Npower League Two
Accrington (0) 1 Amond 73
Bradford C (0) 1 Connell 83
Att: 3,010
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Stats: Accrington - Bradford C
Possession: 52 - 48%
Shots on target: 1 - 5
Shots off target: 3 - 4
Fouls: 5 - 11
Corners: 1 - 4
Ref: Trevor Kettle (Berkshire).
Yellow cards:
Accrington: Winnard (24')
Bradford C: Hanson (62')
ACCRINGTON: 25. Ian Dunbavin, 6. Dean Winnard, 2. Peter Murphy, 5. Aristote
Nsiala, 3. Michael Liddle, 4. Luke Joyce, 12. George Miller, 33. Romuald
Boco, 10. Will Hatfield 84', 24. Lee Molyneux 74', 23. Padraig Amond 85'.
SUBS: 22. Andrew Dawber, 7. Craig Lindfield 84', 8. Charlie Barnett 74', 9.
Karl Sheppard 85', 11. Aidan Chippendale, 15. Bohan Dixon, 18. Tom
Eckersley.
BRADFORD C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 2. Stephen Darby 67', 5. Andrew Davies, 6.
Luke Oliver, 3. James Meredith, 24. Nathan Doyle 77', 18. Gary Jones, 14.
Will Atkinson, 20. Zavon Hines 66', 9. James Hanson, 7. Kyel Reid.
SUBS: 12. Matt Duke, 10. Ross Hannah, 11. Garry Thompson 66', 16. Carl
McHugh, 17. Alan Connell 77', 23. Rory McArdle 67', 30. Scott Brown.
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Final whistle - match report
Alan Connell chose the perfect moment to break his City goal duck and rescue
a late draw at Accrington.
Connell came off the bench to level six minutes from time and earn the first
away point of the season at the third attempt.
It was also City's first goal at the Crown Ground since 2008 and ended a run
of three straight defeats on Stanley soil.
Phil Parkinson had switched to a 4-3-3 formation and the onus was on the two
wingers to work off James Hanson . That was certainly the case in a first
half when City were well on top without scoring. Kyel Reid fizzed an early
half-volley just over before Zavon Hines latched on to Hanson 's flick-on to
force Ian Dunbavin into a punching save.
Jon McLaughlin was back in the City goal and had an uncomfortable moment
from a poor backpass by Luke Oliver . But the visitors were asking the
questions and Gary Jones and Hanson combined to tee up Hines, who drove
against the far post with Dunbavin beaten.
Hanson should have broken the deadlock in the 26th minute but his hanging
header from a Hines cross was cleared off the line by Luke Joyce.
Accrington failed to muster a single shot on McLaughlin's goal in the first
half. The closest they managed was a lofted through ball from Lee Molyneux
that just eluded target Padraig Amond by the penalty spot.
George Miller shanked their first effort well wide three minutes after the
re-start but Stanley picked up their game. City did not look the same threat
as they had done before and Reid fired high over the away terrace.
Inevitably, Accrington's first shot on target broke the deadlock with 17
minutes left. Will Hatfield found room on the right wing to cross low and
Padraig Amond had a simple tap-in past McLaughlin.
Alan Connell was thrown on and nearly fashioned an equaliser after good work
in the box by Jones.
But he went one better with six minutes left. McLaughlin's long kick was
flicked on once again by Hanson and the sub latched on to it to beat
Dunbavin with a cool lob.
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When the dust settled - match report
Connell strike Crowns end to Bradford City hoodoo
6:10am Monday 10th September 2012
By Simon Parker
Accrington 1, City 1
The Crown Ground can hardly be mentioned in the same breath as the Etihad, Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford.
But to City, Accrington's cramped home has presented a challenge every bit as daunting as Premier League visitors find the more sumptuous surroundings of Manchester City, Chelsea or United.
Short hops along the M65 usually bring slim pickings – no goals and no points, in fact, since Peter Thorne completed that ultimate smash-and-grab for Stuart McCall's side in October 2008.
The fact that there are usually more away fans than home – and there were again on Saturday – tends to count for zilch as City and their travelling army trudge back over the border with a bloodied nose.
So let's be grateful for small mercies. This point could/should have been more but it did stop the rot, although it is now eight meetings since Yorkshire did last prevail in this unlikely war of the roses.
Substitute Alan Connell rightly got the plaudits for a measured finish six minutes from time but James Hanson earned his assist with the flick-on for his fellow striker.
If Hanson earned a tenner for every time he headed the ball, he would have left Stanley a millionaire. And as a veteran of the last three grim trips there, he knew how precious some reward – if only a draw – meant for all concerned.
"This is a tough place to come, as we've seen with Bradford over the years," said Hanson. "I thought it wouldn't be our day here again after we didn't take our chances in the first half and then got punished. It was bringing back memories of losing 1-0 last year. Thankfully the lads dug in and got a well-deserved equaliser.
"I'm pleased for the fans because the following was magnificent. They deserved a good performance for turning out like that again after spending their money at Rotherham to see us get beaten 4-0.
"Three-quarters of the ground were Bradford fans and it felt like a home game at times. I'm just a bit gutted we couldn't get a winner for them."
Connell has even more knowledge of the Accrington experience. This was his fifth trip, all with different clubs, and he had won the last two with Bournemouth and Swindon.
He was impressed with the City team's mindset after the drubbing at the New York Stadium the previous week.
Connell said: "For people like Zavon Hines, who've always played in the Premier League or Championship, it must be a bit of a culture shock. But I thought he was excellent and handled that really well.
"I'm used to coming to some grounds like this but it's 11 v 11 on the pitch and we applied ourselves really well as a team. A point away is never a bad result."
Connell must have felt a bit miffed not to get the starting nod when Nahki Wells was ruled out with hip trouble. Instead, Phil Parkinson opted to use Hanson as the lone targetman with the wingers playing off him in a 4-3-3 line-up.
The thinking behind the switch in formation was to deny Accrington the space in midfield to pass round City. He had noted how Cheltenham had fallen into that trap the previous game, with their two central men finding themselves outnumbered.
So Will Atkinson was added to the engine room and responded with his best performance for the club. Full of energy, he buzzed around to fill holes and helped stop the home midfield finding any flow.
Parkinson's boldest selection was the change of goalkeeper. Although Matt Duke could only be fingered for the last of Rotherham's four goals, the manager's "gut instinct" told him to go with Jon McLaughlin after a solid performance in a reserve friendly at Sheffield Wednesday.
Other than an uncomfortable moment with a lively backpass from Luke Oliver , McLaughlin had nothing to do in a first half that City dominated without finding that killer touch.
Hines, who looked very good for an hour before running out of steam, went the closest when he hit the post on the break after being set up by Hanson and Gary Jones.
Stanley skipper Luke Joyce also cleared off the line from Hanson, although the striker's header was aiming for Atkinson at the far post rather than going for goal.
The home side could not get into it and boss Paul Cook had almost lost his voice by the interval.
He changed tack at the break and Accrington went more direct, pumping long balls at Rommy Boco on the left wing. City, meanwhile, lost their way and began to concede ground without coming under serious attack.
In fact, the home side had only one shot on target all game – their goal after 73 minutes. Will Hatfield was played in behind James Meredith and his low cross was swept in by Padraig Amond.
Once again, City were contemplating the miserable prospect of leaving empty-handed despite a display that Parkinson felt was "light years" better than the previous week.
He summoned Connell from the bench and went with two up top – or four in effect, with Kyel Reid and Garry Thompson, the replacement for Hines, on either flank.
Connell, desperate to make his mark at the club, grabbed the chance with a calculated strike within seven minutes of joining the fray.
It was classic route one in the build-up as McLaughlin's thump forward was inevitably helped on by the bonce of Hanson.
But there was nothing basic about the finish as the ball sat up perfectly for Connell to lob Ian Dunbavin with the outside of his boot.
The away end – and sides – were ecstatic as the scorer threw himself on the ground right in front of them. For many of those losing their heads on the terrace, this was an outpouring of four years of frustration.
There was still time for it to get even better. Sensing blood, City poured forward in search of a second and Connell nearly had it, landing the ball on top of the net from a Jones free-kick.
Another ten minutes and maybe that late flurry would have paid off. Instead, City had to settle for a share of the spoils – but at least they are off the mark on the road. And given the way matches at Accrington usually pan out, a point should not be sniffed at.
Parkinson said: "I'm delighted with the way we came back after conceding the goal. When you get beaten like we did last week, it can be a setback in confidence so early in the season.
"I thought the response was outstanding and I'm delighted for Alan. It's so important for strikers that they get off and running and he took his goal really well. He's got class, there's no doubt about that."
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Bradford City ticket notice
10:00am Wednesday 12th September 2012
City fans attending the Capital One Cup third-round tie with Burton are being asked to keep their ticket stubs from the game.
With the winner on September 25 going through to the last 16, there is a strong chance they will be drawn against top-flight opposition.
In case of limited tickets for an away game at a Premier League side, fans with stubs from the Burton match would get priority if City go through.
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Connell leveller stakes claim for Bradford City starting berth
7:20am Monday 10th September 2012
By Simon Parker
Alan Connell believes his City equaliser can be the first goal of many – but has promised to bide his time for a proper chance.
Connell came off the bench to earn a point at Accrington, opening his scoring account in style with a sublime lob.
He had only been on the pitch for seven minutes – and strengthened his case for a full game against Barnet next weekend.
The former Swindon top scorer has started only once in the league so far. Even though Nahki Wells was ruled out with a hip injury, he was named a substitute again on Saturday as Phil Parkinson changed City's formation.
But Connell, who spent most of last season in an impact role under Paulo Di Canio, insists he will abide by the manager's wishes.
"Of course I want to play more minutes but it's up to me to be playing well to do that," he said.
"We changed shape and went one up front and the gaffer thought James Hanson suited that best. We've got a good squad and everybody accepts the decisions.
"You've got to respond in the right way and show how much you want to play. I'll always do my best for the club whenever called upon and hopefully the goal was a nice reminder."
Parkinson, who also ditched goalkeeper Matt Duke for Jon McLaughlin , admitted it has been tough for the players on the sidelines.
The City chief said: "We've got a few. Ross Hannah is unlucky not to have been in first-team action so far because his pre-season form was good and he was terrific in the two reserve games we've had.
"Thommo (Garry Thompson) ideally wants to play up front, challenging Hanson for that position, and it's good to have that competition. You've got to let your football do the talking as Alan did."
Connell, who had also netted for the reserves at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, added: "We're a few games into the season now so it was good to get that first goal.
"Most importantly, it was a goal that meant something to the team and helped get us a point.
"It was lovely to score in front of our fans. We had great support at Rotherham last week and we disappointed them.
"So to score like that, when there were so many there, was great and hopefully I can get many more this season.
"I scored a similar one for Grimsby a couple of years ago. It dropped to me nicely and as soon as it left my foot, I knew it was in.
"I thought we kicked on well after a dodgy spell just after half-time and looked like scoring a winner. Our fitness showed and was good at the end."
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Evans given six-game ban
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1155511?cc=5901
Rotherham United manager Steve Evans has been given a six-match stadium ban and fined £3,000 by the Football Association.
Evans was found guilty of "using abusive and insulting words and behaviour towards a participant in or around the dressing room area'' when in charge of Crawley following a heated League Two clash at Bradford on March 27.
Five players were sent off after a post-match brawl - Andrew Davies, Luke Oliver and goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin for Bradford with Crawley duo Pablo Mills and Claude Davis also seeing red.
An FA statement read: "Following an Independent Regulatory Commission held on Wednesday 5 September 2012, Rotherham United manager Steve Evans has been given a six-match stadium ban and fined £3000.
"Mr Evans was charged with using abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards a participant in or around the dressing room area at the end of the Bradford City versus Crawley Town Football League Two fixture on 27 March 2012.
"It was further alleged that the breach included a reference to gender, a breach of FA Rule E3(2). Mr Evans denied the charge and requested a personal hearing.
"The Commission found that Mr Evans had used abusive and insulting words and behaviour towards a participant in or around the dressing room area at the end of the fixture which did include a reference to gender. The Commission did not find that Mr Evans had used indecent words or behaviour.
"Mr Evans has informed The Football Association that he does not wish to appeal the decision and therefore the sanction is now imposed with immediate effect.
"The stadium ban will prevent Mr Evans from attending the ground at which Rotherham United's first team are playing at any time during a match day.''
Evans expressed his disappointment at the decision but added in a statement: "For the good of Rotherham United I accept the verdict and will move on with no further comment.''
A club statement read: "Rotherham United acknowledge the decision of the FA today and will work closely with Steve Evans to ensure the penalty imposed does not affect our objectives for this season.
"The club wishes to stress that there will be no further comment on this matter.''
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