Football League Two - KO 19:45
Grimsby 0 (0) - 3(1) Bradford
Whaley 24
Williams 60
Hanson 82
At Blundell Park on 24-11-2009
Grimsby: Colgan ,Linwood ,Lancashire ,Sweeney ,Leary ,Bore ,Featherstone ,McCrory ,Shahin (Akpa Akpro ,64 ) ,Conlon
(Forbes ,82 ) ,Coulson (Wood ,76)
Subs not used: Clark,North,Oberton,Boshell,
Bradford: Eastwood ,Ramsden ,Rehman ,Luke O'Brien ,Williams ,Flynn ,Whaley ,Bullock ,James O'Brien ,Evans ,Hanson
Subs not used Clarke,Michael Boulding,Brandon,Rory Boulding,McLaughlan,Bateson,Neilson,
Bookings: None
Attendance: 3646
Referee: D Deadman (Cheshunt)
Stats
Possession
Grimsby 52% Bradford 48%
Attempts on target
Grimsby 2 Bradford 7
Attempts off target
Grimsby 8 Bradford 8
Corners
Grimsby 4 Bradford 4
Fouls
Grimsby 13 Bradford 9
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Match photos
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1885323,00.html
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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4758033.New_boy_has_whale_of_a_time_on_the_coast/?re
f=rss
New boy has whale of a time on the coast
7:10am Wednesday 25th November 2009
By Simon Parker
Grimsby 0 City 3
Great Grimsby is the sign that greets drivers heading towards Cleethorpes.
It is a lofty claim that hardly refers to the second-from-bottom football team, who have not won a game for over
two months.
That record never looked like changing last night as the Bantams headed east and won with consummate ease.
Stuart McCall demanded a ruthless touch from his side after the frustrating string of draws. They could have won by
even more against awful opposition but he wasn't disappointed.
And what a capture Simon Whaley looks.
The new boy, given the first start of his loan from Norwich, clearly enjoys the North Sea air.
He ran the show at Blundell Park with Rochdale last month and crowned a similar livewire display for City with a
spectacular goal.
It was a night of pure misery for Neil Woods in his first game as full-time Grimsby boss. And especially for Barry
Conlon, who did nothing to worry his old club.
The strong wind sweeping down the ground was at City's backs for the first half and the ball was predictably
swirling around from the start.
After a ragged opening, City should have been ahead after nine minutes. James Hanson robbed centre half Paul
Linwood and slid an inviting ball across for Gareth Evans but the striker dragged his shot wide when he should have
hit the target.
Evans instantly turned provider by drilling in a decent centre of his own but James O'Brien failed to make contact.
City were mastering the difficult conditions and their control of the early possession was causing frustration in
the home stands. O'Brien had the room to let rip from distance but it sailed harmlessly high.
Grimsby could not get in the game at all as Flynn and O'Brien took a grip on midfield. Former Mariner Simon Ramsden
was getting all the room in the world down the right and Flynn should have done better when set up to cross.
But City got the goal their play deserved in the 24th minute – and what a goal it was.
Simon Eastwood's long punt downfield was picked up by Whaley 25 yards out and he hammered the shot past stunned
keeper Nick Colgan.
"Barry what's the score" taunted the away end, who booed every Conlon touch.
The goal stunned Grimsby into life at last and only a flying save from Eastwood denied Oliver Lancashire a quick
equaliser, superbly turning away his header from the night's first corner.
Then Jammal Shahin hung a cross dangerously on the wind. Eastwood came for it, realised he couldn't get there and
watched in relief as Conlon missed the ball completely.
But the threat was still there at the other end as Hanson flicked on another booming clearance from the keeper.
Whaley was on to it but scuffed his shot straight into the arms of a relieved Colgan.
City were letting themselves down with the number of offsides as the forwards mistimed their runs. It was fast,
frantic and untidy at times but they were looking fairly comfortable, although Flynn's low drive was never going to
trouble the keeper as half-time beckoned.
There was a scare in added time when Conlon was picked out totally unmarked in the box but the cross ran straight
under his foot – amid mass derision from the City fans ten yards away.
City could still step up another gear, and no doubt McCall would have rammed home that message at the break. On
recent form, 1-0 was dangerous territory for the Bantams, who could not afford to let another potential win slip
from their grasp.
If anything, the wind had increased its power as City forced an immediate corner which nearly curled straight in.
But Grimsby marched up the other end, Shahin catching City cold down the right and Nicky Featherstone was inches
away from levelling from 12 yards out.
There was plenty of work still to do for the visitors as the crowd finally started to make themselves heard.
But Whaley wasn't far off a second from a counter-attack, whistling another long-range effort close.
The loan man was looking a constant handful and intelligently set up Flynn, who surprisingly chose to tee up Evans
rather than shoot and a promising opportunity was gone.
A handball 25 yards from goal gave Flynn another chance to have a pop. Instead it was Whaley who took charge but
his low free-kick through the wall did not pack enough punch.
City needed a second to ease nerves and got it on the hour. Whaley kept a corner alive and got the ball back to
taker James O'Brien, whose cross was nodded towards his own goal by Damien McCrory.
It looked to be going straight in but Steve Williams made sure from close range with a small deflection. City had
that precious breathing space.
Grimsby threw on Jean-Louis Akpro as an extra striker but City should have been celebrating a third as Evans was
sent clear. The striker turned Lancashire inside out and fired for the far corner – but missed the target once
again.
Whaley continued to be the biggest threat and he cleverly latched onto O'Brien's miscued shot to volley over the
angle of bar and post with Colgan beaten.
Luke O'Brien, still eyeing his first goal of the season, hit the side-netting as he galloped upfield.
Grimsby had a brief flurry without threatening and it was no surprise when City made it 3-0 with eight minutes to
go. Again it was a precise finish from outside the box, Hanson slamming his seventh goal of the season with a
lethal left-footer.
Conlon's night was also over and he was subbed to an ironic chant of "Barry, Barry" from the City end.
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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4758031.McCall_delighted_after_good_night_all_round_for_City/
McCall delighted after good night all round for City
7:00am Wednesday 25th November 2009
By Simon Parker
Chuffed Stuart McCall was full of praise after City eased back to winning ways at struggling Grimsby.
Goals from Simon Whaley, Steve Williams and James Hanson clinched a 3-0 victory at blustery Blundell Park last
night.
City's first win in four games lifted them two places to tenth – and within two points of the play-offs.
City had drawn the last three, and McCall admitted: "We didn't want to put too much pressure on ourselves but we
knew this was a game we had to win. We've done that with an accomplished performance.
"We went back to the away system that has served us so well. Bully (Lee Bullock) did a lot of good unseen work for
us and the interplay of Evans, Hanson and Whaley up front was always a threat.
"They all had chances in the game and behind them I thought the midfield was strong. We've also defended solidly at
the back and Simon Eastwood made a couple of good saves.
"We've got to be stronger and harder to score against and beat.
"I'm absolutely delighted with the clean sheet, three goals and three points."
Whaley notched the first goal of his loan from Norwich and constantly troubled the Mariners' defence.
McCall added: "His control and touch was so assured in swirling conditions.
"He scored an excellent goal and his desire was there with the second when the ball came out and he kept the move
alive.
"At half-time we emphasised we needed the second goal and I thought we counter-attacked really well in the second
half.
"The side looked strong and solid and this has set us up well for the tough encounter coming up next against
Rochdale."
City, who have no game this weekend, face in-form Dale at Valley Parade next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, David Wetherall's young lads will hope to book a trip to Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup tonight when they
play the rearranged second-round home tie against Crewe (7pm).
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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4761726.Rehman__Asians_need_to_make_their_voices_heard/?ref=rss
Rehman: Asians need to make their voices heard
5:50pm Thursday 26th November 2009
By Harris Khan
Bradford is one of the nation's most ethnically diverse cities and plays a crucial role in the integration of cultures.
The Asian communities in Bradford make up the majority of the ethnic population but the one thing the city's different cultures share is their love for sport.
The soaring levels of local participation are undeniably astounding, with youngsters determined to play – from using their schoolbags as goalposts to dustbins as wickets.
So why aren't these individuals expressing the passion they so clearly have?
The question is often raised: with two great sides in the Bantams and the Bulls, why is it that the support of the Asian contingency continues to elude the city's elite clubs.
The Coral Windows Stadium is jam-packed every other Saturday afternoon with the City faithful who gather in numbers, however, in the midst of this crowd are a diminutive number of Asian faces.
This is a worrying spectacle, no more so than for City's very own Asian star Zesh Rehman.
The sturdy centre-half is the only Asian player to represent clubs in all four professional leagues.
He explained: "Many Asians are put off furthering themselves in the sport. It is a combination of negative stereotypes and a lack of role models.
"Previously, there was no one at the club for them to associate with, now we have a host of Asian backing at City."
City unveiled their first Asian associate director in July.
Lutfur Rahman's Manningham-based company Adworx Printing run Rehman's personal website and he has got to know the player well since he came to Valley Parade.
He follows in the footsteps of the big defender and City ambassador Omar Khan by increasing the Asian influence within the club.
Rehman, 27, has a Pakistani upbringing and also represents the Pakistan national side.
He, along with the rest of the Bantams, would benefit immensely with the support of the Asian community.
Certainly, it would be an even more overwhelming prospect for the opposition if an extra few thousand fans boosted the crowd from 11,500 to around 14,000 for every Valley Parade home game.
"I am seeing an incline in support from our Asian fans," said Rehman. "They are a part of this City and it is their club. Bradford are a massive club and with the likes of myself, Lutfur and Omar here we hope the support will grow."
Many youths express their support for other teams but even so, around the grounds of Old Trafford and Anfield the Asian supporters barely fill the stands.
Rehman insists Bradford are the club to watch.
"Ticket prices are great, you should come and support your local club and feel a part of the experience. It's a fantastic opportunity."
The Bantams defender urges the potential Asian fans of the future to integrate and says they can benefit their game by playing in mixed leagues. "They should be determined to succeed and make a difference – the main thing is integration. It's about achieving results."
With the expected launch of his very own football foundation in Bradford next year, Rehman hopes to create opportunities for everyone, not just the Asian community.
The scheme aims to help young people improve themselves as well-rounded individuals.
As City continue to top the attendance averages in League Two, the lack of Asian involvement is clearly visible but there is now a new hope that we could be nearing a turning point.
Ambassadors like Rehman and Khan are pushing the club and the city towards a bigger and brighter future.
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