L2 v Bristol Rovers (h) Sat September 10th Ko 3pm D2-2

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Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

Bradford            Bristol Ro
13(6)    Shots (on Goal)    8(2)
10    Fouls            10
7    Corner Kicks    2
0    Offsides    0
50%    Time of Poss.    50%
2    Yellow Cards    4
0    Red Cards    0
2    Saves            2

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Late drama as penalty king Flynn rescues deserved point for Bradford City

7:20am Monday 12th September 2011
By Simon Parker

Bradford City 2 Bristol Rovers 2

They say that you cannot replicate the tension of a penalty shoot-out in training.

Try telling that to Michael Flynn.

The Welshman was City's last-gasp hero after being put on the spot in the third of four added minutes.

Flynn, who had already scored a penalty, promptly obliged by smashing his second one into the opposite corner and made sure City got a richly-deserved point from such a bright and bubbly display.

And the midfielder revealed he had made up his mind after winning a spot-kick contest at Apperley Bridge the day before.

Phil Parkinson had not got round to naming his official penalty-taker so he organised a competition at training for the honour.

Flynn admitted he did not expect to see it through.

He said: "The gaffer wanted to have a look at us having a go before he made his decision.

"Jay Devitt put the first one of his in the top corner and Jack (Compton) always finds it as well.

"But Jay then missed the next three so he was ruled out. Ritchie Jones was in with a shout but he smashed it over the bar and Jack hit the post.

"So I had to step up and scored again and the gaffer said 'you'll do for me'. I'm glad he had the faith in me."

No wonder Flynn felt under more pressure for the first penalty in the 63rd minute rather than the ultimate leveller half an hour later.

He had missed his last one at the same end two seasons ago against Lincoln. But there were no flashbacks as he confidently sent giant Rovers keeper Scott Bevan diving the wrong way.

Bevan guessed right second time around but Flynn's finish was too precise. It was something straight off the training ground.

"I'd put them both sides the day before," he added. "I knew if I put it in the same corner then the keeper wouldn't save it.

"It was the exact spot and height where I wanted it."

Substitute Compton had been ready to step forward but Parkinson quickly shouted to tell him otherwise. The boss was happy to see his decision vindicated – even if he didn't actually see the ball go in!

"I was looking at the ground and waiting for the crowd to cheer," he smiled afterwards.

"But I like Flynny's technique. He scored the first one and was playing very well and it would have been bad practice to let someone else take it."

So again the early leavers would have missed City snatching their point at the death. But just like Morecambe the week before, they had earned some reward.

Paul Buckle was livid over the "outrageous" decision given for Lee Brown's push on Devitt and made a beeline for referee Nigel Miller at the final whistle.

You could understand why he felt so short-changed. Flynn himself didn't think it was a penalty, not that he had any qualms about making it count.

But it would have been an equal travesty for City if they had come out with nothing from Parkinson's first home game.

They had played with a style and verve that made a mockery of their difficult first month to the campaign. There was plenty of evidence to back up the positive vibes that the club have tried to encourage.

At the hub of it was Devitt, the free spirit who clearly looks too good for his present surroundings. Playing as the second striker off James Hanson, there was a buzz of anticipation every time the young Irishman got the ball.

True, sometimes he would hang on to it too long or try a fancy touch when a more sensible one might have done but he looks an exciting talent and was too hot for Rovers to handle.

Devitt was the victim for both penalties. However soft they seemed in Bristol eyes, it was clear that he terrified their defenders in and around the box.

Flynn said: "He causes problems and takes the pressure off the team. We're not so one-dimensional all the time.

"Jay is the type of player who can pull a goal or a penalty out of nothing."

Kyel Reid, too, caught the eye on the left wing and was happy to try his luck with right back Dan Woodards at every opportunity. How refreshing it is to see City using the full width of the pitch again.

Yet they still twice had to come from behind.

Ritchie Jones, another having a very good afternoon, should have scored but his header was superbly turned away by Bevan.

Then after having a goal ruled out for a push on Matt Duke, Rovers struck just before the break. Luke Oliver misjudged a raking ball from Matt Gill and Matt Harrold nodded firmly beyond the keeper.

But City rode that blow and were level soon after the hour.

Hanson's header was blocked on the line and Devitt was clipped by Harrold as he followed up, allowing Flynn his first chance to justify his training-ground crown.

At that point, City took their foot off the gas. Parkinson detected a feeling of job done and Rovers took advantage with a stunning second, Eliot Richards blasting into the roof of Duke's net.

Surely they couldn't raise themselves for another injury-time climax? You bet.

Brown's contact on Devitt looked minimal but the officials were convinced. And up stepped Flynn again with a goal that had "made at Rawdon Meadows" stamped all over it.


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The opposition view

http://bristolrovers.wikia.com/wiki/Bradford_City_2-2_Bristol_Rovers_%2810-09-2011%29




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Michael Flynn has been included in the Football League's npower League 2 Team of the Week after helping City secure a dramatic draw at the weekend.

Flynn was City's penalty hero on Saturday as his two spot-kicks, the second of which coming in the third minute of a stoppage time, managed to rescue a point for the Bantams at home to Bristol Rovers.

Each week the Official Football League website release a "Team of the Week" for each of the three divisions, Championship, League 1 and League 2.

Produced by the Press Association, the eleven players in the selected team are chosen for their sparkling performances and have been judged to have made the biggest impact over the previous weekend.

o see the full Team of the Week for League 2, please click here
http://www.football-league.co.uk/league2/news/20110912/league-2-team-of-the-week_2293326_2448473



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