Should they stay or should they go?

 

Stuart McCall admitted that swinging the axe through the City squad was his toughest job as a manager.

Eddie Johnson headed a hit-list of 13 players released by McCall during a three-hour culling session at Valley Parade yesterday.

Darren Williams, Paul Evans, Tom Penford and Alex Rhodes have also gone along with Craig Bentham, Scott Phelan and youngsters David Brown, Damian Hopkins and Luke Morgan. All three contracted keepers - Donovan Ricketts, Ben Saynor and Jamie Waite - have been released.

Barry Conlon and Kyle Nix were the only remaining out-of-contract regulars to be offered new deals but McCall also hopes to keep Luke Medley, Luke O'Brien and Sean Taylforth.

 

 

 

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Tour round BCFC 

A bit of City humour...http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/

Next game(s) :  Upcoming fixtures

2008/2009 fixtures

FL2 Table  Table

BCFC News

Must be a midlife crises - I'm on facebook !

******************************

 

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc

Johnson one of 13 axed by City
By Simon Parker

Eddie Johnson was the big-name casualty this afternoon as Stuart McCall swung the axe through his City squad.

High-earner Johnson, pictured, was among 13 players to be released by McCall, along with the likes of Darren Williams, Paul Evans, Tom Penford and Alex Rhodes.

Barry Conlon and Kyle Nix are the only senior players coming out of contract to be offered new ones. There are also deals on the table for Luke Medley, Luke O'Brien and Sean Taylforth.

Johnson played 71 times since joining City two years ago, scoring eight goals. But having arrived as a striker, he has appeared most of this season in central midfield.

Right back Williams has made 31 appearances and midfielder Evans 28 in his second spell at the club.

Craig Bentham and Scott Phelan are both out the door as well as all three contracted keepers - Donovan Ricketts, Ben Saynor and Jamie Waite - and youngsters David Brown, Luke Morgan and Damian Hopkins.

 

 

McCall: Eddie axe a knife-edge call
By Simon Parker

Stuart McCall admitted that swinging the axe through the City squad was his toughest job as a manager.

Eddie Johnson headed a hit-list of 13 players released by McCall during a three-hour culling session at Valley Parade yesterday.

Darren Williams, Paul Evans, Tom Penford and Alex Rhodes have also gone along with Craig Bentham, Scott Phelan and youngsters David Brown, Damian Hopkins and Luke Morgan. All three contracted keepers - Donovan Ricketts, Ben Saynor and Jamie Waite - have been released.

Barry Conlon and Kyle Nix were the only remaining out-of-contract regulars to be offered new deals but McCall also hopes to keep Luke Medley, Luke O'Brien and Sean Taylforth.

McCall said there were some knife-edge calls on both sides, particularly with Johnson, who had made 71 City appearances since Colin Todd signed him instead of Luke Beckett in 2006.

"I've only been here a year but you get to build up a rapport with people and a close relationship," said McCall. "It is tough when you know a lot of the lads want to be here.

"It went right down to the wire with Eddie. He's got terrific energy, a good engine and has enjoyed himself at this club.

"It was touch and go with him in midfield at the start of the season but he had a stormer at Lincoln and was feeling his way into the position. Unfortunately he then got the disc problem and missed two months - and never came back the same player.

"If we hadn't had Lee Bullock already on the books as an attacking midfielder I might have offered Eddie something. He will make a living in the game because of his technical ability but he needs to nail down a position."

McCall intends to beef up the spine of the team for next term, targeting two goalkeepers, a central defender to succeed David Wetherall, a midfield "leader" and another striker. He will also be looking for a right back to replace Williams.

Nix has earned his deal after winning over McCall with his non-stop enthusiasm, as well as chipping in with eight goals from midfield.

McCall added: "Kyle is an infectious character on and off the pitch and sometimes he will lift training for us. He's got a great all-round attitude to succeed and has been one of the bright spots of the season."

Conlon has also been given the carrot of a fresh deal - but his manager wants to see the Irishman hit the net more often.

"You bring in strikers to score goals and it doesn't take a genius to see Baz hasn't produced enough. He will be the first to admit that.

"But he has given everything and does bring other things to the team. I've had Neil Shipperley at Sheffield United and he was at Crystal Palace when Andy Johnson was scoring for fun - sometimes you need a foil to play with.

"I know how highly Peter Thorne rates playing with him and he does take the burden off other strikers. Paul Ince was saying on Saturday how Baz had given his defence a really hard time.

"If Baz had chipped in with 15 goals, it would have been a no-brainer. If he accepts the deal, and it's not the greatest offer in the world, the bottom line is that I need him to score more."

Saynor makes farewell appearance
By Simon Parker

Axed goalkeeper Ben Saynor will play his final game in a City shirt tonight (Wednesday) as the reserves end their season at Leicester.

Saynor is the only one of the 13 players released yesterday to be in second-string action.

Former Coventry defender Callum Burgess gets another run-out in a very young side that also includes trialists Ryan Burge from Birmingham and Boston United striker Adam Rowntree.

(Game ended 0-0)

McCALL DISMISSES MOORE LINK
By Lewis Rutledge

Bradford City boss Stuart McCall has played down speculation linking Derby
defender Darren Moore with a return to Valley Parade.

Moore was at Bradford when they the Bantams won promotion to the Premier
League nine years ago and there have been rumours he could be on his way out
of Derby this summer.

And McCall, who played alongside Moore, admits he would love to bring in his
former team-mate but says it would be "extremely unlikely".

"If we could manage to get someone of the calibre of Darren Moore to our
football club, it would be the biggest coup since I came back," McCall told
the Telegraph & Argus.

"He would be the type of professional I would love to have at the club. He
has matured since my time as a player with him and is the sort of character
and leader that would be an absolute joy to have here.

"It would be an unbelievable signing if that was ever to come about."

However, McCall does no believe he has much chance of landing Moore.

He explained: "I would rate it extremely unlikely and he has another year on
his contract at Derby anyway, so that will quash that rumour.

"I don't know where the rumours have come from. The last time I spoke to
Darren was a couple of months ago.

"I remember Paul Jewell saying that Darren has been one of their most
consistent players during a horrible season and, if he was to become
available, I'm sure there would be at least another 30 clubs higher than us
in for him."

Bradford have climbed steadily up the League Two table after a disappointing
start to the season but McCall is already looking ahead to next term and has
released 13 players.

Eddie Johnson heads the list, while Darren Williams, Paul Evans, Tom Penford
and Alex Rhodes have also been told they have no future at the club.

Craig Benham, Scott Phelan, David Brown, Damian Hopkins and Luke Morgan have
also been let go, along with goalkeepers Donovan Ricketts, Ben Saynor and
Jamie Waite.

Out-of-contract duo Barry Conlon and Kyle Nix have been offered new deals,
but McCall admits it was difficult to wield the axe.

"I've only been here a year but you get to build up a rapport with people.
It is tough when you know a lot of lads want to be here."

CONLON READY TO SIGN NEW CONTRACT

Bradford City striker Barry Conlon is set to sign a new deal to stay at the
club for another year, reports BBC Radio Leeds.

The 29-year-old striker is one of only five players to be offered a 'take it
or leave it' deal as manager Stuart McCall continues his clear-out.

"I am luckily enough to have been offered a new contract and I want to
stay," Conlon told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I came here for success and I believe I can still get that here. I am still
very hungry for it."

McCall has already released 13 out of the 18 players who will be out of
contract this summer.

Loach bids sad farewell to City fans
Scott Loach's love affair with the City fans has left him lost for words.

Saturday's trip to Adams Park marks the young keeper's final game of his loan before going back to Watford.

Loach has relished every minute of his time with Stuart McCall's side. But he has reserved special praise for the supporters who have backed him since his debut in January.

"I'm speechless with their reaction," he admitted. "The fans have welcomed me with open arms and supported me all the way.

"I will really miss walking out in front of 14,000 people every other week. Watford only just get that now and again.

"I will be sad to leave - if anything, my time here has gone too quickly.

"The atmosphere has been fantastic and this club really is a sleeping giant. I'm sure the fans will help them go higher next season."

Whether Loach, who won the T&A's most consistent player trophy, is back again in August is anyone's guess. The keeper, certainly, knows nothing about it.

But if this is his farewell, Loach will leave with fond memories.

"I'm only 19 so it's been good of Bradford to give me the games and I think it's benefited Watford more than anyone. Overall they are very pleased.

"I don't know what's going to happen next season - it all really depends on Watford and what they are thinking.

"If I'm back here next year, that would be great. I'd be happy to play.

"If I'm at Watford, then hopefully I will be pushing for a first-team place.

"But if I'm only going back to play for the reserves again, I would bite their hands off to come back here. It's hard to explain but when you start playing at a proper level - no matter whether it's Championship or League Two - you just want to be out there and involved week in, week out.

"Bradford have given me that opportunity and it's been a really good start for hopefully a good career to come."

Loach has an added incentive to impress against Wycombe because Watford goalkeeping coach Alec Chamberlain will be in the crowd.

The home side will again be resting half a team to prepare for the start of the play-offs next week. And McCall will also use the chance to give a few youngsters an outing after the squad-culling.

But Loach insists he will not be easing off the pedal and would love to bow out with a clean sheet and victory.

"From the moment I got here, the lads knew we could never really get to the play-offs but every game we've gone out and given our all and it will be the same tomorrow."

And Loach will take extra care to check his rear-view mirror after he was caught out by Aaron Wilbraham rolling the ball out against MK Dons.

He laughed: "It was a total lapse of concentration and I didn't think to look. I won't do it again.

"Lucky enough, I reacted and didn't give him much time to shoot but as soon as I saw the ball bounce back off the bar, I just wanted to get rid of it as quickly as possible."

 

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Since February 1997

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L2 Apr 12 (a) D2-2 v Brentford

 

Game Summary:

 

 

End of season games between middling sides can be curious affairs.

Some can be played out with all the ferocity of a beach kick-about on the holidays the players are all starting to plan.

Others can serve up an entertainment free-for-all as both sides cast off any inhibitions caused by the league table.

But Griffin Park on Saturday decided to host its own private goal-of-the-month contest.

As the first-half goals went flying in, there seemed to be an air of "anything you can do...". Each spectacular effort was trumped by the next.

 

 

 

 

******************************

A bit of City humour... http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/

Next game(s) : Upcoming fixtures

 

 

 

2007/2008 fixtures now out

FL2 Table  Table

BCFC News

Must be a midlife crises - I'm on facebook !

******************************

 

 

******************************

Match Video and Picture Links

******************************

 

Highlights (UK only) Virgin Media

 

 

******************************

Match Stats

******************************

 

Soccerbase.com

Soccerway.com

 

Brentford: Brown, Pead, Bennett, Heywood, Dickson, Poole, O'Connor, Smith, Brown (Shakes, 82 mins), Elder, Connell. Unused substitutes: Hamer, Osborne, Sankofa, Mousinho.

Goals Poole 6, Bennett 26

 

Bradford City: Loach, Williams, Wetherall, Bower, O'Brien, Rhodes (Medley, 82 mins), Colbeck, Penfold (Bentham, 68 mins), Nix (Daley, 68 mins), Thorne, Johnson. Unused substitutes: Saynor, Starosta.

Goals: Thorne 17,Nix 19 

 

Referee: P. Armstrong (Berkshire).

Attendance: 4,336

 

Game Statistics

Bees / Bantams
11 Goal Attempts 5
3 On Target 3
6 Corners 1
16 Fouls 12
1 Yellow Cards 2
51 % 49

 

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BCFC Report (from the T&A )

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City deliver goal extravaganza

By Simon Parker

 

Brentford 2 City 2

End of season games between middling sides can be curious affairs.

Some can be played out with all the ferocity of a beach kick-about on the holidays the players are all starting to plan.

Others can serve up an entertainment free-for-all as both sides cast off any inhibitions caused by the league table.

But Griffin Park on Saturday decided to host its own private goal-of-the-month contest.

As the first-half goals went flying in, there seemed to be an air of "anything you can do...". Each spectacular effort was trumped by the next.

Three of the four goals were absolute belters - and the one from Brentford's Glenn Poole which got the fun started was no tap-in either.

Talking of tap-ins, Kyle Nix was delighted to wipe out the painful memory of that goal-line gaffe at Rotherham a few weeks back.

His cracking left-foot volley from just outside the box showed perfect timing. And not just in terms of his sweet connection which flew into the top corner.

Three weeks from now, Stuart McCall has to make his mind up on Nix and the legion of other out-of-contract names. It was a hefty nudge in the midfielder's favour.

Second-guessing McCall is as difficult a pastime for reporters as players. The line-up which braved the pre-match monsoon of hail for their warm-up again showed several changes from four days before.

The four missing from the 11 which faced Barnet included injured duo Barry Conlon and Paul Heckingbottom.

Conlon was given the breather he needed after carrying a knee problem he suffered a fortnight ago at Rochdale. Heckingbottom lost his ever-present league mantle after his calf tightened up in training on Friday.

His absence meant a league debut for Luke O'Brien, whose only previous senior experience was the FA Cup loss to Tranmere in December.

The 19-year-old is expected to be handed another contract in the summer and certainly did his chances no harm at all.

"I had no worries about putting him in," said McCall. "Luke plays and trains ever so well and hopefully he's got a good future in the game."

O'Brien showed few nerves against on-loan Fulham winger Wayne Brown or late substitute Ricky Shakes. And he topped off a good day in the capital with a clearance off the line to thwart Nathan Elder's header.

City defended well as a whole after a dodgy start.

Alan Connell had already gone close when Brentford grabbed the lead on six minutes after Nix had undersold Tom Penford midway inside his own half.

Gary Smith nicked the pass away and teed up Poole, whose low shot through David Wetherall's legs beat Scott Loach's left hand. Maybe the keeper could have done a bit better but he only saw the ball very late after the skipper's attempts to close Poole down.

But City did not have long to dwell on their misfortune. Within 13 minutes, they had not only levelled but taken the lead.

The Bantams struck with their first effort at goal - and what a beauty it was.

Mark Bower pumped a long free-kick forward, where Wetherall won possession with a commanding knock-down to Peter Thorne. The leading scorer let it run across his body as he swivelled and crashed an unstoppable half-volley into the roof of the net.

It was a stunning strike and prompted yet more "if only" sighs from the away supporters, pondering those lost three months at the start of the campaign before Thorne was fit and firing.

Getting him tied down for next season already could prove to be McCall's best signing of the summer.

Brentford were further rocking three minutes later after another superb blast from the edge of the penalty area.

Thorne again had a part in it with a flick-on header and Nix's lethal left foot did the rest, with the aid of a slight Brentford deflection.

This was getting fun - so much for Ian Ormondroyd's pre-match prediction of a 0-0 banker... City could and should have gone further in front as Eddie Johnson, again playing up front, cleverly anticipated Ryan Dickson's back pass for centre half Matt Heywood.

Johnson timed his run perfectly to whisk the ball off the defender's foot and suddenly found himself bearing down on goal. But with only keeper Simon Brown to beat, he seemed to lose conviction as the goal approached and drove an unconvincing shot straight at the opponent.

As so often happens, a miss like that swiftly becomes a key turning-point.

And instead of going 3-1 down, Brentford were back on equal terms just two minutes later. Of course, it was another pearler of a strike.

Wetherall cleared out a cross as far as Wayne Brown before Alan Bennett took over with the sort of goal that no centre half has the right to score.

Seizing possession on the angle of the City penalty area, he launched a looping effort - with a hint of a touch off Thorne's outstretched boot - which flew over Loach and crashed into the far corner of the net off the bar.

Twenty six minutes gone, four goals, all crackers. Of course it couldn't last.

But there were still further murmurs before half-time as Penford's hit-and-hope cross bounced on the bar and Alex Rhodes, trying so hard but failing to make a real impact against his old club, snatched at a shot after a dreadful miscontrol by right back Craig Pead.

Brentford thought they were back in front right on the break when Elder thumped a header goalwards from Smith's corner but O'Brien was perfectly positioned to guard the back post and make sure of a personal moment to savour.

After such a first-half feast, the second was inevitably going to run out of steam. City's efforts weren't helped by a fresh deluge that was blowing into their faces.

Joe Colbeck made a couple of trademark charges deep into enemy territory but his decision-making let him down; once in particular he kept on going and going deep into the box before wrongly looking to cut back to Johnson instead of having a dig himself.

Loach made a good save after Elder found room to turn and shoot and Connell wastefully volleyed over the bar from close range.

But City should have had a penalty with five minutes left. Wetherall has hardly got the reputation as a serial diver but referee Paul Armstrong was unmoved when he appeared to be thrown to the ground by Heywood.

The big defender was furious at the official's non-committal response to what seemed a blatant foul.

City finished the game on the attack with Luke Medley sending fellow sub Omar Daley away on the left. But he didn't spot the well-placed Thorne and cut inside instead, only to lose out before he could get off a shot.

 

 

 

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Opposition Report

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Official match report

n/a

 

 

Misc. Report(s)

n/a

 

 

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Post match reaction

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Nix: I don't do tap-ins

By Simon Parker

Kyle Nix today joked: I'm more deadly from 20 yards than one.

The feisty midfielder bagged his eighth goal for City with an explosive strike against Brentford.

Only Peter Thorne, who netted number 14 for the season with an equally spectacular effort in Saturday's 2-2 draw, has scored more.

Nix's goal from the edge of the penalty area was his first since January - and wiped out the memory of his amazing point-blank miss at Rotherham recently.

Nix admitted: "I don't seem to do tap-ins! But it was good to get on the scoresheet again after missing the Rotherham one.

"That was one of those freak things. I don't think I could ever do it again if I tried.

"But I've not let it bother me and wouldn't say that it has affected my confidence. I still want to get in the same positions and make runs into the box."

Nix is one of the clutch of players waiting to see if they figure in Stuart McCall's plans for next term. But he reckons the uncertainty is making sure City do not ease up before the current campaign is up.

"I haven't heard anything but I'm just trying to keep firing and playing as well as I can. It's the same with a lot of the lads and I think the last six or seven games have made it hard for the gaffer with his decisions.

"Everybody wants to be here and we're trying to finish the season as strongly as we can and keep getting the results.

"I thought Brentford's first goal was my fault but I redeemed myself with scoring. It was a decent performance all round and keeps us just in front of them."

McCall has consistently made it clear he will not deliver his verdict on the out-of-contract players until the season is over.

He said: "When I played, sometimes you had to go the last game. People want to know about their future, of course, but there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes.

"The lads know the situation and they've got to keep putting in good performances.

"I reminded the team before kick-off that nobody could say it was an end-of-season game with nothing to play for. Every one of them, including the lads on the bench, has everything to play for."

 

 

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Other reports

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Rhodes: We're on to a winner with Stuart

By Simon Parker
Julian Rhodes is convinced that Stuart McCall is the "winner" to turn City into genuine promotion contenders for next season.

Saturday's draw at Brentford meant that the Bantams cannot make the play-offs. Realistically, the current ninth spot is the highest they can finish in McCall's debut at the helm.

But despite contemplating another year in the basement division, joint-chairman Rhodes believes McCall has made big strides as a manager.

And he views City's dramatic improvement over the second half of the season as proof of the progress the club legend has made in charge.

Rhodes said: "I've been impressed with Stuart this year.

"It's not been the season we all hoped for because we're not going to win promotion but he has certainly shown signs that he will achieve what we want to achieve as a club.

"We all know that Stuart McCall is a winner and will work hard until he gets it right, which I'm sure he will."

McCall concedes he was a novice to League Two when he took the job. He had to assemble a squad for this season as he went along; taking recommendations on available players before he was fully aware of what was required.

"That was the problem last year," admitted Rhodes. "At the end of June, Stuart only had about six players - it won't be like that next time. We want the nucleus of the squad in before pre-season and I'm sure that will be the case.

"We've already got one or two targets that hopefully we will be in a position to bring in a lot earlier than last year.

"Stuart has done his homework and I think he knows some of the best players in this division. I'm sure he will be using his persuasive charms to get them to sign for Bradford."

Morecambe's tricky winger Garry Thompson, who injured his cheek bone at Valley Parade ten days ago, is understood to be one of McCall's top targets.

Thompson has been offered the biggest deal in the Shrimps' history to stay but has not put pen to paper so far, suggesting he is ready to move on.

Huddersfield's Bradford-born midfielder Chris Brandon has also been mentioned, along with prolific Mansfield striker Michael Boulding. But McCall is also still making up his mind about several members of the current squad.

Rhodes said: "At this time of year, signings come to the forefront and Stuart has been talking about players who are out of contract.

"Stuart will be given his budget and he has to operate within it. We all talk about players but ultimately it's Stuart's decision and his budget and he needs to spend it as he sees fit."

McCall has acknowledged City's chances this term were wrecked by an autumn slump which saw them claim only two points out of a possible 24.

Some managers would have been under pressure after a run like that but Rhodes dismisses any suggestions that City had any doubts.

"That kind of attitude gets you nowhere. Whatever way you look at it, we suffered this season from a bad eight games in October and November.

"Stuart has had to learn and I have to say, he's learned very quickly, especially since December time. I've been very impressed with him.

"You look at our record in that time (35 points in 21 games since New Year's Day) and he's definitely getting there. All we can do is carry on off the pitch making sure that we don't slip back into losing money, in such a way as it allows Stuart to have a real chance.

"I don't want to put undue pressure on anyone but next season we have to do well. With Stuart in charge and now a year wiser, I know that we will."

 

 

 

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News from BCFC

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 By Simon Parker

 

 McCALL DEFENDS CONTRACT DELAYS

Stuart McCall has defended his decision to keep some of his players guessing
over their futures at Valley Parade.

Several first-team squad members are out of contract in the summer and
Bradford City manager McCall has refused to discuss new deals with any of
them until the season is over.

McCall said: "When I played, sometimes you had to go to the last game.

"People want to know about their future, of course, but there are a lot of
things going on behind the scenes.

"The lads know the situation and they've got to keep putting in good
performances.

"I reminded the team before kick-off that nobody could say it was an
end-of-season game with nothing to play for. Every one of them, including
the lads on the bench, has everything to play for."

 

 

 

 

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Since February 1997

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L2 Mar 24 (h) W1-0 v Chesterfield

 

Game Summary:

 

Bradford City left the last of their last chance saloons with three points that they probably didn't deserve after this entertaining clash played, for the most part, in glorious sunshine at Valley Parade.

The difference between the sides was eventually the solitary goal that took Peter Thorne's tally for the season to 12 when he rose highest to head home Ben Starosta's cross after sixteen minutes.

 

 

 */*

Next game(s) : 

 

Upcoming fixtures

 

******************************

A bit of City humour... http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/

2007/2008 fixtures now out

FL2 Table  Table

BCFC News

Must be a midlife crises - I'm on facebook !

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******************************

Match Video and Picture Links

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Highlights (UK only) Virgin Media

 

http://www.thestar.co.uk/spireites/Spireites-sunk-by-single-strike.3909434.jp

(also includes slideshow - maybe UK only)

 

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Match Stats

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Game Statistics

 

Bradford: Loach ,Starosta ,Wetherall ,Bower ,Heckingbottom ,Colbeck ,Penford ,Nix ,Rhodes (Johnson ,58 ) ,Topp (Brown ,63 ) ,Thorne (Conlon ,85)
Subs not used: Williams,O'Brien,

 

Chesterfield: Roche ,Picken ,Kovacs ,Downes ,Robertson (Moloney ,66 ) ,Lowry (Adam Smith ,58 ) ,Niven (Winter ,80 ) ,Leven ,Kerry ,Dowson ,Fletcher
Subs not used Annerson,Hartley,

Bookings: Downes ,Kovacs (Chesterfield)

 

Attendance: 13825

Referee: C Webster (Tyne & Wear)

City / Spireites

10 Goal Attempts 13
7 On Target 5
4 Corners 6
12 Fouls 16
0 Yellow Cards 2
48 % 52

Soccerbase.com

Soccerway.com

 

 

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BCFC Report (from the T&A )

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Thorne reaches magic milestone
By Simon Parker

Bradford City 1, Chesterfield 0

It will be one of those imponderable questions when the end-of-season inquests are carried out.

But how would City have got on if Peter Thorne had begun his campaign in August rather than November?

Thorne, fresh after Saturday's breather, once again showed his worth with a textbook centre forward's header this afternoon.

It was his 150th career league goal and the 12th in a Bantams shirt - all coming in the last four months.

Every team needs a poacher and Thorne's absence from the opening quarter of the season - when he did briefly play, he was never fully fit - hit City's plans hard.

 Another six or seven games early doors might have produced another four or five goals - and maybe half a dozen extra points.

Then where might Stuart McCall's side be?

All conjecture, of course, as the Bantams continue to muddle around the middle.

The fans at least can enjoy a rare home win - only the second in six attempts.

But perhaps they should have expected it. This was the third year running that Chesterfield have left Valley Parade empty-handed - and not too many visiting sides can say that.

The Spireites have not even managed a single goal in that time. The cynics would say they are even worse on West Yorkshire soil than City!

Thorne's 16th-minute goal was reward for excellent build-up play.

Joe Colbeck charged through the middle, drawing the red shirts to him like moths to a flame, before slipping a pass to Ben Starosta.

The right back is always keen to get forward and he relished the open space created to deliver a deep cross right on to Thorne's head.

The striker's connection carried too much power for keeper Barry Roche, who could only palm it into the net.

Starosta was at it again within minutes, threading a lovely pass into the Chesterfield box between left back and centre half which was wasted by Colbeck's disappointing cut-back.

McCall had praised the desire shown at Millmoor and, watching from his lofty perch in the press box, the gaffer would have been impressed with Alex Rhodes.

The winger appeared to have lost out to Derek Niven after a surging run into the area but battled to win back possession while on the ground and drill in a cross which unfortunately caught his team-mates napping.

Chesterfield were clearly missing 25-goal hitman Jack Lester, whose broken nose from the weekend is threatening to derail their play-off push. Without him, they looked toothless for much of the first half.

Aussie defender Aaron Downes should have got more on a header at a free-kick but Chesterfield's only other effort was an off-balance lob well wide from Lloyd Kerry.

Starosta was almost operating exclusively as a right winger as City looked for that second goal. And Thorne got free out wide to whip in a dangerous ball that just eluded his target Colbeck.

City had the chance to crank up the pressure on the Chesterfield goal in time added on after Rhodes was bundled over level with the corner of the penalty area.

But the opportunity was wasted as Colbeck rolled it short for Kyle Nix, whose half-hearted shot was easily blocked.

The game had a flat feel but City were good value for their advantage.

Spireites boss Lee Richardson made his feelings on the first 45 minutes crystal clear by sending his team out well early for the second half - no doubt, with a few choice words ringing in their ears.

Chesterfield had to wake up as an attacking force and veteran battering ram Steve Fletcher tried to flex his muscles within minutes of the re-start when he launched into Loach on the end of a long cross from Gregor Robertson. Both missed it but City comfortably cleared up the potential danger.

Peter Leven, briefly a Valley Parade trialist in pre-season, launched a long throw-in into the box which was carefully cleared by David Wetherall.

Then centre back partner Mark Bower clashed with David Dowson, leaving the on-loan Sunderland striker on the floor.

Chesterfield's fans behind the goal appealed for a penalty but referee Colin Webster was unmoved.

It was a good little spell for the visitors, although still there was nothing to seriously trouble City's lead.

City nearly cashed in on the break with Willy Topp and Colbeck combining brightly to force the game's first corner.

It had taken 55 minutes but was not worth waiting for as Colbeck's kick didn't clear the first defender.

McCall, now back at ground level, made his first switch just before the hour.

Rhodes, one of three changes from Saturday, made way for Eddie Johnson as Nix shunted across to the left.

Colbeck was seeing more and more of the ball and giving marker Gregor Robertson a run for his money. And City's pacy threat increased when David Brown came on for Topp.

The Kop had woken up to provide the noisy backing which had been lacking up to that point. The volume increased as Brown's persistence kept the ball alive on the touchline and Thorne forced another corner.

A constant chorus of "Stuart McCall's Bradford Army" drummed round the ground and it did not waver as Chesterfield's attacking ambitions were twice thwarted by the imposing head of Wetherall.

Loach was finally called upon to make his first save as Dowson drove towards the near post. The keeper's block was strong and Bower got in the way of the follow-up.

The home fans kept singing from the far end as Chesterfield won back-to-back corners - and the second should have produced an equaliser for substitute Adam Smith, who scuffed over the bar from point-blank range.

It was a warning sign for the Bantams, whose advantage was starting to look precarious. It had been seven games since the last clean sheet at home, a run stretching back to January 12.

Bower was starting to tire in the closing stages, understandably as he played his second game in three days after so long out.

But Fletcher brushed him off to make room for an effort from the edge of the box which cleared the bar.

Bower then launched a clearing header forward that was missed by two Chesterfield players and dropped straight at the feet of the dimunitive Brown.

Downes, perhaps undone by the striker's low centre of gravity, immediately bundled him over and was rightly booked.

Nix's free-kick was deflected just wide but Chesterfield responded instantly as Starosta was caught out by Dowson.

The right back did not see Dowson closing him down and turned straight into trouble but was baled out by Loach, who turned the resulting shot across goal and away.

Brown won another free-kick on the break to lift the pressure and Thorne nearly earned City some breathing space when the ball broke to him ten yards out but his firm shot was well parried by Roche.

Thorne went off to a standing ovation with five minutes to go and replacement Barry Conlon almost scored with his first touch, heading over from the penalty spot.

But Conlon was trumped straight away by Chesterfield's newly-arrived sub Jamie Winter, whose 25-yard belter was arrowing for the top corner until Loach flew across his goal to tip it clear.

Loach was into the action again to beat away Smith's cross as the four minutes of added time began with another melee.

Even the keeper appeared in the box for a corner as Chesterfield desperately pushed for an equaliser.

The visitors must have regretted their lack of conviction in the first 45 minutes.

But the game ended with City on the attack and, for once, the supporters went home happy.

 

 

 

 

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Opposition Report

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Official match report

 

Lee Richardson was forced into two changes and elected to make a third, to the line-up that beat Accrington on Saturday. Jack Lester's broken nose we knew about, but Jamie Ward's absence, with a tight hamstring, took everyone by surprise. David Dowson and Steve Fletcher thus started up front. Gregor Robertson moved from left midfield to left back, replacing Peter Hartley, who dropped to the bench. Adam Smith and Brendan Moloney were welcome additions to the substitute strength.

Chesterfield made a decent, measured start. Fletch found Dowson with a knock-down on 3 and he worked it towards Picken, but the ball was cleared. Picken was involved in getting the ball into the Bradford box on 6, but Weatherall cleared. Chesterfield looked the more comfortable side in the first ten minutes.

City's first effort came from Thorne, on 13, but it didn't trouble Roche in the visitors' net. Thorne was more accurate on 15, though, getting on the end of Starosa's cross to plant a free header past Roche, despite the keeper getting a hand to it. 1-0 City.

Having taken the lead City relaxed, and played the better football, looking to increase their lead against a Spireites side that seemed to lose its shape a little. Chesterfield clawed their way back into the game, at least in terms of share of play, thanks to determined work by Kerry, particularly.

Niven crossed on 36 after Dowson worked the ball wide well, but Fletcher was unable to make firm contact at the far post. City broke with Topp, but Niven was on hand to clear the danger.

Colbeck took a short free kick to Nix as stoppage time commenced but the end product was poor, and the free kick was wasted. The game was becoming drab as Bradford, in command, lacked the quality to build on their lead in a convincing manner, and Chesterfield lacked the impetus, organisation and width to mount a convincing comeback.

Both sides were probably grateful for the half-time break.

Chesterfield tried to press after the re-start. A Lowry shot was unfortunately blocked by Dowson; Robertson skied a cross but the City goalkeeper flapped under pressure, almost letting Fletcher in.Dowson broke into the penalty area but was baulked by an outstretched arm after flicking ball over a defender- the referee declined to award a penalty.

Topp got as far as the Spireites six-yard box but was stopped by Niven, at the expense of the game's first corner, on 55. Nix went through on Dowson, who seemed to have been identified as the principal threat by the City team.

Adam Smith replaced Jamie Lowry on 57, while City brought Eddie Johnson on for Rhodes. David Brown replaced Topp on 63. Brown beat Downes and crossed to Thorne, whose effort cannoned off Kovacs for a corner, which Downes cleared.

Moloney replaced Robertson on 66. City brought everyone back to defend a free kick which Kerry took on 67, but his effort came back off the wall. Dowson got a shot away on 68 but Loach saved; Leven look poised to pick up the afters but Kerry came in front of him. The ball was cleared and Kovacs was booked for a foul on Starosa.

Smith's cross to Fletcher was cleared for a corner which Kerry took on 70. Johnson headed it away for another; Kerry took that and it fell to Smith, who knocked it over from only a couple of yards with the goal at his mercy. The Spireites were unquestionably brighter and were having the greater share of the ball - with men absent up front, though, would they be able to conjure an equaliser?

Fletcher shot over the bar on 75. Downes was harshly booked for a foul on Brown after the diminutive chap was knocked off the ball by a bigger man. Nix took the free kick but the shot struck Downes and went out for a corner. Dowson broke through on 78 but Loach pulled off a great save to deny him, at the expense of a corner. Chesterfield kept the ball from the clearance and Kerry shot narrowly wide.

Winter replaced Niven on 80. Brown tumbled under a Kerry challenge to win a free kick on 81. The free kick came to Thorne who shot well, but Roche equalled it with a fine save. Conlon replace Thorne on 86 and headed over the bar almost immediately. Winter fired a fine shot at the Bradford goal but Loch pulled off another top-class save to preserve City's lead. Straight away Winter was back at the other end to deny Brown. Leven fed Kerry who shot, but Loach had a more comfortable time with this effort. A fine Smith cross was cleared, and City were left hanging on by their knicker elastic as Smith and Winter both put in balls that were cleared frantically. Roche came up for a corner on 91. As the four minutes of added time unfolded, though, City were able to slow it down enough to halt Chesterfield's momentum

 

 

Misc. Report(s)

http://www.thestar.co.uk/spireites/Spireites-sunk-by-single-strike.3909434.jp

(also includes slideshow - maybe UK only)

 

http://www.thestar.co.uk/spireites/How-did-we-miss-all.3913159.jp

 

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Post match reaction

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Other reports

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From the Yorkshire Post

Bradford City 1 Chesterfield 0: Bradford owe debt to inspired Loach

Bradford city goalkeeper Scott Loach pulled off two stunning saves to frustrate play-off chasers Chesterfield and earn a much-needed home win for Stuart McCall's side.

City went ahead in the first half thanks to Peter Thorne's 12th goal of the season, but they were under the cosh for much of the second period and the visitors must be wondering how they did not find a way through.

McCall rang the changes after City's hard-fought draw at Rotherham and his fresh line-up bossed the game early on.

Winger Joe Colbeck posed plenty of problems with his pace and when he picked out overlapping full-back Ben Sarosta after 15 minutes he supplied a superb cross for Thorne to power in his header from six yards out.

But City failed to make the most of their early dominance and after the interval the visitors came out determined to get back into the contest.

Lively Chesterfield striker David Dowson went down under a challenge from Mark Bower, but referee Colin Webster waved away the penalty appeals and Loach, who had flapped at a couple of crosses, made amends when he blocked another effort from Dowson at his near post.

Twenty minutes from time City had a real let-off when Lloyd Kerry's corner beat everybody only for Adam Smith to scoop the ball over the bar.

Starosta blotted his copybook when his slip allowed Dowson a clear run-in on goal, but Loach came to his rescue with a smart one-handed save, before blocking Jamie Winter's 25-yard shot.

 

 

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Other news

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Tom Penford

Thorne to begin contract talks  

 

 

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L2 Mar 22nd (a) D1-1 v Rotherham United

 

 

Game Summary:

 

Omar Daley was sent off as a chilly Yorkshire derby finished all square at Millmoor.

 Barry Conlon should have given City the lead in the first half but they went in front within two minutes of the re-start with Joe Colbeck's fourth goal of the season. The winger slipped the ball inside to Tom Penford and then raced on to his flighted return to drill home off the inside of the far post.

And they should have gone 2-0 up after 62 minutes. But Kyle Nix somehow managed to stab the ball straight at keeper Andy Warrington from three yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Rotherham seized on that let-off and were level soon after.

The home side, playing their first game since being docked ten points for going into administration, tried to make their extra man advantage count in the closing stages. Mark Hudson went close with a volley in stoppage time but City hung on to protect their point.

  

 */*

Next game(s) : 

 

Upcoming fixtures

 

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A bit of City humour... http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/

2007/2008 fixtures now out

FL2 Table  Table

BCFC News

Must be a midlife crises - I'm on facebook !

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Match Video and Picture Links

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Highlights (UK only) Virgin Media

BCFC Link

 

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Match Stats

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 Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge (Taylor 83), Mills, Coughlan, Joseph, Yates (Green 67), Danny Harrison, Hudson, Peter Holmes, O'Grady, Derek Holmes (Newsham 61).
Subs Not Used: Cann, Ross.

Booked: Mills.

Goals: O'Grady 65.

 

Bradford: Loach, Williams (Starosta 90), Wetherall, Bower, Heckingbottom, Colbeck, Johnson, Penford, Nix, Daley, Conlon (Thorne 83).
Subs Not Used: Evans, Rhodes, Topp.

Sent Off: Daley (71).

Goals: Colbeck 48.

 

Att: 4,157

Ref: Mike Thorpe (Suffolk).

 

Game Statistics

Millers / Bantams
18 Goal Attempts 14
10 On Target 10
27 Crosses 14
7 Corners 2
3 Offside 5
12 Fouls 10
1 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 1
53 % 47

Soccerbase.com

Soccerway.com

 

 

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BCFC Report (from the

T&A )

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City defiant after Daley dismissal
By Simon Parker
Rotherham 1, City 1

Sequels are never the same. Just think of Jaws 4, High School Musical 2, Police Academy 7... None of them were a patch on the original.

Last month's pulsating cracker at Valley Parade was always going to be an impossible act to follow but City left snowy/sunny/windy south Yorkshire (all four seasons of weather was crammed into 90 minutes) knowing they had done a decent job.

All right, it wasn't three points - which it could and would have been if Kyle Nix had not contrived to somehow miss from three yards - but they had at least made a point following their manager's rollicking after last week's miserable effort against Mansfield.

For one game, at least, the players were back in Stuart McCall's good books. Let's hope that it is still the case come 5pm today.

On the afternoon nominated by the fans to celebrate David Wetherall's contribution to the cause, City rolled up their sleeves and battled in the manner we have come to expect from the skipper.

 None more so than for the final 20 minutes, when they were down to ten men after Omar Daley was given his marching orders.

It was hard to see what exactly took place between the Jamaican and Rotherham centre half Graham Coughlan. Even McCall, just a few yards from the incident in the away dugout, did his best Arsene Wenger impression and said he was oblivious.

Coughlan cleared a ball as Daley went into the challenge and ended up on the floor. There was a brief melee as players from both sides converged on the scene, before referee Mike Thorpe pulled out a red card.

After a string of sub-par displays, Daley had looked up for it in a strike role alongside Barry Conlon, with his pace causing the Millers backline a real problem. That made his early exit even more frustrating.

But at least this time there was no late Rotherham winner to leave City empty-handed. That would have been harsh on a side showing four changes from Mansfield.

In an ideal world, McCall would have been tempted to replace the lot of them but, with one eye on today's Chesterfield clash, he shuffled it about to give a chance to the likes of Tom Penford and long-term absentee Mark Bower.

They both rewarded him with real commitment; Penford, in particular, catching the eye with his roving runs from box to box in centre midfield.

It is games like this which remind you what a talent he can be. It's just a pity that we have been given such fleeting glimpses down the years.

Penford's partnership with Eddie Johnson certainly enjoyed the upper hand on their Rotherham counterparts - and the 23-year-old was at the heart of City's goal.

Joe Colbeck, a lively and bright presence on the right flank, slipped the ball inside to Penford and then bombed towards the box. The flighted return pass was right on the button and Colbeck needed only one touch to steady himself before shooting across keeper Andy Warrington and in off the far post.

It was Colbeck's fourth City goal of the campaign and sixth overall. Now it is surely time that he breaks his duck at home.

What made it ten times worse for the Rotherham faithful was that their own right winger Jamie Yates had been in an identical situation in the first half but he mistakenly went for the near post and simply dragged his shot into the side-netting.

Team-mate Derek Holmes, unmarked six yards out, was particularly unimpressed as he stood there pleading for a pass.

That was one of two big chances in the opening 45 minutes; the other fell to Barry Conlon.

When Penford's blocked shot squirted to him by the penalty spot, Conlon should have been celebrating his third goal in as many games. Rotherham froze for offside, which gave the Irishman time to take aim, but Warrington made a decent block and the opportunity was gone.

Conlon led the line well and his hold-up play was good all afternoon but once again his finishing was called into question.

Having enjoyed the bulk of the first-half possession without creating too much else, you feared that City might live to regret it - but within two minutes of the restart, Colbeck was galloping inside left back Marc Joseph and the deadlock had been broken.

The game opened up as Scott Loach beat away Chris O'Grady's low effort, then Daley's quick feet worked space to test Warrington at the other end.

But City, again backed by a noisy away following, had their tails up and, while Rotherham rocked, they should have delivered a knock-out blow.

Nix found Daley and then set off for the six-yard box to take the low cross that the winger drilled in. Warrington was on the floor as the goal loomed large but Nix unbelievably slid the ball parallel with the goalline and straight into the keeper's grateful grasp.

It was a miss just as embarrassing as Peter Thorne's in the first encounter between the sides and the scorn poured down from the home fans behind that goal. It must have been even more painful for Nix, who grew up and still lives around the Rotherham area.

His punishment was doubled when Rotherham inevitably hit back with an equaliser two minutes later.

It was a poor goal to concede. Joseph's free-kick just over the halfway line caught the gusty wind and drifted on into the City box, where O'Grady slipped in behind Bower to stab home from close range.

It should have been the keeper's ball and Loach was quick to apologise to his frustrated defence.

Both sides were going for a winner and City could have been back in front from their next attack. Again it was Nix cutting into range but his shot with his unfavoured right foot carried over the bar.

Then Daley was sent off and City had to resort to plan B, ensuring they held on to what they had.

Bower was running on empty but kept getting his head on every high ball; Wetherall stood strong alongside him; the full backs timed their tackles well and made sure Rotherham did not get round the side.

Paul Heckingbottom produced a great smothering tackle as Coughlan prepared to pull the trigger and Joseph's delicate chip cleared the bar.

But it had been much better from City. Then again, it usually is away from home. Over to you at Valley Parade!

 

 

 

 

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Opposition Report

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Official match report

n/a

 

 

Misc. Report(s)

Vital Football

Millers Mad  

 

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Post match reaction

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 All change for Bantams
By Simon Parker

Willy Topp will make his first start for seven games this afternoon as Stuart McCall again rings the City changes.

The Chilean, still looking to open his scoring account, is likely to partner Peter Thorne up front against Chesterfield.

McCall was pleased with his side's battling display which earned a point at Rotherham on Saturday but he had already told the squad there will be different faces on duty at Valley Parade with two matches in the space of three days.

Alex Rhodes could also come back into midfield but McCall has some thinking to do at the back. On-loan Fulham centre half TJ Moncur missed Millmoor through personal reasons and it is doubtful he will be in the right frame of mind to play. Mark Bower, who made his first appearance for three months in south Yorkshire, may struggle to play again so quickly.

Darren Williams was in for treatment yesterday for a bang on the calf and is another doubt.

McCall said: "We can freshen the team up middle to front but we are struggling a bit defensively. We've got a few knocks and it's tough but that's the same for every team playing back-to-back games.

 "The boys worked ever so hard on Saturday. They realised they let everyone down last week against Mansfield and gave the right response.

"I sensed there was a steely determination in the dressing room and they carried that out for the 90 minutes on the pitch.

"We more than matched a good Rotherham side and could have come away with more.

"Now we need to do that for the rest of the season. It's no good battling like that and then not performing properly today - we need to back it up, as we've been saying all season."

Omar Daley, who flew off to Jamaica on international duty yesterday, begins a three-match ban after his Rotherham dismissal. The winger was shown a straight red for a clash with home defender Graham Coughlan.

Rotherham boss Mark Robins claimed Daley kicked Coughlan while he was on the ground. McCall will review the video before deciding what punishment to dish out.

He admitted: "It happened right near to me but whether I was turning round to make a substitution or telling somebody to warm up, I just didn't see a thing.

"Omar says it was a tangle and their boy put his knee up. But speaking to their lad after the game, he was saying Omar had been stupid."

But City will not have to face Chesterfield danger man Jack Lester. The prolific former Nottingham Forest striker, who McCall rates the best in the division, badly broke his nose in their 4-2 comeback win over Accrington and could be out for three weeks.

 

 

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Other reports

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BRADFORD CITY: Conlon admits fans deserve better
Yorkshire Post

 By Daniel Houlker
Bradford City striker Barry Conlon admits the fans deserve better than the inconsistent performances they have been served up recently.

The Bantams have had an indifferent season since their relegation to Coca-Cola League Two and currently lie in 13th spot, 10 points adrift of the play-off places.

With City failing to string together a solid run of results, and recent home defeats coming at the hands of Dagenham and Redbridge and most recently Mansfield, Conlon says his side now owe it to the fans to start delivering.

He said: "I'm disappointed and so are all the lads.

"We let ourselves down in the game against Mansfield and it's hard on the fans when we perform like that.

"Our home form has been inconsistent all season and the fans deserve a lot better."

Conlon also went on to praise the fans for their support this season.

"The fans have been brilliant all season, not only at home, but at away games too," he added.

Having taken just three points out of a possible 15 in their last five home games, City fans have been left worried that the season could well fall short of the play-off mark.

Conlon made the short trip north to make Bradford his 12th career club from Mansfield last summer on a one-year contract.

Having had a mixed start to his career at Bradford, the powerful Irish striker has found the net twice in as many games, taking his tally to six for the season.

And Conlon said the players remained optimistic about the upcoming games.

"We don't feel any pressure," he said. "We'll get ourselves back up after the Mansfield game.

"We've got a good bunch of lads here and we've had a good week in training.

"We are all confident in our ability and always go into games believing we can beat anyone."

The Bantams still have hopes of making the play-offs this season.

Despite languishing those 10 points off the pace, City have two games in hand on many of the fellow hopefuls around them.

With nine of the last 10 games being against teams above themselves, City have the chance to take points off fellow promotion- chasers.

Though Conlon refuses to be drawn into the possibility of cementing a play-off place.

City will just try to win every game and see where it gets them.

He said: "We need to get more consistent. You're only as good as your last game.

"We're just taking one game at a time and hopefully we can string a good run of results together."
 

 

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L2 Round up

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