Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
===========================
Next/Upcoming Game
Signings & Loans
Injuries & Suspensions
===========================
Preview
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31809991
Game links
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/12903742.FT__Scunthorpe_1_City_1/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=418375&action=stats
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/sport_bantams_pics2014_scunthorpeaway/0/
Highlight/ Goals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq0w8QWbBTE
Post Game Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jHEBP4gei0
===========================
Final whistle - match report
One chance, one goal – Parky hails Bradford City saviour Clarke
7:42am Wednesday 22nd April 2015
By Simon Parker
PHIL Parkinson praised a moment of quality from Billy Clarke as City fought back on the road again.
The in-form Irishman followed up his equaliser at Sheffield United by scoring another in last night's 1-1 draw at
Scunthorpe.
Clarke volleyed home Stephen Darby's cross to cancel out a first-half strike by Gary McSheffrey and Parkinson said: "He
made it look easy.
"I thought it was a good finish. One chance, one goal – that's terrific from him.
"We started well but then they got the goal and we were second best up to half-time. We lost our way and gave them a lift.
"It was so flat – Scunthorpe were flat and the way they started, we looked the most likely team.
"But McSheffrey got that one big moment and got the goal. That's what you need from your key players and fortunately
Billy's produced that for us."
The draw takes City up to 59 points, equalling their tally from last season with two games to go. They improved
considerably after the break.
Tony McMahon, who retained his place in the starting line-up, had the chance to claim only their second win in seven games
but he shot over the bar in stoppage time from close in.
Parkinson was still pleased with the contribution from the former Blackpool skipper. He said: "It was a great chance for
Tony but I've got to give him credit.
"It was his second game in three days and he made a terrific run. On another day he keeps that down and we're talking about
three points.
"He put in some incredible set-plays – one in particular was crying out to be put in the back of the net. But he has got
exceptional delivery.
"I was really pleased with him. He's got a great understanding of the game."
Meanwhile, Reading have been charged by the Football Association for failing to control the crowd after the pitch invasion
at last month's FA Cup quarter-final replay with the Bantams.
===========================
When the dust settled - match report
Clarke equal to task for Bradford City
6:20am Wednesday 22nd April 2015
By Simon Parker
Scunthorpe 1, City 1
CITY'S season may be nearly done but Billy Clarke must wish it still had plenty to run.
His 13th goal of the season proved lucky for the Bantams once again as the in-form Irishman rescued a point for the second
away game running.
Incredibly, Clarke has now scored seven times since James Hanson was last on target in mid-February.
His strike capped a much-improved second half from the Bantams – which should have been topped off with a stoppage-time
winner by Tony McMahon, who cleared the bar from close range.
The first period had certainly not been a performance to put before the England manager – or a potential owner.
Neither Roy Hodgson, who will visit Valley Parade on Saturday to pay his respects to the fire victims, nor Gianni Paladini
were spotted in a sparcely-occupied Glanford Park.
It was a wise call on their part to swerve the opening 45 minutes, from a Bantams point of view anyway.
Parkinson had talked about tinkering with the system and made three changes from Saturday's draw, which officially knocked
them out of the play-off race.
One was enforced, with Rory McArdle – favourite to be named the club's player of the year next week – sitting out the first
of two games for his weekend dismissal.
Interestingly, Chris Routis got the nod to fill the gap at centre half – the position where he had lasted only 15 minutes
last time out before being red-carded himself against Preston. It felt like a trial for the Frenchman to prove his worth
for another year's contract.
With Filipe Morais and Mark Yeates both injured, City again missed a natural winger but Parkinson kept the same shape from
Bramall Lane, with the recalled Jon Stead this time operating in an unusual role on the left.
Stead replaced Andy Halliday, who had been suffering from slight sciatica, while Gary Liddle returned from his weekend
breather alongside McMahon in the middle.
City may have had little to play for but Scunthorpe still had one eye over their shoulder at the wrong end of the table.
Boss Mark Robins had branded them a "joke" after their draw at second-bottom Colchester.
Stead, who had spoken before the game about his desire to win another deal at Valley Parade for next season, had the first
shot of a scrappy opening. Liddle's long ball was worked back to him by Clarke and Hanson and he tested Luke Daniels from
20 yards.
Scunthorpe's opening effort, by contrast, went out for a throw-in after a dreadful shank by Gary McSheffrey. At the other
end, Liddle volleyed over from a knock-down by Andrew Davies, who had done something similar for an assist in Saturday's
equaliser.
The Iron were forced into an early change when midfielder Isaiah Osbourne limped off but there were still too many loose
passes from both sides.
As the average fare continued, Ben Williams caused a few shivers at the back with an unconvincing punch from Niall
Canavan's lofted free-kick.
City were almost caught out by a training-ground move from another set-piece 25 yards out, Hakeeb Adelakun opting not to
shoot but instead picking out the unmarked Neal Bishop. The skipper headed into the goal-mouth, where the white shirts
managed to crowd out Theo Robinson.
But Adelakun, the Iron's late goal saviour on Saturday, was not to be denied and charged down the right before squaring for
McSheffrey to fire the hosts ahead from 12 yards. It was the first moment of quality in the game.
Having claimed the assist, Adelakun then appeared in his own box to deny Hanson the chance of an immediate response.
Scunthorpe had been lifted by the goal and City found themselves getting pushed further back. Their defending suddenly had
a panicky edge – both full backs were finding it tough – and there was little cohesion to the play when the visitors did
get the ball.
It threatened to get worse as Bishop bulldozed his way through a wide hole as white shirts parted. But his shot rattled the
bar with Williams beaten.
City could not keep hold of possession – a fault that had grown as the half progressed – and Scunthorpe threatened again
with Robinson forcing Williams into a low save.
The home side had picked their game up but City needed a spark from somewhere.
Scunthorpe continued to push after the resumption as Paddy Madden slipped past Stephen Darby into the penalty area. Liddle
snuffed out the danger with a sliding challenge and took a whack from the striker for his troubles.
Liddle had switched to central defence, with Routis pushed up to midfield. But Liddle was caught out by a sharp turn from
McSheffrey and was grateful to a vital block from Davies as Robinson lurked in front of goal.
John Lundstram blasted over and Scunthorpe's growing confidence was demonstrated by defender Jordan Clarke's audacious
attempt from 40 yards which was not far away.
Routis, getting further forward, swapped passes with Clarke just outside the Scunthorpe box but could not keep his shot
down.
But City drew level after 63 minutes – and it was that man Clarke again providing the pick-me-up.
McMahon pressured Marcus Williams into a poor clearance straight to Darby and the captain's deep cross picked out top
scorer Clarke to sweep home his second equaliser in four days.
Madden volleyed fiercely straight at the keeper as Scunthorpe tried to redouble their efforts. But City's goal had knocked
the stuffing out of them.
Parkinson made a double switch with 13 minutes to go but there was no sign of the youngsters. Instead Halliday and Matty
Dolan got the call as Stead and Knott's night was done.
Halliday made an instant impression with two forceful runs, the second halted illegally by Clarke near the penalty area.
McMahon rapped the free-kick a yard wide.
The late arrival of Dave Syers against his old club earned applause from both sets of fans. The Scunthorpe crowd then
sensed a bigger reason to cheer as Madden created space for a shot but Williams smothered well.
But deep in stoppage time, it should have been City celebrating as McMahon burst between two defenders – only to loft the
ball over from close range.
Attendance: 3,176
===========================
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
===========================
Next/Upcoming Game
Signings & Loans
Injuries & Suspensions
===========================
Preview
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31809991
Game links
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/12903742.FT__Scunthorpe_1_City_1/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=418375&action=stats
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/sport_bantams_pics2014_scunthorpeaway/0/
Highlight/ Goals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq0w8QWbBTE
Post Game Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jHEBP4gei0
===========================
Final whistle - match report
One chance, one goal – Parky hails Bradford City saviour Clarke
7:42am Wednesday 22nd April 2015
By Simon Parker
PHIL Parkinson praised a moment of quality from Billy Clarke as City fought back on the road again.
The in-form Irishman followed up his equaliser at Sheffield United by scoring another in last night's 1-1 draw at
Scunthorpe.
Clarke volleyed home Stephen Darby's cross to cancel out a first-half strike by Gary McSheffrey and Parkinson said: "He
made it look easy.
"I thought it was a good finish. One chance, one goal – that's terrific from him.
"We started well but then they got the goal and we were second best up to half-time. We lost our way and gave them a lift.
"It was so flat – Scunthorpe were flat and the way they started, we looked the most likely team.
"But McSheffrey got that one big moment and got the goal. That's what you need from your key players and fortunately
Billy's produced that for us."
The draw takes City up to 59 points, equalling their tally from last season with two games to go. They improved
considerably after the break.
Tony McMahon, who retained his place in the starting line-up, had the chance to claim only their second win in seven games
but he shot over the bar in stoppage time from close in.
Parkinson was still pleased with the contribution from the former Blackpool skipper. He said: "It was a great chance for
Tony but I've got to give him credit.
"It was his second game in three days and he made a terrific run. On another day he keeps that down and we're talking about
three points.
"He put in some incredible set-plays – one in particular was crying out to be put in the back of the net. But he has got
exceptional delivery.
"I was really pleased with him. He's got a great understanding of the game."
Meanwhile, Reading have been charged by the Football Association for failing to control the crowd after the pitch invasion
at last month's FA Cup quarter-final replay with the Bantams.
===========================
When the dust settled - match report
Clarke equal to task for Bradford City
6:20am Wednesday 22nd April 2015
By Simon Parker
Scunthorpe 1, City 1
CITY'S season may be nearly done but Billy Clarke must wish it still had plenty to run.
His 13th goal of the season proved lucky for the Bantams once again as the in-form Irishman rescued a point for the second
away game running.
Incredibly, Clarke has now scored seven times since James Hanson was last on target in mid-February.
His strike capped a much-improved second half from the Bantams – which should have been topped off with a stoppage-time
winner by Tony McMahon, who cleared the bar from close range.
The first period had certainly not been a performance to put before the England manager – or a potential owner.
Neither Roy Hodgson, who will visit Valley Parade on Saturday to pay his respects to the fire victims, nor Gianni Paladini
were spotted in a sparcely-occupied Glanford Park.
It was a wise call on their part to swerve the opening 45 minutes, from a Bantams point of view anyway.
Parkinson had talked about tinkering with the system and made three changes from Saturday's draw, which officially knocked
them out of the play-off race.
One was enforced, with Rory McArdle – favourite to be named the club's player of the year next week – sitting out the first
of two games for his weekend dismissal.
Interestingly, Chris Routis got the nod to fill the gap at centre half – the position where he had lasted only 15 minutes
last time out before being red-carded himself against Preston. It felt like a trial for the Frenchman to prove his worth
for another year's contract.
With Filipe Morais and Mark Yeates both injured, City again missed a natural winger but Parkinson kept the same shape from
Bramall Lane, with the recalled Jon Stead this time operating in an unusual role on the left.
Stead replaced Andy Halliday, who had been suffering from slight sciatica, while Gary Liddle returned from his weekend
breather alongside McMahon in the middle.
City may have had little to play for but Scunthorpe still had one eye over their shoulder at the wrong end of the table.
Boss Mark Robins had branded them a "joke" after their draw at second-bottom Colchester.
Stead, who had spoken before the game about his desire to win another deal at Valley Parade for next season, had the first
shot of a scrappy opening. Liddle's long ball was worked back to him by Clarke and Hanson and he tested Luke Daniels from
20 yards.
Scunthorpe's opening effort, by contrast, went out for a throw-in after a dreadful shank by Gary McSheffrey. At the other
end, Liddle volleyed over from a knock-down by Andrew Davies, who had done something similar for an assist in Saturday's
equaliser.
The Iron were forced into an early change when midfielder Isaiah Osbourne limped off but there were still too many loose
passes from both sides.
As the average fare continued, Ben Williams caused a few shivers at the back with an unconvincing punch from Niall
Canavan's lofted free-kick.
City were almost caught out by a training-ground move from another set-piece 25 yards out, Hakeeb Adelakun opting not to
shoot but instead picking out the unmarked Neal Bishop. The skipper headed into the goal-mouth, where the white shirts
managed to crowd out Theo Robinson.
But Adelakun, the Iron's late goal saviour on Saturday, was not to be denied and charged down the right before squaring for
McSheffrey to fire the hosts ahead from 12 yards. It was the first moment of quality in the game.
Having claimed the assist, Adelakun then appeared in his own box to deny Hanson the chance of an immediate response.
Scunthorpe had been lifted by the goal and City found themselves getting pushed further back. Their defending suddenly had
a panicky edge – both full backs were finding it tough – and there was little cohesion to the play when the visitors did
get the ball.
It threatened to get worse as Bishop bulldozed his way through a wide hole as white shirts parted. But his shot rattled the
bar with Williams beaten.
City could not keep hold of possession – a fault that had grown as the half progressed – and Scunthorpe threatened again
with Robinson forcing Williams into a low save.
The home side had picked their game up but City needed a spark from somewhere.
Scunthorpe continued to push after the resumption as Paddy Madden slipped past Stephen Darby into the penalty area. Liddle
snuffed out the danger with a sliding challenge and took a whack from the striker for his troubles.
Liddle had switched to central defence, with Routis pushed up to midfield. But Liddle was caught out by a sharp turn from
McSheffrey and was grateful to a vital block from Davies as Robinson lurked in front of goal.
John Lundstram blasted over and Scunthorpe's growing confidence was demonstrated by defender Jordan Clarke's audacious
attempt from 40 yards which was not far away.
Routis, getting further forward, swapped passes with Clarke just outside the Scunthorpe box but could not keep his shot
down.
But City drew level after 63 minutes – and it was that man Clarke again providing the pick-me-up.
McMahon pressured Marcus Williams into a poor clearance straight to Darby and the captain's deep cross picked out top
scorer Clarke to sweep home his second equaliser in four days.
Madden volleyed fiercely straight at the keeper as Scunthorpe tried to redouble their efforts. But City's goal had knocked
the stuffing out of them.
Parkinson made a double switch with 13 minutes to go but there was no sign of the youngsters. Instead Halliday and Matty
Dolan got the call as Stead and Knott's night was done.
Halliday made an instant impression with two forceful runs, the second halted illegally by Clarke near the penalty area.
McMahon rapped the free-kick a yard wide.
The late arrival of Dave Syers against his old club earned applause from both sets of fans. The Scunthorpe crowd then
sensed a bigger reason to cheer as Madden created space for a shot but Williams smothered well.
But deep in stoppage time, it should have been City celebrating as McMahon burst between two defenders – only to loft the
ball over from close range.
Attendance: 3,176
===========================
