means he will miss his
first game since inheriting the City armband.

But his team's display had spoken volumes and sent out a message to the
others bunched around them in the promotion chase.

Wycombe are up next, with Darlington to follow. City may have hit their
stride at just the right moment.



===========================

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4110429.Dazzling_Daley_shines_for_City/

Dazzling Daley shines for City
7:10am Monday 9th February 2009

Omar Daley has urged City fans not to expect too much magic from him.

The enigmatic Jamaican was back to his thrilling best in Saturday's 2-0 win at promotion rivals Gillingham.

Daley netted the first goal and looked a constant threat as City claimed a second straight win to move up to fifth in League Two.

But the winger divides opinion among supporters and is often an easy target when games are not going well.

Daley said: "That doesn't worry me because the fans have paid to come and see me and I don't mind if they have a go.

"But sometimes when they watch the game, they need to understand that I'm not going to pick the ball up and run past four or five people every time.

"I try to pick the right moment and sometimes I'll get into a one against one situation with the defender and take the chance to attack when it comes. But it's not always easy to do that.

"Everybody comes at me very hard in this league. There are no easy games for Omar because there are people definitely coming to stop you.

"But I will try my best and train hard to get fitter because I want to do well for this team."

Daley missed two good chances, including a one-on-one, before converting Michael Boulding's pass with a scuffed shot.

He said: "I will take that all day! I've been looking for another goal for a couple of weeks and just waiting patiently.

"I've played loads of games and get a lot of chances but I don't put pressure on myself to get goals. I'm just as happy if a team-mate scores.

"I look at the Bradford City dressing room and there is no player I'm not confident in. Every individual is a good player and I'm proud I'm part of that."

Boulding sealed victory with his 11th goal of the season and Stuart McCall was full of praise for a display he described as City's best away this season.

He said: "I thought we played really well at Brentford without getting anything but that win was as good as any. It's nice to come away and beat a team who are up there.

"We were really good from first to last. There were some big performances throughout the side and it's really hard to single anyone out.

"We were up against a team who had won four out of five and were in good form and I thought we dominated the whole game.

"There are two massive games coming up now and if we show that same quality, desire and togetherness then I'll be delighted."

Skipper Graeme Lee will miss Saturday's clash with leaders Wycombe after receiving his fifth yellow card.



===========================


http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/yorkshire-soccer/Bradford-City-Hard-work-ahead.4959304.jp

Bradford City: Hard work ahead for 'excellent' City


Michael Boulding

Boss Stuart McCall insisted his Bradford City side wouldn't get complacent after they surged up to fifth place in League Two on the back of a 2-0 win over promotion rivals Gillingham.
Omar Daley and Michael Boulding were both on target at the Priestfield Stadium as the Bantams moved above their hosts and into the play-off zone.

City are now just five points adrift of table-toppers Wycombe Wanderers, who they entertain next Saturday.

McCall said: "The Gillingham game has gone now. We'll take confidence from it but we won't get complacent.

"There is a lot of hard work to do, but I felt the attitude and desire throughout the team was excellent at Gillingham."

Bradford started strongly and went close to opening the scoring after just four minutes when Daley crashed a shot into the side netting following a Nicky Law corner.

Michael Boulding then headed over when he should have done better and the same player had a shot well saved by Simon Royce in the 18th minute after Daley got the better of Gills right-back Stuart Lewis before delivering the ball into his path.

But the hosts had gone close themselves when Andy Barcham's cross was headed off target by Jaime Peters, and they thought they had taken the lead just after the half-hour mark.

Adam Miller's shot was saved by Rhys Evans and the ball rebounded to Simeon Jackson, who put it into an empty net only for referee Paul Taylor to blow up for offside.

At the other end, Daley had another great chance to give Bradford the lead on 37 minutes when he beat Lewis for pace on the left before cutting inside and firing wide.

But Bradford finally got the goal their possession deserved on the stroke of half-time when Boulding found himself in space on the right and crossed for Daley to slot the ball home.

City picked up where they left off at the start of the second half and almost doubled their advantage when Law broke through the middle before hitting a shot which was tipped round the post by Royce.

And they finally sealed it 20 minutes from time when Mark Bentley slipped attempting to clear Steve Jones' through ball, allowing Boulding to race through and slot the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

McCall said: "That is the standard now. We have conceded one goal in open play in the last nine games and we've got to keep that going.

"Everyone throughout the side played well but it was nice to get the second goal to make us feel a little bit comfortable.

"We knew they'd come back against us once before this season, when they were two goals down, so we had to be careful."


===========================
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7878878.stm

Daley hits back at fans criticism  
 
Bradford City's Omar Daley has said he is strong enough to take the recent criticism aimed at him.

The Jamaican international midfielder, 27, responded to recent criticism from some supporters by scoring in City's 2-0 win at Gillingham on Saturday.

"The fans pay their money to come and see me," Daley told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I don't mind if they have a go, but have a go in the right way. They have to understand I can't run past four or five people every time I get the ball."

City manager Stuart McCall has already hit out this season, stating Daley in an easy target for fans frustration.

Daley added: "I try my best to train hard and get fitter and better.

"I have to do that because it's not easy in this league.

"I get two or three players coming to tackle me at once and that's hard to get past.

"There is no easy game for Omar because opposition players always come at me hard.

"The criticism hasn't got to me, I'm just working hard."
 


===========================

The Gillingham view

http://www.gills365.co.uk/gills365v2/2009/02/07/full-time-thoughts-bradford-h/

Some pictures ...

http://www.kent-online.co.uk/kol08/article/default.asp?article_id=56751&slide_id=1

Game info / Transfer summary

Game info:

Rearranged: Bradford v Darlington , Tuesday Feb 17.

Gillingham game in doubt
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4101053.Bantams_game_under_threat/


Transfer Summary
=============

Summary

City have four players now loaned to the club for the remainder of this season. Nicky Law, Dean Furman, Zesh Rehman
and Steve Jones.

Chris O'Grady has returned to Oldham

Full Squad
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams2.sd?teamid=234

===========================

Bradford sign QPR defender Rehman 
 
Rehman has only played four games this season, all at Blackpool
Bradford City have signed centre-back Zesh Rehman on loan from Queens Park Rangers until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old Pakistan captain can also play at right-back and could feature for the Bantams on Tuesday evening at

Bury.

Rehman told BBC Radio Leeds: "I spoke to the gaffer and chairman and I've been very impressed with their plans.

"This is a massive club, which shouldn't be in League Two. They should be in the Championship at least."


Rehman started his career at Fulham and has also played at Norwich and Brighton.

He spent time on loan at Rangers' Championship rivals Blackpool earlier this season and has not played since

Blackpool's win at Birmingham on 20 September.

Rehman added: "The fact the club are so open to the Asian community is a major thing for me too.

"I was invited up to the club to have a chat and have been really impressed with everything I've seen."

Rehman's arrival at Valley Parade has seen fellow defender Mark Bower go out on loan to League Two's bottom club

Luton Town.

The centre-back has only made on start this season for City and joins Luton for a month.

 


===========================
Bower heads to Luton

Mark Bower has left City for Luton on a one-month loan.

The club's longest-serving player has been restricted to just one start this season in the JP Trophy at Leeds.

His only league involvement was as a sub when Matt Clarke suffered cramp against Aldershot.

Clarke and skipper Graeme Lee have nailed down a regular partnership at the heart of City's defence, leaving Bower

stuck on the sidelines. He has been a sub for 19 games.

The arrival of Zesh Rehman for the rest of the season from QPR will make opportunities even harder to come by for

the Bradford-born defender.

Stuart McCall said: "Mark will go there with a positive attitude and get some games under his belt. But he's only

going for a month and we're certainly not closing the door on him."

Bower's temporary move to the Hatters runs until February 28. He will go straight into their squad to face

Bournemouth tomorrow night (Jan 27th).




===========================
Rehman hoping to prove a big draw

7:00am Tuesday 27th January 2009

Zesh Rehman believes his presence at City can attract more Asian fans to
Valley Parade.

But the QPR defender, who ignored other Championship interest to sign
for the rest of the season, insists he has dropped down two divisions
for football reasons.

Omar Khan, the club's new Asian ambassador, was involved in Rehman's
talks with City. The Pakistan national skipper appreciates the
significance of his arrival but said: "First and foremost I'm here to
play football.

"The most important thing is about what happens on the pitch. I've got
no problems with speaking to the community and helping in that way but
it's down to how I do in matches.

"I'm well aware of the Asian community around the club and hopefully I
can encourage more to come along. For me, football is the perfect
vehicle to bring communities together."

Birmingham-born Rehman became the first player of Asian origin to appear
in the Premiership when he made his Fulham debut at Liverpool in 2004.
He played for England from under-17s to under-20s before opting to
represent Pakistan at senior level.

With Rehman on board, City have allowed Mark Bower to join Luton on a
month's loan.

Rehman has worked under SEVEN different managers since joining QPR in
August 2006.

He admitted: "It is unsettling because you want stability at a club. I
had spells when I was a regular in the team, then a new manager would
come in with different ideas and his own players and change it all
round. It was hard to get established."

Rehman, who also had a frustrating loan spell at Blackpool, added: "I
was only prepared to drop down the leagues to play for this club.

"I spoke to the manager and chairmen and I know they want to get
Bradford back up to where they belong. I've been involved in relegation
battles in the past and it's nice to be joining a club pushing for
promotion – that's a good pressure to have."

Rehman, who goes straight into the squad at Bury tonight, is out of
contract in the summer.

Stuart McCall said: "Zesh has played at a good level and comes
recommended. With TJ (Moncur) going out, we were looking for somebody
who can play right back and in the middle."

Bower is likely to start for Luton at Bournemouth but McCall stressed
City's longest-serving player still has a future at his home-town club.

"Mark's going there with a positive attitude to get some games under his
belt. He's only going for a month and we're not closing the door on him.

"You saw what happened with Joe (Colbeck) last season when he went out
on loan to Darlington."

City head to Gigg Lane in good spirits after their dramatic fightback at
Luton and McCall is looking forward to a tense promotion clash.

"I've been really pleased with our away form of late and if we can
maintain the level of our second-half performance, then we can go there
with confidence."

Steve Jones caused Luton trouble with his speed and may get another
chance up front. So loan signing Chris O'Grady, who spent a month at
Bury earlier in the season, could again miss out on even making the bench.

McCall said: "Chris has been an unfortunate victim of circumstances.
After his performance in the reserves against Leeds, I was seriously
considering starting him at Bournemouth but that was called off. Then he
was going to start in the last home game but he fell violently ill on
the Thursday night.

"We've got three lads in the squad in double figures and I wanted to get
Thorney back out there. And I tried something different up front to use
Jones with his pace.

"It's hard on Chris but we've got him for another couple of weeks and
I'm sure he will get his chance."


===========================
Jones extends stay with Bradford 
 

Burnley midfielder Steve Jones has extended his loan spell with Bradford City until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old's original two-month stay with the Bantams was due to expire after Monday night's game with

Darlington at Valley Parade.

The Irishman originally joined City in November and has made 11 appearances for Stuart McCall's side.

Jones scored his first goal for Bradford in Saturday's 2-0 win over Grimsby Town.

Jones has also been on loan at Huddersfield Town this season 



===========================
http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~1541898,00.html

O'GRADY BACK FROM BANTAMS LOAN

Striker Chris O'Grady is due back at Boundary Park today after his loan at Bradford City expired.

The bustling striker did not start a game for Stuart McCall's men but made two appearances from the substitutes'

bench.

He is expected to re-join the Latics squad and resume his battle for a place in the senior side when training

resumes later this week.

O'Grady - who signed from Rotherham United in the summer - has also spent time on loan at near neighbours Bury this

season.

===========================

L2 v Grimsby Town (h) W2-0 Jan 31st 2009

Coca-Cola League Two
Bradford C (0) 2 Law 75, Jones 90+3.
Grimsby T (0) 0
Att: 12,816

BANTAMS LEAVE IT LATE TO SEAL WIN

Second-half goals from Nicky Law and Steve Jones enabled promotion-chasing
Bradford City to beat 10-man Grimsby 2-0 at home on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Robert Atkinson was sent off for a
professional foul on Michael Boulding after 20 minutes, but Bradford
struggled to take advantage despite dominating the play.

Grimsby goalkeeper Phil Barnes made superb saves to deny Jones and Boulding
while Jones hit the post in a one-sided first half.

It was a similar story after the interval, but Law broke the deadlock after
75 minutes with a low right-footed shot and Jones put the result beyond
doubt in stoppage time when he beat Barnes after receiving a pass from
substitute Joe Colbeck.

Stats: Bradford C - Grimsby
Possession: 54 - 46%
Shots on target: 19 - 3
Shots off target: 10 - 5
Fouls: 10 - 8
Corners: 11 - 5

Ref: C. Sarginson (Staffordshire).
Red card: Atkinson (Grimsby), professional foul, 21 min.
Yellow card:
Grimsby: Clarke (43 min.)
Bradford C: None.

Bradford C: 1. Rhys Evans, 33. Zeshan Rehman, 5. Graeme Lee, 12. Matthew
Clarke, 19. Luke O'Brien, 25. Steve Jones, 24. Nicky Law, 23. Dean Furman,
7. Omar Daley (80), 10. Peter Thorne (89), 14. Michael Boulding.
Subs: 2. Paul Arnison, 8. Lee Bullock, 9. Barry Conlon (89), 13. Jon
McLaughlan (GK), 15. Joe Colbeck (80).

Grimsby: 1. Phillip Barnes, 12. Jamie Clarke, 25. Robert Atkinson, 4. Ryan
Bennett, 21. Joe Widdowson, 22. Nathan Jarman (25), 16. JP Kalala, 31. Dean
Sinclair, 30. Stuart Elliott, 9. Adam Proudlock, 26. Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro
(injured 30).
Subs: 5. Matthew Heywood (25), 10. Chris Llewellyn, 11. Danny Boshell, 13.
Gary Montgomery (GK), 18. Peter Bore (30).

Next match: (H) Darlington (TV: Sky Sports 1/HD1), Monday Feb 2, 2009. K.O.
7:45PM

Last season: Bradford C 0-0 Darlington; Darlington 1-3 Bradford C.
This season: Darlington 2-1 Bradford C.


===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4092136.Jones__luck_turns_as_he_breaks_City_jinx/

Jones' luck turns as he breaks City jinx
7:40am Monday 2nd February 2009

City 2 Grimsby 0

So Steve Jones hasn't run over a black cat after all!

Neither has he smashed every mirror going nor spent his days walking under ladders.

Perhaps the seemingly unluckiest man in the world is about to enjoy a change of fortune. It's certainly long overdue.

The winger's nickname of Jonah has proved unfortunately fitting. Before Saturday, his ten appearances in Bantams colours had coincided with the mid-season slump that has been threatening to derail the promotion dream.

Not that Jones could be held solely responsible – though the way his luck was going in front of goal, he must have wondered about that.

The faith-restoring victory over Grimsby contained plenty of positives for the fans jaundiced by the midweek no-show at Gigg Lane.

But none came any brighter than in stoppage time when the green-booted Jones ran the ball past Phil Barnes to finally break his City duck. At about the millionth attempt...

The goal owed everything to his refusal to give up after seeing one early effort denied by the brilliant Grimsby keeper and another ping off the inside of the post.

And maybe, for the more superstitious, his gaffer's red knees played their part ...

Stuart McCall, fed up with the run of Valley Parade hard-luck stories, made his own drastic contribution by ditching the tracky bottoms.

Despite the plummeting temperature, the City chief braved the chill in just the shorts he had worn throughout the more successful period of the campaign.

I trust he will still do the same if the snow starts falling tonight...

The sight of Jones scampering through to seal City's first win of 2009 certainly helped warm the manager up.

"How many goals could Jonah be on by now?" McCall pondered afterwards. "But to be fair he kept at it all afternoon.

"The pitch was beginning to cut up and for players like Jones, Omar (Daley) and Nicky Law it's difficult to run with the ball. But he kept going out wide and getting crosses in and I'm so pleased for him to get a goal."

Jones, whose Burnley loan is due up next Monday, admitted it was sweet payback for City's listless display against Bury, a night which had set the alarm bells ringing as they slipped briefly out of the play-off picture.

He said: "We wanted to put on a show for the fans. We got great support at Bury and let them all down as well as ourselves.

"But I did think the goals were never going to come. Grimsby were holding out and their keeper was fantastic but we dug deep and got there in the end.

"And I'm definitely so glad to score at last. I had two good chances in the first half and was very unlucky but I finally got my reward."

There wasn't much to fault about City's performance. It was the display – and result – that had been demanded since Tuesday.

Of course, they should have scored more. A lot more against a team who played all but the first 20 minutes with a man down after defender Rob Atkinson was sent off for dragging down Michael Boulding.

City carved out more chances than they had created in the previous four or five home games but they found Barnes, a keeper McCall knows well from the days together at Sheffield United, in inspired form.

McCall had restored Jones to his usual role on the wing with Boulding and Peter Thorne back up front together. Dean Furman was also given a run alongside Law in central midfield after Paul McLaren nicked his calf in training.

Interestingly, McCall revealed afterwards that he had been considering the Law/Furman axis anyway to counter the younger, quicker legs of Grimsby's middle two.

The injury to McLaren made his decision easier but perhaps it was also an answer to those fans who think certain players are "undroppable".

The midfield duo could not have covered more ground if they'd tried. Every time a ball dropped or something was about to happen, one of them was immediately on hand.

They anticipated everything, ready to pounce on possession or harry an opponent into making an error. There was no let-up in their intensity from start to finish.

City's all-round display was equally bright from the moment that Boulding flicked a second-minute header narrowly across the Grimsby goal. This was just the response that McCall had demanded from his midweek dressing-room rocket.

Zesh Rehman was drafted in at right back and added considerable presence to a back four that has been breached only once from open play in the last eight games. They certainly kept it tight when needed on Saturday, repelling Grimsby's brief flurries of pressure with well-placed blocks.

Rehman's height also proved an effective weapon from corners. Twice he went close to a goal on his home debut, with one header scrambled unconvincingly off the line by Jean-Paul Kalala.

That was followed by the first stunning save from Barnes after Graeme Lee's free-kick deflected straight to Jones bang in front of goal. Barnes was diving the wrong way but somehow still managed to beat away the shot with his legs.

When Jones smacked the woodwork a few minutes later, his helpless shrug in the manager's direction said it all. What more could City do?

Barnes pulled off another fine stop to foil Law after a sizzling move created by Boulding. And when Peter Thorne headed a corner straight at the keeper with the chance you'd bank on him burying, the nagging doubt that City would never get a break began to grow.

This was no day for near-misses. Anything less than a win would be viewed as another example that the wheels had come off; regardless of how well they might have played. Grimsby may have won two out of three going into the game, including beating Wycombe on their own patch, but having failed to beat any others in the bottom five at home, another City draw would cut no ice.

Importantly, heads remained high as the minutes ticked away. Chances kept coming and going as the volume increased from the stands.

Jones was trying to shoot from anywhere, Law was driving into the box at will. Boulding got between two defenders to nod over.

And with the game well into its final quarter, Grimsby's hearts were finally broken.

Luke O'Brien's long ball was won by Thorne, Boulding swept the ball towards Law, who wriggled to find enough space 20 yards out to drill past Barnes.

City being City still had one late scare when Matt Clarke carelessly conceded a throw-in level with their box. Ryan Bennett's long throw-in dropped for Dean Sinclair who hooked the ball over Rhys Evans – and fortunately a foot or so over his bar as everyone looked on.

Sub Barry Conlon should have doubled City's lead in added time before Jones did with the game's final kick.

The first half of the home double header had been successfully negotiated. Now the onus is on City tonight to make it back-to-back home wins for the first time since September.




===========================
http://www.sportgrimsby.co.uk/football/grimsby_town/fixtures_and_results_200809/match_reports/displayarticle.php?ID=7327

Stuart McCall praised his Bradford side

BRADFORD 2 v 0 GRIMSBY 

Stuart McCall praised his Bradford side after they ended a run of four matches without a win by beating 10-man Grimsby at Valley Parade - a result that lifted them into seventh place in League Two.


McCall had been highly critical of his players after their 1-0 defeat at promotion rivals Bury in midweek, but he said: ``I thought we were at it and I am pleased.


``But it`s only one game and there are 18 matches left and we need to show that consistency level week in week out.


``Three points was the major thing regardless of performance, but we got a good performance as well. If we hadn't taken three points it would have been a major blow. The players did everything I asked of them.''


McCall also paid tribute to Mariners goalkeeper Phil Barnes, who kept his side in the game with a string of fine saves.


He added: ``Their keeper was inspired and we also had balls cleared off the line. We hit the post and balls flew across the face of the goal.


``As an attacking force we were excellent. I told the players at half-time just to keep playing for each other even if it`s the last minute and keep switched on at the back.


``We kept knocking at the door and finally knocked it down.''


Grimsby manager Mike Newell bemoaned the loss of Rob Atkinson, who was sent off for a foul on Michael Boulding in the 20th minute.


Newell said: ``The sending off changed the game. It was like a wrestling match in the centre circle, but the people who make the rules don't know what they are doing and that decision ruined the game.


``The team showed good spirit and commitment and right up to the death they were in with a shout.''




===========================
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford/Bradford-City-2-Grimsby-Town.4934074.jp

Bradford City 2 Grimsby Town 0


Bradford earn three points
By John Davis
From Valley Parade.
The Bantams revived their promotion challenge with a much-needed win, but they were given a real scare by 10-man Grimsby.


The visitors had centre-half Robert Atkinson red-carded after just 20 minutes when he clumsily pulled down striker Michael Boulding as he tried to chase a through ball.

With goalkeeper Phil Barnes in inspired form, the Mariners held City at bay until late in the second half.

City manager Stuart McCall was delighted with the way his players bounced back from the dismal defeat at Bury and they already had Grimsby on the back foot before Atkinson's departure.

Barnes's goal had already survived several scares before the Grimsby goalkeeper stuck out a leg to kick away Steve Jones's eight-yard shot and soon after the unlucky winger saw another strike rebound off the post.

Bantams midfielder Nicky Law also found Barnes in defiant mood as he twice saw the goalkeeper save goal-bound efforts in a one-sided first period.

It was more of the same after the break with Barnes tipping a cross-shot from Law round the post before the City man finally made the breakthrough.

With 15 minutes to go, Law collected a neat pass on the edge of the Grimsby area and, after shifting the ball onto his right foot, he drilled a low shot beyond Barnes from 16 yards.

Grimsby rarely threatened as their one-man deficit took its toll, but midfielder Dean Sinclair almost grabbed an unlikely equaliser when his overhead kick looped over the City bar with three minutes left.

On-loan man Jones bagged his first goal for City deep into stoppage time after Grimsby were caught short on the counter-attack and McCall will be looking for his side to climb above promotion rivals Darlington if tonight's televised encounter beats the predicted bad weather.

Bradford City: Evans, Rehman, Lee Clarke, O'Brien; Jones, Law, Furman, Daley (Colbeck 79); Thorne (Conlon 89), M Boulding. Unused substitutes: Arnison, Bullock, McLaughlin.

Grimsby Town: Barnes, Clarke, Bennett, Atkinson, Widdowson; Jarman (Heywood 22), Sinclair, Kalala, Elliott; Akpa-Akpro (Bore 30), Proudlock. Unused substitutes: Llewellyn, Boshell, Montgomery.

Referee: C Sarginson (Staffordshire).

Man of the match: Nicky Law.




===========================
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/7859226.stm

Harford and McCall charged by FA 
 
Luton Town manager Mick Harford and his Bradford City counterpart Stuart McCall have both been charged by the Football Association with improper conduct.

The charges relate to the 3-3 League Two draw at Kenilworth Road on Saturday 24 January.

Luton face a further charge of failing to control their players, after referee Trevor Kettle awarded a match-saving injury-time penalty for Bradford.

All parties have until Friday 13 February to respond to the charges.

McCall was sent to the stands during the game, after contesting a free-kick awarded against his side.

Harford's charge relates to his behaviour toward the official after the match.