"The conditions saw every ball that went over shoulder height blown and blustered off course and given an element of unplayability which which was only countered with low, passing football which the Bantams steadfastly adhered to."
STAT ATTACK
12 Shots On Target 3
9 Shots Off Target 1
7 Fouls (Conceded) 12
10 Corners 3
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
Bradford: Evans, Arnison, Clarke, Lee, O'Brien, Colbeck (Nix 85), Law, Furman, Jones, Conlon, Michael Boulding (Thorne 80).
Subs Not Used: Bullock, Convey, Rehman.
Booked: Furman.
Goals: Furman 60.
Macclesfield Town: Brain; Brisley, Walker (Frazier-Allen 70), Morgan, Hessey (Reid 80); Flynn, Bell, Hadfield, Evans, Yeo (Thomas 73); Sinclair. Unused substitutes: Brown, Tolley.
Referee: M Oliver (Northumberland).
Attendance: 11,908
******
Also:
Special Fan's Forum on the Odsal debate
The death of two long term City supporters.
******
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http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/football/Bradford-City-1-Macclesfield-Town.5035734.jp
Bradford City 1 Macclesfield Town 0: Sublime Furman strike has City looking up
By Richard Sutcliffe
at Valley Parade
THE weight of expectation might not exactly be sitting comfortably on the shoulders of Bradford City right now but Stuart McCall's side are at least back in the play-off positions this morning.
The Bantams, without a win in three games going into last night's meeting with Macclesfield Town, claimed all three points thanks to a sublime second-half strike from Dean Furman.
There was little doubt that City deserved to prevail against a hugely unambitious Cheshire outfit who defended in numbers throughout. But the less than convincing manner of Bradford's display against such insipid opposition did little to ease the growing fears among many of the 11,908 fans allegedly inside Valley Parade – it looked closer to 8,000 – that this season could yet bring disappointment as the League Two promotion race approaches its climax.
City, for all their neat and pretty play in midfield, still do not quite look capable of putting together the kind of winning run that will be needed to claim an automatic promotion berth.
They seem to lack a true driving force through the middle to set the pace and tempo for a side that started the season as favourites to lift the title.
Bradford did, though, last night claim the win that manager Stuart McCall had described ahead of kick-off as "absolutely paramount" courtesy of the game's one true standout moment.
It came on the hour when Furman collected the ball in midfield before looking up and playing an intelligent pass into the feet of Michael Boulding before racing forward to collect the return pass and clinically drilling a left-foot shot past Joe Brain.
Nicky Law then came close to adding a second two minutes later before the same player showed great drive and poise to storm into the area 11 minutes from time before hitting a shot straight at Brain.
Barry Conlon should then have done better in the 88th minute when played through as City finished as they had spent most of the game – firmly on top but without really looking like scoring.
This had certainly been the story of the first half when the Bantams had been unable to turn their territorial domination into clear-cut chances.
Steve Jones did crash a fiercely struck effort against the crossbar, while Boulding headed straight at goalkeeper Brain after a jinking run from Law down the right had created the opening.
But those two chances were as good as it got for the home side in a largely disappointing opening 45 minutes with the only other opening seeing home goalkeeper Rhys Evans have to beat away a shot from Maccelsfield namesake Gareth.
Unfortunately for the 81 fans who had followed the visitors to West Yorkshire, it proved to be their only real attacking moment of note and the visitors could have little complaint at leaving Valley Parade empty-handed.
Bradford City: Evans; Arnison, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien; Colbeck (Nix 85), Furman, Law, Jones; Conlon, M Boulding (Thorne 80). Unused substitutes: Bullock, Convey, Rehman.
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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4170520.Furman_delivers_pain_relief/
City 1, Macclesfield 0
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Cometh the Furman.
"Deano, Deano" was the cry echoing round Valley Parade last night.
A famous chant among City fans and that other Deano, who was watching from the stand, would have been proud of the quality finish from Dean Furman which settled a must-win game.
After the recent double blow, the Bantams had to step up to the plate and answer the critics. They did just that thanks to Furman's trusty left boot, which fired them back up to fifth in League Two.
There was an immediate urgency about City and Steve Jones had a shot charged down within the opening two minutes.
But the strength of the wind blowing into their faces was illustrated when Rhys Evans launched his first punt – and saw it hang in the air and then come back to him like a boomerang.
Macclesfield set up with five at the back but showed an early threat on the break as Gareth Evans proved too quick for Graeme Lee. The skipper was struggling in his wake as the Macc frontman ripped down the left and drove low straight at his namesake in the home goal.
City responded with Barry Conlon, one of three changes from the weekend, flicking Luke O'Brien's long free-kick towards strike partner Michael Boulding. He shaped to turn and shoot but Shaun Brisley did just enough to snuff him out.
Nicky Law's corner was nodded goalwards by Lee but the ball struck Conlon, who could not get out of the way.
It was a good spell of pressure for the home side, clearly intent on righting the wrongs of the previous two games. The busy Law, back in his favoured central role, drove forward promisingly but his long shot was wayward.
Macclesfield were penned in their own half and when they did try to break from a City corner, Furman wrestled Brisley down with a tackle that Sam Burgess would have been proud of at Odsal.
The youngster had clearly learned the lesson from Meadow Lane – even though it cost him an inevitable booking.
Furman was buzzing around the edge of the Macc box and Law seemed to be here, there and everywhere.
There was an extra edge about City's play that Stuart McCall had demanded – all they needed was a breakthrough to show for it. For all the bright build-up, Macc keeper Jon Brain had not been tested in the first half hour.
When Joe Colbeck had a hopeful thrash from 25 yards, the ball sailed away into the top tier of the Bradford end.
City fashioned their first decent chance in the 32nd minute as Law dodged a lunge from Sean Hessey to deliver a teasing cross from the right. Both strikers jumped for it but Boulding steered his header straight into the arms of Brain.
Matthew Flynn levelled the yellow-card count after clattering into Jones, before City came within a whisker of that elusive first goal.
Furman dived between Lee Bell and Jordan Hadfield and squared to Lee, whose first-time drive was a yard or so wide of the far post.
Colbeck set off on a run and even passed to himself, chasing and retrieving his own flick, to win another City corner. Then Law went down in the box but young referee Michael Oliver was unimpressed.
City were pressing hard and Jones and Furman linked up superbly around the edge of the box before the Burnley loan man lashed an effort against the Macclesfield bar.
The crowd, who had stuck right behind the home side, cranked up the volume but Macclesfield's blue wall managed to stand firm until the break.
City nearly shot themselves in the foot in the last minute of the half when Paul Arnison, who had come in for Zesh Rehman, hit a sloppy free-kick straight to Gareth Evans.
A better – and more positive – side than Macclesfield might have made something of the full back's lapse in concentration but the danger was averted. A sloppy goal against them at that stage would have undone all the good work and shattered confidence.
City were straight back on the attack from the restart, with Furman fizzing a volley wide. Macclesfield still showed little inclination to break ranks, inviting City to come at them and figure a way through.
Jones again got away from right back Flynn to pick out Colbeck but the winger's header flew straight at Brain.
All ten of City's outfield players were in the Macc half, with Arnison pushing up to force another corner which frustratingly came to nothing.
Simon Yeo clipped Law's heels to give City a free-kick in Lee range. The captain duly delivered with a thumping 30-yarder but Brain saw it all the way.
There was a growing twitchiness in the air – but that was blown away on the hour with the sweetest of goals.
Furman charged towards the Macc box, exchanged passes with Boulding and slid a perfectly-placed shot beyond Brain's right hand and into the bottom corner. It was no more than City deserved as a feeling of relief flooded around Valley Parade.
Macc now had to come out and play but City quickly threatened a second as Law tested the keeper from 25 yards.
There was a rare threat at the other end but Rhys Evans showed good concentration to gather Bell's free-kick, before opposite number Brain spilled Law's cross but recovered before anyone could pounce.
Colbeck raced from the halfway line to carve Macclesfield open but, having reached the penalty area, he tried to take on one too many and ran into a cul-de-sac.
Then Law almost had the goal his performance warranted but his cross-shot was blocked by the keeper's outstretched left leg.
With four minutes left, Furman tried to turn provider to slide Conlon through but Brain was quickly across to smuggle his cross behind.
There were no late scares, though, as City finished in complete command. With lousy travellers Aldershot to come to West Yorkshire on Saturday, that's one half of mission accomplished.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4170558.City_and_fans_in_it_together/
7:00am Wednesday 4th March 2009
Stuart McCall breathed a sigh of relief as City passed their test of
character with a "massive" win.
Dean Furman's goal against Macclesfield last night lifted the gloom from
back-to-back defeats as the Bantams jumped back up to fifth in League Two.
McCall had demanded a strong response to the recent criticism and was
thrilled with what he saw.
He said: "I told the players before the game that we just needed a
victory and I didn't mind how it came. But I'm really pleased with the
performance as well.
"It was a massive three points because of the pressure that's been put
on us and a win we fully deserved.
"You have ups and downs, twists and turns. Two weeks ago things were
looking rosy, then two bad defeats and it's a crisis.
"That's how football is, especially at the top end, and I'm delighted
with the result."
Macclesfield's negative approach made life tough for City, who saw Steve
Jones hit the bar before half-time. Furman finally broke through on the
hour with a low finish after a one-two with Michael Boulding.
McCall said: "Macclesfield were the last team I wanted to play. They put
five big lads across the back, had no real attacking intent in the team
and it can be so frustrating.
"It was never going to be a classic with the way they set out and the
difficult conditions but the spirit and endeavour was good and you
couldn't ask for any more."
The City chief also praised the home fans for their backing. After the
abuse heaped on the team at Meadow Lane, the supporters played their
part in a vital victory.
"As long as they see you giving all the commitment and putting crosses
into the box, they'll stay with you and that was a big plus point," said
McCall.
"We need the fans. We're all in it together and we all want the same thing.
"I was as frustrated and annoyed as them at two poor results but there
are still 12 games to go. We just need that same desire and
determination from the players and the same backing from the fans."
Furman added: "Every game is huge for us, it doesn't matter what's gone
on before. But there was an added importance after the last week."
Meanwhile, long-term casualty Chris Brandon will step up his recovery
this afternoon in a practice reserve match against Sheffield United.
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Special Fan's Forum on the Odsal debate
This coming Saturday, March 7th (before Aldershot game) in bantamspast museum, above
Surridge UpFront Sports.
Kick off 1.30pm
Chaired by David Pendleton, bantamspast musuem
Panel:
Terry Armstead, IDL White Abbey Branch
Alan Carling, Bradford City Supporters Trust
Darren 'Dazz' Clarke (tbc), City Gents Supporters Club
Steve Gorringe, Shipley Bantams
Mike Harrison, City Gent fanzine
Nick Kitchen, Council Petitioner
All City fans are welcome to come and talk about the Odsal Sports Village
project, ground-sharing with the Bulls, stadium purchase, Council involvement
with City etc. etc.
Admission free. Tea and snacks are available at the UpFront cafe.
===========================
The death of two long term City supporters.
Firstly, Hubert Pountney died early last week aged 92. Hubert was voted fan of the year 10 years ago and had followed City since the 1920's. He has been a regular at VP right up until City's last home game on a Saturday against Wycombe, sitting in the disabled section in front of the press box in the Main Stand. His son Michael would drive up from Birmingham to pick upo his dad and take him to VP. Michael wrote an article about his dad which appeared in City Gent issue 147
Secondly, City''s associate director Bill Roper died on Sunday 1st March. He had a very long associatioin with the club, from being a director in the 70's as well as being a scout. He has been credited for spotting Peter Jackson and Stuart McCall and bringing them to the club.
There was a minutes silence at VP tonight (Macclesfield game) and City wore black armbands as a mark of respect.
===========================
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