Npower League Two
Bradford C (1) 3 Seyers 32, Hendrie 74, Hanson 87
Cheltenham (1) 1 Low 7
Att: 10,537
Next fixture
L2 (a) v Burton A. Sat Oct 23rd 2010 K.O. 3pm
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
http://www.ctfc.com/page/GalleryIndex/0,,10434,00.html
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
===========================
Match stats
Stats: Bradford C - Cheltenham
Possession: 58 - 42%
Shots on target: 5 - 2
Shots off target: 11 - 5
Fouls: 6 - 7
Corners: 7 - 1
Ref: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Doherty (28 min.)
Cheltenham: Pack (88 min.)
Bradford C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 26. Reece Brown, 29. Oliver Gill, 12. Steve
Williams, 3. Luke O'Brien, 23. Dave Syers, 8. Tommy Doherty (82), 11. Lee
Hendrie, 14. Leon Osborne, 17. James Hanson (90), 7. Omar Daley (46).
SUBS: 13. Lloyd Saxton (GK), 5. Zesh Rehman, 6. Luke Oliver, 10. Jake
Speight, 19. Louis Moult (90), 22. Lee Bullock (82), 30. Jason Price (46).
Cheltenham: 1. Scott P Brown, 2. Keith Lowe, 5. Andy Gallinagh, 22. Steve
Elliott, 3. Danny Andrew, 17. Theo Lewis (54), 7. Michael Pook (45), 24.
Marlon Pack, 8. Joshua Low, 11. Brian Smikle, 10. Jeff Goulding.
SUBS: 12. Daniel Lloyd-Weston (GK), 14. John Melligan, 16. Kyle Haynes, 18.
Jake Lee, 20. Frankie Artus (45), 21. Shaun Jeffers (54), 23. Robin Shroot.
===========================
Saturday evening match report
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Bradford City left Valley Parade to a standing ovation after coming from
behind to beat Cheltenham 3-1.
Second-half strikes from acting skipper Lee Hendrie and James Hanson made it
back-to-back wins.
The Bantams were good value for the victory as confidence soared through the
side. They were unrecognisable from the team that has stuttered through so
many home games.
City's first-half display was the best 45 minutes they had produced all
season. But somehow they only went in level.
From the start, there was a buzz about the home side's display with Hanson,
in his first start since the end of August, twice forcing saves from keeper
Scott Brown.
But it was Cheltenham who stunned Valley Parade by taking the lead from
their first attack. City were caught ball-watching as Josh Low whipped an
early shot past Jon McLaughlin.
To their credit, City cleared their heads and came again.
More chances followed and they were rewarded with a 32nd-minute equaliser,
David Syers heading home his third City goal after great persistence from
Luke O'Brien.
Amazingly, it was City's first first-half goal since August 14.
Jason Price came on for the second half after Omar Daley went off with a
groin problem.
Cheltenham had survived the storm and it took City another 20 minutes to win
a corner.
But the breakthrough their overall control deserved finally arrived with 15
minutes left.
Reece Brown's early cross was turned back into the danger zone by Leon
Osborne. Price steered a header across goal where Hendrie turned it home
with a neat overhead from close range. It was Hendrie's first goal since
January 2009.
And City made sure of the points when Hanson drilled home from 25 yards
three minutes from the end.
Peter Taylor had promised a reward for the home fans -and his players
certainly delivered.
===========================
Monday morning report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8457687./
Hendrie a hit as captain in rousing win for Bradford City
8:10am Monday 18th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Bradford City 3 Cheltenham 1
When Lee Hendrie trudged off to be subbed at Barnet last week, Peter Taylor met him with an arm around the shoulder
and a pep talk.
The midfielder was miffed to be missing out as City got the ball rolling in their recovery bid.
But Taylor picked him up with some timely words of encouragement.
Hendrie said: "I was a bit disappointed coming off but the gaffer felt I'd had a lot of games and needed a
breather. And then he said how he really fancied me to score next week ..."
Taylor's prediction proved absolutely spot on as Hendrie broke a goal duck dating back to January 2009.
But there was one surprise the player didn't see coming – the captain's armband.
Hendrie became City's fifth skipper in a dozen league games, though it was a first in his career.
He said: "I don't think I've ever been the skipper before. It was just nice to put the armband on and to get a
result made it even better.
"But we're all leaders out there. I've got a winning record as the captain now and hopefully I'll stick with that.
"Everyone's been cheesed off with not getting results but this was waiting to happen. We could have had six or
seven.
"I'm pleased for the team and for the gaffer because there were a few doubters. People were looking for someone to
blame.
"It was just a case of getting everyone together and get the place buzzing again."
And what a way for Hendrie to open his City account, breaking the stalemate with a well-placed overhead kick just
at the point when it seemed that Cheltenham might sneak into the night with the most fortunate of draws.
Debutant Jason Price cushioned Leon Osborne's chip across goal and there was Hendrie waiting to pounce with a
classy finish over his shoulder.
"It was a big weight off my shoulders," he admitted. "The chance I missed against Morecambe early on has been on my
mind.
"I've been close the last few weeks with little bits around the box but I was just waiting for that next chance.
But as soon as it was in the net, I was looking round to see if it was offside or anything.
"We needed to score and I was absolutely made up."
It was a special moment in an afternoon full of them.
Taylor had told the players it was time they rewarded the Valley Parade faithful – and how they responded.
This was light years away from the tepid efforts the fans have suffered in previous home games.
What a difference a couple of weeks, a few goals and a win or two can make. Suddenly those who were penning
Taylor's managerial obit are left thinking again.
The first back-to-back wins of the season have only moved City up to 19th but they now sit a point closer to the
play-offs than the relegation places!
For 90 minutes, City finally looked like the side so strongly tipped by the bookies. There were positives
everywhere.
Even the shock of going a goal down to Cheltenham's first shot refused to dampen the enthusiasm and desire.
City had come storming out of the blocks – only to find themselves trailing by the seventh minute.
A couple of chances had already passed by when right back Keith Lowe's long pass glanced off Oliver Gill and
dropped in the home box. Reece Brown made the only blot on his encouraging display when he was slow to track Josh
Low and the visitors had sneaked the lead.
It was the sixth time City had conceded the first blow. The previous five times had all led to defeats.
But the players – and fans – were not cowed. Heads were cleared, chins raised and City continued to set a high
tempo.
James Hanson had been preferred to Price up front and he added a huge presence going forward. Taylor hoped to get
an hour out of his first start for nearly two months; the big man lasted virtually the whole lot and saved the best
until last by whipping in the third goal to clinch the points.
Hanson twice threatened in a first half which saw 13 City attempts on goal. The very least they deserved was an
equaliser on 32 minutes.
Zesh Rehman had made way to accommodate Brown's return. And maybe had Shane Duff been fit to face his old club,
Luke O'Brien's place could have been under threat. But if there's one individual who has played with the conviction
and consistency that has generally proved so elusive in the opening couple of months, it's the local lad on the
left.
O'Brien's enthusiasm for the job was summed up by the way he would not give up on the ball on the Cheltenham
byline, took it past the stumbling Lowe and then crossed for David Syers to restore his position as top scorer with
a diving header.
Syers' late inclusion after Tom Adeyemi turned an ankle in training was equally justified. Time and again he
provided the legs and energy to complement the guile of Hendrie and the excellent Tom Doherty at the heart of
City's play.
Doherty demonstrated the full range of his passing skills and also tracked back with a perfectly-timed lunge on Low
when Cheltenham made a rare foray into the home box.
The crowd were on their feet to applaud City off at half-time. When did that last happen?
The question was whether the home side could complete their first come-from-behind win since beating Barnet in
April.
Price replaced the injured Omar Daley for the second half as Taylor went big and bigger up front.
The Welshman held the ball up well – Taylor reckoned he had improved since they last worked together at Hull in
2006 – and it was his cushioned header which led to Hendrie's decisive strike with 15 minutes left.
Price could immediately have had one of his own with a dink over the keeper and Syers volleyed narrowly wide as
Scott Brown plunged to his left post.
But the last word fell to Hanson. Again Price started it with a controlled lay-off, then it was all down to last
year's top scorer. One touch, two, then three engineered enough space to whip in a 20-yarder early which Brown
never saw.
Cue another richly-deserved standing ovation and suddenly the next game can't come soon enough.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8457670./
'Brilliant' Bradford City fans earn round of applause from Taylor
7:40am Monday 18th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Peter Taylor felt the fans should take as much credit as his team for City's best display of the season.
The Bantams made it two wins on the bounce after coming from behind to beat Cheltenham 3-1 at Valley Parade.
Goals from David Syers, Lee Hendrie and James Hanson sealed their first comeback victory in the league since April.
Taylor praised the huge contribution from off the field as well as on it and hopes that a corner may have been
turned with the supporters.
"We're absolutely desperate to make it a great relationship where our players want to play well in front of the
fans and I think that happened.
"I can applaud the players and also the supporters for that. They made it a good place for our players to play,
which is terrific.
"The reaction from the supporters when (Cheltenham) scored was absolutely brilliant. They didn't go mad; they
lifted us.
"Thankfully for us, the players had the same reaction. They weren't going to let that goal mess us up and were
determined to get the win."
Jason Price came off the bench as Taylor gave Hanson his first start since August 27. The targetman had only played
five minutes at Barnet last week and Taylor was amazed he lasted a full game.
He added: "We never dreamt James would have 90 (minutes) and I probably thought we'd get an hour out of him.
"Some of the things he did showed that was still a little bit out of touch but the headers he won were very good
and he did well.
"We spoke about getting the ball wide, getting some crosses in and bodies into the box and playing with tempo. I
think the boys carried that out brilliantly."
Hendrie's goal was his first for two seasons and crowned his display as stand-in skipper.
Taylor added: "I made him captain because he was the most experienced player we'd got.
"We'd run out of captains a little bit and the staff felt it was right for him.
"When I brought him in, I was hoping he'd been exactly the same as he was when he played for the (England)
Under-21s. To be fair, his ability and knowledge is exactly the same.
"Lee is a very clever player round the box. He's still hungry and hasn't come here just for a little holiday – he's
come here to do well.
"He's got that smile around the place and is always good to work with."
City will today check on Omar Daley's groin problem which forced him off at half-time.
===========================
FA CUP DRAW ON SUNDAY
The draw for the FA Cup first round will be made on Sunday, 24th October,
2010.
The draw will be shown live during a special FA Cup programme on ITV1
between 12:30 and 1:30PM.
The final qualifying round will take place this Saturday.
The 48 League One and Two teams will be joined by 32 non-league sides.
This season's FA Cup contest marks the 100th since Bradford City won the
competition in 1911.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8459126./
Daley groin injury not serious, says Bantams boss Taylor
7:40am Tuesday 19th October 2010
By Simon Parker
Omar Daley has been given the all-clear to run Burton ragged.
The Jamaican did not appear for the second half of City's win over Cheltenham after feeling a pain in his groin.
But Peter Taylor has dismissed any fears that Daley could be joining the Valley Parade casualty list.
Taylor said: "It's not serious and he was feeling better after the game.
"But you can't take a chance when it's a strain like that. It's like a sprinter, who has got to be confident in
himself.
"If Omar had any negative thoughts in his head about his groin then he would only be going half pace in the second
half. There's no point in that."
Daley has been employed in a free role up front for the last two games – which have seen City turn the tables with
a maximum six-point haul.
Taylor believes the licence to roam can bring out the best in a player who can thrill and frustrate in equal
measure.
"I was pleased with him on Saturday," added the City boss. "He started making runs without the ball behind people,
which causes defenders all sorts of problems.
"Omar is so flippin' quick and if he can start adding that to his game then he will be even more of a threat.
"He's got to start doing that a bit more and he knows that. We all know about the end product and I want to start
seeing him sprinting at goal."
Tom Adeyemi has also recovered from the twisted ankle which forced him to miss the weekend's success.
Taylor said: "There was a little bit of a chance of him playing. We could have taken the risk and started him but
felt it was right to play David Syers, and he looked very good.
"It's given me a problem now but it's a good one to have."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/8458745./
Syers: Bantams fans gave us confidence to go out an express ourselves
8:50am Tuesday 19th October 2010
By Simon Parker
It was the most enjoyable training session David Syers has known.
So much for the pressure of playing at home!
The midfielder compared the Valley Parade atmosphere on Saturday with a good session at Apperley Bridge. But with
over 10,000 people watching to cheer you on.
Syers echoed Peter Taylor's sentiments about the huge part the City fans played in the most convincing performance
of the season.
"There was a hush round the ground when we went a goal down," he said. "Then you heard the fans start clapping and
encouraging us.
"It could have gone the other way with the fragile confidence we've had but that reaction was great and helped us
all.
"There's a different feeling when you play with a smile on your face and knowing that 10,000 fans are behind you is
unbelievable.
"When confidence is high and people are enjoying what they're doing, everyone's showing for the ball. You've got
options every time you get the ball and nobody's hiding.
"It feels so much like a training session. It's so much fun to be knocking it around and you can try things knowing
they'll come off."
Having learned his trade along the unglamorous route of Farsley Celtic, Ossett Town and Harrogate Town, the novelty
of an expectant City crowd will take a long time to wear off.
Syers admits he still has to pinch himself at times.
"Some of the moments when there's a lull in play, you just hear that crowd and it gives you such a lift. For
someone who's used to playing in front of 200 or 300, it's a completely different world," he said.
"It takes your breath away a bit and gives you that extra ten per cent to keep going.
"I haven't had a lot of game time in the last few weeks and was definitely feeling it towards the end. But you
don't stop running when you've got that many fans behind you."
Syers sparked the City fightback when he headed home Luke O'Brien's cross from a trademark late dash into the box.
With three goals to his name now, he once again tops the scoring pile as his reputation for popping up with big
goals continues to grow.
He added: "The gaffer's always telling me to get in the box and it's something I pride myself on as a midfielder.
"OB did great work down the left, beat his man and I couldn't really miss. "I used to chip in with goals when I was
younger but as I came into the men's game, I hadn't had my growth spurt so I was put at right back.
"I've moved back to where I was as I've grown into the game.
"I've always looked to score goals and it seems the higher I play and with the quality of people you're playing
with, those runs get rewarded more."
Syers' display will give Taylor food for thought ahead of the Burton trip, with Tom Adeyemi fit again after
recovering from a twisted ankle. It's a welcome conundrum to decide between two energetic players on form.
Syers said: "I know my body took a bit of time to adjust to playing full-time football. I had a couple of knocks
and illnesses as you get used to it.
"But I'm feeling stronger now and more confident to get on the ball and try things that I wouldn't have done in the
past.
"At first, you don't want to be the one to make a mistake and give it away, so you do the simple thing every time
and pass the buck on to someone else to take responsibility.
"But the more I'm playing, the more I feel I can get involved in the play."
===========================
===========================
Jason Price
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Price
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=9299
Radio Leeds interview
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/9085913.stm
===========================
Zesh in Guardian
Good piece featuring Zesh talking about his Foundation in the Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/oct/13/zesh-rehman-football-asian-community
===========================
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