FAC1(R) W3-3 AET (4-3pens) (H) Northampton Town Tuesday November 13, 2012. K.O. 7:45PM. #bcafc

FAC1(R) W3-3 AET (4-3pens) (H) Northampton Town Tuesday November 13, 2012. K.O. 7:45PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
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CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867

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

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx

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Signings, Loans and Injuries


Injuries
Andrew Davies, knee, Out 4 months (from Nov 1st)
Luke Oliver, Achillies, out for the 2012/13 season

Zavon Hines, Foot... TBC
Meredith ... hip...TBC

Loan rumours:
Matt Young, right back (Southampton)

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Match Media & Stats

Head to Head
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/

Picture of McHugh scoring the 3-3 equalizer with his nose!
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10044952.Another_cup_tie_ends_in_yet_more_penalty_glory_for_Bradford_City/

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

BBC highlights (uk only)


Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=357417&action=live&lang=EN

BraC                    NorT
18(8)    Shots (on Goal)    22(8)
11    Fouls    10
6    Corner Kicks    8
2    Offsides    2
50%    Time of Poss.    50%
0    Yellow Cards    0
0    Red Cards    0
8    Saves    4

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The penalty shoot out win sequence

Oct 2009 Notts County (JPT)
Dec 2009 Port Vale (JPT)
Aug 2011 Sheff Weds.(JPT)
Sep 2011 Huddersfield (JPT)
Oct 2011 Sheff Utd (JPT)
Oct 2012 Hartlepool (JPT)
Oct 2012 Wigan (Legaue Cup)
Nov 2012 Northampton (FA Cup)

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Final whistle - match report


Another cup tie ends in yet more penalty glory for Bradford City

6:40am Wednesday 14th November 2012

By Simon Parker

City 3, Northampton 3

(aet – City win 4-2 on penalties)

Just what can you say about this latest cup triumph? These spot-kick dramas – and the inevitable victory – are almost becoming run of the mill

for the never-say-die Bantams.

But even by the extraordinary standards of recent cup nail-biters, last night's win and eighth straight shoot-out success had it all and more.

The Arsenal game may have dominated every Valley Parade conversation in the past couple of days. But this FA Cup win over Northampton deserves to

steal the limelight.

Watched by a sub-3,000 crowd, City gave it everything in a topsy-turvy encounter. They saw victory snatched away in the last minute of normal

time, rescued it in the last minute of extra-time – and then saw it off in the spot-kick finale that is always their time.

Phil Parkinson freshened it up once again with half a dozen changes, including a first home start for Scott Brown. The youngster had made a

polished debut in the game at Sixfields ten days earlier.

There was no Garry Thompson, the latest victim of the bug that has been sweeping the club. But Northampton were also suffering similarly.

Aidy Boothroyd had to field a very youthful midfield on his return to home soil after Chris Hackett was ruled out ill. And Adebayo Akinfenwa

travelled up separately because he was feeling under the weather.

But the visitors had the first sniff of goal as Rory McArdle struggled to deal with a through ball and Ishmel Demontagnac poked it wide.

Jon McLaughlin, back in City's goal, comfortably dealt with a low drive from Lewis Wilson. Then Henoc Mukendi had a crack as Northampton started

as brightly as their luminous lime change kit.

James Hanson sent an overhead kick into the deserted TL Dallas Stand before Northampton should have gone ahead after 21 minutes, Clive Platt

nodding a free header over the bar from Lewis Wilson's cross.

McLaughlin came to McArdle's rescue after the centre half trod on the ball, allowing Demontagnac to race through. The keeper was straight out to

save well with his legs.

City were having an uncomfortable time and it took a further downturn when Hines had to hobble off just before the half-hour mark.

But the home side rode the blow – and went in front five minutes later. Hanson was the provider, laying a ball off for Will Atkinson to sweep

home from eight yards. It was the midfielder's second goal of the season – both in the FA Cup against the Cobblers.

City could have been celebrating double joy when substitute Adam Baker, on after Hines departed with a damaged ankle, looked to be through on

goal.

But Joe Widdowson wrestled the ball back from the youngster just inside the box as Parkinson screamed for a penalty. The left back would surely

have seen red as well for a professional foul.

To throw salt in the wound, Northampton then levelled two minutes before the break after Ricky Ravenhill was adjudged to have brought down

Demontagnac at the other end. It looked a soft one but the winger picked himself up to drive a confident penalty into the roof of the net.

City nearly paid at the start of the second half when slips by Brown and then Carl McHugh presented an offside-looking Emyr Huws with a free shot

from the angle of the box. But his connection was horrible and it screwed well wide.

Atkinson was having another good game and a neat interchange with Alan Connell inside the Northampton penalty area teed up the former Swindon man

for a well-struck effort that cannoned away off Kelvin Langmead.

Demontagnac was making the most of his recall in place of Akinfenwa and whistled one just over after being picked out by a raking pass from

Widdowson.

City hearts were briefly in mouths when Demontagnac then went tumbling over Ravenhill's outstretched leg. It looked like referee Mick Russell had

the whistle to his lips but he gave nothing.

Atkinson and Connell combined again in response to create a chance for Hanson, then Huws rattled one wide for the Cobblers.

Boothroyd unleashed Akinfenwa as another extra-time beckoned but City almost snatched a second goal when Baker's header was blocked in front the

line by Widdowson.

The breakthrough did arrive with a minute to go – and it involved the same two players. Baker's shot from James Meredith's cross was handled by

the defender and Wells dispatched the penalty.

But there was more drama to follow in stoppage time as Meredith failed to cut out Akinfenwa's pass and Platt drove in a last-gasp equaliser.

It was only Platt's second goal of the season – but he was thwarted when looking to add a third in extra-time by a fine save from McLaughlin.

Hanson, another striker in need of a score, had the chance to end his recent drought but he thrashed Ravenhill's pass against an advertising

board.

But the big man had to revert to an emergency defensive role for the second period after Meredith went off with an injured hip. The Aussie

typically tried to stay on but Parkinson, wary of losing another key man, was having none of it.

So with all three subs used, City had to play the last 15 minutes a man down – and lasted only four of them before Northampton skipper Langmead

curled home from 15 yards.

At that stage, everything looked up. But nobody had told the Bantams and McHugh nodded home with literally the final touch in the added minute at

the end.

So off to penalties and, despite Wells missing the opener, City reigned 4-2 thanks to McLaughlin's save from Danny East and a truly woeful effort

by Langmead.

Attendance: 2,951

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When the dust settled - match report


Agony and ecstasy for Bradford City penalty heroes

8:10am Wednesday 14th November 2012

By Simon Parker

City were left counting the cost of another dramatic cup triumph after suffering two more injuries.

Phil Parkinson will launch an urgent bid for reinforcements after Zavon Hines (ankle ligaments) and James Meredith (hip) were added to the

casualty list following a rollercoaster FA Cup replay against Northampton.

Parkinson was keen not to knock off the gloss from the latest knock-out victory, which was almost inevitably secured from penalties. Carl

McHugh's header clinched a 3-3 draw with the final touch of extra-time before City won 4-2 on spot-kicks.

Their eighth straight shoot-out success booked a second-round home clash with League One Brentford on December 1.

But seeing City's options further depleted by this latest double blow means shoring up numbers before the loan deadline two days before then will

be a priority.

Parkinson said: "I had a meeting with the two chairmen last week and told them the most important period was between now and January.

"With the amount of games we've played, we're going to need more players to get us through this. We ummed and aahed about it but now we've got to

do it.

"As much as we're pleased to go through, my mind in extra-time was thinking about who we're going to bring in. We're going to need reinforcements

because we're getting very low.

"We've got a terrific group of lads but they need help. Stephen Darby's carrying an injury, Meredith and Hines have gone off and we have to get

people in."

City had twice led during 90 minutes. Will Atkinson put them ahead in the first half before Ishmel Demontagnac levelled from the penalty spot –

straight after the home side felt they should have had a penalty for a pull on Adam Baker when the young striker was through.

Parkinson said: "That should have been a red card and a penalty. The ref told me at half-time that he (Baker) was too honest and stayed on his

feet.

"Every week we watch Match of the Day and the pundits are talking about players diving and the ref's telling me he should have gone down.

"Maybe it was a bit of naivety from Adam's part but I feel the ref should have been able to judge that he was impeded."

Nahki Wells thought he had won it with his 13th goal of the season from the spot with only two minutes left but Clive Platt sent the game into

the extra half hour.

Kelvin Langmead then curled Northampton in front after 109 minutes but City, who had to play the second extra-time period with ten men, rescued

it through teenager McHugh in injury time.

Parkinson admitted: "These lads never know when they are beaten. Once again you've seen the immense character in the team and they just keep

going.

"We've got some record with shoot-outs. You could feel the confidence from the supporters and players.

"They kept cool heads again. When you've been in that position a few times, the experience has got to help you."

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FA Cup prize money

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/More/prize-fund

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The fans view...from Tony Watson

Amazing game last night, in terms of late & unexpected drama. The match was
very flat with a small crowd and no atmosphere. Atkinson scored out of the
blue then City gave away a soft penalty - probably outside the area but
their giant fell into the area after the tackle. 1-1 at half time and half
chances at both ends but extra time looked a cert until City won the pen in
the last minute.

2-1 with three minutes injury time to go - do we keep the ball, take it into
the corners. No, we try and score another, their goalie launches it to their
battering ram attack, reinforced with Akinfenwa, Mc Hugh slips in the area,
2-2 in the last minute of injury time!!

First half of extra time, everyone is knackered. Second half we suddenly
realise no Hanson up front. Where is he? he's in defence because Meredith
has gone off injured and we are playing the last 15 minutes with 10 men!!
Pretty soon we let in a goal and that looks like that. But with nothing to
lose, Hanson goes back into the attack and misses a good chance. One minute
of injury time is announced, we get one last free kick, launch it into the
box, Hanson heads it into the air and as it comes down in the six yard box,
McHugh (I think) heads it slowly towards the goal and it arcs over their
defence and goalie and in. . No time even to restart the game. -3-3.

Wells missed the first penalty, they score 0-1. Then we score and McLaughlin
saves. 1-1 We score again, they chip over the bar. 2-1 We score again, they
score. 3-2 Up comes Ravenhill to score & win our EiGHTH consecutive penalty
shoot-out win.



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Wednesday

The juniors have just won 5-3 on pens in the FA Youth Cup v Stourbridge after drawing 2-2 AET (FT 2-2).

Just for good measure City equalised in the last minute.

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Bradford City boss declares state of emergency

7:00am Thursday 15th November 2012

By Simon Parker

Phil Parkinson today surveyed City's dwindling band of brothers and admitted: It's impossible to carry on like this.

Zavon Hines and James Meredith joined long-term casualties Luke Oliver, Andrew Davies and Kyel Reid on the Valley Parade sidelines after the dramatic FA Cup win over Northampton.

Parkinson discussed the urgent need for reinforcements with the board yesterday and insisted the team simply could not cope on their current limited numbers.

He said: "It's impossible for the same players to keep going Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. It will not happen.

"I'm experienced enough to know that. I've managed for quite a few years now and I've played a long time before that.

"It's great at the moment and everybody's enjoying it. You see the queues for the Arsenal tickets.

"But I do need to stress that maybe before this loan deadline closes, we get in a couple more players. The two we've brought in so far, Craig (Forsyth) and John (Egan) have been fantastic but we probably need to add to that now.

"There's a good group of lads here and I enjoy working with them. I just want to give us every chance to keep this momentum going.

"We'll see how the injuries are but we can't afford to hit the wall."

After four extra-times, City have arguably played more minutes than any other Football League team this season.

Parkinson was once again hailing a new cup hero after Carl McHugh's last-gasp equaliser when his side were down to ten men forced the successful penalty shoot-out on Tuesday night.

He added: "Carl really typifies what this group of players are all about.

"I thought he had a tough time against big Clive Platt in the first half. We spoke to him and pointed out that he's not 6ft 4in so he's not going to outmuscle him.

"Carl (pictured heading the extra-time equaliser) had to play with more intelligence and I felt he did that from then on.

"What a great example that is. If you are having a difficult night, find a solution, come through with your resilience and character and end up the hero.

"I can remember myself being a player at half-time when you've had a poor game and people are getting on at you. You have to turn it round and he was outstanding.

"You can go back in every cup game and there's a different unsung hero. It's great to have that in the squad.

"Stephen Darby did it against Burton, Garry Thompson at Watford and Dukey (Matt Duke) made the last-ditch saves at Wigan.

"Nahki got the headlines on Saturday for his goals and now it's Carl's turn. Each time it's somebody else who gets the plaudits."