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Signings, Loans and Injuries
Contract extension
Ross Hannah, to summer 2013
Nahki Wells, to summer 2013
Injuries
David Syers, James Hanson and Simon Ramsden are all back in training
Craig Fagan, hamstring, day to day.
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Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
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BBC highlights (uk only)
Match stats
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Match report
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9573291.print/
Just as Bradford City look all set to end long-running hoodoo, up pops sub to cancel out Wells opener
6:30am Wednesday 7th March 2012
By Simon Parker
City 1, Accrington 1
So the Accrington Stanley curse continues beyond John Coleman.
With Coleman, so often their nemesis, no longer in the opposition dugout, City had hoped to put this longest running of jinxes to bed.
But an equaliser in added time made it five straight draws at Valley Parade for Phil Parkinson's side and the fourth successive 1-1 at home to
Accrington.
Paul Cook carried on where Coleman had left off by thwarting Bantams ambitions – and the game boiled over after their late leveller, with Jamie
Devitt and the Accrington coaching staff stirring up his old team and the fans.
Their reaction was completely over the top, jumping around and gesticulating wildly in front of the City bench before turning to taunt the
supporters in the main stand.
History was against the Bantams on a night that marked the 50th anniversary of the blackest episode in Accrington's past.
It was exactly half a century since the day when they were forced to resign from the Football League in financial ruin.
And even longer to find the last time City beat Accrington at home - October 1955.
Accrington had claimed two wins and three draws from Valley Parade visits under Coleman's command, the last three seasons all finishing in the
same deadlock. In fact, City had not won any of their last six meetings, either home or away.
Luke Oliver was the only City player who had started the defeat at the Crown Ground in August and there were just two Stanley survivors.
Craig Fagan's tight hamstring presented an unwelcome late selection poser for Parkinson, who opted to pair Deane Smalley with Nahki Wells in
attack. There was better injury news at the back, where Marcel Seip had recovered from his twisted ankle.
And the Dutchman had to be sharp on his toes to clear an early Accrington threat from Padraig Amond as the defence reacted slowly to a through
ball.
Wells won two free-kicks in promising positions for City but both were driven straight into the wall.
It was Accrington – and a familiar face – who had the night's first chance as Devitt reacted first to Kevin McIntyre's throw-in in the box but
lashed across goal.
Smalley nearly put Wells in but City had not managed to warm the crowd with any goal-mouth action in the opening quarter.
Accrington, though, threatened on the counter as Peter Murphy timed his run perfectly to take Craig Lindfield's pass in his stride as he burst
into the penalty area. But his touch was heavy and Jon McLaughlin was able to make the block.
City hit straight back with Smalley finding Wells at the near post but his shot on the turn deflected wide off Tote Nsiala.
The visitors were getting some joy on City's right and Devitt dispossessed Rob Kozluk too easily near the byline before Luke Joyce fired high and
wide. Then Lindfield's on-target drive was headed out by Andrew Davies.
Devitt was looking an influential figure against the club where he played nine times in the first half of the season and bypassed Kozluk again
before shooting wide.
City's right back got forward to skew an effort of his own off target and Smalley showed a good turn of pace to break but his final ball for
Wells was poor.
Smalley did get it right with a smart volley after Wells chested down to force the game's first save – and a decent one it was low to his right –
out of Lee Nicholls. Accrington then had the ball in the net but the flag was up for offside before Charlie Barnett hammered over McLaughlin.
But City's keeper made sure the ball stayed out when it mattered, showing superb reactions to deny McIntyre's inswinging free-kick. McLaughlin
must have seen it late when it was whipped in through a crowd of players but just managed to turn it round the post.
The game had finally found some life as half-time approached and Kyel Reid was twice denied his first home City goal. The winger's shot was well
blocked by Nicholls before centre half Michael Liddle threw his body in the way to keep out the rebound.
But City made the vital breakthrough five minutes into the second half. Reid began the move on halfway, dodging through three tackles to work the
ball from one side of the pitch to the other.
Lee Bullock clipped a pass over the top for Wells to use his pace and the Bermudian cut inside McIntyre before thumping a left-foot drive in off
the underside of the bar.
The relief around Valley Parade was evident, although hearts were quickly in mouths when Reid miskicked trying to clear from defence and then
tripped Lindfield, who had picked off the loose ball. The foul looked perilously close to being inside the area but referee Phil Gibbs gave the
free-kick rather than a penalty.
Ricky Ravenhill's pull on Devitt on the halfway line proved costly as the stand-in skipper was shown his tenth yellow card of the season. It
means he is now banned for the Oxford and Wimbledon games.
City almost forced a second goal as Davies got on the end of Kozluk's deep free-kick but his header was straight into the arms of Nicholls.
The home side attacked again as Reid teased right back Danny Coid before opting to shoot instead of cross and warming the keeper's hands at the
near post.
Cook made a double switch in an attempt to get Accrington going again – and Devitt's departure was greeted with ironic cheers from the City fans.
Smalley was forced wide as City broke again and Nicholls came out to meet him and smother the shot. The on-loan Oxford man had put in a good
shift as Fagan's understudy.
Accrington were furious when City played on while Kurtis Guthrie lay on the ground after a challenge with Luke Oliver. Reid and Wells linked well
on the halfway line to send the winger scampering away but the ball took a horrible bobble and his cross lofted into the Kop.
Stanley's frustration was clear in Liddle's ugly lunge on Ravenhill, which earned him a booking. But they were still in the game and Seip was at
full pelt to rob the pacy Micah Evans on the break.
Smalley boiled over after being caught late on the touchline by Nsiala, jumping straight up to grab the big defender before other players raced
over. Both players were carded.
It was Smalley's last involvement and he was replaced by Ross Hannah, going off to a well-deserved ovation after his best performance in a City
shirt.
Hannah thought he should have had a penalty straight away from Liddle's challenge but Gibbs was unmoved by the appeals.
But there was a twist to come in the four minutes of stoppage time. McIntyre whipped in a corner and substitute Will Hatfield volleyed in low
from ten yards out.
The equaliser sparked wild celebrations among the Accrington bench and they spilled on to the edge of the pitch, with Devitt in the thick of
things in front of the City dugout.
And City assistant boss Steve Parkin had to be restrained after something was said by one of the opposition.
Attendance: 9,379
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Bradford City extend Hannah contract
1:34pm Thursday 8th March 2012
By Simon Parker
City are extending Ross Hannah's contract by another year.
The club have exercised an option to keep the former non-league striker, whose deal was due to run out in the summer.
Phil Parkinson said: "Ross has done very well in his first year at this level. He's improving all the time."
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Bradford City boss Phil Parkinson buoyed by return of key trio
8:10am Thursday 8th March 2012
By Simon Parker
City have been handed a treble boost for Oxford's visit to Valley Parade on Saturday.
David Syers, James Hanson and Simon Ramsden are all back in training with the squad today.
And providing none suffer any adverse reaction, the fit-again trio could be in contention to face Chris Wilder's in-form side.
Syers has missed the last three games with a back problem and his return would be timely as Ricky Ravenhill begins his ban.
Hanson has been out for a month due to a torn adductor muscle and could be a straight swap for Deane Smalley, who is ruled out due to the terms
of his loan, while Ramsden's tight calf has kept him sidelined since the win at Torquay.
Phil Parkinson is optimistic that help is at hand as City's March marathon of matches continues at full pace.
He said: "We need them back and obviously Hanson and Syers are goalscorers.
"They all trained hard on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for today. We're putting on a session for them and if they get through that okay then
they'll all be considered for the weekend."
City are also hoping that Craig Fagan's hamstring will calm down after he had to pull out of the 1-1 draw with Accrington.
With such a heavy current workload, Parkinson would love to have a full complement of players to choose from.
"Any time we can get any cohesion, it's been disrupted by three or four changes," admitted his number two Steve Parkin.
"That's happened every game.
"You've got Hanson, Flynn, Syers and Fagan on the sideline. They are key members of the squad to be missing, especially in a month where there
are a load of games.
"It was a late call on Fages the other night but Deane came in and worked tirelessly. I thought the front two were a threat and worked hard for
their opportunities."
City have drawn five at home on the bounce, equalling a run under Colin Todd in February 2006. But Parkin believes the impending arrival of a
team beaten only once in their last 15 outings could be the spark needed.
He added: "It's a good game for us. Oxford are doing well and are obviously a good side. But you've seen we've done well against the top teams.
Torquay and Shrewsbury spring to mind where we've put in really good performances.
"We've just got to make sure the lads are rested and hopefully we'll have a few coming back from injury. We want to meet Oxford head on.
"There are going to be lots of ups and downs at this stage of the season and others are certainly getting dragged into it (at the bottom).
"It's a matter of staying strong and focused. Concentration is key, especially with two, three or four minutes to go.
"That slipped again on Tuesday so we've got to make sure we're right next time."
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From the official BCFC website.
CITY TAKE UP WELLS OPTION
Bradford City boss Phil Parkinson has confirmed that the Bantams are to
extend Nahki Wells' contract to keep the striker at the Coral Windows
Stadium for next season.
Wells' contract was due to expire in the summer after joining the club last
July but City will now exercise the extra year option that was in place in
the Bermudian's original deal.
This encouraging piece of news for City supporters comes only a day after
the Bantams chose to also extend the contract of fellow striker Ross Hannah
in the same fashion.
The Bermudian international has become of the Bantams' main attacking
threats in recent months since breaking into the side towards the end of
last year.
Wells has scored seven goals this season so far - including five in his last
thirteen appearances - to leave him currently sitting second in City's
scoring charts.
"We have taken up the option on Nahki's deal following on from doing the
same with Ross yesterday," said Parkinson.
"Nahki is a player that is improving all the time and we are really pleasing
with his recent efforts.
"He knows that he must keep working hard to improve himself as a player but
he is an exciting young talent and we are enjoying working with him."
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