FAC2-R L2-4 AET (A) Brentford Tuesday December 18, 2012. K.O. 7:45PM. #bcafc

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

Fixtures
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The "Social media Corner"
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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


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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_pics2012/
(The T&A picture link will dfault to the last match for which pictures are available)

"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=358380&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=

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Final whistle - match report

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20710465

Brentford became the first side to beat Bradford in a cup game this season in their FA Cup second-round replay.

The Bantams, who were expelled then reinstated in the competition, were ahead when Kyel Reid smashed home, but Marcello Trotta's penalty levelled.

After no more goals in 90 minutes, Alan Connell put the visitors ahead from the spot in extra-time.

But Trotta, Clayton Donaldson and Harry Forrester scored as the Bees beat last week's conquerors of Arsenal.

After the original tie finished 1-1, Bradford were expelled from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in Curtis Good, before a successful appeal allowed them back into the Cup.

However, the Yorkshire side were on the back foot early on in the replay with both Stewart Dallas and Trotta forcing Bantams keeper Jon McLaughlin into fine saves, before Reid's opener put the visitors ahead against the run of play.

After Trotta levelled from the spot when he was fouled by Carl McHugh just before half-time, neither side could find a winner in the 90 minutes.

Early in the extra period, Shaleum Logan's foul on Blair Turgott allowed Connell to fire Bradford ahead from the spot against his former side.

But Trotta's strike, Donaldson's turn and shot and Forrester's low drive ensured that Brentford ended Bradford's unbeaten run in cup competitions this season, and set up a third-round trip to Southend.

Bradford boss Phil Parkinson told BBC Radio Leeds:

"I thought it was a gallant performance from the lads, given the team we had out tonight, I don't think we could have asked for much more.

"We didn't want to go to extra-time but there are a lot of benefits from the game.

"Kyel Reid has been out for 10 or 11 weeks, that's like an off-season and he needs a lot of work but it was great for him to get a goal and that will give him a lot of confidence.

"We decided with the board that we would leave some of our key players back in Bradford for the game because some of them really needed a rest."


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When the dust settled - match report


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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20782559


Brentford boss Uwe Rosler criticises FA over Bradford decision

Brentford manager Uwe Rosler has criticised the Football Association after beating Bradford City in their FA Cup second round replay.

The tie had to be re-arranged after the Bantams were expelled from the competition but then reinstated.

He told BBC London 94.9: "The FA put us in a very difficult situation but we overcame it. We didn't like it.

"We feel we are the club punished in the end by people who did not make careful decisions in the first place."

Bradford were thrown out of the Cup for fielding an ineligible player, on-loan Newcastle defender Curtis Good, in the original match between the two sides, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

However, the League Two side appealed against the decision and were let back into the competition.

Brentford chief executive Mark Devlin said the club were "a little perplexed" by the FA's U-turn but had to accept the decision.

"I respect the FA very highly and think it is a fantastic organisation with a long history and great people working there," Rosler continued.

"But I am employed by Brentford Football Club,

"I would have had no problem had Bradford stayed in the Cup in the first place.

"They throw them out, then reinstate them and only fine them £1,000. It makes no sense."

The replay, originally scheduled for last week, was re-arranged and played on Tuesday night, with Brentford winning 4-2 after extra time.

Rosler said the timing of the game ahead of a busy festive programme will do no favours for his side, who are currently chasing promotion from League One.

"We didn't want the game and I don't think [Bradford manager] Phil Parkinson really wanted the game," the German added,

"They are chasing promotion and we are trying to chase promotion and obviously the last thing we wanted was 120 minutes.

"But we had a very good outcome and it is very important for us to keep our run going."

Brentford will now face a trip to Southend United in the third round.

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Full Villa ticket details

You thought playing Arsenal was exciting? Imagine the excitement over two legs against Premiership side Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup Semi-Final!

So how can you be part of this momentous occasion?

Tickets will go on sale from Thursday December 27 2012 at 9:00am.

The club's Season Ticket/FlexiCard holders can purchase both home and away tickets for an exclusive period until Friday 4 January at 5.00pm.

From Saturday 5 January 9:00am until 8 January 4.00pm – match tickets will go on general sale.

The club have held off selling match tickets for the forthcoming Villa ties because of the Christmas break and a busy Boxing Day game - Accrington Stanley at home, 3.00 pm kick-off.

Tickets will be available on the day for the Accrington match via the ticket office until 1.00pm. Cash turnstiles will also be in operation at both the Co-operative Main Stand and the Kop.
 
Season Ticket/FlexiCard tickets holders will be able to purchase two tickets per person for the home leg of the Villa tie and one ticket per person for the away leg of the tie - the club have been allocated 6375 for the Villa Park away leg.

Tickets can be bought either online or at the ticket office, although the club recommends that supporters, if possible, purchase their tickets online via the Bradford City website to beat the queues.

To gain access to the club's online ticketing website please click HERE.
http://www.bcfc.talent-sport.co.uk/PagesPublic/Home/home.aspx

For those people who choose attend the Bantams Ticket Office, please take your Season Ticket card or FlexiCard with you to make the transaction quicker.

The club would also suggest that over the next few days supporters log on and ensure that their details on the ticketing website are up to date.

All tickets are on a first come first served basis and are subject to availability. Please remember, however, there will be enough home match tickets for all Season Ticket/FlexiCard tickets holders to purchase two per person.

Following a discussion with Aston Villa, the club's only option is to seat their fans within the Northern Commercials Stand (Midland Road) stand - as per the Arsenal match.

With this in mind, it is not possible for the club to guarantee Season Ticket/FlexiCard holders their usual reserved seat due to the reconfiguration of the seating within the ground.

This means that all seating areas within the home sections of the ground for the home Villa tie will be open to Season Ticket/FlexiCard holders on a first come first serve basis. NO SEASON TICKET/FLEXICARD SEATS HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR SUPPORTERS.

A reminder of the ticket prices:-

Home match 8 January 2013

Adults: £25

Concessions: £20 (Over 60s and full time students)

Junior Under 16s: £15


The away leg will be played at Villa Park on Tuesday 22 January 2013.

The prices for this match will be:

Adults: £29

Concessions: £25

Juniors: £15

Concessions at Villa Park consist of over 65s, full time students, under 21s and members of the Armed Forces with current ID.

Supporters will also be able to purchase online or via the ticket office suite upgrades to either the Bantams or Patrons bar. These upgraded tickets are available at an additional £15.00 per respective home match ticket price. Details of these selected seats will be issued shortly.

Our ticket office will be opening at additional times so please see below the revised opening hours:-

Ticket office opening times 22 December – 8 January inclusive

26 December                       9.00am – 2.45pm - only normal match day tickets will be available to purchase

27 December                       9.00am – 5.00pm

28 December                       9.00am – 5.00pm

29 December                       9.00am – 2.45pm – only normal match day tickets will be available to purchase

30 December                       9.00am – 5.00pm

31 December                       9.00am – 5.00pm

1 January                              Closed

The Bantams Ticket Office is then open every day (including Sunday 6 January) until 8 January 2013 9.00am to 5.00pm.

For those wishing to purchase banqueting and hospitality packages please contact our commercial team directly at commercial@the-bantams.co.uk

Please keep an eye on website for further updates on this historic Semi-Final tie.


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McArdle is Bradford City's marathon man

7:20am Wednesday 26th December 2012

By Simon Parker

Rory McArdle will reach a remarkable endurance milestone for City against Accrington this afternoon as the busiest player in English football.

The ultra-consistent defender has arguably spent more time on the pitch than anyone throughout the domestic game this season.

When today's Valley Parade clash reaches the 58th minute, McArdle will have played 48 hours of football – or two full days on the pitch.

Back-four team-mate James Meredith is only 44 minutes behind as City continue their hectic progress through a memorable campaign.

Saturday's postponement at Wycombe offered an unexpected breather but McArdle is ready for the next rush.

The Northern Ireland international, in line for his 30th start, is happy to keep the games coming.

McArdle said: "Everyone knows the Christmas period is busy. We looked at it a few weeks ago and worked out it was going to be a big month.

"We also thought January would be calming down a bit but fortunately we've managed to get a bit of a scalp by beating Arsenal and now we've got another two games in the Capital One Cup as well as the JP Trophy.

"So we're playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday again – but that's not a bad thing. We know we've got a good squad and the injured boys are pretty much there."

Zavon Hines and Kyel Reid both returned from their lay-offs last week and Andrew Davies is getting nearer after being sidelined for two months with his knee injury.

McArdle said: "Only big Luke (Oliver) is not going to feature. Dava is a month or two away and he's in good spirits and getting stronger every day.

"And of course we've got Zav and Reidy available again. It does give us a lift to see more players coming back.

"It keeps everyone on their toes too because people know that if they aren't performing there are boys waiting to come in and take their places.

"But it's also not easy for those coming back. The boys have dug in and got results since they've been out.

"It was a massive test for us, particularly with the players we've lost. You look back to the start of the season and people like big Olly, Dava and Reidy were the heart of the team.

"I think the boys have more than handled it. Ideally we'd like to be sitting a bit higher in the league but it's only December.

"If we're still up there come the end of next month, we should have everyone back fit and firing."

Phil Parkinson has banned any mention of the forthcoming double-header with Aston Villa but City's incredible cup success has given them a reputation with the rest of League Two.

McArdle said: "We've become a bit of a scalp now and that increases the expectation. But we've got no problem with that.

"We put pressure on ourselves from the start of the season to get promoted and that hasn't changed.

"We can just enjoy the cup; that's the bonus for us. It's been good for the fans, especially with the draws we've had, but promotion is the key.

"This is a big period for us and we're expected to win in the league. But we can handle that."

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