Coca-Cola League Two
Bradford C (2) 5 Thorne 2, 54, Furman 15, Conlon 88, Day (og) 90.
Aldershot T (0) 0
Att: 12,465
***
Also in this issue:
Rochdale Travel
SURRIDGE KIT REDUCED
***
Stats: Bradford C - Aldershot
Possession: 54 - 46
Shots on target: 6 - 4
Shots off target: 5 - 6
Fouls: 7 - 5
Corners: 9 - 4
Ref: G. Salisbury (Lancashire).
Yellow cards: None.
Bradford C: 1. Rhys Evans, 2. Paul Arnison, 5. Graeme Lee, 12. Matthew
Clarke, 19. Luke O'Brien, 15. Joe Colbeck, 23. Dean Furman, 24. Nicky Law,
25. Steve Jones, 10. Peter Thorne (71), 14. Michael Boulding (84).
Subs: 30. Matthew Convey (GK), 8. Lee Bullock, 9. Barry Conlon (71), 11.
Chris Brandon (84), 33. Zeshan Rehman.
Aldershot: 1. Nikki Bull, 4. Chris Blackburn, 5. Rhys Day, 6. Anthony
Charles, 2. Andy Lindegaard, 23. Scott Davies, 8. Lewis Chalmers (62), 28.
Andrew Sandell, 3. Anthony Straker, 25. Jake Robinson, 10. Marvin Morgan.
Subs: 33. Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz (GK), 9. John Grant (62), 14. Daniel Hylton,
20. Ricky Newman, 27. Justin Cochrane.
Next match: (A) Rochdale, Tuesday March 10, 2009, K.O. 7:45 PM.
Last season: Rochdale 2-1 Bradford C; Bradford C 1-2 Rochdale.
This season: Bradford C 2-0 Rochdale.
===========================
BANTAMS PUT ON FIVE-STAR SHOW
Promotion-chasing Bradford City recorded their biggest win of the season
after thrashing Aldershot 5-0 at Valley Parade on Saturday afternoon.
They made a great start when Peter Thorne put them in front in the second
minute with a close-range shot from Steve Jones' cross and Dean Furman added
a second after 15 minutes when his shot was deflected onto the underside of
the crossbar.
Thorne netted Bradford's third in the 54th minute with a header from Nicky
Law's corner and substitute Barry Conlon made it 4-0 three minutes from the
end from Law's through ball.
Aldershot's miserable afternoon was complete in the last minute when
defender Rhys Day could only divert Joe Colbeck's cross into his own net.
McCall's Comments (Audio):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7930665.stm
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4184669.print/
City come alive with five
2:47pm Sunday 8th March 2009
City 5, Aldershot 0
Perhaps Barnet and Notts County were just horrible dreams that never really took place.
Eight days on and it's once more all systems go, the blot of those double away defeats wiped away by six more points
from "fortress" Valley Parade.
And, what's just as significant, the goal difference has been sorted out as well. How important could that turn out
to be, given the congested state of the promotion picture?
Those who were calling for the collective heads of Stuart McCall and his players in the wake of the no-shows at
Underhill and Meadow Lane have been silenced by a strong response. This side have got character and determination
after all.
There was never a five-goal margin between the two teams on Saturday – but so what? City showed a clinical touch in
front of goal to take their chances. This was Notts County again but on the other boot.
As McCall said, there were plenty of positives for the crowd to enjoy from City's biggest league win for 11 years.
Now the army of travelling fans can head for Spotland on Tuesday night with a belief that the team can deliver.
The table looks a damn sight better than this time last week – but imagine how good it could be if City can maintain
the momentum built up over the last three hours with two more big performances against the sides currently locked
with them on 58 points?
We've been here before, of course. There is still not enough room to swing a cat in the play-off chase, so the jury
remains out.
But having rattled up a season's high five, McCall's pre-match belief that City are capable of stringing together a
charge a la Brentford does not sound quite so outlandish.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon was not for the goals, though. It was reserved for a late substitute who came on
and hardly touched the ball.
Chris Brandon's debut for his beloved City may not go down as one of the most spectacular but few players have come
on to such a fanfare.
The sight of the number 11 shirt finally getting its first senior airing put the icing on a very fat cake.
Without influencing it himself, Brandon can claim that his arrival heralded two City goals to give the final
scoreline an added flourish that nobody really expected. It was that sort of wonderful day.
Macclesfield in midweek had been all about the result; nothing else mattered. But this was a show of intent to their
promotion rivals, an indication that Bradford City are still very much a serious contender.
It also proved that the team can turn it on as an attacking force without Omar Daley. Hats off to Steve Jones in
that regard. The borrowed Burnley winger has had an up and down time in recent weeks but this was arguably the
finest of his 18 games in the claret and amber.
Playing on the left again, you would not have known that it was his weaker side. Unlike Daley and his annoying
tendency to cut back on to the right foot all the time, Jones was happy to go at the full back on the outside and
whipped in a stream of good balls with his left.
He also tracked back to help out Luke O'Brien on defensive duties. Clearly McCall has got into him about a part of
the game that the Northern Ireland international has lacked.
Jones played his part in the opening goal after just 75 seconds, eclipsing Daley at MK Dons as City's quickest of
the season.
It started as route one with a Rhys Evans goal kick, Michael Boulding out-muscling a defender to create space for
Peter Thorne to claim possession. He fed Jones and then continued his run to meet a low cross with a typically
predatory finish.
Aldershot's decision to field three centre halves may have caught McCall temporarily on the hop but Thorne's
immediate strike removed any fears of another 90 minutes chipping away at a brick wall.
Not that the visitors intended to 'park the bus' like Macclesfield or Chester. The wing-backs were more like
wingers, which ensured for a wide-open game, and for a long time Aldershot were very much in it.
They almost cashed in when Evans had a brainstorm and pursued a ball towards the corner flag which he had no chance
of reaching first. Anthony Charles managed to get a cross in with the keeper still back-pedalling but Matt Clarke,
who had another good game, stood firm in the middle to prevent Marvin Morgan getting a sniff of the unguarded goal.
Clarke was immediately involved at the other end, claiming a shove from Nicky Law's corner, but City's complaints
were swiftly forgotten as the all-action Dean Furman picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and found the net via a
deflection and the underside of the bar.
City had not led 2-0 after 15 minutes since strolling to victory at Macclesfield way back in August. It was a
welcome, if rather strange sensation.
That probably accounted for the mood of the fans as the Bradford End tried several times to instigate a Mexican
wave.
Some were still on their feet when an Aldershot ball over the top sent Jake Robinson scampering clear but Evans made
amends for his earlier lapse by racing out and making himself big enough to chest away the striker's attempted lob.
A goal then would have changed the whole dynamic. But City were happy to let Aldershot, with the extra man in
midfield, keep plenty of the ball in front of them without causing any more scares.
The Shots were still going forward without real menace at the start of the second half but City effectively put the
result to bed nine minutes in. Jones forced a corner and Law's well-flighted kick picked out the napper of Thorne to
direct into the far corner.
Further proof, if needed, that the team's sharpest marksman is getting back to his lethal best. If Thorne can finish
the term like he started, then City can look to the next two months with real confidence.
The rest of the afternoon centred on when McCall would give Brandon his opportunity. Thorne went off to a
fully-deserved standing ovation with 20 minutes to go but it was Barry Conlon who stepped from the bench.
Jones missed a good chance for a fourth goal when he ignored the better-placed strikers to go it alone, before
Brandon finally made his bow. He had been on the pitch for two minutes when a City corner was returned to Law, who
played Conlon in for 4-0.
Then Joe Colbeck, who had a frustrating afternoon, got it right in the last minute with a 40-yard dash and cross
which Rhys Day could only touch into his own net.
It was City's first five since 2005. The last time? Rochdale away. Now they make the short hop to Lancashire to
begin a crucial triple-header, hoping they can take the home form on to their travels. It's a long time since we
have said that.
===========================
Rochdale Travel
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1583282,00.html
===========================
Only way is up for City
7:10am Monday 9th March 2009
Peter Thorne is convinced City have the staying power to claim an automatic promotion slot.
Thorne netted twice in Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Aldershot, which lifted the Bantams to fourth place in League Two
ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash at Rochdale.
And the veteran striker shares his manager's belief that City have the ability to string a run together over the
final two months of the campaign.
Thorne said: "We've thought all season that we're good enough to go up automatically and that hasn't changed.
There's a great belief in this squad.
"It was a massive blow losing Omar (Daley) but we've still got a strong group of players.
"Joe Colbeck's been out a long time but he is back now and makes our job easier as strikers. He's so direct and that
helps us out loads.
"And having Brando (Chris Brandon) back at last is a big boost for everybody. Being a local lad it was extra special
for him to come on."
Brandon played the last five minutes in City's biggest win of the season – his first senior action since April, when
he was still at Huddersfield.
The Bantams are tied on the same points with Rochdale and Exeter, their next two opponents, but they are only one
behind Bury in the third automatic place – with a better goal difference.
Thorne said: "It could come down to that, so it's great to get those five goals. We'd had a couple of terrible away
results but we've got those goals back now.
"We've got a couple of massive away games coming up but Rochdale will be feeling a bit of pressure after losing
their last two games. They'll have seen our result and that will worry them.
"We need to be on top of our form because we know they're a good side but the attitude is absolutely spot on and
hopefully we can keep the run going."
Thorne's double made it three goals in a week to take his haul to 14 after a barren run of nearly four months
without hitting the net.
He said: "I went a while without a goal, which is frustrating, but I was injured in the middle of that. It was never
in doubt in my mind.
"I just had to get that sharpness back and I knew the chances would go in. I wasn't worried about it.
"Scoring so early in the game made a big difference. We've had a couple of early goals against us and have not
reacted well but I thought we looked different class on Saturday."
===========================
===========================
http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/aldershottownfc/s/2041656_shots_hammered_at_bradford_and_boro_are_held
Shots hammered at Bradford and Boro are held
March 07, 2009
Aldershot Town's dismal away form came to the fore once again this weekend, as they were thrashed 5-0 by
promotion-chasing Bradford City.
It was always going to be a tough task for Gary Waddock's men against a side now lying fourth in the Coca-Cola
League Two, and The Shots' boss changed tactics by employing skipper Rhys Day, Chris Blackburn and Anthony Charles
as three centre-backs, with Andy Lindegaard and Anthony Straker as wing-backs.
But the change hardly paid off, as Aldershot were a goal down after just two minutes when Peter Thorne turned in
Steve Jones' cross.
After 15 minutes it was two, when Dean Furman's deflected shot flew in off the bar, and things hardly improved after
the break.
Thorne bagged his second goal when he headed home Nicky Law's corner, and with game winding down Barry Conlon
charged through to make it 4-0 after 88 minutes.
Aldershot's misery was complete when Day deflected Joe Colbeck's ball past Nikki Bull for an own goal to complete
the rout in injury-time.
Despite the defeat, The Shots remain in 14th place in the table.
===========================
===========================
===========================
SURRIDGE KIT REDUCED
From Saturday 7 March to Saturday 14 March the Surridge club shop at the
Coral Windows Stadium will be slashing the prices of the home and away
replica kits.
The following prices will be active for one week only so don't miss out on
this fantastic opportunity.
Adults shirts - £20
Kids shirts - £15
Adult shorts - £5.00
Kids shorts - £5.00
Adult socks - £2.50
Kids socks - £2.50
This offer is for one week only and will not be repeated.
Subject to availability.
===========================
===========================
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46810838356
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"
***
Texas Bantams Blog
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
***
The CFML, since February 1997, is edited by Greg S. in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas
***
Bradford C (2) 5 Thorne 2, 54, Furman 15, Conlon 88, Day (og) 90.
Aldershot T (0) 0
Att: 12,465
***
Also in this issue:
Rochdale Travel
SURRIDGE KIT REDUCED
***
Stats: Bradford C - Aldershot
Possession: 54 - 46
Shots on target: 6 - 4
Shots off target: 5 - 6
Fouls: 7 - 5
Corners: 9 - 4
Ref: G. Salisbury (Lancashire).
Yellow cards: None.
Bradford C: 1. Rhys Evans, 2. Paul Arnison, 5. Graeme Lee, 12. Matthew
Clarke, 19. Luke O'Brien, 15. Joe Colbeck, 23. Dean Furman, 24. Nicky Law,
25. Steve Jones, 10. Peter Thorne (71), 14. Michael Boulding (84).
Subs: 30. Matthew Convey (GK), 8. Lee Bullock, 9. Barry Conlon (71), 11.
Chris Brandon (84), 33. Zeshan Rehman.
Aldershot: 1. Nikki Bull, 4. Chris Blackburn, 5. Rhys Day, 6. Anthony
Charles, 2. Andy Lindegaard, 23. Scott Davies, 8. Lewis Chalmers (62), 28.
Andrew Sandell, 3. Anthony Straker, 25. Jake Robinson, 10. Marvin Morgan.
Subs: 33. Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz (GK), 9. John Grant (62), 14. Daniel Hylton,
20. Ricky Newman, 27. Justin Cochrane.
Next match: (A) Rochdale, Tuesday March 10, 2009, K.O. 7:45 PM.
Last season: Rochdale 2-1 Bradford C; Bradford C 1-2 Rochdale.
This season: Bradford C 2-0 Rochdale.
===========================
BANTAMS PUT ON FIVE-STAR SHOW
Promotion-chasing Bradford City recorded their biggest win of the season
after thrashing Aldershot 5-0 at Valley Parade on Saturday afternoon.
They made a great start when Peter Thorne put them in front in the second
minute with a close-range shot from Steve Jones' cross and Dean Furman added
a second after 15 minutes when his shot was deflected onto the underside of
the crossbar.
Thorne netted Bradford's third in the 54th minute with a header from Nicky
Law's corner and substitute Barry Conlon made it 4-0 three minutes from the
end from Law's through ball.
Aldershot's miserable afternoon was complete in the last minute when
defender Rhys Day could only divert Joe Colbeck's cross into his own net.
McCall's Comments (Audio):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7930665.stm
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4184669.print/
City come alive with five
2:47pm Sunday 8th March 2009
City 5, Aldershot 0
Perhaps Barnet and Notts County were just horrible dreams that never really took place.
Eight days on and it's once more all systems go, the blot of those double away defeats wiped away by six more points
from "fortress" Valley Parade.
And, what's just as significant, the goal difference has been sorted out as well. How important could that turn out
to be, given the congested state of the promotion picture?
Those who were calling for the collective heads of Stuart McCall and his players in the wake of the no-shows at
Underhill and Meadow Lane have been silenced by a strong response. This side have got character and determination
after all.
There was never a five-goal margin between the two teams on Saturday – but so what? City showed a clinical touch in
front of goal to take their chances. This was Notts County again but on the other boot.
As McCall said, there were plenty of positives for the crowd to enjoy from City's biggest league win for 11 years.
Now the army of travelling fans can head for Spotland on Tuesday night with a belief that the team can deliver.
The table looks a damn sight better than this time last week – but imagine how good it could be if City can maintain
the momentum built up over the last three hours with two more big performances against the sides currently locked
with them on 58 points?
We've been here before, of course. There is still not enough room to swing a cat in the play-off chase, so the jury
remains out.
But having rattled up a season's high five, McCall's pre-match belief that City are capable of stringing together a
charge a la Brentford does not sound quite so outlandish.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon was not for the goals, though. It was reserved for a late substitute who came on
and hardly touched the ball.
Chris Brandon's debut for his beloved City may not go down as one of the most spectacular but few players have come
on to such a fanfare.
The sight of the number 11 shirt finally getting its first senior airing put the icing on a very fat cake.
Without influencing it himself, Brandon can claim that his arrival heralded two City goals to give the final
scoreline an added flourish that nobody really expected. It was that sort of wonderful day.
Macclesfield in midweek had been all about the result; nothing else mattered. But this was a show of intent to their
promotion rivals, an indication that Bradford City are still very much a serious contender.
It also proved that the team can turn it on as an attacking force without Omar Daley. Hats off to Steve Jones in
that regard. The borrowed Burnley winger has had an up and down time in recent weeks but this was arguably the
finest of his 18 games in the claret and amber.
Playing on the left again, you would not have known that it was his weaker side. Unlike Daley and his annoying
tendency to cut back on to the right foot all the time, Jones was happy to go at the full back on the outside and
whipped in a stream of good balls with his left.
He also tracked back to help out Luke O'Brien on defensive duties. Clearly McCall has got into him about a part of
the game that the Northern Ireland international has lacked.
Jones played his part in the opening goal after just 75 seconds, eclipsing Daley at MK Dons as City's quickest of
the season.
It started as route one with a Rhys Evans goal kick, Michael Boulding out-muscling a defender to create space for
Peter Thorne to claim possession. He fed Jones and then continued his run to meet a low cross with a typically
predatory finish.
Aldershot's decision to field three centre halves may have caught McCall temporarily on the hop but Thorne's
immediate strike removed any fears of another 90 minutes chipping away at a brick wall.
Not that the visitors intended to 'park the bus' like Macclesfield or Chester. The wing-backs were more like
wingers, which ensured for a wide-open game, and for a long time Aldershot were very much in it.
They almost cashed in when Evans had a brainstorm and pursued a ball towards the corner flag which he had no chance
of reaching first. Anthony Charles managed to get a cross in with the keeper still back-pedalling but Matt Clarke,
who had another good game, stood firm in the middle to prevent Marvin Morgan getting a sniff of the unguarded goal.
Clarke was immediately involved at the other end, claiming a shove from Nicky Law's corner, but City's complaints
were swiftly forgotten as the all-action Dean Furman picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and found the net via a
deflection and the underside of the bar.
City had not led 2-0 after 15 minutes since strolling to victory at Macclesfield way back in August. It was a
welcome, if rather strange sensation.
That probably accounted for the mood of the fans as the Bradford End tried several times to instigate a Mexican
wave.
Some were still on their feet when an Aldershot ball over the top sent Jake Robinson scampering clear but Evans made
amends for his earlier lapse by racing out and making himself big enough to chest away the striker's attempted lob.
A goal then would have changed the whole dynamic. But City were happy to let Aldershot, with the extra man in
midfield, keep plenty of the ball in front of them without causing any more scares.
The Shots were still going forward without real menace at the start of the second half but City effectively put the
result to bed nine minutes in. Jones forced a corner and Law's well-flighted kick picked out the napper of Thorne to
direct into the far corner.
Further proof, if needed, that the team's sharpest marksman is getting back to his lethal best. If Thorne can finish
the term like he started, then City can look to the next two months with real confidence.
The rest of the afternoon centred on when McCall would give Brandon his opportunity. Thorne went off to a
fully-deserved standing ovation with 20 minutes to go but it was Barry Conlon who stepped from the bench.
Jones missed a good chance for a fourth goal when he ignored the better-placed strikers to go it alone, before
Brandon finally made his bow. He had been on the pitch for two minutes when a City corner was returned to Law, who
played Conlon in for 4-0.
Then Joe Colbeck, who had a frustrating afternoon, got it right in the last minute with a 40-yard dash and cross
which Rhys Day could only touch into his own net.
It was City's first five since 2005. The last time? Rochdale away. Now they make the short hop to Lancashire to
begin a crucial triple-header, hoping they can take the home form on to their travels. It's a long time since we
have said that.
===========================
Rochdale Travel
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1583282,00.html
===========================
Only way is up for City
7:10am Monday 9th March 2009
Peter Thorne is convinced City have the staying power to claim an automatic promotion slot.
Thorne netted twice in Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Aldershot, which lifted the Bantams to fourth place in League Two
ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash at Rochdale.
And the veteran striker shares his manager's belief that City have the ability to string a run together over the
final two months of the campaign.
Thorne said: "We've thought all season that we're good enough to go up automatically and that hasn't changed.
There's a great belief in this squad.
"It was a massive blow losing Omar (Daley) but we've still got a strong group of players.
"Joe Colbeck's been out a long time but he is back now and makes our job easier as strikers. He's so direct and that
helps us out loads.
"And having Brando (Chris Brandon) back at last is a big boost for everybody. Being a local lad it was extra special
for him to come on."
Brandon played the last five minutes in City's biggest win of the season – his first senior action since April, when
he was still at Huddersfield.
The Bantams are tied on the same points with Rochdale and Exeter, their next two opponents, but they are only one
behind Bury in the third automatic place – with a better goal difference.
Thorne said: "It could come down to that, so it's great to get those five goals. We'd had a couple of terrible away
results but we've got those goals back now.
"We've got a couple of massive away games coming up but Rochdale will be feeling a bit of pressure after losing
their last two games. They'll have seen our result and that will worry them.
"We need to be on top of our form because we know they're a good side but the attitude is absolutely spot on and
hopefully we can keep the run going."
Thorne's double made it three goals in a week to take his haul to 14 after a barren run of nearly four months
without hitting the net.
He said: "I went a while without a goal, which is frustrating, but I was injured in the middle of that. It was never
in doubt in my mind.
"I just had to get that sharpness back and I knew the chances would go in. I wasn't worried about it.
"Scoring so early in the game made a big difference. We've had a couple of early goals against us and have not
reacted well but I thought we looked different class on Saturday."
===========================
===========================
http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/aldershottownfc/s/2041656_shots_hammered_at_bradford_and_boro_are_held
Shots hammered at Bradford and Boro are held
March 07, 2009
Aldershot Town's dismal away form came to the fore once again this weekend, as they were thrashed 5-0 by
promotion-chasing Bradford City.
It was always going to be a tough task for Gary Waddock's men against a side now lying fourth in the Coca-Cola
League Two, and The Shots' boss changed tactics by employing skipper Rhys Day, Chris Blackburn and Anthony Charles
as three centre-backs, with Andy Lindegaard and Anthony Straker as wing-backs.
But the change hardly paid off, as Aldershot were a goal down after just two minutes when Peter Thorne turned in
Steve Jones' cross.
After 15 minutes it was two, when Dean Furman's deflected shot flew in off the bar, and things hardly improved after
the break.
Thorne bagged his second goal when he headed home Nicky Law's corner, and with game winding down Barry Conlon
charged through to make it 4-0 after 88 minutes.
Aldershot's misery was complete when Day deflected Joe Colbeck's ball past Nikki Bull for an own goal to complete
the rout in injury-time.
Despite the defeat, The Shots remain in 14th place in the table.
===========================
===========================
===========================
SURRIDGE KIT REDUCED
From Saturday 7 March to Saturday 14 March the Surridge club shop at the
Coral Windows Stadium will be slashing the prices of the home and away
replica kits.
The following prices will be active for one week only so don't miss out on
this fantastic opportunity.
Adults shirts - £20
Kids shirts - £15
Adult shorts - £5.00
Kids shorts - £5.00
Adult socks - £2.50
Kids socks - £2.50
This offer is for one week only and will not be repeated.
Subject to availability.
===========================
===========================
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46810838356
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"
***
Texas Bantams Blog
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
***
The CFML, since February 1997, is edited by Greg S. in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas
***
No comments:
Post a Comment