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
===========================
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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.
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