Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
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Signings, Loans and Injuries
Injuries
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Preview
BBC
http://bbc.in/1lqtwfQ
Game links
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/11161520.Live_blog__Swindon_1_City_0/
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27016574
Highlight/ Goal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Pqn8dvOXc
Post Game Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqvFa46J614&list=TL4LMVd7WPXtnb5lCjotpstoZHWdCTwAc0
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Final whistle - match report
League One
Swindon T (0) 1 Cox 64
Bradford C (0) 0
Att: 8,377
Report by Simon Parker (T&A)
City lost away for the first time in four games with a disappointing defeat
at Swindon.
The seventh-placed Robins kept their outside play-off hopes going thanks to
a fine second-half strike from Lee Cox - who was about to be substituted
when he scored.
City had started the game fairly well but were pushed back as the first half
went on. And the second was dominated by the home side.
Jon McLaughlin made a couple of crucial saves including a superb point-blank
block from Michael Smith's header.
Gary Jones had City's only real threat at goal with an early free-kick but
there was no comeback once they had conceded their first away goal since
March 22.
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When the dust settled - match report
A pointless trip for Bantams on this occasion
8:00am Tuesday 22nd April 2014
By Simon Parker
Swindon Town 1 Bradford City 0
It was only just over three weeks ago that City were looking down the barrel.
A run of tough away games were on the cards and the trapdoor was still very much open.
The fact that yesterday's defeat had no real impact on their position in League One shows how much hard work has been done in that time.
But that won't have done much for the 299 hardy souls who made the four-hour hike to watch them in the West Country.
For the princely sum of £28 admission, not to mention a tenner for the official car park, the away fans saw some very low-key entertainment.
After three successive clean sheets on the road, City conceded their first away goal since Shrewsbury on March 22. And there was little suggestion of an equaliser as the game drifted to its conclusion.
The loss of Nathan Doyle through injury at half-time was a real blow for the game-plan. But Phil Parkinson would have expected more of a reaction once his side fell behind.
City's Good Friday victory over Peterborough had thrown Swindon a play-off lifeline. After five wins from their previous six games, the Robins had moved within four points of catching Posh in sixth.
So at least there was something tangible riding on the outcome yesterday. City's role, if nothing else, was of the spoiling variety – something they had proved to be good at of late.
Having shut out three of the four play-off teams in recent outings, the backline was not surprisingly unchanged. But there was a welcome sight on the bench where James Meredith made his first appearance in the squad since New Year's Day.
The only change saw James Hanson spared duty, allowing the big striker to rest his back after playing the full comeback game three days earlier.
Kyle Bennett came back in as Parkinson resorted to the 4-3-3 set-up that had served City so well at the New York Stadium. Raffaele De Vita tucked in to the middle three at the club where he enjoyed two very successful seasons.
Stephen Darby was another Swindon old boy remembered affectionately – he scored the decisive penalty in a play-off shoot-out against Parkinson's Charlton!
Swindon's obsession with keep ball meant City needed to concentrate as the home side tried to pass, pass and pass some more.
But considering what was at stake for the home side, there was a flat feel to the opening stages. The early action seemed to be taking place at walking pace – not that the visitors minded.
Gary Jones tried to up the tempo with a free-kick to the side of the Swindon box. Shaping to cross, the skipper instead drilled it towards the near post, where keeper Wes Foderingham smuggled the ball behind.
Swindon were finally stirred from their slumbers midway through the half – but it was of City's own making.
Rory McArdle's poor touch from Darby's pass was picked off by Alex Pritchard inside the box. But the on-loan Spurs midfielder, scorer of a stunner at Valley Parade in December, dragged his shot into the side-netting.
Swindon still enjoyed the bulk of the possession but their failure to open up the Bantams was frustrating the locals and there were audible groans after a couple of mid-pitch one-twos went nowhere.
Andrew Davies, who saw red on City's last visit in 2011, was shown a yellow for sliding in the back of Pritchard as Swindon started to liven things up.
Darby headed away a dangerous cross from Miles Storey and Jones made an important block by the penalty spot from Michael Smith.
The Swindon striker, who bagged their winner in stoppage time on Good Friday, got a good connection on a half-volley from the edge of the box but Jon McLaughlin had everything behind it.
Doyle nicked the ball off Massimo Luongo bursting into the box, Nathan Thompson blazed over and Smith squeezed a weak shot straight at the City keeper.
Swindon seemed to have remembered why they were here and were pushing the Bantams back as the game reached half-time.
City had started on the front foot but the home side took over as the half progressed and were asking a few questions.
Doyle had been doing an important job in that screening role in front of the back four but he did not reappear after the break – which meant a return to arms for Meredith.
Adam Drury stayed at left back with the Aussie directly replacing Doyle in the midfield holding role.
Swindon tried to turn the screw again as Pritchard skied a 20-yarder and Darby was first to a dangerous pass into the box from Luongo with Smith hovering.
The defensive resolve that had thwarted some big-name scalps of late was being called upon once more.
That was certainly the case in the 56th minute when Storey's cross was met with a decisive downward header by Smith. It looked a goal all the way but McLaughlin saved superbly and then Davies crucially won the scrum for Jay McEveley's follow-up ball in the six-yard box.
A goal was coming – and it arrived ten minutes later. Pritchard's drive was charged down but the ball rebounded into the path of Lee Cox, who wriggled into space and found the bottom corner with a precise curler.
Having got one, Swindon were hungry for another and McLaughlin produced a good save at the near post from Storey.
Parkinson responded by bringing on Aaron Mclean as an extra striker, De Vita leaving the field to a standing ovation from the home fans.
But City had done nothing going forward since the opening quarter of the game and Swindon continued to carry all the threat.
Luongo was again the provider for Pritchard to slide another shot the wrong side of the post with McLaughlin at full stretch.
Pritchard set his sights when McArdle gave away a foul 25 yards out. His low free-kick was whipped in with plenty of venom but the keeper was down in time to push it on to the post and away.
City showed a flicker of late resistance when Davies nodded down a long free-kick but Mclean ran the loose ball into the keeper.
Optimistic penalty appeals for a foul on Jon Stead were ignored as Swindon comfortably closed out for the three points they needed.
=----
Bradford City boss reflects on lacklustre defeat to Swindon
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/11161971.Bradford_City_boss_reflects_on_lacklustre_defeat_to_Swindon/
Bradford City sees fewer injuries after buying new aerator says head groundsman
http://www.hortweek.com/news/1291073/
Phil Parkinson ready to talk contracts
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/11163713.Bradford_City_boss_Parkinson_ready_to_talk_contracts/?ref=eb
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From the Official BCFC Website:
TRANMERE AWAY ALL TICKET
The football club can confirm that City's final match of their 2013/2014 Sky
Bet League 1 campaign at Tranmere Rovers will now be ALL TICKET for Bradford
supporters.
Phil Parkinson's men are due at Prenton Park on Saturday 3 May 2014 for
their forty-sixth and final fixture of the league season.
City have been given an initial allocation of 1,500 match tickets for the
Prenton Park fixture, leading up to 2,000 tickets if and when needed.
Given the level of interest expected from City supporters for this fixture,
Tranmere have decided to make the match ALL TICKET for travelling Bradford
fans.
Having previously put Tranmere match tickets on sale exclusively to Priority
Travel Members and then Season Tickets holders, tickets are now on sale at
the Bantams Ticket Office to all City members.
Supporters will be registered as a member if they currently own a Priority
Travel membership, Season Ticket or FlexiCard, or if have travelled to a
match this season using one of the club's official supporters' coaches.
Supporters are also classed as ticket members if they have previously
registered their details with the ticket office or online. Fans can ring the
club's ticket office on 0871 978 8000 if they are unsure, however.
TICKETS WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THREE PER MEMBER.
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From the Official BCFC website:
MINUTE'S SILENCE THIS SATURDAY
The football club would like to confirm to supporters that there will be a
minute's silence held ahead of Saturday's (26 April 2014) final Sky Bet
League 1 home match of the season with Crawley Town.
In keeping with tradition, the minute's silence will allow those within the
Coral Windows Stadium to pay their respects to the 56 people who sadly lost
their lives in the 1985 Valley Parade fire disaster.
Although the actual anniversary of the fire disaster isn't for another two
weeks or so, the club have traditionally used the final home fixture of the
season as an opportunity to honour the lives of the fifty-four Bradford City
supporters and two Lincoln City supporters who tragically passed away on
Saturday 11 May 1985.
The minute of silence will also give fans the chance to remember those who
we have lost over the last twelve months.
Turnstiles around the ground will close for the minute's silence, so fans
are requested to please arrive as early as possible on Saturday so they can
be part of the respectful marking of the disaster that took place 29 years
ago.
The turnstiles will re-open after the minute's silence has ended.
The club would like to politely remind fans to please turn off their mobile
phones during the minute's silence this Saturday.
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