L2 L1-2 (H) Shrewsbury, March 26, 2011. K.O. 3:00PM.

Next fixture
L2 (A) Stevenage, April 2, 2011. K.O. 3:00PM.


Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html


Why did the game clash with the England v Wales game?

SHREWS FAILED TO PLAY BALL ON KICK OFF CLASH
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Bradford City have told fans they have no choice over clashing with the
England game on Saturday.

Their home match with Shrewsbury is the only league fixture with the same
3pm kick-off as England's Euro 2012 qualifier in Wales.

Shrewsbury rejected the chance to switch days and would only agree to a
lunchtime kick-off if City paid their bill for an overnight stay, an
estimated £2,000-3,000.

City also looked at moving the game back a couple of hours to 5pm but that
would have incurred significant extra policing costs.

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn said: "People always go to have a drink to watch
England games. For us to catch them after that, I can understand why the
police are a bit wary."

City must tread carefully following recent incidents of items being thrown
on the pitch. The Football Association are closely monitoring Valley Parade
crowd behaviour.

City anticipate a "ten per cent" drop in attendance, around 1,000 fewer
fans, because of the clash – although the high number of season-ticket
holders will limit losses.

Lawn added: "Obviously there will be fewer away fans but, to be fair, I
don't think they'd have come if it was a 1pm or 5pm kick-off.

"They might have come Friday night or on Sunday but Shrewsbury weren't
willing to play then. There's nothing we can do about it. It's got to be a
joint effort with both teams and we weren't prepared to pay that extra money
to play at 1pm."


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

Pictures


"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html

Links

BBC's end-of-season predictor.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/predictor/default.stm

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Match stats

Npower League Two
Bradford C (0) 1 Adeyemi 67
Shrewsbury (0) 2 Bradshaw 77, 87
Att: 10,735

Stats: Bradford C - Shrewsbury
Possession: 50 - 50%
Shots on target: 5 - 13
Shots off target: 6 - 1
Fouls: 11 - 15
Corners: 3 - 9

Ref: Peter Quinn
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Hanson (42 min).
Shrewsbury: Davies (51 min).

Bradford C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 15. Lewis Hunt, 12. Steve Williams, 23. David
Syers, 3. Luke O'Brien, 9. Gareth Evans, 4. Michael Flynn, 20. Tom Adeyemi,
11. Scott Dobie (88), 17. James Hanson, 10. Jake Speight (60).
SUBS: 40. Lenny Pidgeley (GK), 14. Leon Osborne (88), 22. Lee Bullock, 27.
Louis Horne, 28. Robbie Threlfall, 29. Darren Stephenson (60), 32. Dominic
Rowe.

Shrewsbury: 25. Benjamin Smith, 2. David Raven, 5. Ian Sharps, 6. Shane
Cansdell-Sherriff, 3. Mat Sadler, 23. Jon Taylor, 12. Nicky Wroe, 29. David
Davies, 7. Mark Wright (75), 9. Matt Harrold, 14. James Collins (74).
SUBS: 1. Chris Neal (GK), 8. Kevin McIntyre, 16. Lionel Ainsworth (75), 19.
Connor Goldson, 20. Craig Disley, 26. Kelvin Lomax, 34. Tom Bradshaw (74).

Position: 18th


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Saturday evening match report

By Simon Parker (T&A)

Wales got their own back at Valley Parade this afternoon as Welsh under-19
international Tom Bradshaw came off the bench to stun City.

Shrewsbury sub Bradshaw scored twice in the final 15 minutes to end Peter
Jackson's unbeaten three-game run.

Tom Adeyemi's thunderbolt had fired City in front but, as with their first
meeting on the opening day, Shrewsbury came from behind to win.

The scoreline was particularly harsh on Jon McLaughlin, who had pulled off a
string of fine saves to frustrate the promotion-hunting visitors.

The game took an age to crank into gear before James Hanson headed wide with
the first chance after 23 minutes.

Shrewsbury, who looked the more effective side, missed a glorious
opportunity to go in front four minutes later.

McLaughlin parried from Matt Harold and Mark Wright should have buried the
rebound. It looked a certain goal but the winger kept his shot low instead
of blasting it and the City keeper was able to pull off a fine save.

James Collins played Nicky Wroe through as half-time approached but the
midfielder's heavy touch allowed McLaughlin to block.

McLaughlin made another superb block just seconds after the break to tip
over from David Davis.

Peter Jackson gave Darren Stephenson his debut on the hour to replace the
ineffective Jake Speight.

But it was McLaughlin who kept City in it again four minutes later with a
one-handed save to his right to keep out Wright's header.

That became even more significant within two minutes as the home side
grabbed the lead. Luke O'Brien's free-kick was punched out by keeper Ben
Smith as far as Adeyemi to send it back with interest, thundering home a
half-volley from outside the box.

A third win in four was tantalisingly in sight but Shrewsbury hit back 13
minutes from time. Bradshaw had only been on two minutes when a throw-in was
flicked into his path and he blasted past McLaughlin from a tight angle.

Scott Dobie should have restored City's advantage but failed to convert a
close-range header.

And Shrewsbury made them pay in the 88th minute when Bradshaw grabbed his
second, shooting into the ground and over McLaughlin after Jon Taylor had
carved the defence open.

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Monday morning match report


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Stephenson called up by Bradford City
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Rookie striker Darren Stephenson will be on City's bench against Shrewsbury
on Saturday.

The 18-year-old has been given his chance by Peter Jackson after scoring in
the last two reserve games.

Jackson said: "He's a big, strong and physical lad and he has a certain
presence about him.

"Darren's inclusion will hopefully be the first of many players to come
through the youth ranks.

"With the help of David Wetherall and Peter Horne in the youth set-up, I
want to start bringing through more of the younger players into the first
team.

"Darren is just one of several that we have high hopes for. It is up to him
now to take his opportunity if and when it arises."

Second-year scholar Stephenson, who has been given the number 29 shirt, has
also netted four goals for the youth team.

---

Paul Farndale wrote
"Boy from Brazil has a good article comparing his situation with that of
Michael Boulding who also played in the match [Derby reserves]".

http://www.boyfrombrazil.co.uk/2011/03/differing-career-directions/

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SPOT-ON SPEIGHT GETS THE JOB FOR BANTAMS
By Simon Parker (T&A) (Mar 23rd)

Jake Speight has been confirmed as Bradford City's penalty-taker after his
successful spot-kick against Northampton.

Speight notched his first league goal for the club on Saturday, following
recent penalty misses by Gareth Evans and James Hanson.

Jackson wants to avoid any future arguments by nominating City's number ten
for the job.

He said: "All three strikers have had a go but Speight will be on pens now.
I thought he struck it really well.

"There was a little bit of pressure on him. We're in March and he had not
scored a league goal since being here and the referee made him replace the
ball (on the spot).

"But I was really pleased with the way he tucked it away and you could see
from his reaction how delighted he was."


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