Coca-Cola League Two
Bradford C (1) 3 Flynn 23, Neilson 55, Brandon 86.
Chesterfield (0) 0
Att: 11,664
Stats: Bradford C - Chesterfield
Possession: 57 - 43%
Shots on target: 5 - 3
Shots off target: 7 - 4
Fouls: 8 - 10
Corners: 4 - 1
Ref: Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire).
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Rehman (42 min)
Chesterfield: Page (62 min), Lester (89 min).
All for unsporting behaviour.
Bradford C: 1. Simon Eastwood, 16. Jonathan Bateson, 12. Steve Williams, 5.
Zesh Rehman, 3. Luke O'Brien, 4. Michael Flynn (87), 8. Lee Bullock, 19.
James O'Brien (70), 26. Scott Neilson, 17. James Hanson, 9. Gareth Evans
(82).
SUBS: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 6. Matthew Clarke, 11. Chris Brandon (70),
14. Michael Boulding (82), 20. Leon Osborne, 21. Luke Sharry (87), 24. Louis
Horne.
Chesterfield: 1. Tommy Lee, 20. Dan Gray, 6. Kevin Austin, 5. Robert Page,
3. Gregor Robertson, 24. Donal McDermott (60), 7. Mark Allott, 8. Derek
Niven (62), 4. Jamie Lowry, 10. Darren Currie (74), 26. Wade Small.
SUBS: 23. Mark Crossley (GK), 2. Phil Picken, 9. Martin Gritton (74), 11.
Paul Harsley (62), 14. Jack Lester (60), 18. Daniel Hall, 19. Scott Boden.
Next matches:
(A) Morecambe, Tuesday Sept 29, 2009. K.O. 7:45PM.
(A) Northampton, Saturday Oct. 3, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM
===========================
By Simon Parker (T&A)
City stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with an ultimately
convincing win over Chesterfield at Valley Parade.
The Spireites have proved lucky opposition for Stuart McCall and the home
side deservedly clocked up another victory.
Michael Flynn fired City in front midway through the first half with a
clever finish over Tommy Lee into the far corner.
Both keepers pulled off crucial saves to keep it at 1-0 by the break. Simon
Eastwood denied Wade Small after City failed to clear and Lee brilliantly
tipped away a well-struck Scott Neilson drive.
Eastwood saved City's bacon again ten minutes into the second half, bravely
stopping Derek Niven after Zesh Rehman's error.
The block proved even more crucial as play instantly swept to the other end
where Neilson slotted home number two.
That goal effectively killed off Chesterfield's resistance but City made
absolutely sure five minutes from time as sub Chris Brandon hammered in a
third.
Neilson should have had another in stoppage time but hit the post with an
open goal beckoning.
===========================
Photos and video
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1809782,00.html
===========================
Nielson makes FL2 team
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1811159,00.html
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4651351.Flynn_inspires_seven_up_City/?ref=rss
Midfielder defies pain to help extend unbeaten run
7:30am Monday 28th September 2009
By Simon Parker
Michael Flynn was up all night in agony before helping red-hot City extend their unbeaten run to seven games.
The influential midfielder notched the first goal in Saturday's 3-0 home win over Chesterfield and then revealed how his preparations were ruined after being kept awake by a stiff neck.
Flynn, who felt the spasm after training on Friday, said: "It was touch and go for a while. I'd only had about an hour's sleep because the shooting pain kept waking me up.
"I had to come in early Saturday morning for some strong pain-killers. We weren't sure but it's going to take a little bit more than that to keep me out.
"I've never taken anything for granted in life and somebody else could come in and do well and I'd be left kicking my heels.
"I want to play every game; start every game and do myself justice every game in a Bradford City shirt.
"This is a brilliant club that deserves to be higher than League Two and I've come here to help them get there."
Scott Neilson, with his first goal in league football, and substitute Chris Brandon rounded off the victory which lifts City up to ninth ahead of tomorrow's trip to bogey ground Morecambe.
Flynn said: "Chesterfield are a good team but I just felt, right from the start, we were outstanding.
"Easty (Simon Eastwood) and the back four were solid and Bully (Lee Bullock) was the unsung hero again. I certainly sing his praises and let him know after each game how well he's done.
"We're a young squad all coming together and we've got goals throughout the team. Sometimes we show a little bit of naivety but I'm sure we'll learn through the course of the season.
"Nothing's won in September but I think we're going to go from strength to strength."
City's win was only their second in five attempts at Valley Parade this season and boss Stuart McCall admitted it was a significant result.
He said: "We knew we had to start winning our home games. If we'd come off again with a draw like we did against Burton then there would have been a bit of depression about the place.
"You enjoy these days because you don't have many of them. There were a lot of good performances.
"There will be highs and lows throughout the season but the confidence grows with every game you go undefeated and play well. It's very early days but it's looking promising."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4651382.City_attitude_summed_up_by_Eastwood_save/
Keeper earns plaudits as new model team win further praise
6:20am Monday 28th September 2009
By Simon Parker
City 3, Chesterfield 0
Zesh Rehman and Lee Bullock both made a beeline to hug Simon Eastwood.
City's second goal had just hit the net and they knew exactly who to congratulate.
While Scott Neilson took the acclaim for his first league strike, Rehman and Bullock made their point of thanking the guy with the big assist.
Seconds earlier, Eastwood had bailed out Rehman by bravely hurling himself at the feet of Chesterfield midfielder Derek Niven.
The young goalkeeper prevented a certain equaliser – and straight away the ball was whisked up the other end to make it 2-0.
Instead of seeing another one-goal lead disappear, as had been the case for the past couple of games, City were firmly in command and well on the way to three points.
Eastwood continues to have his critics but the rookie's part in stretching City's unbeaten run to a seventh game was just as crucial as the three scorers.
His team-mates made sure they acknowledged it – and so did the fans, much to Stuart McCall's satisfaction.
The City boss said: "It's nice to see the supporters get behind him. It's hard for a young kid to come to a club on loan but he's shown good character. He's stood up to it and done well for us."
On an afternoon when just about everything went right in McCall's eyes, the goalkeeper's contribution was worth a special mention. Eastwood did not have a lot to do but he made big saves at big moments.
That is the most pleasing thing about the new model City. Everyone is playing their part. Saturday was another case in point. All over the pitch, there were claret shirts putting in a real shift for the team.
Eastwood's back four were rock solid against potentially one of the most potent attacks in the division. Youngster Jon Bateson made a seamless transition at right back to minimise the effect of losing Simon Ramsden, arguably the best defender up to now.
In front of them, Bullock picked up all the bits and pieces to allow Michael Flynn to keep driving City forward, while James O'Brien's legs provided a constant link between the two.
And up front, the effervescent Gareth Evans worked off James Hanson's aerial power to make sure Chesterfield's backline never got a moment's respite. It was the complete package for a beaming McCall.
City's energy and workrate was best summed up by Flynn. He had hardly slept a wink the night before after his neck went into a spasm and needed pain-killers to be clear to play.
But you would never have guessed as he kept his side's motor ticking with those attacking surges which have already made him a huge favourite with the fans.
City's first goal was reward for another positive push from the midfielder. Hanson and Evans both went up for a goal kick and the ball ping-ponged into Flynn's path on the left.
Pulling it inside right back Dan Gray, he spotted Tommy Lee slightly advanced of his goal and clipped a precise shot into the far corner.
Keighley-born Lee had produced a master class in Macclesfield's goal on McCall's home debut two years ago. He had no chance of denying Flynn but showed his quality from City's next attack to brilliantly palm away a Neilson blast.
Sandwiched in between was Eastwood's first key contribution as the back four nearly paid for a rare lapse in concentration. They allowed an innocuous pass to run in behind and it needed the keeper's fast reactions to keep out Wade Small.
As Chesterfield finished the first half strongly, the game saw its most contentious point.
Small, whose pace caused the odd stir, was suddenly clear on goal as Luke O'Brien tumbled in his wake.
The assistant referee eventually gave the foul – but only after allowing the striker to run five yards further forward. Chesterfield's bench were furious, claiming O'Brien had simply slipped, and it looked a marginal call.
McCall had no doubts the official got it right, even if the rest of us were not so convinced.
He said: "The linesman should have put his flag up earlier and stopped all the confusion. Our left back's as honest as the day is long and it was pretty evident he got tripped.
"I can understand their frustration because the linesman took so long but I'd have been going mental if he had played on."
But that scare acted as a timely reminder of how fragile a single-goal lead can be. McCall tried to play it down in the dressing room but minds naturally wandered back to Burton and Barnet fighting back from deficits the previous two weekends.
The next goal was huge – and the game was effectively settled in the minute surrounding it.
First it seemed that Chesterfield had to score as Jamie Lowry's precise through ball released Niven behind Rehman. But Eastwood saw it in a flash and flung himself at the midfielder to make the block.
Then O'Brien immediately picked out Evans to dart inside from the left flank. His shot was parried by Lee and Neilson followed in to convert the rebound.
A deflated John Sheridan responded by throwing on Jack Lester but the mardy substitute's only impact of note was the elbow he petulantly stuck in Bullock's face after City had bagged their third goal.
Chris Brandon and Michael Boulding did not see any action at Underhill but both were on by that point. A foul on Boulding gave Luke O'Brien the chance to whip in a decent free-kick which Lee flapped away from Hanson and straight to Brandon to lash home.
Neilson should have made it four in stoppage time but unbelievably hit the post in front of an open goal, prompting his manager to joke that the winger had obviously backed 3-0 with the bookies.
And there was still time for Boulding to come within a whisker of capitalising on Gregor Robertson's slack back-pass.
But the keeper just managed to snatch the ball away to leave Boulding still looking to open his account. It was the only slight frustration of an otherwise extremely satisfying day.
Attendance: 11,664
===========================
Sheridan furious with referee
Published: Sunday, 27 September 2009, 2:26PM
Chesterfield manager John Sheridan blasted referee Gary Sutton after his side crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Bradford.
Bradford were leading 1-0 through a 23rd minute goal from midfielder Michael Flynn when Wade Small broke away from James O'Brien 10 yards in to the City half of the field. However, Lincoln referee Sutton ruled that Small had fouled O'Brien and gave the free-kick to Bradford.
Sheridan said: ``The full-back slipped when Small was clean through. Everyone could see it wasn't a foul. If Small had gone on and scored it would have put us back in the game. It was a terrible decision.''
He added: ``Until their second goal I thought we were the better side. The second goal killed us. We should have done a lot better defensively for the first goal.
``I though we controlled the game in the second half until their second goal. In fact, when they scored their second goal it was the first time they had been in our half since half-time, but we fell away in the last 20 minutes and it could have been four or five.''
Chesterfield have taken only one point form five away games and Sheridan said: ``We should be doing a lot better away from home.''
Bradford boss Stuart McCall is refusing to get carried away despite watching his side extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.
McCall said: ``There were a lot of good performances all through the team, no less than our keeper. Simon Eastwood made a good save in the first half and a brave save just before we scored our second goal. It was nice to hear the crowd get behind him.
``We are pleased to get three points, three goals and a clean sheet. There is a long way to go, but it is looking very promising.''
===========================
===========================
DARLINGTON PART COMPANY WITH TODD
Colin Todd has left his post as manager of League Two strugglers Darlington
after four months in charge.
The Quakers have only collected two points this season including Saturday's
1-1 draw at Grimsby, Todd's last game.
He told BBC Tees: "It was agreed before today's game that if we didn't get
the win then I'd be leaving.
"At certain levels you're dictated by results, the time factor sometimes
isn't long enough but you have to take the rough with the smooth."
He added: "I think the chairman should have been here to address the
situation. I've had the players all in together and nobody had any idea, not
even my staff [that I was going]."
When asked who had suggested he should leave if Darlington failed to win,
Todd added: "It was the chairman. It was [a feeling of] disappointment. It
was always going to be a difficult job here and a long job."
But Quakers' managing director Graham Fordy said that Todd's departure had
been a mutual agreement.
"He met the chairman on Monday and agreed if a victory didn't come his way
on Saturday that he would resign and that's exactly what he's done," he
said.
Todd, who is the seventh Football League manager to lose his job this
season, believes that the next boss will be brought in from outside the
club.
"I know for a fact it will be somebody new," he said. "[Dean] Windass will
not get the job so they're looking for someone, I don't know what type of
manager," he added.
The ex-Middlesbrough, Bradford City, Bolton, Derby and Swindon boss was
handed the manager's job at the Arena by returning chairman George Houghton
in May.
Before his appointment he had been coaching in Denmark with Randers.
Todd took over at Darlington after former boss Dave Penney left to take
charge at League One Oldham.
The Quakers were forced to assemble a new side during the summer after most
of last year's squad left.
Raj Singh, who has since taken over as Quakers chairman, said it was
regrettable that the club had parted company with Todd.
"Colin is keen to do what's right for the club and accepts the time is right
for him to step aside," he told the club's website.
===========================
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
***
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Charities and good causes edition
There were many posts about people doing good stuff for the burns unit and other causes so they are included
(below).
If you wish to help please contact the person directly via their web page and/or email address
Thank you!
***
Help the CFML help others
I ask for your support for the daughter of a long time Bradford City fan and CFML subscriber as she prepares for a
London-Paris charity bike ride. Emily has also produced a wonderful recipe book which is available to buy from Ebay
(link below). It is a perfect (late) Mothers Day present, birthday present or a stocking filler (admit it -
Christmas is just around the corner).
Please forward this information to your friends, post on your myspace, twitter or facebook page and lets all help
Emily raise money for this excellent cause.
About Emily
http://www.justgiving.com/emilybeardall
Whether your support is vocal, promotional or monetary the CFML Thanks You!
===========================
McCALL AND WINDASS GET IT WHITE
By Sports Desk (T&A)
Former Bradford City players helped raise over £1,700 for charity as they
exchanged their football boots for cricket spikes.
Included were current Bantams boss Stuart McCall and former striker Dean
Windass, who donned their whites to raise money for City assistant Wayne
Jacobs' charity One in a Million, which helps under-privileged children in
Bradford.
Undercliffe Cricket Club, who organise a charity event every year, hosted
the match which saw their Cavaliers tackle City's past stars. Event
organiser Mark Gilliver, owner of D&R Sports in Bradford, was "very happy"
to see the event raise £1,771 for the charity.
He said: "It was a good day all round. We made more than we expected as we
were aiming for a grand.
"It was busy right from the start as about 450 people turned up to watch.
There was an auction after the game too when Jakes was presented with the
cheque."
Although the game was played in good spirits and for a good cause, both
teams wanted to win and tied on 187 runs each. McCall scored 12, while
Windass got 20 and also picked up two wickets.
===========================
From the BCFC Official website...
FAME AT CINEWORLD
Posted on: Tue 22 Sep 2009
The West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are holding a special screening of
FAME at Cineworld in Bradford on Monday 19 October 2009.
Included in the admission price of £15.00 is a ticket to see the new hit
film and a cold buffet.
All proceeds from the event will go to the University of Bradford Plastic
Surgery Burns & Research Unit.
Ticket holders should arrive at 7.00pm for the screening at 8.30pm.
Dress: Smart.
Tickets are now on sale from the Ticket Office at the Coral Windows Stadium.
===========================
From the Official BCFC website...
BANTAMS FAN TO RUN FOR THE BURNS UNIT
Posted on: Tue 22 Sep 2009
Life-long Bantams supporter Paul Firth is to participate in the City of
Salford 10K run in aid of the Burns Research Unit.
The event will take place on Sunday 27 September 2009 and Paul is hoping to
raise much money as possible for the charity.
Any City supporters wanting to help Paul raise funds towards the unit or
would like to know more, can do so by visiting.
http://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Firth
To give himself further motivation to complete the distance, Paul is
promising to only claim half of his sponsorship money should he finish the
run in over an hour.
Paul has already raised over £2,000 for the Burns Unit in the past through
sales of his book - "Four Minutes to Hell - The Story of the Bradford City
Fire".
===========================
From "Edinburgh Bob" edinbob@aol.com
I completed the Great North Run on Sunday and am still collecting my pledges ... over £400 for the Burns Unit so
far; www.justgiving.com/BobMoran provides more info and a mechanism for you to donate!
Thanks to those who are on this list that supported me, it meant a great deal and I'll send some pictures through
to you when I get chance. My time was 1 hour 56 minutes and 28 seconds, (without breaking the journey).
Edinburgh Bob
===========================
From the Official BCFC website...
BRADFORD CITY FANS URGED TO VOTE FOR TROPHY TOT
Posted on: Wed 23 Sep 2009
Bradford City fans are being urged to show their support for a little one of
their own, by voting online for one of their budding fans to win a
Johnstone's Paint Trophy award.
The trophy has been asking supporters to help create a 'young and hungry'
fan base by launching an appeal to find its official 'Trophy Tot' for the
2009/10 season.
Scores of youngsters entered the contest and Johnstone's has now shortlisted
eight little fans, including Sienna Pugh who is on the company's official
website for people to vote on.
It is hoped that Bantams fans will now show their support by clicking on:
http://www.johnstonespainttrophy.com and voting for Sienna.
The overall winner will receive a £50 voucher for the clubshop of the team
they support and a Johnstone's Paint Trophy goody bag, filled with
Johnstone's Paint Trophy memorabilia.
The competition has been created in an attempt to find some of the nation's
cutest and youngest football fans, in a light hearted effort to engage with
Football League clubs up and down the country.
It has also coincided with the launch of the trophy's new enhanced website,
which has been redesigned to engage with more football fans than ever.
Johnstone's Paint Trophy sponsorship coordinator Sally Binns said: "Sienna
was shortlisted as she looks an absolute picture, and appears to be a very
big supporter, despite her age!
"It was so tough getting the entries down to a final eight, as every little
tot was so cute. We thank everyone for their entries and hope people will
start voting for our overall Trophy Tot.
"We're always keen to interact with supporters of the Johnstone's Paint
Trophy and we thought this would be another fun and colourful way of doing
so."
The voting will take place from September 16th to October 7th and a winner
will be announced once voting has closed.
Editors note: Cute picture at:
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1806035,00.html
===========================
From johnny yen - jyen2@hotmail.com
I'm doing the Horsforth 10k on Sunday morning as part of my rehab/comeback into jogging, ultimately doing the Brass
monkeys half marathon in January at York.
I haven't ran competitively for nearly two years since having a knee operation, the last being the Blackpool half
marathon in Feb2007 where I did 1hr 33mins.
Although the Burns unit is a charity dear to me, I've always raised money for the Heart foundation, as heart
disease is prevalent in my family.
===========================
From "Paul Cook" paul@cookpaul.orangehome.co.uk
I'm aiming at doing the Brass Monkeys in January too as well as possibly the Bradford City 10mile Run next month
ahead of next year's inaugural Bradford Marathon with the intention of raising money for the Burns Unit. I was
going to do the Bradford Marathon for the Burns Unit because of the 25th anniversary anyway, but having seen the
unit needs money it's given me double reason to do so.
===========================
Monday, September 21, 2009
L2 v Barnet (a) D2-2 Sep 19 2009
Coca-Cola League Two
Barnet (0) 2 O'Flynn 56, Hughes 81
Bradford C (1) 2 Hanson 14, Rehman 70
Att: 2,282
Stats:
Barnet - Bradford C:
Possession: 53 - 47%
Shots on target: 4 - 3
Shots off target: 4 - 5
Fouls: 8 - 9
Corners: 2 - 11
Ref: Graham Scott
Yellow cards:
Barnet: Clovis Kamdjo (30 min).
Bradford C: James O'Brien (24 min).
Both unsporting behaviour.
Barnet: 1. Jake Cole, 12. Ryan O'Neill (71), 5. Ismail Yakubu, 21. Clovis
Kamdjo, 22. Ahmed Deen (52), 4. Mark Hughes, 10. Micah Hyde, 11. Yannick
Bolasie (78), 14. Albert Jarrett, 16. Jake Hyde, 9. John O'Flynn.
SUBS: 23. Phil Carpenter (GK), 2. Joe Devera (71), 3. Kenny Gillet (52), 7.
Albert Adomah (78), 8. Nicky Deverdics, 15. Joe Tabiri, 19. Elliot Charles.
Bradford C: 1. Simon Eastwood, 2. Simon Ramsden (59 injured), 12. Steve
Williams, 5. Zesh Rehman, 3. Luke O'Brien, 26. Scott Neilson, 4. Michael
Flynn, 8. Lee Bullock, 19. James O'Brien, 17. James Hanson, 9. Gareth Evans.
SUBS: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 6. Matthew Clarke, 11. Chris Brandon, 14.
Michael Boulding, 16. Jonathan Bateson (59), 20. Leon Osborne, 21. Luke
Sharry.
===========================
Next matches:
(H) Chesterfield, Saturday Sept. 26, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM.
(A) Morecambe, Tuesday Sept. 29, 2009. K.O. 7:45PM.
Northampton ticket information
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1803635,00.html
===========================
Match Photo + video
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1802652,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8265915.stm
===========================
BARNET 2 CITY 2
4:55pm Saturday 19th September 2009
By Simon Parker »
Zesh Rehman scored his first City goal but they still can't beat Barnet.
But at least Stuart McCall avoided a third straight Underhill defeat as he marked his 100th league game in charge.
Playing down the infamous slope in the first half, City caused Barnet's defence real trouble with James Hanson a
huge threat in the air as always.
Hanson and Scott Neilson both had chances before City struck after 13 minutes. Michael Flynn's determination took
him past Ahmed Deen before he delivered a low cross which Hanson converted.
Jake Hyde looped a shot over City's bar but otherwise it was the visitors who had the lion's share of the first
half, forcing five corners without reply.
But Barnet hit back after the break and levelled on 56 minutes from their first effort on target. Sub Kenny Gillet
floated a cross to the far post where John O'Flynn nodded over Simon Eastwood.
The pattern of the game changed and Jake Hyde and Ismail Yakubu both went close within minutes.
But City regained the lead with 20 minutes left. Hanson flicked on their tenth corner and Rehman lashed the ball
home through a packed box.
Rehman then turned hero at the other end to clear off the line from Micah Hyde as Barnet pressed strongly.
But City's hopes of a fourth successive away win were shattered nine minutes from time when O'Flynn's cross was
headed home by Mark Hughes.
Both sides had late chances with Scott Neilson seeing a fierce drive saved in stoppage time.
===========================
Bees lucky against Bradford, says boss
7:08am Sunday 20th September 2009
comment Comments (0) Have your say »
"We got out of jail."
That was the view of Barnet manager Ian Hendon after yesterday's 2-2 draw with Bradford City.
He said: "It was the worst performance (in the first half) this season. We could have been dead and buried. I feel
very lucky to have got something out of the game. In the first half it was men against boys."
But the Bees did at least raise their game in the second half.
"Credit to the lads. We came from behind twice and stole a point. For the neutral it was an entertaining second
half, but for me I don't call that entertainment. I'm sure there will be changes at Rotherham next week."
Barnet remain fourth in the table.
===========================
Coca-Cola League Two
Barnet (0) 2 O'Flynn 56, Hughes 81
Bradford C (1) 2 Hanson 14, Rehman 70
Att: 2,282
HUGHES HEADER DENIES BANTAMS WIN
Mark Hughes extended Barnet's unbeaten run to seven matches with a late
equaliser against Bradford City in a 2-2 draw at Underhill.
The Bees twice fell behind to goals from James Hanson and Zesh Rehman but
showed their battling qualities with John O'Flynn and Hughes earning them a
deserved point.
Bradford flew out of the traps, and Hanson had already gone close before he
broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Former Blackpool midfielder Michael
Flynn's driving run and cross found Hanson at the far post and he poked the
ball past Jake Cole.
Chances were few and far between before the break, but after the interval
the match came alive when O'Flynn equalised, heading in Kenny Gillett's
cross.
O'Flynn and Ismail Yakubu then wasted great chances to fire the Bees in
front but they failed to test Simon Eastwood.
Bradford were on the ropes, but they bounced back to storm in front after 70
minutes when Rehman smashed home James O'Brien's corner. But back came
Barnet and they deservedly drew level nine minutes from time when midfielder
Hughes headed in O'Flynn's cross.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4639122.No_icing_on_cake_but_a_ton_of_fun_for_fans/?ref=rss
No icing on cake but a ton of fun for fans
6:50am Monday 21st September 2009
By Simon Parker
Barnet 2 City 2
Unfortunately there was no icing on Stuart McCall's cake.
But at least he left Underhill with more than the usual crumbs.
Barnet spoiled the party to mark McCall's 100th league game as City gaffer. But not the way they usually trash the stereo, scribble on the walls and call the police round.
McCall has still not beaten Barnet in five goes now but a draw after being twice ahead is a marked improvement on a ground that has previously been a personal graveyard.
The potential icing on the cake – in McCall's words – came two minutes into added time when Scott Neilson fired fiercely at goal.
The script was written for a dramatic third goal but home keeper Jake Cole was equal to it and beat the ball away.
Cole had something to prove by then, given that he had been beaten by his best mate ten minutes earlier.
No doubt the hot topic of conversation on his Saturday night out with Zesh Rehman was how the big defender had opened his City account with a thumping finish.
Rehman became the ninth "new" scorer for the club this season and looked destined to be the match-winner when he then bravely threw his head in the way of Jake Hyde's goal-bound response to clear off the line.
He deserved better than to fall victim to a second Barnet equaliser with time running out. And so did City.
But beggars can't be choosers and bearing in mind the horrors of earlier trips – think Albert Adomah last season and Jason Puncheon the one before – this will be seen as a valued point.
McCall brought up his century with a nudged single rather than a one-bounce boundary but, more importantly, the unbeaten run stretched to a sixth game.
The feelgood factor goes on – as witnessed by the enthusiastic reaction from the 454 travelling fans at the final whistle. No boos or grumbles at seeing points slip away but a genuine acknowledgement for the hard work once again on show.
The supporters have suffered there just as much as McCall and his players. Double that amount witnessed one of City's grimmest afternoons in February.
No doubt, plenty of Saturday's away crowd would have been at Notts County as well. The improvement in the six weeks since the horror show of the opening day has been huge.
City's education has been all about the three Es: effort, enthusiasm and endeavour. They were all on display up and down the infamous Barnet slope.
It was not an afternoon for the purist but frankly, who gives a stuff? We all know what's required to get on at this level and the current City line-up have it in spades.
The big dampener was the final outcome. Against an in-form side that have not lost since the first game, McCall should have been toasting a fourth successive away triumph.
There were plenty of positives again. The back four were excellent; the full backs snuffed out the wide threat while Rehman and Steve Williams mopped up down the middle.
City's midfield were first to every loose ball and closed down anything that moved; and up front, spearheaded by the magnetic head of James Hanson, they ran Barnet ragged.
The real mystery was how they reached half-time only one goal ahead.
Their 13th-minute breakthrough was a testament to the energy levels. Michael Flynn, who has become such a huge influence on City's play, barrelled into the box past the hapless Ahmed Deen and crossed low for Hanson to turn home.
And there should have been more.
Ismail Yakubu just did enough to steer Neilson's sights towards the side-netting; Hanson missed a free header; Flynn's shot was smothered by the sliding Clovis Kamdjo. Barring one header over from John O'Flynn, it was pretty much one-way traffic.
Barnet were delighted to get off only one adrift. Especially with the ridiculous pitch conditions in their favour for the second half.
Gareth Evans shot wide on the spin before the home side made the advantage count from their first pop on target.
It was a victory for Ian Hendon, the Barnet boss who got McCall's back up last season with his post-match digs about Rhys Evans.
Hendon replaced the out-of-sorts Deen at left back with Kenny Gillet and the Frenchman had only been on the pitch four minutes when he floated a long cross on to O'Flynn's head to loop past Simon Eastwood.
The mood changed completely as Barnet finally remembered what they were meant to do with the ball.
Jake Hyde and Yakubu were both inches away from a second goal, while City's cause was hardly helped by losing the rock-solid Simon Ramsden with a tweaked groin.
But City were still finding joy themselves when they attacked. The corners kept stacking up and the tenth brought its reward as Rehman reacted to Hanson's flick to lash through the crowded penalty area.
Hendon reacted by reaching for his nuclear weapon – Adomah.
City's nemesis had not been risked from the start after breaking his nose at Macclesfield last week. And for that the visitors can be thankful.
Hendon let him off the leash for the final 15 minutes and that was more than enough. Adomah had been on for less than a minute when Eastwood failed to deal with his cross. Hyde drilled it back goalwards where Rehman was in the perfect place to head off the line.
But City could have made it safe as Jon Bateson galloped down the right to set up Hanson for a glorious chance – only for the ball to stick under his feet.
Instead, lifted by the chants of "Albert, Albert" from the main stand, Barnet came again and O'Flynn picked out Mark Hughes for the sort of decisive finish that was the trademark of his namesake.
With the game wide open, Hughes should have had a second as Adomah breezed past Luke O'Brien but miscued horribly.
The board showing four added minutes revived horrible flashbacks of Puncheon's late, late free-kick two years ago. Instead it was Neilson who came the closest to providing the final drama.
No perfect ending to mark McCall's milestone but more encouraging evidence that City are heading the right way.
===========================
Barnet (0) 2 O'Flynn 56, Hughes 81
Bradford C (1) 2 Hanson 14, Rehman 70
Att: 2,282
Stats:
Barnet - Bradford C:
Possession: 53 - 47%
Shots on target: 4 - 3
Shots off target: 4 - 5
Fouls: 8 - 9
Corners: 2 - 11
Ref: Graham Scott
Yellow cards:
Barnet: Clovis Kamdjo (30 min).
Bradford C: James O'Brien (24 min).
Both unsporting behaviour.
Barnet: 1. Jake Cole, 12. Ryan O'Neill (71), 5. Ismail Yakubu, 21. Clovis
Kamdjo, 22. Ahmed Deen (52), 4. Mark Hughes, 10. Micah Hyde, 11. Yannick
Bolasie (78), 14. Albert Jarrett, 16. Jake Hyde, 9. John O'Flynn.
SUBS: 23. Phil Carpenter (GK), 2. Joe Devera (71), 3. Kenny Gillet (52), 7.
Albert Adomah (78), 8. Nicky Deverdics, 15. Joe Tabiri, 19. Elliot Charles.
Bradford C: 1. Simon Eastwood, 2. Simon Ramsden (59 injured), 12. Steve
Williams, 5. Zesh Rehman, 3. Luke O'Brien, 26. Scott Neilson, 4. Michael
Flynn, 8. Lee Bullock, 19. James O'Brien, 17. James Hanson, 9. Gareth Evans.
SUBS: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 6. Matthew Clarke, 11. Chris Brandon, 14.
Michael Boulding, 16. Jonathan Bateson (59), 20. Leon Osborne, 21. Luke
Sharry.
===========================
Next matches:
(H) Chesterfield, Saturday Sept. 26, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM.
(A) Morecambe, Tuesday Sept. 29, 2009. K.O. 7:45PM.
Northampton ticket information
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1803635,00.html
===========================
Match Photo + video
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1802652,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8265915.stm
===========================
BARNET 2 CITY 2
4:55pm Saturday 19th September 2009
By Simon Parker »
Zesh Rehman scored his first City goal but they still can't beat Barnet.
But at least Stuart McCall avoided a third straight Underhill defeat as he marked his 100th league game in charge.
Playing down the infamous slope in the first half, City caused Barnet's defence real trouble with James Hanson a
huge threat in the air as always.
Hanson and Scott Neilson both had chances before City struck after 13 minutes. Michael Flynn's determination took
him past Ahmed Deen before he delivered a low cross which Hanson converted.
Jake Hyde looped a shot over City's bar but otherwise it was the visitors who had the lion's share of the first
half, forcing five corners without reply.
But Barnet hit back after the break and levelled on 56 minutes from their first effort on target. Sub Kenny Gillet
floated a cross to the far post where John O'Flynn nodded over Simon Eastwood.
The pattern of the game changed and Jake Hyde and Ismail Yakubu both went close within minutes.
But City regained the lead with 20 minutes left. Hanson flicked on their tenth corner and Rehman lashed the ball
home through a packed box.
Rehman then turned hero at the other end to clear off the line from Micah Hyde as Barnet pressed strongly.
But City's hopes of a fourth successive away win were shattered nine minutes from time when O'Flynn's cross was
headed home by Mark Hughes.
Both sides had late chances with Scott Neilson seeing a fierce drive saved in stoppage time.
===========================
Bees lucky against Bradford, says boss
7:08am Sunday 20th September 2009
comment Comments (0) Have your say »
"We got out of jail."
That was the view of Barnet manager Ian Hendon after yesterday's 2-2 draw with Bradford City.
He said: "It was the worst performance (in the first half) this season. We could have been dead and buried. I feel
very lucky to have got something out of the game. In the first half it was men against boys."
But the Bees did at least raise their game in the second half.
"Credit to the lads. We came from behind twice and stole a point. For the neutral it was an entertaining second
half, but for me I don't call that entertainment. I'm sure there will be changes at Rotherham next week."
Barnet remain fourth in the table.
===========================
Coca-Cola League Two
Barnet (0) 2 O'Flynn 56, Hughes 81
Bradford C (1) 2 Hanson 14, Rehman 70
Att: 2,282
HUGHES HEADER DENIES BANTAMS WIN
Mark Hughes extended Barnet's unbeaten run to seven matches with a late
equaliser against Bradford City in a 2-2 draw at Underhill.
The Bees twice fell behind to goals from James Hanson and Zesh Rehman but
showed their battling qualities with John O'Flynn and Hughes earning them a
deserved point.
Bradford flew out of the traps, and Hanson had already gone close before he
broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Former Blackpool midfielder Michael
Flynn's driving run and cross found Hanson at the far post and he poked the
ball past Jake Cole.
Chances were few and far between before the break, but after the interval
the match came alive when O'Flynn equalised, heading in Kenny Gillett's
cross.
O'Flynn and Ismail Yakubu then wasted great chances to fire the Bees in
front but they failed to test Simon Eastwood.
Bradford were on the ropes, but they bounced back to storm in front after 70
minutes when Rehman smashed home James O'Brien's corner. But back came
Barnet and they deservedly drew level nine minutes from time when midfielder
Hughes headed in O'Flynn's cross.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4639122.No_icing_on_cake_but_a_ton_of_fun_for_fans/?ref=rss
No icing on cake but a ton of fun for fans
6:50am Monday 21st September 2009
By Simon Parker
Barnet 2 City 2
Unfortunately there was no icing on Stuart McCall's cake.
But at least he left Underhill with more than the usual crumbs.
Barnet spoiled the party to mark McCall's 100th league game as City gaffer. But not the way they usually trash the stereo, scribble on the walls and call the police round.
McCall has still not beaten Barnet in five goes now but a draw after being twice ahead is a marked improvement on a ground that has previously been a personal graveyard.
The potential icing on the cake – in McCall's words – came two minutes into added time when Scott Neilson fired fiercely at goal.
The script was written for a dramatic third goal but home keeper Jake Cole was equal to it and beat the ball away.
Cole had something to prove by then, given that he had been beaten by his best mate ten minutes earlier.
No doubt the hot topic of conversation on his Saturday night out with Zesh Rehman was how the big defender had opened his City account with a thumping finish.
Rehman became the ninth "new" scorer for the club this season and looked destined to be the match-winner when he then bravely threw his head in the way of Jake Hyde's goal-bound response to clear off the line.
He deserved better than to fall victim to a second Barnet equaliser with time running out. And so did City.
But beggars can't be choosers and bearing in mind the horrors of earlier trips – think Albert Adomah last season and Jason Puncheon the one before – this will be seen as a valued point.
McCall brought up his century with a nudged single rather than a one-bounce boundary but, more importantly, the unbeaten run stretched to a sixth game.
The feelgood factor goes on – as witnessed by the enthusiastic reaction from the 454 travelling fans at the final whistle. No boos or grumbles at seeing points slip away but a genuine acknowledgement for the hard work once again on show.
The supporters have suffered there just as much as McCall and his players. Double that amount witnessed one of City's grimmest afternoons in February.
No doubt, plenty of Saturday's away crowd would have been at Notts County as well. The improvement in the six weeks since the horror show of the opening day has been huge.
City's education has been all about the three Es: effort, enthusiasm and endeavour. They were all on display up and down the infamous Barnet slope.
It was not an afternoon for the purist but frankly, who gives a stuff? We all know what's required to get on at this level and the current City line-up have it in spades.
The big dampener was the final outcome. Against an in-form side that have not lost since the first game, McCall should have been toasting a fourth successive away triumph.
There were plenty of positives again. The back four were excellent; the full backs snuffed out the wide threat while Rehman and Steve Williams mopped up down the middle.
City's midfield were first to every loose ball and closed down anything that moved; and up front, spearheaded by the magnetic head of James Hanson, they ran Barnet ragged.
The real mystery was how they reached half-time only one goal ahead.
Their 13th-minute breakthrough was a testament to the energy levels. Michael Flynn, who has become such a huge influence on City's play, barrelled into the box past the hapless Ahmed Deen and crossed low for Hanson to turn home.
And there should have been more.
Ismail Yakubu just did enough to steer Neilson's sights towards the side-netting; Hanson missed a free header; Flynn's shot was smothered by the sliding Clovis Kamdjo. Barring one header over from John O'Flynn, it was pretty much one-way traffic.
Barnet were delighted to get off only one adrift. Especially with the ridiculous pitch conditions in their favour for the second half.
Gareth Evans shot wide on the spin before the home side made the advantage count from their first pop on target.
It was a victory for Ian Hendon, the Barnet boss who got McCall's back up last season with his post-match digs about Rhys Evans.
Hendon replaced the out-of-sorts Deen at left back with Kenny Gillet and the Frenchman had only been on the pitch four minutes when he floated a long cross on to O'Flynn's head to loop past Simon Eastwood.
The mood changed completely as Barnet finally remembered what they were meant to do with the ball.
Jake Hyde and Yakubu were both inches away from a second goal, while City's cause was hardly helped by losing the rock-solid Simon Ramsden with a tweaked groin.
But City were still finding joy themselves when they attacked. The corners kept stacking up and the tenth brought its reward as Rehman reacted to Hanson's flick to lash through the crowded penalty area.
Hendon reacted by reaching for his nuclear weapon – Adomah.
City's nemesis had not been risked from the start after breaking his nose at Macclesfield last week. And for that the visitors can be thankful.
Hendon let him off the leash for the final 15 minutes and that was more than enough. Adomah had been on for less than a minute when Eastwood failed to deal with his cross. Hyde drilled it back goalwards where Rehman was in the perfect place to head off the line.
But City could have made it safe as Jon Bateson galloped down the right to set up Hanson for a glorious chance – only for the ball to stick under his feet.
Instead, lifted by the chants of "Albert, Albert" from the main stand, Barnet came again and O'Flynn picked out Mark Hughes for the sort of decisive finish that was the trademark of his namesake.
With the game wide open, Hughes should have had a second as Adomah breezed past Luke O'Brien but miscued horribly.
The board showing four added minutes revived horrible flashbacks of Puncheon's late, late free-kick two years ago. Instead it was Neilson who came the closest to providing the final drama.
No perfect ending to mark McCall's milestone but more encouraging evidence that City are heading the right way.
===========================
Monday, September 14, 2009
L2 v Burton (h) D1-1 Sep 12 2009
Coca-Cola League Two
Bradford City (1) 1 Evans 24
Burton Albion (0) 1 Boertien 74
Att: 11,439
Stats: Bradford C - Burton
Possession: 53 - 47%
Shots on target: 6 - 5
Shots off target: 9 - 4
Fouls: 10 - 7
Corners: 10 - 3
Ref: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Ramsden (86 min) dissent, Williams (90+3) unsporting behaviour.
Burton: None
Bradford C: 1. Simon Eastwood, 2. Simon Ramsden, 5. Zesh Rehman, 12. Steve
Williams, 3. Luke O'Brien, 26. Scott Neilson (78), 8. Lee Bullock, 4.
Michael Flynn, 11. Chris Brandon (73), 9. Gareth Evans, 17. James Hanson.
Subs: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 6. Matthew Clarke, 14. Michael Boulding (78),
16. Jonathan Bateson, 18. Rory Boulding, 19. James O'Brien, 20. Leon Osborne
(73).
Burton: 30. Artur Krysiak, 15. Ryan Austin, 5. Tony James, 20. Guy Branston,
2. Paul Boertien, 8. Andrew Corbett (46), 4. Michael Simpson, 6. John
McGrath, 19. Jacques Maghoma (70), 18. Greg Pearson (62), 9. Shaun Harrad.
Subs: 13. Shane Redmond (GK), 7. Darren Stride, 10. Richard Walker (62), 12.
Robin Shroot (46), 14. Marc Goodfellow (70), 16. Russell Penn, 17. Jimmy
Phillips.
Next match: (A) Barnet, Saturday. Sept 19, 2009. K.O. 3:00PM
Barnet ticket info
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1796395,00.html
===========================
By Simon Parker (T&A)
City's four-match winning run was brought to a halt by League Two new boys
Burton.
Gareth Evans had put the Bantams on the way with his third goal of the
season midway through the first half. Michael Flynn gambled on James
Hanson's flick to force a mistake and Evans tapped home from close range.
But Burton, who held Notts County last week, were a threat going forward and
twice before half-time they could have been level through John McGrath and
Shaun Harrad.
Scott Neilson nearly doubled City's lead after the break. But it was no
surprise when Burton, who continued to look dangerous on the break, levelled
it up after 73 minutes through Paul Boertien.
Harrad and Robin Shroot both had chances to snatch an away win late on. City
pushed forward but had to make do with a draw.
===========================
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/yorkshire-soccer/Bradford-City-McCall-demands-quality.5643638.jp
Bradford City: McCall demands quality control
Bradford boss Stuart McCall is calling for a little more quality in attack after seeing City side held to a 1-1 draw by League Two new boys Burton.
Gareth Evans gave Bradford the lead in the 24th minute, but Albion deservedly equalised 16 minutes from the end through full-back Paul Boertien.
McCall admitted: "We could have done better in the last third of the field.
"We got the ball to the dead-ball line and either hit the first man, or got the ball into the keeper's hands."
However, he felt credit was due to Paul Peschisolido's side.
"The teams that have come up from the Blue Square Premier League have done well and there is no reason why Burton can't do the same.
"We had the opportunities, but Burton were always a threat. The players are disappointed, but to say it was two points lost would be disrespectful to Burton.
"They proved in getting a point at Notts County the week before that they are a decent side.
"I was disappointed not to win. You want to win your home games, especially when you take the lead before half-time, but overall it was a fair result.
"The quality of our football could be better, but you couldn't ask for more hard work, energy and desire from the players on a hot day.
"We wanted to score a second goal to go 2-0 up and if we had done that that could have clinched the game.
===========================
Photos and Video
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1795608,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8253678.stm
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4626360._Einstein_football__not_always_most_effective/
McCall admits route one necessary as Air Hanson overrides preferred passing game
6:30am Monday 14th September 2009
By Simon Parker
City 1, Burton 1
Stuart McCall likes football to be played properly. He wants his sides to get the ball down and knock it around.
In an ideal world, City would turn on the style week in, week out. But what McCall has learned in two years at the helm is that the fancy-dan approach will not always cut it in League Two.
The teams who do the best at this level are the most effective, not necessarily the easiest on the eye. It's about doing something that works, even if it may occasionally go against your footballing principles.
When the Valley Parade squad was remoulded during the summer, McCall talked about the horses for courses approach and the need for a more effective brand of play. City had to become tighter, tougher and a bit more "in yer face".
The temptation when James Hanson came on board was to start lumping it longer. McCall was wary about it becoming the easy get-out. If in doubt, welly it up to Hanson. But he also knew there would be days when it was likely to be the most effective method.
Hanson's head has wasted no time in clocking up the assists and he added another to his tally on Saturday, so you can't blame City for looking to him when it's working well.
McCall admitted they did not set out with that intention. Chris Brandon was recalled to the starting line-up in the hope that he could get on the ball and dictate their play.
McCall switched back to a traditional 4-4-2 after his recent success, feeling that it would give City more attacking options than in the last home game against Torquay.
But Brandon was stuck on the left as a passenger until the second half and then the after-effects of his recent virus forced an earlyish exit – so instead the Bantams looked to fly Air Hanson.
McCall said: "Sometimes you have to carry on with what's giving you success. We got our goal with effective rather than great football.
"When you've got a big boy like James winning everything, it gives the midfield runners the chance to pick up the second ball and that's how the goal came about.
"It was about getting bodies forward. It wasn't great Einstein football, more route one if you like. I like playing football the right way with lots of passes but it has got to be effective.
"Last year we had quality players who knocked the ball about but if the end result is that you're not getting the ball in the box and scoring goals, then it doesn't matter."
Not that Hanson had it all his own way against no-nonsense marker Guy Branston, a genuine old-school centre half.
Branston freely admits his job is to go out and bully strikers and his battle with Hanson was not one for the purist.
Honours finished just about even after the City man had shaded the first half. Though Branston's post-match claims that referees don't like him didn't really stand up, considering that Mick Russell kept the yellow card pouched despite the mounting personal foul count.
Burton, too, enjoyed more of the game as it wore on and City could have few complaints that the carrot of a fifth straight win was snatched away by a second-half equaliser.
The early form of Hanson, Steve Williams and Scott Neilson has proved that the gap between the bottom division and non-league is no longer the chasm of years gone by.
Promoted teams have done well in the last few seasons – think Exeter – and Burton look capable of comfortably bridging the gap.
New boss Paul Peschisolido, like his former Blades team-mate McCall, has quickly learned that reputations count for little. Having kicked off the season with only two starters from the side that won the Conference, the current line-up now features over half of them.
Burton were easily the best side to visit Valley Parade so far, even though City will still feel they had the chances to have put the result beyond reach.
Neilson had forced a good low save from Artur Krysiak before the deadlock was broken midway through the first half.
Michael Flynn successfully gambled on Hanson nodding on Simon Eastwood's goal kick and created panic between Branston and John McGrath in the Burton box.
Flynn managed to get a toe to the loose ball, playing it on to Branston and the rebound fell neatly into the path of Gareth Evans for an easy tap-in; hardly goal of the week material but simple and very effective.
Unfortunately it did not prove the launchpad for another victory. City got the ball forward often enough, totting up the corners and opportunities to unlock the defence, but they were let down by poor distribution and crossing.
Set-pieces, usually such a strong point for this team, were disappointingly ordinary, corners in particular coming to nothing. And Burton, on the back of their great draw at Notts County, always had a goal in them.
City's defence was twice nearly breached before half-time. Eastwood saved superbly from McGrath, who would surely have got a penalty if he had gone down instead of shooting, and then the keeper did well to get something on a Shaun Harrad shot after an air swish from Zesh Rehman.
Eastwood took just enough off it but City were indebted to Lee Bullock's brave lunge towards his own goal, just easing the ball away from the incoming Greg Pearson and taking a nasty smack from the post in the process.
City picked up the tempo after the break as Brandon finally saw the possession he craved.
It should have been 2-0 when Evans saw the keeper off his line but he failed to spot Neilson unmarked on his right hand and chipped over the bar.
Then Neilson set off on a bamboozling run that took him deep into the Burton box to tee himself up on his left foot. McCall said it was the type of chance he'd gobble up in training – sadly this one went flying high and wide.
By now, Burton had thrown on experienced striker Richard Walker, whose arrival was asking stern questions of the City backline as he held the ball up for reinforcements.
He was involved in the 74th-minute equaliser, despite failing to control an initial opportunity in front of goal. The ball flashed across the box and back out to substitute Robin Shroot, whose pass was backheeled by Walker for left back Paul Boertien to crown his 200th league game with a thumping finish.
Michael Boulding came on and almost conjured a half-chance out of nothing but the best opening came at the other end, Harrad sliding the ball wide when it looked easier to hit the target.
Attendance: 11,439
===========================
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/burtonalbion/Burton-Albion-Pesch-rues-terrible-half-Bradford/article-1334544-detail/article.html
Burton Albion: Pesch rues 'terrible' first half at Bradford
MANAGER Paul Peschisolido was much happier with Burton Albion's second-half performance.
"We had a terrible first half," he said.
"We didn't look to pass it and I thought we looked a little bit nervous.
"In fairness, they put a lot of pressure on us. They have a lot of hard-working players and we had a hard time containing that.
"At half-time, I told the lads to show a bit more confidence on the ball and encouraged them to keep passing and keep moving the ball.
"It was a fantastic second-half performance. We played some good stuff and could have scored a couple of goals."
The Brewers again fell behind after a defensive mix-up.
"It was disappointing because we just don't seem to make teams work very hard for their goals," said Peschisolido.
"But we showed the character to come back from that and it was a delightful point away from home.
"I don't think many teams will get points at Bradford."
Just as last week against Notts County, Richard Walker's introduction from the bench sparked Burton and Peschisolido was full of praise for the experienced striker.
"Richard did extremely well," he said.
"It was the type of game of game where we needed someone to get hold of the ball and bring other people into play.
"He certainly did that, especially for Paul Boertien's goal."
===========================
BRADFORD CITY SUFFER FRESH INJURY SETBACK
By Jonathan Turner (Yorkshire Post)
BRADFORD CITY have been dealt a blow with the news that midfielder Steve
O'Leary will be out for a month with a broken toe.
O'Leary, who has played in all of City's games so far this season, visited a
specialist who confirmed the disappointing news.
"It's a nightmare," admitted Bantams boss Stuart McCall. "He's broken a
little bone in the joint, which was only picked up when he had a scan.
"It's a big blow for the lad and for us because he's just got to rest for a
while now and keep his fitness up."
O'Leary's is the latest to be added to an increasing injury list, which will
continue to be monitored by McCall.
Michael Boulding has returned to training after recovering from a virus that
caused him to miss City's last outing, while keeper Simon Eastwood is in
line to face Burton on Saturday after having a bruised calf.
Forwards James Hanson and Gareth Evans will need to be closely monitored
this week as they too have calf problems.
A further doubt is Christopher Brandon, though McCall is hoping he will be
making a return sooner rather than later after having a hamstring strain.
[Habitually adding a 'y' to everyone's name] McCall said: "Thorney (Peter
Thorne) is about ten days away from joining in again but apart from Steven,
I would hope that we'll have everyone back within the next two weeks."
===========================
From BCFC Official website...
BANTAMS v BREWERS REVISITED
Posted on: Thu 10 Sep 2009
On Saturday, Paul Peschisoldo's Burton Albion will take only their second
ever trip to Bradford City in their 59-year history.
Their only previous visit to the home of the Bantams was back in 1995 for a
F.A Cup 1st Round tie.
Bantams and neutral fans alike planning to attend Saturday's fixture will be
in for quite a treat if Burton's second visit to Valley Parade is as
dramatic as their first.
Burton belied their non-league status to come from 3 - 1 down to 3 - 3 at
half time in the 1st round tie.
The match would remain level pegging at three goals apiece until Ian
Ormondroyd stuck late on to save the Bantams blushes and send the majority
of the 4,923 crowd home happy.
The Brewers were located in the Southern Premier League back in 1995 and
therefore had to negotiate four qualifying rounds to make it to Valley
Parade.
Their journey had included ties against Stratford Town, a replayed fixture
with Stafford Rangers and the exotically named Racing Club Warwick, before
reaching the 1st round proper with a home victory against Bracknell Town.
The tie was to take place under a misty November sky, with the Bantams
looking to improve on their first round exit at the hands of Scunthorpe
United the previous season.
The Bantams did indeed look to be set to improve on last year's showing in
the F.A Cup when they raced into a two-goal lead.
A double from the evergreen Paul Showler looked to have set Bradford on
their way to a regulation win against the non-league minnows, until Burton
struck back.
The non-league side were handed a lifeline thanks to a debatable penalty
decision for a foul by Bantams keeper Gavin Ward. Jason Rhodes scored the
resulting spotkick to half Burton's deficit and gain them a foothold in the
match.
City midfielder Gary Robson restored the Bantams two-goal advantage mid-way
through the first period in fortunate fashion.
Robson was credited with the goal after a clearance from Burton's goalkeeper
bounced off the City midfielder and flew into the unguarded goal.
The Brewers keep coming at City though and amazingly drew level before half
time, thanks to two strikes from Darren Stride.
The quick fire double from Stride, who still remains on the club's books
today, enabled Burton to end a breathless first half level pegging.
As the second half minutes ticked away, it appeared a reply and a trip to
Burton were on the cards for the Bantams, until late drama.
Giant City striker Ian Ormondroyd broke Burton's heart as controlled a Craig
Midgeley header to fire home with a left footed effort in the closing
stages.
It was the game's seventh and ultimately deciding goal as Bradford survived
an almighty scare to squeeze through to the second round.
Bradford City line up v Burton Albion (11/11/95 - F.A Cup 1st Round)
Ward, Liburd, Jacobs (Huxford), Robson, Mohan, Ford, Murray (Midgley),
Hamilton, Ormondroyd, Tolson, Showler
Sub(s) not used: Dolby
In the second round, the Bantams faced and overcame Preston North End at an
extremely foggy Valley Parade thanks to two rare goals from left back Wayne
Jacobs.
The F.A Cup dream ended for the Bantams in the next round though, as they
lost to Bolton Wanderers in another home tie.
A double from Sasa Curcic and John McGinlay goal were enough to knock out
City at the 3rd Round stage in early 1996.
===========================
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***
Monday, September 07, 2009
L2 v Shrewsbury (a) W2-1 Sep 5th 2009
Coca-Cola League Two
Shrewsbury (0) 1 Hibbert 70
Bradford C (2) 2 Evans 16, Flynn 35
Att: 5,525
Stats: Shrewsbury - Bradford C:
Possession: 50 - 50%
Shots on target: 8 - 2
Shots off target: 6 - 9
Fouls: 8 - 10
Corners: 7 - 5
Ref: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire)
Yellow cards:
Shrewsbury: Langmead (74 min).
Bradford C: James O'Brien (49 min), Eastwood (87 time wasting).
Langmead & O'Brien for unsporting behaviour.
Shrewsbury: 29. Steve Phillips, 2. Dean Holden, 8. Kelvin Langmead, 5.
Graham Coughlan, 24. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, 21. Jake Simpson (84), 15.
Paul Murray, 25. Joss Labadie, 18. Steven Leslie (55), 9. Dave Hibbert, 12.
Nathan Elder (55).
Subs: 22. Andres Arestidou (GK), 11. Jake Robinson (55), 14. Kris Bright
(84), 19. Harry Hooman, 20. Andre Gray, 23. Lewis Neal (55), 28. Kevin
McIntyre.
Bradford C: 1. Simon Eastwood, 2. Simon Ramsden, 5. Zesh Rehman, 12. Steve
Williams, 3. Luke O'Brien, 26. Scott Neilson (89), 19. James O'Brien (89),
8. Lee Bullock, 4. Michael Flynn, 9. Gareth Evans, 17. James Hanson.
Subs: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 6. Matthew Clarke, 16. Jonathan Bateson (89),
18. Rory Boulding, 20. Leon Osborne (89), 21. Luke Sharry.
===========================
Coca-Cola League Two
Shrewsbury (0) 1 Hibbert 70
Bradford C (2) 2 Evans 16, Flynn 35
Att: 5,525
By Simon Parker (T&A)
City clinched their fourth win on the trot with a gutsy victory at
Shrewsbury.
Not many sides will win at the ProStar Stadium this season - and Stuart
McCall's side certainly had to battle their socks off for the three points.
City had to withstand an onslaught in the opening 15 minutes with Simon
Eastwood pulling off two crucial saves.
But the Bantams stunned the hosts by scoring from their first attack, Gareth
Evans turning in a low cross from Michael Flynn.
That changed the game totally and Flynn doubled the lead before half-time
with a 30-yard rocket.
Flynn saw another drive turned over after the break before Shrewsbury came
back to life.
Kelvin Langmead hit the bar before former Bantam Dave Hibbert nodded one
back.
City were under the cosh and youngster Jake Simpson rocked the underside of
the bar. But the visitors survived six frantic minutes of added time to
record a notable win.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4583318.Close_shave_as_City_win_it_by_a_whisker/?ref=rss
Williams intervention vital but fourth straight win not clear cut
7:20am Monday 7th September 2009
By Simon Parker
Shrewsbury 1 City 2
Steve Williams changed his mind about a pre-match hair cut – and saved City's latest three points in the process.
The former barber had planned to give his barnet a quick once-over on Saturday morning.
And after Shrewsbury came within a hair's breadth of stopping the fourth win on the bounce, his team-mates were mighty relieved Williams never got round to it.
As the game went into a seventh nerve-jangling minute of added time, Dean Holden's cross looked to have put the equaliser on a plate for Lewis Neal.
But as the Shrewsbury substitute prepared to bury the close-range header, Williams stretched to get the faintest of touches to divert the ball away from his waiting bonce.
"He just about nicked it away," admitted Michael Flynn. "Willo was going to cut his hair in the morning. If he had done, I don't think he'd have got to that ball!"
It was the closest of shaves for City who, on the balance of play, were slightly fortunate to escape Shropshire with a third away win in a fortnight.
They did get lucky at crucial times – none more so than with Jake Simpson's bar-rattling effort that bounced down on the goal-line and back out.
But Lady Luck and Stuart McCall have never been close buddies since he took over, so any rub of the green has been long overdue, as the City chief acknowledged.
McCall said: "In the two and a half years I've been here it's usually gone against us. I wish we could have had that bit of luck in the last nine games of last season and then we might have made the play-offs.
"I feel for Simmo (Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson) because I know what it's like when things go against you. We had our slice of luck but we dug in there and it's a massive victory.
"We've gone to Rochdale and Shrewsbury and won now, and that will be great for our confidence and self-belief."
Forget the so-called game of two halves, Saturday was one of three thirds. Two spells of total Shrewsbury pressure bookmarked a middle phase controlled by the visitors.
For the first quarter of an hour, the ball did not leave the City half as Shrewsbury came storming out of the blocks.
The height of Dave Hibbert and Nathan Elder up front and the two hulking centre halves were always going to pose problems at set-pieces. Four corners nearly produced goals every time as City looked vulnerable in the air.
The fact that it remained goalless under the constant bombardment was largely down to Simon Eastwood, who pulled off two crucial saves before his team had got going.
The first came from Elder's glancing header, which the keeper must have seen late but he still managed to stick out a strong enough right hand to deny the goal.
Then it was Hibbert's turn to be frustrated as the one-time City striker's acrobatic overhead kick was deftly turned round the post by the keeper's fingertips.
It's been a good week for Eastwood, who is slowly but surely winning over the doubters.
Flynn always knew the rookie stopper had what it takes after their time together at the Galpharm. And he is delighted to see the youngster coming to the fore.
The Welshman said: "I know Easty's had a little bit of stick from the fans but he's only a young lad. He's going to be nervous playing for such a big club as Bradford.
"But he's showed his qualities out there. If they'd scored early, it would have been a different game.
"Easty was outstanding in the first 15 minutes before we'd really got off the bus, and made some absolutely amazing saves."
The Alamo averted, City promptly struck from their opening attack.
Eastwood's long ball upfield was flicked on by James Hanson, and Flynn picked up possession in the box, squaring for Gareth Evans to slide home.
McCall's regular assumption that goals change games was never more evident. Shrewsbury promptly lost their way and all the danger came from the other direction.
McCall had persisted with the same 4-3-3 approach from the previous two league wins, with Flynn and James O'Brien willing runners from midfield to support Hanson and the two wide men.
City gobbled up second balls and snapped into challenges as Shrewsbury's early assurance quickly disintegrated.
The second goal ten minutes before the break was worth the admission money alone. Again it started with Hanson's head on the end of an Eastwood clearance, O'Brien shuttling the ball into the path of Flynn, who sent it screaming into the bottom corner from 30 yards.
Shrewsbury, usually the most miserly of hosts, looked dishevelled and ragged and were booed off at half-time for their troubles. Having laid the ghost of Rochdale, City were well on the way to consigning another supposed bogey ground to the scrapyard.
Flynn nearly had a third with another drive soon after the break before Simpson decided to breathe new life into his side with a double change. Elder was sacrificed, and the arrival of Neal and Jake Robinson gave the home side an injection of pace and a fresh edge.
After Scott Neilson had driven over from a tight angle, the game entered its third phase. The last 25 minutes (or should that be 32) were a carbon copy of that opening phase dominated by Shrewsbury.
The two-goal advantage did not look quite so impregnable as Neal's left-footed free-kick caught Eastwood in no man's land in the City penalty area.
Kelvin Langmead nodded the ball past him - and then watched in horror as the ball bounced up against the bar and away with nobody near enough to scramble it home.
The home fans rediscovered their voices and Shrewsbury answered the call with the goal that had been coming.
Robinson turned Luke O'Brien to create the space for Dean Holden's cross, and Hibbert got across Williams to glance in his fifth of the season.
We were back to the Alamo.
A lone response from Neilson was pushed away before Shrewsbury came again. Neal sent Simpson, the manager's son, clear of the defence and an equaliser appeared inevitable.
As McCall berated the assistant referee - and the debutant did look a couple of yards offside of last man O'Brien - Simpson smashed the ball past Eastwood. Again it crashed against the City bar before pinging down on the goal-line and away.
McCall threw on Jon Bateson to make a five-man defence but City's inexperience was highlighted as they failed to keep the ball. Instead of taking the sting out the game, they kept presenting Shrewsbury with possession again.
Six extra minutes were tacked on but it was well into the seventh when City were finally breached. Well, they would have been but for the bristling determination of their centre half.
===========================
Video and pictures
http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/09/07/shrewsbury-1-bradford-2-%E2%80%94-in-pictures/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/default.stm
(UK viewers only)
===========================
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6823933.ece
Bradford happy to ride their luckChris Brereton Prostar Stadium
Recommend?
If the Shrewsbury Town fans had been told, 15 minutes in, that their team would lose this match they would have pointed you in the direction of the nearest asylum, or opticians, at the least.
Their early dominance was so absolute that a goal just had to arrive. It did, but at the other end, as Bradford City delivered a classic counter-blow thanks to a six-yard tap-in for Gareth Evans during the visiting team's first significant foray up the field.
Shrewsbury's shock at finding themselves a goal down was compounded by a 30-yard strike from Michael Flynn in the 35th minute that was worthy of winning any match, as it proved to do here, although Dave Hibbert's acrobatic header for the home side with 23 minutes left did ensure an entertaining finish to a baffling encounter.
"I will take them from five yards, ten yards or 300 yards, as long as they go in," Flynn said. "It is a case of trying to hit the target and hoping for that bit of luck. I should have scored more this season so it was nice to see that one hit the target.
"It was a massive team effort, though, and that is what counts. Not many teams will come here and manage to do what we have done and that shows how good we can be this season."
An early goalline clearance, a wonderful point-blank save from Simon Eastwood and more than a fair share of luck helped Bradford to remain in a contest that they could have comfortably been out of after ten minutes.
That ounce of fortune, readily admitted by Stuart McCall, the Bradford manager, did not desert the Yorkshire side in the second half, either, as Shrewsbury took a cyclical approach to the game by ending as by far the better side.
An effort by Jake Simpson in the dying moments cannoned down off the crossbar and may have crossed the line but was not given by the officials as Bradford held on for a puzzling three points.
"It's about time we had some luck, and we had it today," McCall said. "If we had had that kind of luck last season in the last nine games we would have made the play-offs, so we are due some and it was nice of it to come here."
Shrewsbury Town (4-4-2): S Phillips — S Cansdell- Sherriff, K Langmead, G Coughlan, D Holden — S Leslie (sub: L Neal, 56min), P Murray, J Labadie, J Simpson (sub: K Bright, 85) — D Hibbert, N Elder (sub: J Robinson, 56). Substitutes not used: H Hooman, A Gray, A Arestidou, K McIntyre. Booked: Langmead.
Bradford City (4-5-1): S Eastwood — L O'Brien, Z Rehman, S Williams, S Ramsden — G Evans, L Bullock, M Flynn, S Neilson (sub: L Osborne, 89), J O'Brien (sub: J Bateson, 89) — J Hanson. Substitutes not used: M Clarke, J McLaughlin, R Boulding, L Sharry. Booked: Eastwood, J O'Brien.
Referee: S Mathieson. Attendance: 5,525.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4583366.Flynn__a_driving_force__for_Bantams/
Flynn 'a driving force' for Bantams
7:30am Monday 7th September 2009
By Simon Parker
Rocket man Michael Flynn has been told to keep making a big noise at City.
Flynn fired his second goal in successive games with a 30-yard cracker at Shrewsbury as the Bantams made it four wins in a row.
And boss Stuart McCall hailed the Welshman's impact on and off the field.
McCall said: "We are a young, quiet squad and bringing Flynny in has certainly livened it up.
"We know he can strike a ball like that and he's a good pro. We do need a little bit of chirpiness and confidence and he has been a driving force for us."
Flynn set up Gareth Evans for the opener in City's 2-1 win before unleashing another trademark blast of his own.
He admitted: "I should have had a few more goals already this season so it was nice to see it go in.
"The balls these days do move a lot so you've always got a chance if you connect right. First and foremost you just concentrate on hitting the target.
"But I'll take any goal as long as we win, whether they are from five, ten or 300 yards. I feel my match fitness is really coming on now. I'd only played two full games in nine months before I came here and it's taken me a bit of time to get up to speed.
"I'm finishing stronger now in games and there's still a lot more to come."
Former City loan striker Dave Hibbert pulled one back to set up a frantic finish, and Shrewsbury twice hit the woodwork, but the visitors survived the late scares to clinch the win that moves them up to ninth.
Flynn added: "As soon as the board went up for six added minutes, I was giving the referee earache every ten seconds asking how long was left. In the end he was going to book me if I didn't shut up so I had to bite my tongue.
"We were under a lot of pressure but not many teams will win at Shrewsbury. They hit the bar twice and may feel unlucky but we also had chances to kill it off.
"We are starting to believe we can be a good team and have got that little bit of steel about us. We're all working for each other and are becoming hard to beat."
But City suffered several knocks to add to a casualty list that already includes Peter Thorne, Michael Boulding and Chris Brandon.
McCall added: "I'm so pleased we haven't got a midweek game or we'd be struggling to put a team out. We brought every fit pro we had, apart from the third-choice keeper. But it was a big win for us."
===========================
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford/Shrewsbury-Town-1-Bradford-City.5621239.jp
Shrewsbury Town 1 Bradford City 2: Evans and Flynn net for Bantams
Bradford victorious
RELIEVED Stuart McCall admitted his upwardly mobile Bradford City side were fortunate to emerge with maximum points.
McCall, who was down to his last 17 fit players, saluted his side's "endeavour and effort" but the Bantams' goal lived a charmed life before they sealed a fourth successive victory.
First-half strikes from Gareth Evans and the impressive Michael Flynn gave Bradford some breathing space.
Dave Hibbert pulled one back for Shrewsbury midway through the second half and the hosts narrowly failed to rescue a point when both Kelvin Langmead and Jake Simpson, the manager's teenage son, struck the bar.
"We've rode our luck," said McCall. "But how many times since I've been in charge have I been able to say that? Something's gone for us and I feel sorry for Simmo (opposite number Paul Simpson)."
Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood pulled off instinctive stops to prevent Nathan Elder's header and Hibbert's overhead kick from giving Shrewsbury a flying start.
City stood firm, central defenders Zesh Rehman and Steve Williams both towers of strength, before Evans swept home Flynn's low cross. The boost of having the lead settled Bradford and the influential Flynn doubled the advantage with a well-struck shot from 25 yards 10 minutes before the break.
Hibbert, who once had a spell on loan at Bradford, set up a nervy finish for the Bantams when he powered home a header from Simpson's cross.
Shrewsbury: Phillips; Holden, Coughlan, Langmead, Cansdell-Sherriff; Simpson (Bright 84), Labadie, Murray, Leslie (Neal 55); Elder (Robinson 55). Unused substitutes: Hooman, Gray, McIntyre, Arestidou.
Bradford City: Eastwood; Ramsden, Williams, Rehman, L. O'Brien; Neilson (Osbourne 88), Flynn, Bullock, J. O'Brien (Bateson 88), Hanson; Evans. Unused substitutes: Clarke, R. Boulding, Sharry, McLaughlin.
Referee: Scott Mathieson (Stockport).
Man of the match: Michael Flynn (Bradford).
===========================
===========================
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Shrewsbury (0) 1 Hibbert 70
Bradford C (2) 2 Evans 16, Flynn 35
Att: 5,525
Stats: Shrewsbury - Bradford C:
Possession: 50 - 50%
Shots on target: 8 - 2
Shots off target: 6 - 9
Fouls: 8 - 10
Corners: 7 - 5
Ref: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire)
Yellow cards:
Shrewsbury: Langmead (74 min).
Bradford C: James O'Brien (49 min), Eastwood (87 time wasting).
Langmead & O'Brien for unsporting behaviour.
Shrewsbury: 29. Steve Phillips, 2. Dean Holden, 8. Kelvin Langmead, 5.
Graham Coughlan, 24. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, 21. Jake Simpson (84), 15.
Paul Murray, 25. Joss Labadie, 18. Steven Leslie (55), 9. Dave Hibbert, 12.
Nathan Elder (55).
Subs: 22. Andres Arestidou (GK), 11. Jake Robinson (55), 14. Kris Bright
(84), 19. Harry Hooman, 20. Andre Gray, 23. Lewis Neal (55), 28. Kevin
McIntyre.
Bradford C: 1. Simon Eastwood, 2. Simon Ramsden, 5. Zesh Rehman, 12. Steve
Williams, 3. Luke O'Brien, 26. Scott Neilson (89), 19. James O'Brien (89),
8. Lee Bullock, 4. Michael Flynn, 9. Gareth Evans, 17. James Hanson.
Subs: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 6. Matthew Clarke, 16. Jonathan Bateson (89),
18. Rory Boulding, 20. Leon Osborne (89), 21. Luke Sharry.
===========================
Coca-Cola League Two
Shrewsbury (0) 1 Hibbert 70
Bradford C (2) 2 Evans 16, Flynn 35
Att: 5,525
By Simon Parker (T&A)
City clinched their fourth win on the trot with a gutsy victory at
Shrewsbury.
Not many sides will win at the ProStar Stadium this season - and Stuart
McCall's side certainly had to battle their socks off for the three points.
City had to withstand an onslaught in the opening 15 minutes with Simon
Eastwood pulling off two crucial saves.
But the Bantams stunned the hosts by scoring from their first attack, Gareth
Evans turning in a low cross from Michael Flynn.
That changed the game totally and Flynn doubled the lead before half-time
with a 30-yard rocket.
Flynn saw another drive turned over after the break before Shrewsbury came
back to life.
Kelvin Langmead hit the bar before former Bantam Dave Hibbert nodded one
back.
City were under the cosh and youngster Jake Simpson rocked the underside of
the bar. But the visitors survived six frantic minutes of added time to
record a notable win.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4583318.Close_shave_as_City_win_it_by_a_whisker/?ref=rss
Williams intervention vital but fourth straight win not clear cut
7:20am Monday 7th September 2009
By Simon Parker
Shrewsbury 1 City 2
Steve Williams changed his mind about a pre-match hair cut – and saved City's latest three points in the process.
The former barber had planned to give his barnet a quick once-over on Saturday morning.
And after Shrewsbury came within a hair's breadth of stopping the fourth win on the bounce, his team-mates were mighty relieved Williams never got round to it.
As the game went into a seventh nerve-jangling minute of added time, Dean Holden's cross looked to have put the equaliser on a plate for Lewis Neal.
But as the Shrewsbury substitute prepared to bury the close-range header, Williams stretched to get the faintest of touches to divert the ball away from his waiting bonce.
"He just about nicked it away," admitted Michael Flynn. "Willo was going to cut his hair in the morning. If he had done, I don't think he'd have got to that ball!"
It was the closest of shaves for City who, on the balance of play, were slightly fortunate to escape Shropshire with a third away win in a fortnight.
They did get lucky at crucial times – none more so than with Jake Simpson's bar-rattling effort that bounced down on the goal-line and back out.
But Lady Luck and Stuart McCall have never been close buddies since he took over, so any rub of the green has been long overdue, as the City chief acknowledged.
McCall said: "In the two and a half years I've been here it's usually gone against us. I wish we could have had that bit of luck in the last nine games of last season and then we might have made the play-offs.
"I feel for Simmo (Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson) because I know what it's like when things go against you. We had our slice of luck but we dug in there and it's a massive victory.
"We've gone to Rochdale and Shrewsbury and won now, and that will be great for our confidence and self-belief."
Forget the so-called game of two halves, Saturday was one of three thirds. Two spells of total Shrewsbury pressure bookmarked a middle phase controlled by the visitors.
For the first quarter of an hour, the ball did not leave the City half as Shrewsbury came storming out of the blocks.
The height of Dave Hibbert and Nathan Elder up front and the two hulking centre halves were always going to pose problems at set-pieces. Four corners nearly produced goals every time as City looked vulnerable in the air.
The fact that it remained goalless under the constant bombardment was largely down to Simon Eastwood, who pulled off two crucial saves before his team had got going.
The first came from Elder's glancing header, which the keeper must have seen late but he still managed to stick out a strong enough right hand to deny the goal.
Then it was Hibbert's turn to be frustrated as the one-time City striker's acrobatic overhead kick was deftly turned round the post by the keeper's fingertips.
It's been a good week for Eastwood, who is slowly but surely winning over the doubters.
Flynn always knew the rookie stopper had what it takes after their time together at the Galpharm. And he is delighted to see the youngster coming to the fore.
The Welshman said: "I know Easty's had a little bit of stick from the fans but he's only a young lad. He's going to be nervous playing for such a big club as Bradford.
"But he's showed his qualities out there. If they'd scored early, it would have been a different game.
"Easty was outstanding in the first 15 minutes before we'd really got off the bus, and made some absolutely amazing saves."
The Alamo averted, City promptly struck from their opening attack.
Eastwood's long ball upfield was flicked on by James Hanson, and Flynn picked up possession in the box, squaring for Gareth Evans to slide home.
McCall's regular assumption that goals change games was never more evident. Shrewsbury promptly lost their way and all the danger came from the other direction.
McCall had persisted with the same 4-3-3 approach from the previous two league wins, with Flynn and James O'Brien willing runners from midfield to support Hanson and the two wide men.
City gobbled up second balls and snapped into challenges as Shrewsbury's early assurance quickly disintegrated.
The second goal ten minutes before the break was worth the admission money alone. Again it started with Hanson's head on the end of an Eastwood clearance, O'Brien shuttling the ball into the path of Flynn, who sent it screaming into the bottom corner from 30 yards.
Shrewsbury, usually the most miserly of hosts, looked dishevelled and ragged and were booed off at half-time for their troubles. Having laid the ghost of Rochdale, City were well on the way to consigning another supposed bogey ground to the scrapyard.
Flynn nearly had a third with another drive soon after the break before Simpson decided to breathe new life into his side with a double change. Elder was sacrificed, and the arrival of Neal and Jake Robinson gave the home side an injection of pace and a fresh edge.
After Scott Neilson had driven over from a tight angle, the game entered its third phase. The last 25 minutes (or should that be 32) were a carbon copy of that opening phase dominated by Shrewsbury.
The two-goal advantage did not look quite so impregnable as Neal's left-footed free-kick caught Eastwood in no man's land in the City penalty area.
Kelvin Langmead nodded the ball past him - and then watched in horror as the ball bounced up against the bar and away with nobody near enough to scramble it home.
The home fans rediscovered their voices and Shrewsbury answered the call with the goal that had been coming.
Robinson turned Luke O'Brien to create the space for Dean Holden's cross, and Hibbert got across Williams to glance in his fifth of the season.
We were back to the Alamo.
A lone response from Neilson was pushed away before Shrewsbury came again. Neal sent Simpson, the manager's son, clear of the defence and an equaliser appeared inevitable.
As McCall berated the assistant referee - and the debutant did look a couple of yards offside of last man O'Brien - Simpson smashed the ball past Eastwood. Again it crashed against the City bar before pinging down on the goal-line and away.
McCall threw on Jon Bateson to make a five-man defence but City's inexperience was highlighted as they failed to keep the ball. Instead of taking the sting out the game, they kept presenting Shrewsbury with possession again.
Six extra minutes were tacked on but it was well into the seventh when City were finally breached. Well, they would have been but for the bristling determination of their centre half.
===========================
Video and pictures
http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/09/07/shrewsbury-1-bradford-2-%E2%80%94-in-pictures/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/default.stm
(UK viewers only)
===========================
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6823933.ece
Bradford happy to ride their luckChris Brereton Prostar Stadium
Recommend?
If the Shrewsbury Town fans had been told, 15 minutes in, that their team would lose this match they would have pointed you in the direction of the nearest asylum, or opticians, at the least.
Their early dominance was so absolute that a goal just had to arrive. It did, but at the other end, as Bradford City delivered a classic counter-blow thanks to a six-yard tap-in for Gareth Evans during the visiting team's first significant foray up the field.
Shrewsbury's shock at finding themselves a goal down was compounded by a 30-yard strike from Michael Flynn in the 35th minute that was worthy of winning any match, as it proved to do here, although Dave Hibbert's acrobatic header for the home side with 23 minutes left did ensure an entertaining finish to a baffling encounter.
"I will take them from five yards, ten yards or 300 yards, as long as they go in," Flynn said. "It is a case of trying to hit the target and hoping for that bit of luck. I should have scored more this season so it was nice to see that one hit the target.
"It was a massive team effort, though, and that is what counts. Not many teams will come here and manage to do what we have done and that shows how good we can be this season."
An early goalline clearance, a wonderful point-blank save from Simon Eastwood and more than a fair share of luck helped Bradford to remain in a contest that they could have comfortably been out of after ten minutes.
That ounce of fortune, readily admitted by Stuart McCall, the Bradford manager, did not desert the Yorkshire side in the second half, either, as Shrewsbury took a cyclical approach to the game by ending as by far the better side.
An effort by Jake Simpson in the dying moments cannoned down off the crossbar and may have crossed the line but was not given by the officials as Bradford held on for a puzzling three points.
"It's about time we had some luck, and we had it today," McCall said. "If we had had that kind of luck last season in the last nine games we would have made the play-offs, so we are due some and it was nice of it to come here."
Shrewsbury Town (4-4-2): S Phillips — S Cansdell- Sherriff, K Langmead, G Coughlan, D Holden — S Leslie (sub: L Neal, 56min), P Murray, J Labadie, J Simpson (sub: K Bright, 85) — D Hibbert, N Elder (sub: J Robinson, 56). Substitutes not used: H Hooman, A Gray, A Arestidou, K McIntyre. Booked: Langmead.
Bradford City (4-5-1): S Eastwood — L O'Brien, Z Rehman, S Williams, S Ramsden — G Evans, L Bullock, M Flynn, S Neilson (sub: L Osborne, 89), J O'Brien (sub: J Bateson, 89) — J Hanson. Substitutes not used: M Clarke, J McLaughlin, R Boulding, L Sharry. Booked: Eastwood, J O'Brien.
Referee: S Mathieson. Attendance: 5,525.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4583366.Flynn__a_driving_force__for_Bantams/
Flynn 'a driving force' for Bantams
7:30am Monday 7th September 2009
By Simon Parker
Rocket man Michael Flynn has been told to keep making a big noise at City.
Flynn fired his second goal in successive games with a 30-yard cracker at Shrewsbury as the Bantams made it four wins in a row.
And boss Stuart McCall hailed the Welshman's impact on and off the field.
McCall said: "We are a young, quiet squad and bringing Flynny in has certainly livened it up.
"We know he can strike a ball like that and he's a good pro. We do need a little bit of chirpiness and confidence and he has been a driving force for us."
Flynn set up Gareth Evans for the opener in City's 2-1 win before unleashing another trademark blast of his own.
He admitted: "I should have had a few more goals already this season so it was nice to see it go in.
"The balls these days do move a lot so you've always got a chance if you connect right. First and foremost you just concentrate on hitting the target.
"But I'll take any goal as long as we win, whether they are from five, ten or 300 yards. I feel my match fitness is really coming on now. I'd only played two full games in nine months before I came here and it's taken me a bit of time to get up to speed.
"I'm finishing stronger now in games and there's still a lot more to come."
Former City loan striker Dave Hibbert pulled one back to set up a frantic finish, and Shrewsbury twice hit the woodwork, but the visitors survived the late scares to clinch the win that moves them up to ninth.
Flynn added: "As soon as the board went up for six added minutes, I was giving the referee earache every ten seconds asking how long was left. In the end he was going to book me if I didn't shut up so I had to bite my tongue.
"We were under a lot of pressure but not many teams will win at Shrewsbury. They hit the bar twice and may feel unlucky but we also had chances to kill it off.
"We are starting to believe we can be a good team and have got that little bit of steel about us. We're all working for each other and are becoming hard to beat."
But City suffered several knocks to add to a casualty list that already includes Peter Thorne, Michael Boulding and Chris Brandon.
McCall added: "I'm so pleased we haven't got a midweek game or we'd be struggling to put a team out. We brought every fit pro we had, apart from the third-choice keeper. But it was a big win for us."
===========================
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford/Shrewsbury-Town-1-Bradford-City.5621239.jp
Shrewsbury Town 1 Bradford City 2: Evans and Flynn net for Bantams
Bradford victorious
RELIEVED Stuart McCall admitted his upwardly mobile Bradford City side were fortunate to emerge with maximum points.
McCall, who was down to his last 17 fit players, saluted his side's "endeavour and effort" but the Bantams' goal lived a charmed life before they sealed a fourth successive victory.
First-half strikes from Gareth Evans and the impressive Michael Flynn gave Bradford some breathing space.
Dave Hibbert pulled one back for Shrewsbury midway through the second half and the hosts narrowly failed to rescue a point when both Kelvin Langmead and Jake Simpson, the manager's teenage son, struck the bar.
"We've rode our luck," said McCall. "But how many times since I've been in charge have I been able to say that? Something's gone for us and I feel sorry for Simmo (opposite number Paul Simpson)."
Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood pulled off instinctive stops to prevent Nathan Elder's header and Hibbert's overhead kick from giving Shrewsbury a flying start.
City stood firm, central defenders Zesh Rehman and Steve Williams both towers of strength, before Evans swept home Flynn's low cross. The boost of having the lead settled Bradford and the influential Flynn doubled the advantage with a well-struck shot from 25 yards 10 minutes before the break.
Hibbert, who once had a spell on loan at Bradford, set up a nervy finish for the Bantams when he powered home a header from Simpson's cross.
Shrewsbury: Phillips; Holden, Coughlan, Langmead, Cansdell-Sherriff; Simpson (Bright 84), Labadie, Murray, Leslie (Neal 55); Elder (Robinson 55). Unused substitutes: Hooman, Gray, McIntyre, Arestidou.
Bradford City: Eastwood; Ramsden, Williams, Rehman, L. O'Brien; Neilson (Osbourne 88), Flynn, Bullock, J. O'Brien (Bateson 88), Hanson; Evans. Unused substitutes: Clarke, R. Boulding, Sharry, McLaughlin.
Referee: Scott Mathieson (Stockport).
Man of the match: Michael Flynn (Bradford).
===========================
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Saturday, September 05, 2009
JPT v Rochdale (a) W2-1 Sep 1 2009
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford/Rochdale-1-Bradford-City-2.5609141.jp
Rochdale 1 Bradford City 2: Bantams reveal their character to earn place in next round
Johnstone's Paint Trophy
Bradford City produced a strong finish to their first-round tie at Spotland, coming from a goal down to beat Rochdale.
Having been under the cosh for long periods, late goals from Michael Flynn and Scott Neilson handed Stuart McCall's men victory.
The hosts had the better of the first half, Simon Eastwood saving Joe Thompson's header and Chris Dagnall striking the bar from 10 yards.
Despite the home side's dominance, Bradford had a gilt-edged chance to go ahead when they got in behind the home defence 19 minutes in, Flynn setting up Neilson who pulled a shot across the face of goal.
Rochdale took the lead in the 58th minute. A free-kick from Adam Rundle was partially cleared but when Jason Kennedy worked the ball back into the box, central defender Craig Dawson fired home.
With the game opening up, both goalkeepers were increasingly busy. Eastwood saved from Scott Spencer and Kenny Arthur dived full stretch to keep out James Hanson's header.
The Bantams drew level in the 73rd minute when Flynn crashed home a 25-yard free-kick, goalkeeper Arthur getting a hand to the ball without being able to keep out the powerfully driven set piece.
Flynn almost added a second soon after, his long-range effort hitting the post as the momentum swung back in favour of Bradford.
The winning goal was credited to Neilson, though his 20-yard shot took a decisive deflection off Marcus Holness, looping high into the air and over the helpless Arthur.
Rochdale: Arthur, Flynn (Wiseman 82), Holness, Dawson, T Kennedy, Rundle, J Kennedy, Flitcroft (Brown 85), Buckley (Spencer 56), Thompson, Dagnall. Unused substitutes: Edwards, Higginbotham
Bradford City: Eastwood, Ramsden, O'Brien, Flynn, Bullock, Evans, Thorne (Hanson 17), Brandon (Osbourne 68), Williams, Bateson, Neilson. Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Clarke, Sharry
Referee: G Eltringham.
===========================
Photos
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1785311,00.html
UK based list users can watch highlights of the game here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8234810.stm
===========================
From BCFC Official website...
Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2nd Round
Posted on: Wed 02 Sep 2009
The draw for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2nd Round will be made live on
Soccer AM on Saturday 5 September at approximately 9.30am.
As with the Round 1, the 2nd Round draw will also be split into four regions
as below:-
Northern Section - West
Accrington Stanley
Bury
Carlisle United
Macclesfield Town
Port Vale
Shrewsbury Town
Stockport County
Tranmere Rovers
Northern Section - East
Bradford City
Chesterfield
Darlington
Grimsby Town
Hartlepool United
Huddersfield Town
Leeds United
Notts County
Southern Section - West
AFC Bournemouth
Aldershot Town
Exeter City
Hereford United
Northampton Town
Southampton
Swindon Town
Torquay United
Southern Section - East
Barnet
Brighton & Hove Albion
Charlton Athletic
Gillingham
Leyton Orient
Milton Keynes Dons
Norwich City
Southend United
Article continues
Advertisement
2nd Round ties are scheduled to be played in the week commencing 5 October
2009.
===========================
City draw Notts County in Johnstone's Paint Trophy
10:00am Saturday 5th September 2009
By Sports Desk
Bradford City get the chance to avenge their 5-0 thrashing by Notts County on the opening day of the League Two season when the sides clash in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Valley Parade next month.
The other ties in the North-East section of the draw see Leeds entertain Darlington, Chesterfield host Huddersfield and Hartlepool welcome Grimsby.
The matches will be played the week commencing Monday, October 5.
===========================
Ticket news
Barnet (Sep 19)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1786803,00.html
Morecombe (Sep 29)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1786947,00.html
===========================
From the Yorkshire Post...
Published Date: 02 September 2009
Bradford City's first win in the JP Trophy since 2005 has come at a cost
with captain Peter Thorne tweaking a hamstring.
Fellow striker Michael Boulding missed the 2-1 win over Rochdale with a
virus and both players will face checks ahead of Saturday's League Two trip
to Shrewsbury.
Manager Stuart McCall explained that he felt winger Joe Colbeck needed a new
start after selling the player to Oldham for around £60,000 on deadline day.
Colbeck's replacement, Scott Neilson, scored the winner against Rochdale.
Lincoln have parted company with manager and former Bantams player Peter
Jackson and his assistant Iffy Onuora.
The pair have paid the price for City's disappointing start to the season in
which the Coca-Cola League Two club have won just two of their opening seven
matches.
===========================
From official Oldham site:
Colbeck revealed he was delighted to arrive at Latics, after signing on a
two year deal.
"I'm very excited, can't wait to get out there."
"Hopefully I can show the Oldham fans what I'm all about.
"I'm an old fashioned winger, with a burst of pace, I don't mind playing on
either wing, but I prefer the right and love getting past the full backs."
Colbeck confessed that he had become frustrated at Bradford, with their
aerial approach to the game.
"No disrespect, but I didn't enjoy the long ball style at Bradford, I'm
looking forward to being here, where we get the ball down and play."
===========================
Jackson leaves Lincoln
By Simon Parker »
Former City skipper Peter Jackson has been axed by Lincoln.
Fans were again calling for his head following last night's JP Trophy loss at Colin Todd's Darlington, Lincoln's fifth defeat in six games. They had also failed to score in any of those.
A statement from the board said Lincoln's poor home form last season - and the drop in attendances - and their bad start were behind their decision to act.
Ironically Jackson's last win was at Valley Parade when they beat City 2-0 a fortnight ago with an inspired display from goalkeeper Rob Burch.
***
Bradford born Aidy Boothroyd has become Colchester United's new manager.
===========================
===========================
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009
L2 v Torquay (h) W2-0 Aug 29th 2009
Coca-Cola League Two
Bradford C (1) 2 Hanson 45, Brandon 90
Torquay U (0) 0
Att: 11,123
By Simon Parker (T&A)
City made it back-to-back wins with their first Valley Parade victory of the
season.
Goals at the end of each half saw off Torquay as the Bantams followed up
last week's 5-4 thriller at Cheltenham.
A quiet first half saw little incident other than an early stretching shot
from Michael Flynn that went just wide.
But James Hanson broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, heading home
from James O'Brien's free-kick.
City had a couple of second-half scares as Chris Hargreaves headed over and
Simon Eastwood fumbled a cross before recovering to deny Tim Sills.
But they wrapped up the three points in stoppage time when substitute Chris
Brandon burst clear on to Flynn's through ball to notch a long-awaited first
goal for his hometown club.
Stats: Bradford C - Torquay
Possession: 47 - 53%
Shots on target: 7 - 3
Shots off target: 5 - 4
Fouls: 15 - 7
Corners: 6 - 2
Ref: Steve Rushton (Stoke).
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: None
Torquay: Robertson (15 min) unsporting behaviour.
Bradford C: 1. Simon Eastwood, 2. Simon Ramsden, 5. Zesh Rehman, 12. Steve
Williams, 3. Luke O'Brien, 8. Lee Bullock, 4. Michael Flynn, 19. James
O'Brien (68), 15. Joe Colbeck (76), 17. James Hanson, 9. Gareth Evans.
Subs: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 10. Peter Thorne, 11. Chris Brandon (68), 14.
Michael Boulding, 25. Steve O'Leary, 26. Scott Neilson (76), 16. Jonathan
Bateson.
Torquay: 1. Scott Bevan, 5. Chris Robertson, 6. Chris Todd, 23. Kieran
Charnock, 3. Kevin Nicholson, 15. Wayne Carlisle, 11. Nicky Wroe, 14. Chris
Hargreaves, 19. Danny Stevens (70), 8. Tim Sills, 9. Elliot Benyon (69).
Subs: 2. Michael Brough, 7. Lee Mansell, 10. Scott Rendell (69), 12. Tyrone
Thompson, 16. Lee Hodges, 18. Mustapha Carayol (70), 20. Ben Joyce.
Next League Match: (A) Shrewsbury, Sat. Sept 5, 2009. K.O. 3:00 PM.
Driving info for Shrewsbury,
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1784116,00.html
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4572462.City_calm_nerves_with_run_of_mill_stuff/?ref=rss
Hanson and Brandon hit goals to earn a welcome routine victory
12:47pm Sunday 30th August 2009
By Simon Parker
City 2, Torquay United 0
Stuart McCall was about to call it predictable when he checked himself. He was right to do so.
The City boss may have been describing the efficient but uninspiring way his side ground out their first home win. But the opening month of this campaign has followed a topsy-turvy route that nobody could have predicted.
Who would have said that it would begin with the biggest opening defeat in club history? Or that City would not hit the net for the first four games? Or that they would then break their duck by scoring five – away from home? Or even that McCall would now be considering Peter Thorne and Michael Boulding, his first-choice strike force four weeks ago, for Johnstone's Paint Trophy duty tomorrow night?
Many words can describe the emotions stirred from just the first of the season's nine months – but predictable ain't one of them. We all needed a more run-of-the-mill victory like yesterday afternoon if only to calm the nerves.
Joint-chairman Mark Lawn was getting a bit chippy in the programme about fans questioning the whereabouts of the Fabian Delph bonanza. Once again he stressed it was to shore up the shortfall from last year's push and not bound for his own pocket.
He also claimed that City's reduced budget was still among the top five of the division. Some may dispute that given the relatively raw side that made it back-to-back wins this weekend, though three of those that finished the game had commanded transfer fees.
The latest was former Cambridge City winger Scott Neilson, who got a lively 15-minute run-out to become the third non-league import in the ranks – even Mystic Meg wouldn't have seen that coming a short while back.
McCall rightly rewarded the Cheltenham victors with another opportunity at Valley Parade. Remarkably it was the first time for seven months he had announced "same again".
Gareth Evans was asked to play a more central role alongside James Hanson, McCall himself admitting it gave City a lopsided look, but otherwise it was the formula that had struck gold the previous week.
Matt Clarke was ruled out with tonsillitis and Steve O'Leary's dodgy toe again packed in during the warm-up. Apart from that, the supposed big guns were once again cocked on the sidelines.
There was no way the same side could deliver the same scintillating attacking performance but they got the job done with the minimum of fuss – and that's precisely what City need if they are to be up there in the mix again this year.
Gritty, hard-fought and workmanlike where the words that McCall came up with. Those are the sort of performances that will get teams up the right end of this division.
There were not enough of these so-called predictable home wins last season. Too many times, City came up short turning wins to draws in front of their own fans.
Accrington, Chester, Dagenham, Luton, Gillingham – take your pick from a long list of examples from home games that should have been "predictable". Also factor in that Torquay are new boys in the league this year. The classic banana-skin opposition for Valley Parade.
McCall, as is his wont, had been on their website and read the comments leading up to Saturday. There were phrases about "rising to the challenge" and "biggest stage of the season"; quotes that he could reel off in his sleep, having heard them so often before.
So the fact that Torquay rarely looked like ruffling City's composure made a welcome change. They played neat enough football – and didn't swamp the midfield, which always helps – but only offered a flicker of real resistance.
That came midway through the second half when defensive attention levels dropped for once after a double Torquay substitution. It allowed the much-travelled Chris Hargreaves a free header eight yards out but he guided it straight into the gloating fans of the TL Dallas Stand.
Simon Eastwood was later barged off a cross by Scott Rendell, recovering in time to hold on to the rebound from Tim Sills, though the referee was set to blow for the foul.
Otherwise it was an efficient operation from the back four and keeper – and a welcome respite after the pounding of crosses and long throws they took from Cheltenham.
City did not create too much themselves either. Up to the goal in stoppage time at the end of the first half, they had managed only one serious threat.
That came after seven minutes when Evans hassled centre half Kieron Charnock into coughing up possession to Joe Colbeck just outside the penalty area. The winger disappointingly chose not to cut in and instead dragged back a hopeful low cross which Michael Flynn nearly turned into an assist with a stretching shot that just beat the post.
Other than that it was fairly mundane stuff, notable only for the tenacity of City's approach. Their football was not at its most fluid but the home side were still eager to pick up the bits and pieces.
None more so than Evans, who seems to possess a motor like the Duracell bunny, chasing any cause and making sure defenders know that he is always around.
It's not just the striker's unquenchable enthusiasm to make things happen that catches the eye. He has also got a good touch on the ball and demonstrated several eye-catching moments of control to bring a long pass to order.
But it was Hanson who eventually broke the Valley Parade goal drought from the final touch of the first half.
The big fella had only been able to train on Friday after a thigh strain during the week. His muted start to the game showed the side affects but Hanson delivered the classic centre forward goal when it mattered.
Colbeck was wrestled down for a foul and, for the second week running, a James O'Brien set-piece was finished off by the forward's forehead, guiding the ball perfectly beyond the equally tall Scott Bevan and into the top corner.
Hanson's presence grew as the game wore on, while Evans continued to hunt down any white shirt in his radius, but it was not until stoppage time at the end of the second half that City got the goal that rubberstamped the points.
It was worth the wait, especially for scorer Chris Brandon. The substitute made a great dart from his own half, which was spotted by Flynn's lob over the top, and the midfielder calmly did the rest.
There was still plenty of grass between him and Bevan's goal but Brandon was never going to fluff the opportunity to finally break his own duck for his home-town club. A year's wait for a first City goal was over against the club who had given him his first break in professional football.
Given the classic 'rule of the ex', that was possibly the only predictable outcome of the day.
Attendance: 11,123
===========================
From Official site:
Joe Colbeck makes Latics switchPosted on: Tue 01 Sep 2009
City winger Joe Colbeck has played his last game for the club, having made a
deadline day move to join Coca-Cola League 1 side Oldham Athletic for an
undisclosed fee.
The 22-year old turned down the offer of new contract with the Bantams last
summer and has been playing this season on a week-to-week contract.
Colbeck links up again with Dave Penney for whom he played on loan for
Darlington in the 2007/2008 season.
Bradford-born, Colbeck joined Bradford City as an apprentice in July 2003
before signing professional forms two years later.
He made his Bradford City debut in a Carling Cup defeat to Notts County on
25 August 2004 at Valley Parade in his only game that season and broke into
the team the following season making 11 appearances.
===========================
Mark Lawns program column
Welcome to the Coral Windows Stadium for this afternoon's match against
Torquay United. I am delighted to welcome the players, officials and
supporters who have made the long trip up from Devon today and I would
like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone associated with
Torquay United on their club's promotion back to the Football League.
Whilst we all know that the start to our season has not been what we had
hoped for, the small number of City fans who were able to make the trip
to Cheltenham last week did see an attacking performance that gives us
all fresh hope for the long campaign ahead. If we can match that
enterprising play up front with a tighter display at the back then there
is reason to believe that it may be a good season after all.
As you will probably be aware, there have been endless rumours and
speculation about the size of the Bradford City budget for the current
season. I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight.
In our first season back in League Two, according to official figures
supplied to us by the Football League, our budget was in the top five
for the division. Last season, figures from the same source showed that
our budget was in the top two for the division. Finally, despite all the
doom and gloom that seems to be around at present, it is now our
understanding that our budget for this year is again amongst the five
largest for League Two. With these facts in mind, perhaps I could
suggest those critics who spend their time criticising the club
regarding these matters should instead focus their attention on
supporting Stuart McCall and the lads.
Over the course of the summer, we have paid a fee for two players -
Gareth Evans and James Hanson - and, at the time of writing, we have
just agreed a fee with Cambridge City for their 21-year-old winger Scott
Neilson. We now need to agree terms with the player and his representatives.
Since I first came to the club, I have always said that I would be happy
to speak to any supporter regarding any issue and I am only at the end
of a telephone call if anyone would like to do just that. I am sure that
you would acknowledge this is quite unusual for a Football Club
Chairman. Having said that, I find it bemusing that some fans still find
it difficult to pick up the phone to me, preferring instead to make
assumptions that are so often wrong. For example, it has been wrongly
presumed by some fans that I have taken some of the money we received as
part of the Fabian Delph deal to open a new restaurant venture in
Baildon. As I have said from the beginning, I have no intention of
taking back any of the £1m loan that I made to the club at present and I
have already stated that the Fabian Delph money will be put in to
balance the books after last year's higher budget. I cannot do any more
than tell you the truth and that is how things stand at present. Just in
case people wonder where the £1m went, I should point out that, on top
of the club's losses, there was a £500,000 overdraft, and some of it
went towards that.
I feel that since I have been involved with Bradford City, we have been
more open with the supporters about the way in which the club is run,
but I am tending to come to the same conclusion that Julian has, in
that, no matter what we say, some people will always look for the
negative within it - even when it is not there!
Back to today, here's hoping that we can reproduce some of that
attacking flair from last week for the home supporters. I am sure we
will all enjoy an entertaining day if that happens.
Enjoy the game,
Mark Lawn
Joint Chairman
===========================
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