NPower League Two
Bradford C (0) 1 Ellison 69
Wycombe (0) 0
Att: 10,987
Next fixture
L2 (A) Port Vale, Friday February 18, 2011. K.O. 7:45PM.
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
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Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2292518,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/9396426.stm (UK Only)
The goal (courtesy of Mike Harrison)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIEAYRb77m0
Links
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Match stats
Bradford C: 40. Lenny Pidgeley, 15. Lewis Hunt, 2. Simon Ramsden, 6. Luke
Oliver, 3. Luke O'Brien, 19. Jonathan Worthington (46), 4. Michael Flynn,
23. David Syers (66), 11. Scott Dobie, 17. James Hanson (18), 26. Kevin
Ellison.
SUBS: 1. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 9. Gareth Evans (18), 10. Jake Speight, 12.
Steve Williams (66), 16. Shane Duff, 20. Tom Adeyemi (46), 27. Louis Horne.
Wycombe: 1. Nikki Bull, 19. Marvin McCoy, 5. Dave Winfield, 23. Chris
Westwood (46), 21. Anthony Straker, 7. Gareth Ainsworth (62), 10. Matt
Bloomfield, 18. Stuart Lewis, 11. Kevin Betsy, 12. Ben Strevens, 20. Stuart
Beavon (75).
SUBS: 32. Steven Arnold (GK), 4. Alan Bennett (46), 9. Scott Rendell (62),
16. Jon-Paul Pittman, 17. Lewis Montrose, 22. Scott Donnelly, 29. Matt
McClure (75).
Stats: Bradford C - Wycombe
Possession: 53 - 47%
Shots on target: 2 - 3
Shots off target: 5 - 6
Fouls: 9 - 8
Corners: 3 - 3
Ref: Geoff Eltringham (Sunderland).
Yellow Cards:
Bradford C: None
Wycombe: Betsy (37 min.)
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Saturday evening match report
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Kevin Ellison became an instant City hero after clinching a vital victory
over Wycombe.
Just two days after replacing Omar Daley, the on-loan Rotherham winger
scored on his debut to settle a tense afternoon.
City's first win since January 3 eased them away from the relegation places
and took some heat of boss Peter Taylor.
City's average age shot up to 27 as Taylor made six changes and packed the
ranks with experience.
Michael Flynn, one of those older heads, was in the thick of it from the
start but the Bantams had an escape on 15 minutes when Chris Westwood's
header was kicked off the line by Luke O'Brien. Gareth Ainsworth's follow-up
was blocked in the goal-mouth.
The injury jinx that has plagued Taylor continued when James Hanson, who had
nearly scored from the game's first attack with a close-range flick, was
forced to limp out of the action early. He was followed off midway through
the second half by David Syers.
It was a dour opening 45 minutes but Wycombe were enjoying more of the ball
as time went on. They had a penalty shout ignored when Ben Strevens went
down under Lewis Hunt.
Lenny Pidgeley, preferred to Jon McLaughlin in goal, made a good save from
Stuart Lewis two minutes before the break.
City had a bit more about them after the re-start and the crowd, subdued
before then, roared into life. Tom Adeyemi's arrival had added some energy
to the home side.
Syers' departure in the 66th minute was another blow for City in a season
full of them but Valley Parade was sent into raptures three minutes later
when Ellison swept home O'Brien's cross.
Wycombe should have levelled when sub Matt McClure put a free header over.
City, though, stuck at it to put paid to the wretched recent run - and put
some much-needed daylight between them and the bottom two.
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Mike Harrison's entry on the BT web site "Life's a pitch".
With just one solitary point from the past 6 games and that was at league leaders Chesterfield 2 weeks ago, the arrival of 2nd placed Wycombe to Valley Parade last Saturday should not have held any fear for the mightily inconsistent Bantams. Because the one thing that is predictable about Peter Taylor's men are that given lowly opposition (Macclesfield, Accrington, Barnet and Lincoln) then of course they'll struggle. But when a promotion chasing side comes to visit, well the chances are City will perform. City's last home win was against promotion chasing Bury and now another highly placed side have left Valley Parade empty handed.
Peter Taylor made many changes to the side today with Pidgeley returning in goal and Flynn, Ramsden and Hunt all starting a game for the first time in months. Add to this the debuts of Scott Dobie and Kevin Ellison and this was a very different looking City side that lost at home to Lincoln 11 days ago. Injuries to James Hanson in the first half and then David Syers in the second further changed the line up and with Tom Adeyemi replacing Jon Worthington at half time there was no room to manoeuvre if any of the players making a comeback today were to succumb to lack of match fitness.
With the score at 0-0 at half time and having played a fairly defensive 4-5-1 formation, Taylor changed this to 4-1-2-2-1 if that is indeed an accepted formation. But it seemed to work as City dominated most of the second half and they were duly rewarded for their efforts when the fans man of the match Luke O'Brien sent over a swerving cross from the left which was perfectly met by the debutant Ellison at the far post. As the game neared its conclusion, once again City sat back and defended their slender one goal advantage, but this time thanks to some woeful Wycombe attempts on goal, the Bantams survived to claim all three points. Much to the relief of the long suffering home fans who went home happy to be a Bradford City fan for a change.
www.lifesapitch.co.uk
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Monday morning match report
Wing recruit urges new team-mates to show 110 per cent commitment in battle to win over fans
7:10am Monday 14th February 2011
By Simon Parker
City 1, Wycombe 0
It was the moment that proved City had found their stomach for the battle.
No, not the goal itself, though that was special enough as the excellent Luke O'Brien's cross was gleefully converted by new fans' favourite Kevin Ellison.
Rather it was the drop ball five minutes from the end as the collective nerves were jangling.
It has become a forgotten art in modern football. The one-on-one confrontation beneath the referee usually makes way for a gentleman's agreement over who's going to lump the ball towards the other side's goalkeeper.
But Ellison was having none of it. He convincingly won the face-off on halfway with Ben Strevens and then crunched his way through a follow-up challenge from Stuart Lewis, winning himself a foul in the process.
Valley Parade rose as one to cheer. A line had been drawn in the sand.
Ellison's first appearance had been just what it said on the tin. A healthy dollop of commitment and skill, mixed with a willingness to make it ugly and uncomfortable for the visitors.
Anyone still doubting Peter Taylor's assertion that the no-nonsense Rotherham winger was more suited to City's plight than the fleet-footed Omar Daley was won over by that thundering 50-50.
"The main thing about being a professional footballer is that you always give 110 per cent for the team," said Ellison afterwards.
"It's about hard work and that's what fans pay to see. I said to a few of the lads before the game that we need to get back to basics – be big, strong and in people's faces.
"The home crowd here are the best in the league. If they can get behind us and be the 12th man then we'll get out of this."
City's infuriating tendency to bloody the noses of the division's top dogs struck again; infuriating because they can't seem to do it to anyone below the top seven on a regular basis.
Just like Bury, their last win way back on January 3, Wycombe arrived at Valley Parade boasting one of the best away records with only two defeats from 12 on the road.
For much of a nondescript first half, that confidence was plain to see.
Taylor had packed the ranks with experience, as expected, but it was the oldest man on the field – 37-year-old Gareth Ainsworth – who possessed the surest touch during that opening period.
There were few incidents of note but Ainsworth had a goal-bound shot swallowed up after O'Brien had cleared off the line from Chris Westwood.
O'Brien put in another excellent shift at left back and linked well with Ellison all game. Dare we suggest that the youngster looked better for having a winger in front of him who was prepared to track back a lot more.
City's desire to get the result that had eluded them for the past six weeks was evident in many of Taylor's 'Dad's Army' line-up.
Scott Dobie, who along with Ellison took the tally of players for the season to 35, took a while to get up to speed. But his impact grew as the game wore on – and exemplified the spirit when tackling back in his own six-yard box to deny Strevens a certain tap-in.
Then there were the three long-term casualties all thrown in from the start. Michael Flynn had at least got three bench run-outs under his belt but Simon Ramsden and Lewis Hunt were straight in.
Ramsden, like Dobie, had some early rusty moments. Hunt, playing at centre half, escaped a convincing penalty shout but otherwise barely put a foot wrong.
The old heads at the back made a difference. City's average age had shot up to 27 with the six changes from the Lincoln collapse.
Lenny Pidgeley, who had celebrated that birthday last week, was the most surprising choice. Given Jon McLaughlin's form since his own recall, few would have expected his senior goalkeeping partner to get the nod.
But Pidgeley also did his bit with an athletic save from a Lewis half-volley a couple of minutes before the break. A goal then would surely have consigned City to another miserable afternoon.
Taylor used the half-time break to the maximum. Wycombe emerged from the tunnel a good five minutes before their hosts.
Jon Worthington was sacrificed so that Tom Adeyemi's younger legs could improve the tempo. Suddenly Ainsworth found himself with a lot less time and space to manoeuvre.
City's attack, which had looked toothless since James Hanson hobbled away in discomfort with an injured groin, began to find its edge.
Ellison was able to go on the front foot; Dobie was becoming a handful. City's belief grew and with it, the fans found their voice.
The loss of David Syers midway through the half was another hurdle that had to be negotiated. Ramsden slipped into midfield and Steve Williams, another straight off the sick bed, made his first appearance since that last win.
Three minutes later, the place exploded in relief. O'Brien collected Flynn's throw-in and whipped an inviting cross into the Wycombe goalmouth. Dobie strained but couldn't get there; Ellison, though, had followed it in all the way and delivered a confident finish.
Off came the shirt in a frenzied celebration; a personal dig at his mates who knock him for not scoring enough and a symbol to the Kop of the "all-in-it" togetherness of those on and off the pitch.
Hearts were in mouths when substitute Matt McClure looped a free header over City's bar. But Ellison then restored the collective nerve with that crunching drop ball.
He made a point of saluting all four sides of the ground at the final whistle. The fans were happy to stay behind and cheer him back.
Ellison's most significant contribution could turn out to be restoring that bond between the players and the crowd. Attendance: 10,897
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Taylor insists pressure is just as intense
8:10am Monday 14th February 2011
By Simon Parker
City's first win for six weeks is no reason to switch off, they were warned today.
Saturday's victory – the first since January 3 – stretched the gap between the Bantams and the second relegation spot to six points. They also have games in hand on the bottom two.
But Peter Taylor insists the spotlight remains just as intense on himself and the team.
He said: "No, the pressure is not off at the minute. We should be doing better than 34 points.
"We've got to start grinding out a few more results like that, then all of a sudden we'll have a bit more confidence and people will see how well we can play. They've seen it in certain games but not enough.
"You look at Wycombe, who are a really good team, have had good results, are working hard and that's why they are having a good season.
"We need to get a few more wins, then we can hopefully get to that level."
Kevin Ellison, Omar Daley's replacement from Rotherham, scored the only goal on a memorable debut and became an instant hit with the Valley Parade fans.
Taylor said: "I'm pleased for Kevin. Any player wants the supporters to like him and I'm sure they love him at the moment.
"He and Scott Dobie haven't had many starts lately and they showed great fitness. They've got to keep it going now.
"Kevin can score and he can cross it and I think he showed that. He got more of the ball second half and linked really well with Luke O'Brien – and he scored a tremendous goal."
But City's first win for seven games was blighted by more injury problems. Both James Hanson (groin) and David Syers (hamstring) are likely to be out until next month.
Taylor had only just brought back long-term casualties Simon Ramsden, Michael Flynn and Lewis Hunt to beef up the team's experience.
The City chief admitted: "The injury front hasn't been that kind to us. James didn't play against Wycombe down there and I really felt he would show them how strong he is in the air.
"It was a bit of a killer for us to lose him so early. Now he's going to be out for two or three weeks – and it's the same with Syers."
Taylor added: "I felt the more experienced players certainly helped the performance. The people who were playing their first game for a long time showed great character.
"I was happy to win in any way. We needed the three points and, looking at the other results, it was very important."
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Gillingham tickets on sale
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2292534,00.html?
Match tickets for the Bantams' trip to Gillingham are now on general sale from the Bantams Ticket Office.
Peter Taylor's men are scheduled to travel to the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday 5 March 2011.
The football club would like to inform supporters that the away section at the Priestfield Stadium is an UNCOVERED seating section.
Admission Prices:
Adults: £20
Senior Citizen: £16 (over 65)
Young Adult: £13 (16-21 yrs)
Juvenile: £9 (12-16)
Under 12: £6
Disabled: £20 (includes free carer) -
Supporters can also purchase tickets at Gillingham on the day although prices will be more expensive.
Admission Prices:
Adults: £23
Senior Citizen: £19
Young Adult: £16
Juvenile: £11
Under 12: £7
Disabled: £23
Further information on match tickets for this and away fixtures at Port Vale and Morecambe can be found by ringing the Ticket Office on (01274) 770012.
Away travel tickets are also on sale for City's trip to Gillingham priced at £30.00 each.
The official supporters' coach will depart from outside the Surridge Superstore at 9:00am prompt.
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Raise money for BCFC youth department.
From the Official BCFC Website…
EMMERDALE EXTRAS REQUIRED
Posted on: Fri 11 Feb 2011
The Bantams are on the lookout for hundreds of City fans to play extras in a
sequence on ITV1 soap Emmerdale.
The Yorkshire-based show will be filming part of a forthcoming episode at
the Coral Windows Stadium in early March and they require the help of around
200 Bradford supporters to bring the scene to life.
Filming will take place between 8:00am and 6:00pm on Wednesday 2 March 2011
and supporters would need to be available for the whole duration of this
period.
The club will be on hand though to provide a hot buffet lunch, plus tea's
and coffee's during the day.
Any City supporters who would like to be involved are kindly asked to
register their interest through the Bantams' Director of Operations, David
Baldwin, via davidbaldwin@the-bantams.co.uk.
Fans can also register an interest in taking part by ringing the football
club direct on (01274) 773355.
All fans involved must be 16 or over to take part and would need to be
dressed in the same attire that they would normally wear to a City fixture
(i.e. hat, shirts, scarves).
For every supporter who acts as an extra, Emmerdale have also kindly agreed
to donate £5.00 to the youth department at Valley Parade.
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CHILAKA ON LOAN TO HARROGATE TOWN
Striker Chibuzor Chilaka has joined Blue Square Bet North club Harrogate
Town on loan from NPower League Two neighbours Bradford City.
Chilaka, 24, a real powerhouse of a forward, started out with Rushden &
Diamonds' academy and then had spells with Notts County, Bridlington Town
and Leeds Carnegie before signing for Bradford City last August.
He recently signed a one-year contract with the Bantams but has been unable
to secure a regular berth in the first-team as he continues to learn his way
in professional football.
Earlier this season he spent a month out on loan with Evo-Stik League
Premier Division side Bradford Park Avenue.
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