Coca-Cola League Two
Morecambe (0) 2 Drummond 56, Howe 75
Bradford C (1) 1 Clarke 37
Att: 4,546
Stats: Morecambe - Bradford C
Possession: 51 - 49%
Shots on target: 7 - 6
Shots off target: 5 - 6
Fouls: 6 - 9
Corners: 4 - 9
Ref: Nigel Miller (Durham)
Yellow cards:
Morecambe: Artell (50), Curtis (77), Yates (84), Howe (90+2).
Bradford C: Colbeck (25 min), Clarke (90+2).
Morecambe: 1. Barry Roche, 2. Adam Yates, 4. David Artell, 5. Jim Bentley,
25. Danny Adams, 9. Wayne Curtis, 16. Stuart Drummond, 8. Garry Hunter (90),
11. Neil Wainwright (86), 7. Michael Twiss, 10. Rene Howe.
Subs: 12. Lewis Edge (GK), 14. Diarmuid O'Carroll, 15. Fraser McLachlan
(86), 18. Mark Duffy, 23. Henry McStay (90).
Bradford C: 1. Rhys Evans, 33. Zeshan Rehman, 5. Graeme Lee, 12. Matthew
Clarke, 19. Luke O'Brien, 15. Joe Colbeck, 24. Nicky Law (82), 4. Paul
McLaren, 11. Chris Brandon (77), 35. Paul Mullin, 10. Peter Thorne (73).
Subs: 2. Paul Arnison, 8. Lee Bullock (82), 14. Michael Boulding (73), 22.
Kyle Nix, 25. Steve Jones (77).
Next matches:
(H) Lincoln City, Monday April 13, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM.
(A) Dag & Red, Saturday April 18, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM
===========================
HOWE'S THAT!
Bradford City's League Two promotion hopes were dented by a controversial
2-1 defeat to Morecambe at Christie Park, where Rene Howe hit the winner.
The Bantams let slip a 1-0 lead after Matthew Clarke's first-half header had
given them the advantage at the break.
Stuart McCall's side looked to have scored a second just after the half-time
interval when Peter Thorne's header slipped through Barry Roche's grasp and
looked to be over the line but the goal was not given.
The much-debated decision gave Morecambe hope and after a poor first half
the home side took a foothold in the game. Stewart Drummond headed them
level in the 55th minute after a header from Danny Adams's left-wing cross.
And the home side took the three points with a stunning strike from Howe,
whose 30-yard right-footed drive flew past goalkeeper Rhys Evans with 15
minutes to go.
Steve Jones had a late chance for Bradford but headed wide when he nipped in
between defenders and goalkeeper.
===========================
Bradford boss Stuart McCall was left fuming after his side's play-off
hopes were dealt another blow at Morecambe.
The Bantams' boss was angered by a decision not to award Bradford a
second goal just a minute after the restart when Peter Thorne's header
looked to have beaten Barry Roche and cleared the line before the keeper
pulled it back.
But the linesman failed to spot it and the goal was not given in a
pivotal decision that gave Sammy McIlroy's side a clear lift.
"I've been told by several people, even some from Morecambe that the
ball was over the line and when the officials don't do their jobs
properly that is disappointing because at 2-0 the game was over," said
McCall.
"It was an incident that really turned the game and it gave them a lift
but we should have coped better than we did.
"We were excellent in the first half and should have scored more but we
didn't and there is huge disappointment around the dressing room at the
minute."
===========================
Peter Thorne was convinced City were robbed at Morecambe by the "goal"
that never was.
The Bantams squandered a first-half lead to go down 2-1 at Christie Park
– and could be left four points adrift of the play-offs before they play
again on Monday.
But controversy raged after Thorne's header early in the second half
appeared to be fumbled behind the line by keeper Barry Roche.
That would have put City two up at a stage when they were bossing the
game. But referee Nigel Miller did not give it after checking with his
assistant.
A fuming Thorne said: "It was over without a doubt – even their players
were saying it was in. The ref couldn't see it but you go on their
reaction and you could tell the defenders thought it was a goal.
"Things like that kill you and it's a shock that we've come away with
nothing from a game we should have won."
City, who scored through Matt Clarke, were pegged back within minutes by
Stewart Drummond's header before going down to a long-range blast from
Rene Howe.
Thorne added: "We've got to react better. We weren't a patch on how we'd
played in the first half when I felt we battered them.
"We're absolutely devastated. We had that many away fans again and we
keep letting them down."
Television pictures of the 47th-minute incident were inconclusive
because of the position of the cameras.
But Stuart McCall spoke to the assistant concerned afterwards.
The frustrated City chief said: "Our nearest two lads thought it was
over the line and their centre half said the same.
"It was a big decision from the linesman so I asked him if he was sure
he was correct. Most in that situation would say 'yeah, definitely' but
he just said 'I hope I've got it right'.
"That could cost us the season. At 2-0 up, the game would have been over
but instead they've got a lift from it.
"We don't pick up properly from a throw-in and they equalise with a
header. Then their lad strikes a wonder shot which hits the post and
goes in.
"We'd set off at a good tempo and desire and really put the pressure on.
But it's another game where we've ended up with nothing to show from it.
But that's the way it's been going for us. It's a cruel game."
McCall singled out Luke O'Brien for special praise at left back.
"OB epitomised everything we would want. He's a lad who's been at the
club so long and gave everything he had.
"He was up and down the pitch and his desire and effort was outstanding.
He didn't deserve to be on the losing side.
"But it's exactly the same as last season. We're all feeling numb."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4283806.City_rue_the_goal_that_never_was/
City rue the goal that never was
7:00am Saturday 11th April 2009
Morecambe 2 City 1
Stuart McCall had hoped to wipe away memories of his Morecambe nightmare.
Instead he suffered a terrifying flashback as the spectre of missing out on the play-offs looms larger.
Good Friday? A flamin' horrible one for City more like.
For 55 minutes it had gone so well. City were leading and cruising – and complaining bitterly that a second goal, from Peter Thorne, had been chalked off.
Then Morecambe – and lightning – struck twice. And by Monday, when Lincoln come to Valley Parade, City could be four points off that seventh spot if Chesterfield beat Darlington today.
City had settled into their stride straight away and were on top in the opening skirmishes.
Joe Colbeck, back on the right wing, was into the action from the off with two decent crosses. Graeme Lee nodded the first over and David Artell just managed to clear the second from the head of the waiting Peter Thorne.
Having struggled to get out of their half for ten minutes, Morecambe created a moment of discomfort. Rene Howe shrugged off Luke O'Brien too easily and his low cross at the near post was palmed out by Rhys Evans before Paul McLaren whacked clear.
Sammy McIlroy's programme notes warned City not to expect any respect from his side. But there was a hunger and edge about the visitors' early play; an approach summed up by Thorne's ambitious chip from 30 yards out.
But you could see why Morecambe have kept so many clean sheets in recent games. Whenever City had the ball, the two wing-backs tucked in defensively to make up a five-man backline.
Morecambe had a half-hearted shout for hand ball when Lee blocked Stuart Drummond before the skipper got enough of a touch on Howe's through ball aimed at Wayne Curtis to allow Matt Clarke to clear.
Colbeck was booked for a mistimed challenge before setting up Chris Brandon for an effort from the edge of the box that was deflected wide. Unfortunately, the standard of City's corners in the first half hour let them down.
City, though, were still hoovering up the majority of loose balls in midfield and showing an extra zip in their game that was certainly not there in the last away outing at Chester.
It felt more like a City home game with the number of Bantams fans around the ramshackle ground, though a good proportion of them were getting wet in the appropriately-named Carwash stand.
They were nearly singing in the rain on the half hour as Mullin came within a whisker of his first goal for the club.
The on-loan targetman cleverly left Colbeck's cross for Thorne to turn and latch on to his partner's flick-on. Suddenly he had a sight of goal but keeper Barry Roche just got enough on his well-struck cross-shot to turn it past the far post.
Within seconds, City went close again as Thorne seized on an error by centre back Jim Bentley but whipped the loose ball wide from 12 yards.
Evans was forced into proper action for the first time on 32 minutes with a regulation catch from Garry Hunter's header. But it was against the tide as City continued to ask questions – and got their answer five minutes later.
Roche conceded a cheap corner when he fumbled Colbeck's sliced cross. And how City made him pay for the error.
Law's dead-ball delivery was much better and Clarke met it with a decisive header into the bottom corner.
It was no more than City deserved, though no doubt a few minds were cast back to their last visit when another centre half, Mark Bower, had scored first before Morecambe hit back to snatch it at the death.
Their top scorer, Howe, tried to instigate some kind of response before half-time but, despite a few nice touches around the box, his attempted curler looped harmlessly into the mass of City fans behind the goal.
The supporters were certainly in great voice as the whistle sounded. They had witnessed the side's most impressive 45 minutes away from home since Gillingham way back in January and it looked comfortable.
McCall, too, would have been pleased but knew the job was only half done. No doubt the message about what happened here 18 months earlier would have been rammed home in the dressing room.
O'Brien began the second half with a really forceful run down the left flank, working with Mullin to win City an immediate corner. And City were convinced they had a second goal from it.
Thorne met Law's kick with a powerful low header which Roche fumbled on his line – and appeared to let the ball roll behind it.
The players and fans were certainly adamant that it had gone in and started to celebrate but referee Nigel Miller looked to his assistant to make sure and when no confirmation was forthcoming, he allowed play to go on.
A goal at that moment could have killed off Morecambe but City were not knocked out of their stride and another drive forward from O'Brien ended with a crude foul from David Artell, who was rightly booked.
Next it was Law's turn to eat up yards and his deep cross was headed downwards by Mullin but this time Roche made a cleaner save.
Even Zesh Rehman got upfield, although Mullin could not get any direction on his header from Colbeck's resulting cross.
But then, having hardly threatened, Morecambe hit back with a sucker punch after 56 minutes.
Danny Adams drilled a ball towards the far post where Stewart Drummond rose well to thump the ball beyond the stretching Evans.
It was harsh on City, especially considering the contentious "no goal" just before, and they faced a test of character to lift the game again.
The supporters were temporarily stunned as Morecambe started to come more into it, Neil Wainwright shooting wide after a decent move down the left.
Lee had to be alert to cut out a Howe cross before Evans carefully clutched a lob above his head. Howe went much closer when he sprung the offside trap, cut past Clarke and squeezed a shot towards the near post which Evans turned away with a strong hand.
It was a very different game since the equaliser. Morecambe had a spring in their step while City, totally in control up to the goal, were now defending for their lives.
Wainwright found himself in loads of room out wide but overhit his cross, then Michael Twiss whistled one a few inches over City's bar. Colbeck delivered an inviting ball across the other goalmouth but nobody was in there to capitalise.
McCall made his first change with 18 minutes left as Michael Boulding replaced Thorne – a decision which was greeted with a few boos.
But before the sub had touched the ball, City found themselves behind to a stunning goal. Howe had not scored for two months but he ended his duck in spectacular fashion, City backing off to allow him to keep advancing and then let fly from 25 yards with a rocket that flew beyond Evans.
Now City had it all to do and McCall introduced Steve Jones for the quiet Brandon. Then Law made way for Lee Bullock.
The silence that descended over at least half the ground spoke volumes as City tried to come again.
They almost got an equaliser with four minutes left when a cross bounced up invitingly for Jones ghosting in at the far post. But his header was poor and he glanced wide – it was a gilt-edged chance gone begging.
City now need a big favour from Darlington at Saltergate.
===========================
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/yorkshire-soccer/City-are-left-all-at.5163222.jp
City are left all at sea by disallowed strike
Morecambe 2 Bradford City 1
Bradford City's play-off hopes were dealt a massive blow as they suffered a controversial defeat at Morecambe.
Stuart McCall's side were looking comfortable at the break, leading 1-0 thanks to a Matt Clarke header on 36 minutes, and they looked to have scored a second goal through Peter Thorne a minute into the second half.
The veteran striker reacted sharply in the box to head towards goal and his effort beat Barry Roche and seemed to have cleared the line by a big margin – but the goal wasn't given.
It was a decision that the Bantams never seemed to recover from and they lost their composure – and their grip on the game – as Morecambe came back strongly.
The Shrimps pulled one back on 55 minutes when the Bradford defence failed to spot the danger from midfielder Stewart Drummond, who raced into the box to head a cross from former Huddersfield Town man Danny Adams past Rhys Evans from 12 yards out.
And the large band of travelling fans were left stunned 15 minutes from time when Morecambe striker Rene Howe scored a stunning winner.
The on-loan Peterborough man took the ball 35 yards from goal and unleashed a fierce right-foot effort that flew into the top corner of the Bradford net.
The Bantams staged a late revival with a Joe Colbeck cross inches too high for Paul Mullin and substitute Steve Jones nipping in between defenders and goalkeeper to head just wide of the right-hand post.
It all looked so different for Bradford at the break after they dominated the first half.
The visitors had the better chances of the opening period with Roche saving superbly from Mullin on 28 minutes after the on- loan Accrington Stanley striker shared a neat one-two with Thorne.
Thorne himself then came close with a shot that fizzed across the six-yard box after a mistake by Jim Bentley before the pressure finally paid off with an opening goal on 36 minutes.
Nicky Law swung in a right-wing corner and Clarke was left unmarked to head past Roche from six yards out.
Morecambe, who had lost just one game in 14 before this one, struggled to make headway but Garry Hunter forced Evans into a neat save from a header and Drummond had a claim for a penalty turned down when his shot was beaten down by Graeme Lee.
Morecambe: Roche, Yates, Bentley, Artell, Adams, Wainwright (McLachlan 85), Hunter (McStay 89), Drummond, Curtis, Howe, Twiss. Subs not used: Edge, Duffy, O'Carroll.
Bradford: Evans, O'Brien, Clarke, Lee, Rehman, Brandon (Jones 76), Law (Bullock 82), Colbeck, McLaren, Mullin, Thorne (Boulding 72). Subs not used: Arnison, Nix.
Referee: N Miller (Durham).
ATTENDANCE: 4,546.
===========================
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46810838356
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"
***
Texas Bantams Blog
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
***
CFML since February 1997 is edited by Greg S. in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas
***
No comments:
Post a Comment