CC1 v Notts F (h) W2-1 August 10th 2010

League Cup
Valley Parade
11/08/10 1930
Attendance: 5,175
Referee: Eddie Ilderton


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Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html


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Match photos
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2118347,00.html


City: McLaughlin 8, Rehman 7, Williams 8, Duff 8, O'Brien 7, Neilson 6 (Ramsden 46, 7), Doherty 8, Bullock 6 (Syers 46, 7), Daley 6 (Hanson 46, 8), Moult 7, Speight 8. Subs (not used): Saxton, Oliver, Horne, Threlfall.

Forest: Camp 7, Chambers 7, Morgan 7, Lynch 6 (McKenna 100), Cohen 7, McCleary 6, McGugan 7 (Adebola 72, 6), Moussi 6, Anderson 6 (Blackstock 72, 6), Thornhill 7, Tyson 6. Subs (not used): Darlow, Freeman, Gibbons, Rooney.


Game Statistics

City                 Forest
16   Goal Attempts   20
9    On Target       10
3    Corners         13
5    Fouls           12
0    Yellow Cards    1
0    Red Cards       0
46   %               54


Read more: http://www.bradford.vitalfootball.co.uk/stats.asp?a=208504#ixzz0wOb9yBNj


The Bantams have been drawn at home to Preston North End in the Carling Cup 2nd round.

Following City's dramatic victory over Nottingham Forest in the previous round, Peter Taylor's side have now been handed another tie at the Coral Windows Stadium.

The tie is scheduled to be played on the week commencing Monday 23rd August 2010.


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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8323940.Bradford_City_celebrate_super_cup_tonic/?ref=rss

Substitutes Syers and Hanson provide Bradford City goal power to sink Forest
7:10am Wednesday 11th August 2010
By Connor Murphy

City boss Peter Taylor hopes victory against Nottingham Forest will prove a perfect pick-me-up for his side after a disappointing start to their league campaign.

Goals from David Syers and James Hanson sealed a memorable Carling Cup first-round win, while banishing lingering memories of last week's disappointing defeat at Shrewsbury.

There is a short turnaround before City return to league action against Stevenage on Saturday and confidence will be high going into the home league opener.

Taylor said: "We did say at half-time that you work hard in pre-season and you don't want to lose two out of two. That's not a great start because then, all of a sudden, the confidence dips.

"We weren't great on Saturday against Shrewsbury, they were better than us second half. But last night I thought we were very good second half and did very well.

"It's given the players a massive boost but they've had to work extremely hard."

City had trailed Forest 1-0 at the interval but a Taylor masterstroke turned the game on its head.

The City chief introduced Hanson, Syers and Simon Ramsden as half-time substitutes, while also switching from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3.

Taylor said: "We were disappointing first half. We probably knew how good Forest are and some of the players felt they shouldn't be on the same pitch as them. But second half we tried to make it more like a decent cup tie.

"We weren't playing as well as we would've liked and the big fella up front (Hanson) gave us another option.

"Credit to James, that's the best he's looked since we came back to pre-season because he won every header."

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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/8323947.Hanson_the_extra_time_goal_hero_for_Bradford_City/?ref=rss

Revenge win over Forest gives Bradford City lift after opening loss
6:30am Wednesday 11th August 2010
By Connor Murphy

City 2, Nottingham Forest 1

City pulled off one of the shocks of the first round after dumping Championship promotion contenders Nottingham Forest out of the Carling Cup.

Nobody outside the club had believed it was possible but Peter Taylor's troops revelled in their role as underdogs to provide a display full of fight and discipline.

Having been unceremoniously dismissed from the competition by Forest at the same stage last year, this was sweet revenge.

Matt Thornhill had given Forest a first-half lead but City responded well to claim a deserved equaliser after the break through David Syers, who signed on non-contract terms prior to the game.

Given another chance to impress after spending much of the summer on trial with the club, the all-action Farsley midfielder caught the eye with his enthusiasm and endeavour.

But they were characteristics prevalent throughout the team and a deserved win was sealed when substitute James Hanson scored in the first half of extra time.

Possibly with one eye on Saturday's League Two home opener against Stevenage, Taylor made seven changes to the team that had lost 3-1 at Shrewsbury, while switching from his preferred 4-3-3 formation to a more conventional 4-4-2.

Summer arrivals Shane Duff, Tommy Doherty, Louis Moult and Jake Speight all made their full debuts and Omar Daley started on the left of midfield after returning from suspension.

The changes certainly seemed to ease the defensive insecurities that had plagued City during a disastrous second half at Shrewsbury and even though Forest continually probed, they made little headway.

Thornhill spurned a good early chance when he volleyed wide from the edge of the area, while Jon McLaughlin made a superb one-on-one save to deny Nathan Tyson after the striker had latched on to Lewis McGugan's through ball.

At the opposite end, Daley had his moments – especially when cutting in from the left onto his preferred right foot – but proved too wasteful, lashing one effort way wide after a sharp interchange with Moult.

Doherty did a decent job of pulling the strings in midfield, frequently showing impressive range and variety in his passing, and the lively Speight did his best to provide an outlet, yet found himself continually manhandled by the physically imposing Forest defence.

When the former Mansfield striker did get free, turning on Scott Neilson's header into the box, McGugan recovered just in time to block his goalbound volley.

Another possible Speight break was crudely halted by Joel Lynch but Steve Williams could only head over the bar from the resultant Luke O'Brien free-kick.

A minute later, City were behind. Forest swiftly moved the ball downfield and when Chris Cohen's left-wing cross evaded everyone in the penalty area, Thornhill waited patiently for it to drop before blasting a volley into the far corner.

The visitors dominated the remaining exchanges before the break, providing the catalyst for drastic change.

Taylor used all three substitutes at the break, introducing Simon Ramsden, Hanson and Syers, to facilitate a return to 4-3-3 and provide more to aim at up front.

It worked a treat, although City first had to endure an early scare when Tyson turned Williams inside the area before placing his shot narrowly wide of the left post.

With Hanson quickly putting himself about, it was clear the Forest defence were not going to have everything their own way and a flick-on from the big targetman provided the equaliser.

Speight reacted quickly and although his effort was half-blocked by Lee Camp, Syers made up a tremendous amount of ground to slam home from a tight angle.

Buoyed by their equaliser, City twice went close to a second. Speight was involved in both, providing the opening when Moult saw his shot blocked inside the box, before pulling an effort just wide himself.

Hearts were in mouths moments later when Forest substitute Dexter Blackstock cut in from the left to rifle a shot against the post.

The rebound fell kindly for Garath McCleary but his shot was blocked on the line by the well-placed Duff.

McLaughlin made a somewhat nervy save to deny Cohen in injury time, before Hanson headed over from O'Brien's free-kick as neither team was unable to prevent extra time.

Moult and Thornhill were both off target from promising positions in the first added period before City sensationally took the lead.

Speight was brought down inside the D by Lynch and when Ramsden's driven free-kick was saved by Camp, it caused chaotic scenes inside the area.

Williams had a close-range effort blocked but the ball broke to Hanson, who made absolutely no mistake.

McLaughlin made a stunning stop to deny Chambers and save City's bacon but they were otherwise comfortable in seeing out the remaining time.



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Taylor poised to reveal if trialist Syers has earned Bradford City contract
7:40am Thursday 12th August 2010
By Connor Murphy

David Syers will know his City fate by the end of the week.

The 22-year-old midfielder has been on trial at Valley Parade throughout the summer and did his chances of a permanent deal no harm with a goal-scoring appearance in Tuesday's Carling Cup win against Nottingham Forest.

An ankle injury suffered in last month's pre-season friendly at Canvey Island initially seemed to have scuppered Syers' hopes of an extended stay but Peter Taylor has been determined to give him a fair crack of the whip.

City's boss signed the former Farsley and Harrogate player on non-contract terms prior to the Forest game and was rewarded with an all-action performance.

But Syers is jostling for position in an already crowded engine room, with Michael Flynn expected back from injury soon to further bolster numbers.

"We said we'd make a decision by the end of the week but he hasn't done himself any harm tonight," said Taylor after the extra-time win against Forest.

"He's full of energy, he gets about, he makes those forward runs and he got a really important goal for us.

"He's been with us through all pre-season. He turned his ankle over in his first pre-season friendly, so that put him back a couple of weeks.

"But at the end of last week I said I wanted to look at him for one more week and he hasn't done anything wrong, to be fair."

Another summer arrival also caught Taylor's eye against Forest.

Jake Speight suffered a disrupted start to his City career after he was convicted of assault and initially jailed for 12 weeks, before the sentence was overturned on appeal.

But the £25,000 signing made a lively cameo as a late substitute against Shrewsbury last week and impressed throughout the full 120 minutes against Forest.

Taylor said: "He does things that you're not sure he's going to do. Once he gets the ball into his feet and he can get his back into defenders, he's quite a handful.

"I thought he got fouled quite a lot, to be honest, and there were a couple he never got.

"He's extremely determined to be a success here and he's actually working too hard at times. Once he gets the ball he just needs to calm down and he'll be fine."



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The opponents view ...

http://nffcblog.com/2010/08/10/lets-concentrate-on-the-league-2/

Bradford City – 2
Nottingham Forest – 1
(after extra time)
A combination of typical half-job Forest away from home, a bit of bad luck, some spirited opponents and Shilton-reborn in goal for the hosts sees Forest cup campaign over no sooner than it had begun.  With five players – four first teamers – missing through international call-ups, it forced Billy into numerous changes before we even consider injuries.
That's not to take anything away from the home side who responded positively after Peter Taylor gamely made all three of his substitutions at half time, and from just before the hour mark certainly took the game to Forest.  The Reds continued to make chances – but, alas, it wasn't to bear any fruit.  I think I'm right in saying that Dele as a late option when chasing a game is yet to prove effective.
Anyhow, six changes from the weekend's side, mostly enforced, saw the Reds looking something like this:

Camp
Chambers  Morgan  Lynch  Cohen
Moussi   McGugan
Thornhill
McCleary   Tyson    Anderson

Or something along those lines -  obviously with a reasonable amount of swapping and changing in midfield.  The game started pretty openly, and Thornhill provided an early warning after call work from Cohen and Anderson lead to the youngster volleyed just wide from the edge of the penalty area.
At the other end former-Stags striker Jake Speight was in a dangerous position, shooting from just outside the six yard box only for Lewis McGugan to throw himself in for the block.  Back on the attack, Lewis played a lovely throughball to Tyson whose run between two defenders saw him through on goal – only to see his effort saved by Jon 'Shilton' McLaughlin.
An eventful spell in the game for McGugan culminated in a decent curling effort from 30 yards, however it wasn't too troublesome for the Bantams keeper to save and hold.  It wasn't long to wait 'til the Reds could break the deadlock though – Cohen turned and put in a decent cross which found Thornhill who'd made a cracking run to unleash a volley across goal.
Forest had a good spell from now 'til half time – some nice play between Cohen and Thornhill culminated in a decent effort by Moussi from twenty yards, but it was just over the bar.  That pretty much heralded the half time break with the Reds looking relatively comfortable, but in possession of only the one goal lead, of course.
As mentioned above, Peter Taylor opted to use all three of his substitutions at half time – and had clearly told his team at the break to get stuck in more and stop giving the Reds so much time on the ball.  That said, Forest did start the second half well – Tys attempted an overhead kick which didn't quite work, but it caused mayhem in defence ending up with McGugan who struck well – only to be denied by the feet of McLaughlin.
Shortly after the 'keeper was on form again to deny Tyson after Paul Anderson had worked well to get him the shooting chance.  After a disappointing game against Burnley Tys seemed eager to prove himself, a great turn saw him with another shooting chance but this time it was off target (although not far off target).
Then came the suckerpunch – having either been denied by the excellent McLaughlin or missing their chances, Bradford capitalised when Luke Chambers played a ridiculous backpass behind Lee Camp, a three-way race between Camp, Lunch and Speight ensued – it was the Bradford striker who won the race, and ultimately it was Syers who scrambled the ball home to equalise for the home side.
This really picked up the home team, and they continued to attack – Wes needed to dive in to deny Moult.  Billy must've looked down his bench and cursed his lack of depth – forced to field the carrying-a-knock Dexter Blackstock, and Dele Adebola who replaced Anderson and McGugan.  I don't like to be mean, but Dele coming on when we're needing a goal just screams 'game over' to me.  I'd love him to prove me wrong.
Forest did make further chances – Tys compounded his bad luck by seeing a shot that finally defeated McLaughlin rebound from the post, McCleary was close to getting onto the rebound but Duff was on hand to get the ball clear.  The Reds kept on pressuring, but with little end product – and despite being injured the Bradford keeper was still able to deny Thornhill and Cohen as extra time loomed large.
So, extra time – the Reds started positively, Tys had a decent effort from the edge of the box but it was just over the bar.  Matty Thornhill was close too – but put his shot wide after Cohen's cross picked him out in the area.  Of course, it was never going to go all our way though, and Bradford were awarded a freekick after Joel Lynch hauled down a home player.
It was a decently struck effort by Ramsden which was well saved by Camp, a complicated rebound ended up with Hanson putting the ball in from close range to give Bradford the lead, and ultimately of course, the tie.  McKenna – another player carrying a knock – was brought on for the clearly-suffering-with-cramp Lynch, which saw a reshuffle putting McCleary at rightback and Chambers at centreback.
The home side continued to press – Speight turned brilliantly to get beyond both Chambers and Morgan, but the shot was ultimately a let down (or a let off), giving Camp an easy save.  A rare dangerous corner from Forest ended up with Chambers looking like he'd scored but for yet another excellent save from McLaughlin – the final chance falling to Blackstock whose shot gave the Bradford 'keeper his easiest save of the night.
All in all, a very familiar tale – we certainly had chances, or opportunities to make chances.  Final balls, shots, a bit of bad luck (woodwork) and some awesome goalkeeping denied us.  I guess that makes it not a disaster really – certainly we aren't the first team to get knocked out early by a lower-league team, and life goes on.
Frustrating though, isn't it?  I hope I'm writing something more cheerful come Sunday evening.


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