L2 v Torquay Utd (a) W2-1 Jan 30th 2010

Next match: (H) Bury, Saturday, February 6, 2010. K.O. 3:00PM.


Bradford City facebook page
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Torquay: Poke ,Charnock ,Robertson ,Smith ,Mansell ,Wroe ,Stevens ,Thompson ,Zebroski ,Benyon ,Rendell (O'Kane ,61)
Subs not used: Bevan,Carayol,Ellis,Nicholson,Cox,Haldin,

Bradford: Glennon ,Ramsden ,Clarke ,Luke O'Brien ,Williams (Evans ,46 ) ,Flynn ,Daley ,Bullock ,Brandon (Rehman

,46) ,Neilson (Thorne ,77 ) ,Michael Boulding
Subs not used Rory Boulding,McLaughlan,Bateson,O'Neill,

Bookings:
Benyon ,Zebroski (Torquay)
Clarke ,Ramsden ,Williams (Bradford)

Attendance: 2592


Referee: R East (England)



TEAM STATS
Torquay / Bradford
14(8) Shots (on Goal) 7(4)
15 Fouls 18
5 Corner Kicks 7
3 Offsides 5
52% Time of Poss. 48%
2 Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 8






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Coca-Cola League Two
Torquay Utd (1) 1 Robertson 15
Bradford C (0) 2 Evans 82, 90+3.
Att: 2,592

By Simon Parker (T&A)

Gareth Evans grabbed a late double to earn City a dramatic victory - and
save Stuart McCall's job.

The manager's position was hanging by a thread after a game in which his
side had been second best for long periods.

Torquay should have been out of sight before substitute Evans equalised
seven minutes from time with his first goal since November 14.

A draw would still probably not have been enough for his under-pressure
boss.

But City - and Evans - were not finished and the striker rammed home the
winner in stoppage time to provoke wild scenes among the away players and
fans.

City's brittle confidence was shattered just 15 minutes in.

Matt Glennon stretched to turn Elliot Benyon's curling shot past the far
post but City failed to deal with the resulting corner. How often have we
said that?

The ball dropped to big defender Chris Robertson who had all the time in the
world to smash home from ten yards.

McCall had opted for an attacking 4-2-1-3 formation but there was a
desperation about their play. It took them nearly half an hour to register
the first shot.

City had no height up front at all but too many balls were still hit long
and high, only to be gobbled up by the Torquay central defenders.

The home side were far more dangerous and lively winger Danny Stevens should
have made it two after 36 minutes from Chris Zebroski's low cross.

City, who had a good backing for such a long trek, were fortunate to go into
the break only 1-0 down.

McCall threw the dice with two half-time substitutions. Zesh Rehman, hooked
at the interval at Lincoln, came on for the struggling Steve Williams and
Evans replaced Chris Brandon as City went 4-4-2.

But Torquay still threatened to increase their tally. Scott Rendell and
Kieran Charnock both went close and Simon Ramsden cleared off the line from
Stevens.

You couldn't see a way back. But City dug deep, cranked up the pressure and
Evans emerged the hero.

City's first win since December 5 was a massive one for everyone. But for
one man more than most.


===========================

McCALL ACCEPTS FORTUNATE VICTORY

Bradford City boss Stuart McCall admitted his side were fortunate to come
away with all three points following their 2-1 win over Torquay.

Bantams substitute Gareth Evans hammered home a stoppage-time winner after
skipper Simon Ramsden's deep free-kick was knocked down.

Evans had already equalised in the 82nd minute after United took an early
lead through central defender Chris Robertson.

McCall said: "There is no doubt that we rode our luck but I am fed up this
season with how many times I have said we have been unfortunate so it makes
a welcome change. We should have more points than we have got but, as you
can imagine, it's a happy, happy dressing room.

"It's been frustrating. Sometimes you need a result to play a little more at
ease. Hopefully this result can help us play with a little more confidence.
It's a welcome three points.

"We need to win three out of the next four if we want any chance of making
the play-offs. One result is fantastic but we have got to build on that now
against Bury next week."

===========================


Next 4 games are

(H) Bury
(H) Grimsby
(A) Accrington
(A) Rochdale


===========================

  McCall thanks Evans for saving his job
Mon Feb 1, 2010 1:37 am (PST)


Relieved Stuart McCall dodged a bullet and then urged City to use
Saturday's smash-and-grab win at Torquay as a turning point.

The board were ready to pull the trigger on McCall's reign if the
Bantams failed to take three points from the Devon strugglers.

But two late goals from Gareth Evans – the second in stoppage time
– saw City steal their first victory since early December.

McCall admitted his side, who were outplayed for most of the game, had
ridden their luck but deserved the break.

He said: "It's not before time because we've come away from so
many games this season when we've not got what we deserved.

"The longer you go on a run that we've been having, naturally the
confidence and sparkle isn't going to be there.

"We just needed something to give us that bit of belief because
it's such a big part of football.

"You saw the dressing room afterwards and would think we'd won the
cup. Everyone was so pleased for myself and for each other.

"It's only three points but it could be the most important three
points of the season for what it does to the belief of the players and
supporters."

Evans, who had not scored since November, said the players were
desperate to ease the heat on McCall.

The striker added: "The gaffer's been fantastic to me since I
joined the club and I'll do anything in my power to keep him in a job.

"Hopefully those two goals have helped him and we can get rid of all
the demons now and make something of our season."

McCall knows he is still under pressure but has vowed to keep on
fighting. He said: "I'll always do what's best for the club. We
needed to win and if we hadn't done, who knows what might have
happened.

"But I still believe that if we get all the players back and the
confidence levels rise, things will run for us.

"There are still another 20 games to go and who knows what lies
ahead. I've seen teams go on great runs from nowhere.

"We've got to take all the confidence out of this and hopefully
come out next Saturday against Bury in front of a believing crowd."
===========================

Hanson on road to recovery
6:50am Tuesday 2nd February 2010

James Hanson hopes to give Stuart McCall another timely boost by returning to training.

City's top scorer has missed the last three games with a torn muscle in his back.

But he is making steady progress and could be in contention to rejoin the rest of the squad ahead of Saturday's

home clash with Bury – though that game may come too soon for him.

McCall said: "We've missed James's physical presence recently but hopefully he'll be back training with us at the

back end of the week.

"Things are looking a bit brighter on that side for us. We've got Peter Thorne coming back, Steven O'Leary's

training, and Omar (Daley) has got through his second full game and looked stronger as it went on.

"I will probably have a difficult decision to make next game with all the players available but that's a nice

problem to have."

McCall's own future remains up in the air but the dramatic comeback win over Torquay has raised spirits around

Valley Parade.

"You could see afterwards that everyone got a huge lift," he added. "They didn't look like a team with nothing to

play for the rest of the season.

"We should have had more points up to now with the way we've performed. We should be just up above mid-table.

"Taking only one point from 15 before Saturday made that very, very difficult but we've got to take the belief from

that win into the rest of our games.

"We've got two home matches coming up and we know we need an upturn in form there but I'm sure everyone will be

bright and bubbly in training this week."



===========================

From the Official BCFC Website...

O'LEARY EXTENDS HIS STAY
Posted on: Tue 02 Feb 2010

Steven O'Leary has today tied himself down to the Bantams until the end of
the season after signing a fresh contract extension.

The Irish midfielder only signed a new short term deal a month ago, but that
was due to expire this week.

O'Leary's new contract will now see him stay at the Coral Windows Stadium
until at least the end of this current campaign and allow him to focus
on gaining a place in Stuart McCall's starting line up.

He is now fully recovered from the fractured toe that had put a halt on his
Bantams career and was named among the substitutes for City's match at
Torquay United last weekend.

The former Luton and Hereford midfielder originally signed for the Bantams
on a six month deal back in August after impressing while on trial with the
club.

He made his full debut for Bradford in City's first home match of the season
against Port Vale, but broke down injured in the warm up for the following
match with Lincoln and had to pull out of the starting line-up.

O'Leary hasn't featured since for the Bantams, but was given a further one
month deal to enable him to prove his fitness at the turn of the year.

With O'Leary's month contract due to expire this Wednesday, McCall moved
quickly to sort out the Irishman's future with the Bantams.

O'Leary will now be in contention for Bradford's weekend match with Bury at
Valley Parade.




===========================
HANSON DEAL SETTLED BY TRIBUNAL

By Simon Parker (T&A)

James Hanson's transfer fee from Guiseley has finally been settled by
tribunal.

Six months of haggling over the Bradford City striker's worth was brought to
an end by a league panel in Manchester today.

The final figure is thought to be around £7,500, with a 25% sell-on clause
for the non-leaguers should Hanson move on from Valley Parade. City have
also promised to play a pre-season friendly at Nethermoor.

The deal is similar to that which the Bantams got from Barnet for Luke
Medley following an independent hearing.

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes, who attended the tribunal alongside Hanson,
said: "What they were awarded was very similar to what we had offered.

"We are happy with the verdict and I hope that Guiseley feel the same. We
would like to think that we can retain our good relationship with them.

"We're glad that the matter has finally been resolved and it will be nice to
move forward."

It was the first instance of a part-time club ever taking a league side to a
tribunal.




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