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Coca-Cola League Two
Burton Albion (0) 1 Harrad 82
Bradford City (0) 1 Oliver 59
Att: 2,648
Stats: Burton - Bradford C
Possession: 46 - 54%
Shots on target: 13 - 5
Shots off target: 5 - 2
Fouls: 11 - 14
Corners: 11 - 3
Ref: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
Yellow cards:
Burton: McGrath (88 min.)
Bradford C: Threlfall (70 min).
Burton: 30. Artur Krysiak, 8. Andrew Corbett, 5. Tony James, 25. Tom Parkes,
2. Paul Boertien, 23. Cleveland Taylor, 16. Russell Penn, 6. John McGrath,
19. Jacques Maghoma, 9. Shaun Harrad, 18. Greg Pearson (64).
SUBS: 1. Kevin Poole (GK), 3. Aaron Webster, 4. Michael Simpson, 11. Keith
Gilroy, 17. Jimmy Phillips, 21. Romuald Boco, 26. Steven Kabba (64).
Bradford C: 13. Jon McLaughlin, 16. Jonathan Bateson, 5. Zesh Rehman, 12.
Steve Williams, 28. Robbie Threlfall, 8. Lee Bullock, 33. Adam Bolder, 25.
Steve O'Leary (58), 31. Gavin Grant (77), 32. Luke Oliver, 9. Gareth Evans.
SUBS: 3. Luke O'Brien (77), 15. Ryan Kendall, 19. James O'Brien (58), 20.
Leon Osborne, 23. Luke Dean, 34. Phil Cutler, 40. Matthew Glennon (GK).
Next Matches:
(H) Morecambe, Tuesday April 13, 2010. K.O. 7:45PM
(H) Barnet, Saturday April 17, 2010. K.O. 3:00PM.
Video
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8614473.stm
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By Simon Parker (T&A)
(full report below)
Jon McLaughlin saved a penalty but a late Burton equaliser denied City their
first win in six games.
Makeshift striker Luke Oliver netted for the second successive outing. But
the star for Peter Taylor's team was the understudy keeper.
McLaughlin was making only his second start of the season after being
brought in for Matt Glennon.
But he made his mark after 17 minutes, plunging to his right to beat away
Greg Pearson's 17th-minute spot-kick after Steve O'Leary's foul on Russell
Penn.
He also saved well from Shaun Harrad in a first half dominated by the home
team.
McLaughlin again came to City's rescue soon after the break, tipping over a
thundering drive from Penn.
City made the most of the keeper's heroics to grab the lead after 59
minutes.
Gavin Grant's shot deflected high into the air and Luke Oliver, playing as
centre forward, nodded the rebound over Artur Krysiak for his second goal in
successive games.
That lifted the Bantams and Gareth Evans, who had managed City's only shot
of note in the opening 45 minutes, saw a low drive turned behind by Krysiak.
Burton cranked up the pressure and McLaughlin denied Harrad again.
But the Brewers' hitman got his revenge with eight minutes left, notching
his 18th goal of the season from Paul Boertien's low cross.
It would have got worse for City but James O'Brien cleared off the line from
a Tony James header.
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From the Official BCFC Website...
OLIVER RECALLED
Luke Oliver's goalscoring performance at Burton Albion on Saturday afternoon
will unfortunately be his last for the Bantams- for this season at least.
The giant defender, who actually featured in attack at the Pirelli Stadium,
has been recalled by his parent club Wycombe Wanderers following an injury
to defender Adam Hinselwood.
Hinselwood was withdrawn after only 18 minutes of the Chairboys vital
victory over Hartlepool United at Adams Park, a win that keeps their
survival hopes alive.
With Wycombe still holding a chance of staying in League 1, manager Gary
Waddock was quick to contact Peter Taylor on Saturday evening to inform the
Bantams boss of his decision to bring back Oliver.
Oliver had extended his loan period at the Coral Windows Stadium until the
end of the season back in early April, but the new deal did crucially
include a call back clause.
Now that Wycombe have activated the clause, Oliver will immediately leave
the Valley Parade for the Buckinghamshire club - but he may not have played
his last match for the football club.
Oliver's contract at Adams Park expires at the end of the season and with
Taylor openly admitting he is a fan of the giant defender, the 27 year old
still may still have a future in Yorkshire.
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Bantams' inconsistency leads to more dropped points
7:00am Monday 12th April 2010
By Simon Parker
Peter Taylor admitted City's up and down performances are "crazy".
The Bantams boss accused his players of not turning up for the first half of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Burton.
They picked up after the break – and took the lead through Luke Oliver's second goal in successive games – but Taylor remains baffled by the inconsistency.
He had thrown down the gauntlet for the players to impress in the final six matches but, despite the excellent Jon McLaughlin saving a penalty early on, City took a long time to respond.
Taylor said: "I asked the players at half-time what should I say on Monday morning? They've now got five games left to show me something?
"Burton were very bright and deserved to be leading probably by a couple. We didn't play, didn't show for the ball and didn't try to play any football.
"I don't think it's nerves but players have got to be stronger than that.
"But then we score a goal that we didn't 100 per cent deserve and all of sudden it lifts us and we start playing a bit. It's a crazy situation.
"But that's sport, that's confidence. I'm sure it's the same as a golfer having a nightmare round, then something goes in and suddenly he hits some fantastic shots.
"It's very difficult to see how good somebody could be if they are playing without confidence. You see them in training and see what they are capable of doing but it's not the same.
"Like any manager, I want a group of players who are going to get on with it and put things right. We might be in this situation next season and they've got to be brave."
McLaughlin replaced Matt Glennon in City's goal and shone in his first outing since January.
Taylor was impressed with the understudy and is ready to give him a run in the side.
He said: "I thought Jon was excellent. His handling and the way he dealt with crosses was good as well as a tremendous penalty save."
Meanwhile, Michael Flynn has an outside chance of being fit for tomorrow's home clash with Morecambe.
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Back-up keeper saves penalty as City weather Burton storm to bag point
6:40am Monday 12th April 2010
By Simon Parker
Burton 1, City 1
They say that good things come to those who wait. Jon McLaughlin's patience clearly paid off with a faultless display in his first outing for three months.
There's no more frustrating position in the squad than that of the back-up goalkeeper and the British Students stopper had not seen a hint of action since Matt Glennon's arrival in January.
But summoned from his regular spot on the bench, McLaughlin seized the opportunity at the Pirelli Stadium.
Throw in an early penalty save and it gave Peter Taylor plenty of food for thought in the chase for summer contracts.
Spot-kicks seem to follow McLaughlin around. Three times he faced shoot-outs in last year's Student Games in Serbia; the only blemish of his last appearance against Cheltenham was their penalty equaliser.
So it was no shock when he was once again summoned for a 12-yard duel after Russell Penn had accepted the invitation of Steve O'Leary's dangling leg.
McLaughlin guessed right to beat out Greg Pearson's effort – and then hoped it will have been a decent addition on his CV when Taylor draws up his retained list.
"It's always an opportunity to get the glory for a second or two," smiled the affable keeper. "You can't really lose with penalties because the striker is always the favourite.
"A lot of it is down to guess work and getting a feeling. There isn't too much information in this league – you don't get the Prozone stats.
"If you've not given it away, you can only be the hero. It's good to test yourself like that and I was delighted with the save."
The 22-year-old was no one-trick pony, lighting up an otherwise typically end-of-season encounter with two further saves from Shaun Harrad and another tip-over from a Penn thunderbolt.
Taylor was clearly impressed and has told McLaughlin there will be further opportunities.
The keeper said: "A run of games gives you the chance to build some form. Obviously Glenny (Matt Glennon) has been playing well and is also looking to earn a contract, so it's up to what the gaffer says. But if I get the chance, I'll try to take it with both hands.
"The main thing is to stay composed and play your normal game. There's that temptation to come for everything and look to make the super saves but the last thing you do as a goalkeeper is go chasing the game."
McLaughlin's team-mates had to do plenty of chasing in a first half dominated by the home side.
Still operating with his shadow squad, Taylor had sent out City in a 4-3-3 encouraging to pass the ball more away from the Valley Parade quagmire. For 45 minutes, they never did anything of the sort.
Luke Oliver was up front from the start but the lack of service left the big man totally isolated.
Burton looked to hit the right flank every time, where former Scunthorpe winger Cleveland Taylor gave Robbie Threlfall a torrid time. The only saving grace for City was that Taylor's crossing was more miss than hit.
Gavin Grant had begun on the left but offered little defensive help to his full back, so Taylor quickly transferred Gareth Evans to double up.
Evans delivered the only moment of concern for Burton keeper Artur Krysiak with a low drive from O'Leary's through ball. Otherwise it was one-way traffic, with only McLaughlin keeping the Brewers at bay.
At least City won a corner on the stroke of half-time – their first away from home since Hereford – but even that became a swift Burton break which saw home skipper John McGrath go close.
Taylor was not fooled by the interval stalemate. It had been a 0-0 thrashing! City had to buck their ideas up and fortunately they did, prompted by the presence of James O'Brien in midfield.
The young Irishman, like McLaughlin, has had to wait to catch the new manager's eye. And like McLaughlin, he did just that by injecting energy and enthusiasm into a previously-lethargic away performance.
Taylor said: "He's got a very decent right foot and is capable of scoring goals. I know he's a good player and hopefully we'll see a lot more of him."
O'Brien had barely touched the ball when City grabbed a surprise lead. Grant picked off a loose pass from Tony James and embarked on his one run of the afternoon. His shot was instantly deflected but the ball spiralled high into the warm air and plopped onto Oliver's head for a looping nod over Krysiak.
It was hardly a goal of beauty, nor one justified by the pattern of play, but the new-found confidence at last got City playing.
Evans twice went close to extending their lead, while McLaughlin continued to win his personal battle with Harrad at the other end.
City were eight minutes away from their first win for six games when the Burton striker finally got his own back.
Jon Bateson went missing after Steve Kabba won the ball in midfield and fed overlapping left back Paul Boertien. He had plenty of space for a low cross which Harrad bundled home for his 18th goal of his side's debut league season.
It was some justice for the hosts – and they nearly grabbed a win late on when a James header was blocked on the line by O'Brien protecting the far post.
Right place; right time. When Taylor issued his six-game ultimatum, two of the squad were clearly listening. Attendance: 2,648
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Morecambe head for Valley Parade in top form
2:10pm Monday 12th April 2010
By Simon Parker
Morecambe are dreaming of kicking off at their new home in League One.
The Shrimps leave Christie Park in the summer for the Globe Arena, a £12million state-of-the-art 6,000-seater stadium just across town.
And Sammy McIlroy's men could well be breaking new ground on the pitch as well, with the Lancashire club pushing to make a first appearance in the third tier.
Morecambe have sneaked into the play-offs almost unnoticed on the back of a well-timed charge.
Saturday's 2-0 win over Rotherham was their fourth in a row and fifth victory in six. Only unstoppable Notts County can boast better form.
Beating the Millers lifted Morecambe into seventh place and within a point of Aldershot in fourth, although they are still seven off Bournemouth in the final automatic promotion slot.
Confidence is soaring and McIlroy is happy to be regarded as the play-off dark horses as he brings his side to Valley Parade.
He said: "We have got five games to go and they are all very tough. We have to remain fully focused.
"Every game is like a cup final now but we have certainly given ourselves a chance.
"I am proud of the lads for all their efforts because we have just kept plugging away and gone on a run that has largely gone unnoticed."
Phil Jevons, on a season-long loan from Huddersfield, has spearheaded Morecambe's challenge. Another goal at the weekend was his 19th of the season.
Strike partner Paul Mullin is not far behind on 13, despite missing five weeks after Christmas with an ankle injury.
This time last year, Mullin failed to hit the target for City in a frustrating loan spell after Stuart McCall brought him in to replace Barry Conlon.
But Mullin returns to Valley Parade having netted in three of Morecambe's run of wins.
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