L2 v Aldershot (h) W5-0 March 7th 2009

Coca-Cola League Two
Bradford C (2) 5 Thorne 2, 54, Furman 15, Conlon 88, Day (og) 90.
Aldershot T (0) 0
Att: 12,465


***
Also in this issue:
Rochdale Travel
SURRIDGE KIT REDUCED


***

Stats: Bradford C - Aldershot
Possession: 54 - 46
Shots on target: 6 - 4
Shots off target: 5 - 6
Fouls: 7 - 5
Corners: 9 - 4

Ref: G. Salisbury (Lancashire).
Yellow cards: None.

Bradford C: 1. Rhys Evans, 2. Paul Arnison, 5. Graeme Lee, 12. Matthew
Clarke, 19. Luke O'Brien, 15. Joe Colbeck, 23. Dean Furman, 24. Nicky Law,
25. Steve Jones, 10. Peter Thorne (71), 14. Michael Boulding (84).
Subs: 30. Matthew Convey (GK), 8. Lee Bullock, 9. Barry Conlon (71), 11.
Chris Brandon (84), 33. Zeshan Rehman.

Aldershot: 1. Nikki Bull, 4. Chris Blackburn, 5. Rhys Day, 6. Anthony
Charles, 2. Andy Lindegaard, 23. Scott Davies, 8. Lewis Chalmers (62), 28.
Andrew Sandell, 3. Anthony Straker, 25. Jake Robinson, 10. Marvin Morgan.
Subs: 33. Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz (GK), 9. John Grant (62), 14. Daniel Hylton,
20. Ricky Newman, 27. Justin Cochrane.

Next match: (A) Rochdale, Tuesday March 10, 2009, K.O. 7:45 PM.

Last season: Rochdale 2-1 Bradford C; Bradford C 1-2 Rochdale.
This season: Bradford C 2-0 Rochdale.



===========================
BANTAMS PUT ON FIVE-STAR SHOW

Promotion-chasing Bradford City recorded their biggest win of the season
after thrashing Aldershot 5-0 at Valley Parade on Saturday afternoon.

They made a great start when Peter Thorne put them in front in the second
minute with a close-range shot from Steve Jones' cross and Dean Furman added
a second after 15 minutes when his shot was deflected onto the underside of
the crossbar.

Thorne netted Bradford's third in the 54th minute with a header from Nicky
Law's corner and substitute Barry Conlon made it 4-0 three minutes from the
end from Law's through ball.

Aldershot's miserable afternoon was complete in the last minute when
defender Rhys Day could only divert Joe Colbeck's cross into his own net.

McCall's Comments (Audio):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7930665.stm


===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4184669.print/

City come alive with five
2:47pm Sunday 8th March 2009

City 5, Aldershot 0

Perhaps Barnet and Notts County were just horrible dreams that never really took place.

Eight days on and it's once more all systems go, the blot of those double away defeats wiped away by six more points

from "fortress" Valley Parade.

And, what's just as significant, the goal difference has been sorted out as well. How important could that turn out

to be, given the congested state of the promotion picture?

Those who were calling for the collective heads of Stuart McCall and his players in the wake of the no-shows at

Underhill and Meadow Lane have been silenced by a strong response. This side have got character and determination

after all.

There was never a five-goal margin between the two teams on Saturday – but so what? City showed a clinical touch in

front of goal to take their chances. This was Notts County again but on the other boot.

As McCall said, there were plenty of positives for the crowd to enjoy from City's biggest league win for 11 years.

Now the army of travelling fans can head for Spotland on Tuesday night with a belief that the team can deliver.

The table looks a damn sight better than this time last week – but imagine how good it could be if City can maintain

the momentum built up over the last three hours with two more big performances against the sides currently locked

with them on 58 points?

We've been here before, of course. There is still not enough room to swing a cat in the play-off chase, so the jury

remains out.

But having rattled up a season's high five, McCall's pre-match belief that City are capable of stringing together a

charge a la Brentford does not sound quite so outlandish.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon was not for the goals, though. It was reserved for a late substitute who came on

and hardly touched the ball.

Chris Brandon's debut for his beloved City may not go down as one of the most spectacular but few players have come

on to such a fanfare.

The sight of the number 11 shirt finally getting its first senior airing put the icing on a very fat cake.

Without influencing it himself, Brandon can claim that his arrival heralded two City goals to give the final

scoreline an added flourish that nobody really expected. It was that sort of wonderful day.

Macclesfield in midweek had been all about the result; nothing else mattered. But this was a show of intent to their

promotion rivals, an indication that Bradford City are still very much a serious contender.

It also proved that the team can turn it on as an attacking force without Omar Daley. Hats off to Steve Jones in

that regard. The borrowed Burnley winger has had an up and down time in recent weeks but this was arguably the

finest of his 18 games in the claret and amber.

Playing on the left again, you would not have known that it was his weaker side. Unlike Daley and his annoying

tendency to cut back on to the right foot all the time, Jones was happy to go at the full back on the outside and

whipped in a stream of good balls with his left.

He also tracked back to help out Luke O'Brien on defensive duties. Clearly McCall has got into him about a part of

the game that the Northern Ireland international has lacked.

Jones played his part in the opening goal after just 75 seconds, eclipsing Daley at MK Dons as City's quickest of

the season.

It started as route one with a Rhys Evans goal kick, Michael Boulding out-muscling a defender to create space for

Peter Thorne to claim possession. He fed Jones and then continued his run to meet a low cross with a typically

predatory finish.

Aldershot's decision to field three centre halves may have caught McCall temporarily on the hop but Thorne's

immediate strike removed any fears of another 90 minutes chipping away at a brick wall.

Not that the visitors intended to 'park the bus' like Macclesfield or Chester. The wing-backs were more like

wingers, which ensured for a wide-open game, and for a long time Aldershot were very much in it.

They almost cashed in when Evans had a brainstorm and pursued a ball towards the corner flag which he had no chance

of reaching first. Anthony Charles managed to get a cross in with the keeper still back-pedalling but Matt Clarke,

who had another good game, stood firm in the middle to prevent Marvin Morgan getting a sniff of the unguarded goal.

Clarke was immediately involved at the other end, claiming a shove from Nicky Law's corner, but City's complaints

were swiftly forgotten as the all-action Dean Furman picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and found the net via a

deflection and the underside of the bar.

City had not led 2-0 after 15 minutes since strolling to victory at Macclesfield way back in August. It was a

welcome, if rather strange sensation.

That probably accounted for the mood of the fans as the Bradford End tried several times to instigate a Mexican

wave.

Some were still on their feet when an Aldershot ball over the top sent Jake Robinson scampering clear but Evans made

amends for his earlier lapse by racing out and making himself big enough to chest away the striker's attempted lob.

A goal then would have changed the whole dynamic. But City were happy to let Aldershot, with the extra man in

midfield, keep plenty of the ball in front of them without causing any more scares.

The Shots were still going forward without real menace at the start of the second half but City effectively put the

result to bed nine minutes in. Jones forced a corner and Law's well-flighted kick picked out the napper of Thorne to

direct into the far corner.

Further proof, if needed, that the team's sharpest marksman is getting back to his lethal best. If Thorne can finish

the term like he started, then City can look to the next two months with real confidence.

The rest of the afternoon centred on when McCall would give Brandon his opportunity. Thorne went off to a

fully-deserved standing ovation with 20 minutes to go but it was Barry Conlon who stepped from the bench.

Jones missed a good chance for a fourth goal when he ignored the better-placed strikers to go it alone, before

Brandon finally made his bow. He had been on the pitch for two minutes when a City corner was returned to Law, who

played Conlon in for 4-0.

Then Joe Colbeck, who had a frustrating afternoon, got it right in the last minute with a 40-yard dash and cross

which Rhys Day could only touch into his own net.

It was City's first five since 2005. The last time? Rochdale away. Now they make the short hop to Lancashire to

begin a crucial triple-header, hoping they can take the home form on to their travels. It's a long time since we

have said that.





===========================
Rochdale Travel

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1583282,00.html


===========================
Only way is up for City
7:10am Monday 9th March 2009

Peter Thorne is convinced City have the staying power to claim an automatic promotion slot.

Thorne netted twice in Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Aldershot, which lifted the Bantams to fourth place in League Two

ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash at Rochdale.

And the veteran striker shares his manager's belief that City have the ability to string a run together over the

final two months of the campaign.

Thorne said: "We've thought all season that we're good enough to go up automatically and that hasn't changed.

There's a great belief in this squad.

"It was a massive blow losing Omar (Daley) but we've still got a strong group of players.

"Joe Colbeck's been out a long time but he is back now and makes our job easier as strikers. He's so direct and that

helps us out loads.

"And having Brando (Chris Brandon) back at last is a big boost for everybody. Being a local lad it was extra special

for him to come on."

Brandon played the last five minutes in City's biggest win of the season – his first senior action since April, when

he was still at Huddersfield.

The Bantams are tied on the same points with Rochdale and Exeter, their next two opponents, but they are only one

behind Bury in the third automatic place – with a better goal difference.

Thorne said: "It could come down to that, so it's great to get those five goals. We'd had a couple of terrible away

results but we've got those goals back now.

"We've got a couple of massive away games coming up but Rochdale will be feeling a bit of pressure after losing

their last two games. They'll have seen our result and that will worry them.

"We need to be on top of our form because we know they're a good side but the attitude is absolutely spot on and

hopefully we can keep the run going."

Thorne's double made it three goals in a week to take his haul to 14 after a barren run of nearly four months

without hitting the net.

He said: "I went a while without a goal, which is frustrating, but I was injured in the middle of that. It was never

in doubt in my mind.

"I just had to get that sharpness back and I knew the chances would go in. I wasn't worried about it.

"Scoring so early in the game made a big difference. We've had a couple of early goals against us and have not

reacted well but I thought we looked different class on Saturday."





===========================



===========================

http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/aldershottownfc/s/2041656_shots_hammered_at_bradford_and_boro_are_held

Shots hammered at Bradford and Boro are held

March 07, 2009


Aldershot Town's dismal away form came to the fore once again this weekend, as they were thrashed 5-0 by

promotion-chasing Bradford City.

It was always going to be a tough task for Gary Waddock's men against a side now lying fourth in the Coca-Cola

League Two, and The Shots' boss changed tactics by employing skipper Rhys Day, Chris Blackburn and Anthony Charles

as three centre-backs, with Andy Lindegaard and Anthony Straker as wing-backs.

But the change hardly paid off, as Aldershot were a goal down after just two minutes when Peter Thorne turned in

Steve Jones' cross.

After 15 minutes it was two, when Dean Furman's deflected shot flew in off the bar, and things hardly improved after

the break.

Thorne bagged his second goal when he headed home Nicky Law's corner, and with game winding down Barry Conlon

charged through to make it 4-0 after 88 minutes.

Aldershot's misery was complete when Day deflected Joe Colbeck's ball past Nikki Bull for an own goal to complete

the rout in injury-time.

Despite the defeat, The Shots remain in 14th place in the table.



===========================

===========================



===========================
SURRIDGE KIT REDUCED

From Saturday 7 March to Saturday 14 March the Surridge club shop at the
Coral Windows Stadium will be slashing the prices of the home and away
replica kits.

The following prices will be active for one week only so don't miss out on
this fantastic opportunity.

Adults shirts - £20
Kids shirts - £15
Adult shorts - £5.00
Kids shorts - £5.00
Adult socks - £2.50
Kids socks - £2.50

This offer is for one week only and will not be repeated.
Subject to availability.



===========================



===========================
Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46810838356
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"

***
Texas Bantams Blog
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
***
The CFML, since February 1997, is edited by Greg S. in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas
***

L2 V Macclesfield (h) W1-0 March 3rd 2009

"The conditions saw every ball that went over shoulder height blown and blustered off course and given an element of unplayability which which was only countered with low, passing football which the Bantams steadfastly adhered to."

STAT ATTACK
12 Shots On Target 3
9 Shots Off Target 1
7 Fouls (Conceded) 12
10 Corners 3
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0

Bradford: Evans, Arnison, Clarke, Lee, O'Brien, Colbeck (Nix 85), Law, Furman, Jones, Conlon, Michael Boulding (Thorne 80).
Subs Not Used: Bullock, Convey, Rehman.

Booked: Furman.

Goals: Furman 60.

Macclesfield Town: Brain; Brisley, Walker (Frazier-Allen 70), Morgan, Hessey (Reid 80); Flynn, Bell, Hadfield, Evans, Yeo (Thomas 73); Sinclair. Unused substitutes: Brown, Tolley.

Referee: M Oliver (Northumberland).

Attendance: 11,908



******
Also:
Special Fan's Forum on the Odsal debate
The death of two long term City supporters.
******





===========================
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/football/Bradford-City-1-Macclesfield-Town.5035734.jp

Bradford City 1 Macclesfield Town 0: Sublime Furman strike has City looking up

By Richard Sutcliffe
at Valley Parade
THE weight of expectation might not exactly be sitting comfortably on the shoulders of Bradford City right now but Stuart McCall's side are at least back in the play-off positions this morning.


The Bantams, without a win in three games going into last night's meeting with Macclesfield Town, claimed all three points thanks to a sublime second-half strike from Dean Furman.

There was little doubt that City deserved to prevail against a hugely unambitious Cheshire outfit who defended in numbers throughout. But the less than convincing manner of Bradford's display against such insipid opposition did little to ease the growing fears among many of the 11,908 fans allegedly inside Valley Parade – it looked closer to 8,000 – that this season could yet bring disappointment as the League Two promotion race approaches its climax.

City, for all their neat and pretty play in midfield, still do not quite look capable of putting together the kind of winning run that will be needed to claim an automatic promotion berth.

They seem to lack a true driving force through the middle to set the pace and tempo for a side that started the season as favourites to lift the title.

Bradford did, though, last night claim the win that manager Stuart McCall had described ahead of kick-off as "absolutely paramount" courtesy of the game's one true standout moment.

It came on the hour when Furman collected the ball in midfield before looking up and playing an intelligent pass into the feet of Michael Boulding before racing forward to collect the return pass and clinically drilling a left-foot shot past Joe Brain.

Nicky Law then came close to adding a second two minutes later before the same player showed great drive and poise to storm into the area 11 minutes from time before hitting a shot straight at Brain.

Barry Conlon should then have done better in the 88th minute when played through as City finished as they had spent most of the game – firmly on top but without really looking like scoring.

This had certainly been the story of the first half when the Bantams had been unable to turn their territorial domination into clear-cut chances.

Steve Jones did crash a fiercely struck effort against the crossbar, while Boulding headed straight at goalkeeper Brain after a jinking run from Law down the right had created the opening.

But those two chances were as good as it got for the home side in a largely disappointing opening 45 minutes with the only other opening seeing home goalkeeper Rhys Evans have to beat away a shot from Maccelsfield namesake Gareth.

Unfortunately for the 81 fans who had followed the visitors to West Yorkshire, it proved to be their only real attacking moment of note and the visitors could have little complaint at leaving Valley Parade empty-handed.

Bradford City: Evans; Arnison, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien; Colbeck (Nix 85), Furman, Law, Jones; Conlon, M Boulding (Thorne 80). Unused substitutes: Bullock, Convey, Rehman.



===========================

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4170520.Furman_delivers_pain_relief/

City 1, Macclesfield 0

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Cometh the Furman.

"Deano, Deano" was the cry echoing round Valley Parade last night.

A famous chant among City fans and that other Deano, who was watching from the stand, would have been proud of the quality finish from Dean Furman which settled a must-win game.

After the recent double blow, the Bantams had to step up to the plate and answer the critics. They did just that thanks to Furman's trusty left boot, which fired them back up to fifth in League Two.

There was an immediate urgency about City and Steve Jones had a shot charged down within the opening two minutes.

But the strength of the wind blowing into their faces was illustrated when Rhys Evans launched his first punt – and saw it hang in the air and then come back to him like a boomerang.

Macclesfield set up with five at the back but showed an early threat on the break as Gareth Evans proved too quick for Graeme Lee. The skipper was struggling in his wake as the Macc frontman ripped down the left and drove low straight at his namesake in the home goal.

City responded with Barry Conlon, one of three changes from the weekend, flicking Luke O'Brien's long free-kick towards strike partner Michael Boulding. He shaped to turn and shoot but Shaun Brisley did just enough to snuff him out.

Nicky Law's corner was nodded goalwards by Lee but the ball struck Conlon, who could not get out of the way.

It was a good spell of pressure for the home side, clearly intent on righting the wrongs of the previous two games. The busy Law, back in his favoured central role, drove forward promisingly but his long shot was wayward.

Macclesfield were penned in their own half and when they did try to break from a City corner, Furman wrestled Brisley down with a tackle that Sam Burgess would have been proud of at Odsal.

The youngster had clearly learned the lesson from Meadow Lane – even though it cost him an inevitable booking.

Furman was buzzing around the edge of the Macc box and Law seemed to be here, there and everywhere.

There was an extra edge about City's play that Stuart McCall had demanded – all they needed was a breakthrough to show for it. For all the bright build-up, Macc keeper Jon Brain had not been tested in the first half hour.

When Joe Colbeck had a hopeful thrash from 25 yards, the ball sailed away into the top tier of the Bradford end.

City fashioned their first decent chance in the 32nd minute as Law dodged a lunge from Sean Hessey to deliver a teasing cross from the right. Both strikers jumped for it but Boulding steered his header straight into the arms of Brain.

Matthew Flynn levelled the yellow-card count after clattering into Jones, before City came within a whisker of that elusive first goal.

Furman dived between Lee Bell and Jordan Hadfield and squared to Lee, whose first-time drive was a yard or so wide of the far post.

Colbeck set off on a run and even passed to himself, chasing and retrieving his own flick, to win another City corner. Then Law went down in the box but young referee Michael Oliver was unimpressed.

City were pressing hard and Jones and Furman linked up superbly around the edge of the box before the Burnley loan man lashed an effort against the Macclesfield bar.

The crowd, who had stuck right behind the home side, cranked up the volume but Macclesfield's blue wall managed to stand firm until the break.

City nearly shot themselves in the foot in the last minute of the half when Paul Arnison, who had come in for Zesh Rehman, hit a sloppy free-kick straight to Gareth Evans.

A better – and more positive – side than Macclesfield might have made something of the full back's lapse in concentration but the danger was averted. A sloppy goal against them at that stage would have undone all the good work and shattered confidence.

City were straight back on the attack from the restart, with Furman fizzing a volley wide. Macclesfield still showed little inclination to break ranks, inviting City to come at them and figure a way through.

Jones again got away from right back Flynn to pick out Colbeck but the winger's header flew straight at Brain.

All ten of City's outfield players were in the Macc half, with Arnison pushing up to force another corner which frustratingly came to nothing.

Simon Yeo clipped Law's heels to give City a free-kick in Lee range. The captain duly delivered with a thumping 30-yarder but Brain saw it all the way.

There was a growing twitchiness in the air – but that was blown away on the hour with the sweetest of goals.

Furman charged towards the Macc box, exchanged passes with Boulding and slid a perfectly-placed shot beyond Brain's right hand and into the bottom corner. It was no more than City deserved as a feeling of relief flooded around Valley Parade.

Macc now had to come out and play but City quickly threatened a second as Law tested the keeper from 25 yards.

There was a rare threat at the other end but Rhys Evans showed good concentration to gather Bell's free-kick, before opposite number Brain spilled Law's cross but recovered before anyone could pounce.

Colbeck raced from the halfway line to carve Macclesfield open but, having reached the penalty area, he tried to take on one too many and ran into a cul-de-sac.

Then Law almost had the goal his performance warranted but his cross-shot was blocked by the keeper's outstretched left leg.

With four minutes left, Furman tried to turn provider to slide Conlon through but Brain was quickly across to smuggle his cross behind.

There were no late scares, though, as City finished in complete command. With lousy travellers Aldershot to come to West Yorkshire on Saturday, that's one half of mission accomplished.






===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4170558.City_and_fans_in_it_together/

7:00am Wednesday 4th March 2009

Stuart McCall breathed a sigh of relief as City passed their test of
character with a "massive" win.

Dean Furman's goal against Macclesfield last night lifted the gloom from
back-to-back defeats as the Bantams jumped back up to fifth in League Two.

McCall had demanded a strong response to the recent criticism and was
thrilled with what he saw.

He said: "I told the players before the game that we just needed a
victory and I didn't mind how it came. But I'm really pleased with the
performance as well.

"It was a massive three points because of the pressure that's been put
on us and a win we fully deserved.

"You have ups and downs, twists and turns. Two weeks ago things were
looking rosy, then two bad defeats and it's a crisis.

"That's how football is, especially at the top end, and I'm delighted
with the result."

Macclesfield's negative approach made life tough for City, who saw Steve
Jones hit the bar before half-time. Furman finally broke through on the
hour with a low finish after a one-two with Michael Boulding.

McCall said: "Macclesfield were the last team I wanted to play. They put
five big lads across the back, had no real attacking intent in the team
and it can be so frustrating.

"It was never going to be a classic with the way they set out and the
difficult conditions but the spirit and endeavour was good and you
couldn't ask for any more."

The City chief also praised the home fans for their backing. After the
abuse heaped on the team at Meadow Lane, the supporters played their
part in a vital victory.

"As long as they see you giving all the commitment and putting crosses
into the box, they'll stay with you and that was a big plus point," said
McCall.

"We need the fans. We're all in it together and we all want the same thing.

"I was as frustrated and annoyed as them at two poor results but there
are still 12 games to go. We just need that same desire and
determination from the players and the same backing from the fans."

Furman added: "Every game is huge for us, it doesn't matter what's gone
on before. But there was an added importance after the last week."

Meanwhile, long-term casualty Chris Brandon will step up his recovery
this afternoon in a practice reserve match against Sheffield United.


===========================



===========================




===========================



===========================
Special Fan's Forum on the Odsal debate

This coming Saturday, March 7th (before Aldershot game) in bantamspast museum, above
Surridge UpFront Sports.
 
Kick off 1.30pm

Chaired by David Pendleton, bantamspast musuem

Panel:
Terry Armstead, IDL White Abbey Branch
Alan Carling, Bradford City Supporters Trust
Darren 'Dazz' Clarke (tbc), City Gents Supporters Club
Steve Gorringe, Shipley Bantams
Mike Harrison, City Gent fanzine
Nick Kitchen, Council Petitioner

All City fans are welcome to come and talk about the Odsal Sports Village
project, ground-sharing with the Bulls, stadium purchase, Council involvement
with City etc. etc.

Admission free. Tea and snacks are available at the UpFront cafe.


===========================
The death of two long term City supporters.
 
Firstly, Hubert Pountney died early last week aged 92. Hubert was voted fan of the year 10 years ago and had followed City since the 1920's. He has been a regular at VP right up until City's last home game on a Saturday against Wycombe, sitting in the disabled section in front of the press box in the Main Stand. His son Michael would drive up from Birmingham to pick upo his dad and take him to VP. Michael wrote an article about his dad which appeared in City Gent issue 147
 
Secondly, City''s associate director Bill Roper died on Sunday 1st March. He had a very long associatioin with the club, from being a director in the 70's as well as being a scout. He has been credited for spotting Peter Jackson and Stuart McCall and bringing them to the club.
 
There was a minutes silence at VP tonight (Macclesfield game) and City wore black armbands as a mark of respect.


===========================
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http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=46810838356
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L2 v Notts County (a) L1-3 Feb 28th 2009

L2 v Notts County (a) L1-3 Feb 28th 2009

"All week the talk had been about making amends for the 1-4 defeat at Underhill. Instead they were picked apart by a Notts County side that had previously managed only one win over top-half opponents in 17 attempts. "

Notts County: Pilkington, Tann (Strachan 87), Edwards, Johnson, Clapham, Forte, Thompson, Nowland (Wedderburn 77), Weston, Forrester (Butcher 83), Facey.
Subs Not Used: Canham, Fairclough.
Booked: Forte, Thompson.

Goals: Forte 11, 31, Facey 45.

Bradford: Evans, Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien, Bullock, Furman, Law, Jones, Thorne, Michael Boulding (Colbeck 46).
Subs Not Used: Convey, Arnison, Conlon, Nix.

Goals: Thorne 85.

Att: 5,138

Ref: Karl Evans (Greater Manchester).


Stats
Magpies / Bantams
6 Goal Attempts 12
3 On Target 6
3 Corners 4
14 Fouls 14
2 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0

Attendance 5138



******
Also:
Stuart McCall has vowed to get disillusioned fans back on side.
Omar Daley - out until CHRISTMAS?
THE MAGICIAN IS SET FOR HIS DOUBLE CENTURY


===========================


http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford/Notts-County-3-Bradford-City.5028196.jp

Notts County 3 Bradford City 1: McCall left puzzled

BRADFORD City manager Stuart McCall demanded his players stand up and be counted after seeing his side humbled by three first-half goals.
The Bradford chief was almost lost for words after the Bantams slipped to a second successive defeat to leave their hopes of automatic promotion in tatters.

Notts County winger Jonathan Forte finished-off a rapid counter-attack early on, then claimed his sixth goal in seven games after lashing home Myles Weston's cross.

Delroy Facey scuffed in the third from close range to complete the rout before Peter Thorne stole a late consolation.

The mauling comes on the back of a 4-1 thrashing at Barnet, on Bradford's previous away trip, and McCall said: "We have to make sure we're in the top seven come May – and performances like that won't help.

"I can't stand here and say it was a decent performance, because it wasn't, but I won't slaughter my players. What I say to them will be kept in the dressing room.

"It's a test of my character, as well as the team's, and we have to stop conceding soft goals. They had three shots and scored three times. It's mystifying."

Bradford rarely threatened the Notts goal, with just Michael Boulding's header testing Kevin Pilkington before the break.

The energetic Joe Colbeck and Nicky Law did their best to pick through County's resolute
backline, but had little joy until Thorne converted Colbeck's
centre, claiming his first goal since November and his seventh strike past the Magpies in four meetings.

Notts County: Pilkington; Tann (Strachan, 87), Edwards, Johnson, Clapham; Forte, Nowland (Wedderburn, 77), Thompson, Weston; Forrester (Butcher, 83), Facey. Unused substitutes: Canham, Fairclough.

Bradford City: Evans; Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien; Jones, Bullock, Furman, Law; Thorne, M. Boulding (Colbeck, 46). Unused substitutes: Convey, Arnison, Conlon, Nix.

Referee: K Evans (Greater Manchester).



===========================

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4163696.City_fail_to_master_basics/

City fail to master basics
1:37pm Sunday 1st March 2009

Notts County 3, City 1

The oldest club in England gave City the oldest lesson in football.

Three shots on target for Notts County produced three goals. You don't get a more clinical exhibition of finishing than that.

So you can have all the possession in the world – and City had plenty on Saturday. It doesn't matter a jot.

The object of this game will always be about putting the ball in the net; something Notts County did whenever it mattered.

"It sounds simple but if you can take away those three isolated incidents, there was nothing in the game," admitted Stuart McCall afterwards.

"We weren't overrun, we weren't outplayed or outfought. We had 20-odd crosses to their seven but the harsh reality in football is that you've got to take your chances.

"Notts County took the only three they had in the game and they've gone off happy. We're hugely disappointed."

Not as much as the 1,231 City fans who had travelled in the hope of seeing the Barnet debacle cleared straight out the system. Another huge following; another huge letdown.

This was not on the same scale as Underhill. City could not possibly play as badly again. In fact, for the first ten minutes they were well on top and showed no hint of a hangover from the excesses of the previous week.

But then one bad goal led to another. And another. Before you knew it, Notts County were three to the good and cruising and it wasn't even half-time.

So much for a team who had previously managed only one win in 17 attempts against sides from the top half of the table.

Vitriol poured down from the away stand. The pre-match anthems had been replaced by a biting blast of "you're not fit to wear the shirt". It must have been agony to the ears of the manager. Let's hope it hit home with his players.

The second half, admittedly, was better – it had to be – but then again County, knowing the match was as good as won, rarely got out of second gear.

For the second game in a row, City had to listen to mocking choruses of "ole" from the home supporters as the opposition played keep ball. Despite the black and white stripes, this was Notts County, not Juventus.

A fortnight ago, Valley Parade was a vibrant scene of celebration. Tuesday night could be a very different situation if City cannot deliver against Macclesfield.

They have only themselves to blame. The pressure has been self-inflicted by two shocking results.

It is the first time all season that City have lost two on the bounce, which shows the consistency they have displayed for much of it. But few would have expected their first double blow to be struck by two sides in the bottom ten.

Was the recent hat-trick of wins just an illusion? No wonder the supporters feel so low.

What happened to the defensive record of steel; the team that has twice gone four games without conceding a goal? That question will be bugging McCall even more than the worrying lack of a cutting edge going forward.

The loss of Omar Daley looks to have thumped a huge hole in City's attacking ambitions. Though, at least, the sight of Peter Thorne tapping in his first goal for four months will have raised hopes that he can now embark on another hot run to finish the campaign as he started it.

City certainly need a pick-me-up from somewhere. If not, with so many games crammed into March, their promotion dream could disappear swiftly down the gurgler.

The Bantams have not been scoring freely for a while but all the time they were keeping the back door nailed shut, it was not such a concern. But having leaked seven goals in two games, that is no longer the case. McCall suddenly has problems at both ends of the pitch.

Schoolboy mistakes led to County's opener after 11 minutes. City were on the attack at the time and looking menacing, with Nicky Law's free-kicks posing serious questions for a home back four that had only kept one clean sheet in the last ten outings.

Matt Clarke had already put one free header over when Law dropped another set-piece into the mix. Thorne had a couple of bites before County got the ball clear – and left the visitors dangerously exposed all upfield.

Dean Furman dived in – and missed – and the black and white shirts were off to the races.

What's the saying about magpies? One for sorrow, two for joy ... how about four against one as Luke O'Brien found himself submerged by a flock of them. Law gamely tried to make up the yards to help but where was the rest of the cavalry?

With the odds stacked so heavily in their favour, County finished the job, with Jamie Forrester squaring to an unmarked Jonathan Forte to guide past Rhys Evans.

Michael Boulding instantly headed straight at home keeper Kevin Pilkington but it had no power to trouble him. It was the most notable moment of the afternoon for either player.

City's attempts to equalise were more through hope than expectation. It was summed up when Steve Jones, who had another indifferent day, delivered his best cross of the game but the only head diving in to attack it was home skipper Mike Edwards clearing the ball out of harm's way.

County were hardly any better as the game, played on an awful pitch, descended into an episode of lump it long. But they upped their act when it needed to be in front of goal.

Just like Barnet, City struggled to lay a finger on either winger and both combined for the second after the half hour.

Miles Weston eluded Zesh Rehman to hang a cross towards the far post where Forte had time to take it neatly on the chest, wrong-foot O'Brien to get on his favourite left boot and lash through Evans.

The mood off the pitch was darkening fast and Jones felt the force when he took a wrong option and dribbled straight into trouble.

City desperately needed something from somewhere to offer a chink of light – and they almost cut the deficit as Law set off on a forceful drive into the left corner of the box. His cross bobbled to Boulding, who set up Lee Bullock for a drive that deflected a foot wide of the post.

But having nearly forced their way back into it, City were caught out again in the first minute of added time.

Weston was again the tormentor-in-chief, brushing past Rehman and drilling the ball into the danger zone. It struck O'Brien in the tangle of bodies and ricocheted for Delroy Facey to turn home.

Cue the derision from the packed away stand. Once again, the game was up for the shell-shocked Bantams.

McCall hauled off the anonymous Boulding to bring on Joe Colbeck and the winger's energy and enthusiasm did give City a bit of a spark.

They were the better team after the break and Evans was never tested again but by that point the game had the air of a pre-season friendly.

Jamie Clapham dealt with a couple of dangerous crosses and there were chances for Furman and Graeme Lee. Yet you never sensed that City could get a foothold back into proceedings.

At least Thorne finally got on the scoresheet with six minutes left after good work from Colbeck. It was too little and far too late to matter but will have given the veteran striker's confidence a timely boost.

City, having dropped out of the play-off places, need any lift they can get.

Attendance: 5,138






===========================
Stuart McCall has vowed to get disillusioned fans back on side.

City were jeered by the 1,200 travelling support during Saturday's 3-1
loss at Notts County.

Back-to-back defeats against teams in the bottom half of the division
have seen the Bantams drop out of the play-off positions – and rocked
confidence among their followers.

McCall admitted he faces a battle to restore belief that the promotion
dream is still on.

He said: "The buck stops with me. I'm the manager and I've got to get
things right.

"Two weeks ago we were going swimmingly after a great result at
Gillingham and beating Wycombe. That's how quickly football can change.

"We were getting pats on backs, now we're getting criticism. We've
deserved it for the last two games, there's no getting away from it.

"I can understand the frustration of the supporters. It's hard to take
when you're 3-0 down at half-time.

"The supporters have paid a lot of money and they are quite right to
sing like that. I appreciate that more than anyone.

"It's my responsibility to change things. I'm not a quitter and I'm
feeling it as much as anyone."

Jonathan Forte, a former Sheffield United player under McCall, scored
twice as County rattled up a 3-0 lead from their only three shots on
target. Peter Thorne replied late on with his first goal since November.

McCall said: "Going in 3-0 down can mask things. It wasn't a rubbish
performance. It wasn't a great one but when you lose goals like that,
confidence is going to seep away.

"People think it's been absolute garbage and a disgrace but they've had
three shots at goal. They were 3-0 up and there was nothing in the game.

"But we've shipped seven goals in two games now and that's not good
enough. That will not get us promotion and we've got to go back to being
harder to beat again."

McCall is likely to make changes ahead of tomorrow's critical clash with
Macclesfield at Valley Parade. With another home game against Aldershot
next weekend, City cannot afford any slip-ups.

McCall said: "What I say to the players stays in the dressing room. I'm
not going to individually criticise my team because I need them to go
out there and perform.

"I want them to show that they are fit to wear the shirt; they do want
to be here, they do want to have success.

"We can say all the right things but it's about performing. I said last
Saturday that we needed a midweek game. We've got one this week and
we've got to win the three points.

"We need to put in a performance. Nobody else can help us apart from
what we've got in that dressing room. It's my responsibility to put the
team out there that will do that."


===========================
Omar Daley - out until CHRISTMAS?

Omar Daley has received the bombshell verdict that he could be out until
CHRISTMAS.

The winger's knee injury against Darlington ten days ago has turned out
to be far more serious than first thought.

City are now facing the grim prospect of being without the Jamaican for
up to ten months.

Stuart McCall admitted: "It's a lot, lot worse than anyone was
expecting. The scan could only show so much and when the surgeon went
into the knee to operate, he found the problem was much bigger.

"It's not only the lateral ligament but the cruciate is damaged as well.
It was a really bad injury and the surgeon thinks it could be eight to
ten months before Omar can look to play again.

"We could be looking at Christmas, which is obviously a massive blow."

Daley had started 29 games this season, scoring four times, including
the opening goal in the recent win at Gillingham.

But he was stretchered off in the home game with Darlington after a
crunching tackle with defender Neil Austin.

City expected to lose him for the rest of the season but did not imagine
he would also miss a big chunk of next term as well.

McCall added: "It's going to be very hard for Omar but he's got to try
to get his head round it. He needs to be mentally strong.

"He's saying all the right things about coming back stronger and I'm
sure he will. Omar's going to be in a brace for a few weeks and then he
can hopefully start setting himself little targets."

Joe Colbeck has only recently returned from a three-month absence and,
while Chris Brandon this week played his first reserve game since
snapping his ankle in September, McCall insists he will be given time to
build up properly after his lengthy lay-off. Paul McLaren also tweaked
his calf in training and will miss tomorrow's trip to Notts County.

McCall said: "We get Joe back after his spell out and Brando is slowly
coming back, then this happens to Omar.

"A week ago I was struggling to name a bench because there were so many
players available but unfortunately injuries are part of football."

McCall, meanwhile, is not ruling Darlington out of the promotion fight
despite losing ten points for going into administration.

He said: "It's not nice to hear but sometimes something like that can
create a siege mentality.

"It depends what the repercussions are but you've seen the way Rotherham
responded in that situation. If Darlington can keep all the players
together, they might just treat it as an 'us against the world' scenario."


===========================
THE MAGICIAN IS SET FOR HIS DOUBLE CENTURY
By Tony Scholes Friday, 27th February 2009

Tomorrow afternoon should see Robbie Blake make his 200th league appearance
for the Clarets against Sheffield Wednesday, just over seven years since he
first joined us from Bradford City.

For some time it had looked as though Stan Ternent was going to splash £1
million on Stockport striker Shefki Kuqi, and indeed he was, but it all
changed when the then Bantams Chairman Mr. Pompous Geoffrey Richmond said
Blake was available.

Despite him suffering a groin injury we clinched the deal and he made his
debut as a substitute against West Brom in February 2002, replacing Ian
Moore. We lost the game, he didn't do much, and for the rest of the season
was a bit player and nothing else. He started just the one game and
eventually was forced to have a double hernia operation in the summer.

We'd not seen him fit, but he was in the side on the opening day of the
2002/03 season. In a poor team performance against Brighton he was accused
by Ternent of playing in diving boots and promptly dropped.

I'd remembered him turning in a superb performance against us for Forest in
2000 during a loan spell there, but we'd certainly seen nothing like that
from him at Burnley. Then, at Derby in the sixth league game of the season
he lifted us out of our seats with a wonderful display in the second half.
Robbie Blake had arrived.

On form he was often the star of the show alongside Glen Little and there's
no doubt we were very fortunate to have these two players in our side at the
same time.

In the 2003/04 season he scored 19 league goals, and where would we have
been without them. In the following season he had ten by mid-December but
then left for Birmingham. I think at that point he was playing his best
football for us and he certainly proved difficult to replace.

He was away for two and a half years before returning for a knock down price
and this season he's possibly been even better than he was in that 2004/05
season, although now in a position where he won't score quite so many goals.

Some of the recent performances have been stunning, and none more so than
the Spurs game on the Turf. But then there was the free kick at Preston and
the wonderful skill that set up Steven Thompson for his goal against West
Brom.

Sometimes it is said that certain players are worth the admission money
alone, and our magician Robbie Blake certainly comes into that category.

Now he reaches 200 league appearances for the Clarets, and surely with
everyone hoping there will be many more to come.


===========================

L2 v Barnet (a) L1-4 Feb 21 2009

Barnet: Harrison, Devera, Yakubu, Breen, Lockwood, Adomah, Bishop, Deverdics, Bolasie (Gillet 88), Furlong, O'Flynn (Birchall 90).
Subs Not Used: Kadoch, Leary, Porter.

Booked: Bolasie.

Goals: Adomah 25, O'Flynn 41, Bolasie 58, Devera 62.

Bradford: Evans, Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien, Colbeck (Conlon 60), Furman, Law, Jones (McLaren 69), Thorne, Michael Boulding.
Subs Not Used: Convey, Arnison, Bullock.

Booked: Furman.

Goals: Michael Boulding 56.

Att: 2,445

Ref: Graham Scott (Devon).


Stats
Bees / Battered Bantams 
13 Shots On Target 4
6 Shots Off Target 4
11 Fouls (Conceded) 10
12 Corners 6
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0

Next game v Notts County (a) Feb 28 ko 3pm
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=243818&lang=EN



===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4145304.Freak_result_leaves_City_fans_horrified/

Freak result leaves City fans horrified
7:30am Monday 23rd February 2009

Barnet 4 City 1

"You'll be back again next year."

A taunt from the home fans that will have sent a shudder through anyone unfortunate enough to have witnessed City's capitulation.

This was supposed to be an away banker; three points earmarked towards closing the gap on the automatic promotion places.

You had more chance of guessing the winning lottery numbers than correctly forecasting this scoreline. It was a result totally out of left field.

One team had won only once in 21 attempts, with just one home victory all season. The other had lost only one of their last 11, not letting in a goal for more than six hours.

So who says football can be too predictable at times?

For the Man Uniteds of the world, maybe, but it's not like that in League Two.

Nobody was more shocked and stunned than Stuart McCall. The ink freshly dried on his new two-year contract, he could not have envisioned a follow-up performance like this in his worst nightmares.

But the City boss has been in the game long enough to know that freak results do occur, a painful one-off. He is determined to treat Saturday's humiliation as just that.

"I've had it at Rangers and Everton as a player," he said. "I remember getting whacked at home by St Mirren 3-0 once – nobody saw that one coming and at the time it feels like a disaster.

"It's hard to think why it happens but why do England get bowled out for 51 and then get 500 against the same team the other day?

"These results do happen in sport. That's still no excuse but you can't change it, only make sure it doesn't happen again.

"We'll all stand up and take the blame for the performance and now it's about how we react. We can't change the result – although we'd love to – so we move on and make sure we are right again at Notts County.

"How I'm feeling now is on a par with the Huddersfield game but we bounced back from that and I'm looking for us to do the same."

Appropriately, the game was sponsored by a local waste disposal firm. Because, from the view of the 701 travelling Yorkshiremen watching in horror along the infamous Underhill slope, it was utter garbage.

For 90 minutes, the tables were turned. Barnet looked the side eyeing a leap into the top three; City the thread-bare outfit clinging nervously above the relegation drop zone.

The memorable sight of players punching the Valley Parade air a week earlier after downing Wycombe seemed light years ago. On Saturday, the miserable Bantams were lucky to slink away with only conceding four.

The impregnable defence, the cornerstone of City's recent success, was ripped apart with startling ease. Barnet were first to every challenge; first to every loose ball.

They attacked at will, finding little opposition, and but for some late wastefulness and a couple of fine stops from Rhys Evans, the hosts could have rattled up a score to match the neighbouring cricket club.

Some will point to the inclusion of Evans as the catalyst for such a dramatic implosion. They would be completely off the mark.

Yes, a keeper not being able to take goal kicks handed the initiative to Barnet's bruising front pair, who were able to position themselves ten yards outside the penalty area knowing there was no danger of offside. And the feeling of uncertainty was not helped when Luke O'Brien scuffed the opening kick straight along the floor.

But Evans justified his manager's faith with his shot-stopping ability and the way he confidently stood up to the predictable Barnet tactic to stick every high ball straight down his throat.

City's problems stemmed from a general feeling that they only had to turn up to reel off the three points.

The players may deny it until they are blue in the face but there was a general malaise about the play, right from the start, that suggested they saw the home side as easy meat after the tougher predators encountered in recent weeks.

They were in for a rude shock.

Barnet admittedly did not look like a side without a win in 2009 and wingers Albert Adomah, City's nemesis at Valley Parade, and Plymouth's on-loan Yannick Bolasie took it in turns to torment the over-run back four.

O'Brien had a particularly tough afternoon against the electrifying Adomah, although the youngster got precious little support from Steve Jones in front of him.

Jones's only contribution of note in a wretched display was his early burst in the box after a neat one-two with Michael Boulding – only to slip as if shot by a sniper. The game went downhill from there.

Even City's centre halves weren't immune to the blanket of unease that smothered those around them as Graeme Lee and Matt Clarke came off distinctly second best to the 40-year-old Paul Furlong and his under-rated partner John O'Flynn.

Yet for 24 minutes, there was no hint of the carnage to follow. Both sides had seen efforts cleared off the line, Zesh Rehman bravely denying Furlong before Joe Devera made sure Peter Thorne's goal drought continued.

Then sloppy defending destroyed City's bid for a fifth straight clean sheet as Barnet struck from an awful corner.

Boulding switched off at the near post and let it run out of play – or so he thought. Only it didn't as Adomah appeared from nowhere along the byline to keep the ball alive.

There were still chances to clear it but none were taken and eventually, via a ricochet, centre back Gary Breen fed Adomah to poke home through a sea of legs.

Furlong was less than a foot away from heading a second before Thorne tested Lee Harrison with a smart snap-shot.

But City were in deeper trouble as half-time approached. Dean Furman, their best outfield player, fouled Bolasie and O'Flynn used his height advantage on marker O'Brien to glance home the free-kick from Nicky Deverdics.

Barnet went off to an ovation reserved for champions but there were still jitters among the home faithful.

That was understandable given that Barnet had already blown 15 leads this season, three of them from 2-0.

City, of course, had pulled the rabbit out the hat three times from two-goal deficits. McCall spent a fiery half-time drumming that message home.

It looked to have worked when they grabbed a lifeline 11 minutes into the second half. Thorne's header from Nicky Law's free-kick popped up invitingly for Boulding to nudge home from a couple of yards.

But before City had chance to play on Barnet's nerves, they had frittered away a third goal. Adomah, inevitably, was at the heart of it as City failed to clear their lines from a throw-in. The ball worked its way from left flank to right, where Adomah cut it back to Furlong and Bolasie diverted his shot home.

Harrison saved strongly from Lee's thumping setpiece before Barnet were celebrating a fourth, right back Joe Devera cutting in to drive the first goal of his career past Evans.

City were in bits and it could have got worse. Evans made a flying save from Adomah after City were exposed by another speedy counter, Furlong missed with another header before Evans came to the rescue again to deny O'Flynn.

The cries of "ole, ole" as Barnet brought out the party tricks and played keep ball just added to the unreal feel of the game. The final whistle couldn't come quick enough.


===========================
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/football/Barnet-4-Bradford-City-1.5004220.jp

Barnet 4 Bradford City 1: Bantams below-par at Underhill

BRADFORD saw their promotion push suffer a blow at Underhill.


Stuart McCall's below-par Bantams were blown away by the lowly Bees, who recorded only their second win in 22 matches.

Though the early stages were even, once Barnet had got their noses in front, they never looked back.

Trailing 2-0 at the interval, City needed a good start to the second half and they got it with a scrambled goal.

But their hopes of a comeback were dashed within two minutes, the Bees restoring their two-goal cushion and then going on to dominate.

Perhaps Bradford should have known it was not going to be their day when Steve Jones, clean through, tripped with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Barnet had their moments before their 24th-minute opener, winger Albert Adomah playing a one-two with ex-Republic of Ireland star Gary Breen and drilling under Rhys Evans.

Five minutes from the break, John O'Flynn stole in to glance home Matt Lockwood's free-kick. Bradford took just 10 minutes of the second half to pull one back. Nicky Law sent over a free-kick that came to Thorne. His shot looped into the air and Michael Boulding helped the ball over the line from close in.

But the hosts restored their two-goal cushion almost from the restart, Yannick Bolasie sticking out a foot to divert Paul Furlong's close-range shot into the net.

Barnet added a fourth after 62 minutes, full-back Joe Devera firing under Evans.

Barnet: Harrison; Devera, Yakubu, Breen, Lockwood; Adomah, Bishop, Deverdics, Bolasie (Gillet 88); Furlong, O'Flynn (Birchall 90). Unused substitutes: Kadoch, Leary, Porter.

Bradford City: Evans; Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien; Jones (McLaren 69), Furman, Law, Colbeck (Conlon 60); Thorne, Boulding. Unused substitutes: Arnison, Bullock, Convey.

Referee: G Scott (Devon).

Man of the match: Albert Adomah.



===========================
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1566726,00.html

Official interview



===========================
http://www.times-series.co.uk/sport/localsport/4144996.Bees_boss_celebrates_first_win/

Bees boss celebrates first win
8:28am Sunday 22nd February 2009



Barnet manager Ian Hendon was delighted with his side's stirring 4-1 win over promotion-chasing Bradford City yesterday.

Hendon said: "I'm very pleased with the performance. We deserved it. I would have taken a 1-0 win at the start, to be fair, but I'll take that."

It was Hendon's first win since taking the reins.

Barnet were 2-0 up at the interval, but City pulled one back at the start of the second half and many feared the worst.

Hendon said: "When Bradford scored, the crowd went silent. They all thought 'here we go again'. But the way we responded was great. We've gone straight up the other end and got our two-goal cushion back again.

"Bradford are a very good side and I'm sure they will be in the play-offs. To score four against them is fantastic."





===========================
Daley out for season as McCall reads riot act

Omar Daley faced a knee operation today that will rule him out for the
rest of City's League Two campaign.

The Jamaican went under the knife to repair the lateral ligament damaged
against Darlington last week.

I'm hurt, embarrassed, disappointed and angry. We were poor all over
the pitch from start to finish

Stuart McCall admitted: "The scan results were poor and depending on
what the surgeon finds, it could be a three to four-month job. It's hard
for Omar and hard for us but football injuries unfortunately happen and
the ligament is not in good nick."

The news that Daley is out for the run-in rounded off a dismal weekend
for McCall's side, who were thumped 4-1 by lowly Barnet.

The Hertfordshire club had won only once at home before Saturday but
blew City away – and McCall was offering no excuses for their heaviest
league loss of the campaign.

He rapped: "I'm hurt, embarrassed, disappointed and angry. We were poor
all over the pitch from start to finish.

"I'd struggle to name more than two players who could say they did their
bit. A few might have done okay but okay's not enough when you're a team
going for promotion.

"But we can't let this result derail what we are trying to do. It's a
bad result and bad performance but it's three points and we've got to
make sure it doesn't happen again.

"I've been in the game long enough to know you get a couple of these in
a season and you don't see them coming.

"We all stand up to take the blame for the performance and I want to see
a reaction from the players."

McCall defended his decision to play Rhys Evans, even though the
keeper's injured calf stopped him from taking goal kicks.

The City chief added: "I was 100 per cent confident in Rhys and I
thought he did everything asked of him, apart from goal kicks. You
wouldn't have known he was injured."

L2 v Darlington (h) D0-0 Feb 17th 2009

******
Also:
McCall agrees new Bradford deal
Signing City shirt deal made me so proud, says sponsor
CITY ASSESS INJURY SITUATION
City facing keeper crisis
******






L2 v Darlington (h) D0-0 Feb 17th 2009

Bradford: Evans, Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien, Jones (Bullock 73), Law, Furman, Daley (Colbeck 23),Thorne (Conlon 78), Michael Boulding.
Subs Not Used: Arnison, McLaren.

Darlington: Gerken, Austin, White, Foster, Valentine, Purdie, Kennedy (Hulbert 83), Ravenhill, Tremarco (Hatch 67), Abbott, Carlton.
Subs Not Used: Miller, Kazimierczak, Poole.

Booked: White, Carlton.

Att: 12,782

Ref: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).

Bantams / Quakers
3(1) Shots (on Goal) 11(3)
9 Fouls 13
3 Corner Kicks 4
7 Offsides 2
54% Time of Poss. 46%
0 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 3



===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4134173

History repeats itself in Valley Parade stalemate
7:40am Wednesday 18th February 2009

City 0 Darlington 0

City fired blanks again as their hopes of a fourth straight win – and a return to the automatic promotion places – hit a black-and-white wall.

A goalless draw with Darlington should come as no real surprise. This was the third time in a row that Valley Parade clashes between the two teams have ended in stalemate.

But it was not the worst result in the world against another side who are up there in the promotion fight.

Stuart McCall's biggest concern will be the injuries City picked up, with Omar Daley damaging medial ligaments in his knee and Rhys Evans pulling his thigh.

The Jamaican is likely to be sidelined for a chunk of the run-in and Evans will definitely miss the next couple of games.

Darlington were just glad to see a pitch again, having not kicked a ball since last month.

After an impressive run of four wins in five lifted them to fourth, the Quakers had been left twiddling their thumbs through three successive postponements.

Keeper Dean Gerken, on loan from Colchester, quickly cleared the cobwebs with a hurried clearance under pressure from Michael Boulding and a header away from the edge of his box.

After the excitement of Saturday, it was another fast-paced start from City, although the only shot in the opening stages came from Darlington's Pawel Abbott, who fired over the bar.

Matt Clarke produced two crunching blocks to snuff out another Darlo threat as the Valley Parade crowd kept up a noisy back-drop to the action.

They almost had something to cheer on 17 minutes as Steve Jones attacked from halfway and threaded a pass for Boulding to chase. Defenders Alan White and Carl Tremarco got in each other's way, allowing the striker through into the box.

He looked odds on to score but drove low and straight at Gerken, who blocked it with his legs and then got up immediately to punch the rebound out of danger.

But City suffered a big blow midway through the half when Daley stayed down after a hefty tackle with Neil Austin. The Jamaican was clearly in some discomfort and after brief treatment was taken off on a stretcher.

Joe Colbeck was the obvious replacement with Jones switching flanks to the left.

Clarke spoiled his game with a poor clearance that gifted Ricky Ravenhill possession 30 yards out. His shot was deflected off course and Rhys Evans slid to prevent the corner – and worryingly, got up limping.

With no substitute keeper on the bench – though Dean Windass was in the press box – City could not afford anything to happen to Evans. There was a universal sigh of relief that he was able to continue after brief treatment, although he looked hampered by his thigh.

There had been few chances at either end but City went closest to breaking the deadlock just after the half hour. Boulding almost got Luke O'Brien in but as the ball came out to Jones, his drive fell perfectly for Peter Thorne, whose snap-shot cannoned back off the Darlington bar with Gerken beaten.

The busy Dean Furman stumbled near goal as he looked to wriggle his way through and Colbeck had a cross whacked clear as City tried to up the ante ahead of half-time.

Boulding's clever runs were pulling the Darlo defence about and Nicky Law was starting to drive forward ominously. City won back-to-back corners but Boulding's flick across goal went unclaimed by a team-mate.

But Darlington suddenly cut City open with a swift counter-attack led by Abbott and Jason Kennedy. Danny Carlton pulled to the right and whipped in a dangerous cross, which Colbeck dealt with superbly as he back-tracked to nod away from his own six-yard box.

Jones lifted the tempo again right on the interval to force a third City corner.

Referee Tony Bates had a stiff word with Clarke and White after a spot of shoving before the City centre half rose to meet the kick but failed to direct his header.

The teams had cancelled each other out for the most part. Stuart McCall's side had just about edged it but the bobbly pitch was not aiding their usual passing game.

City began the second half on the front foot again with O'Brien and Colbeck both drilling in crosses to keep Gerken on his toes. Boulding then slipped the wrong side of marker Steve Foster but drove straight at White.

Referee Bates produced his first yellow card of the night seven minutes into the half when White tripped Boulding once too often.

Zesh Rehman, preferred to Paul Arnison at right back, showed his mettle to stay with Abbott as the big targetman fought to get off a shot.

But the Pakistan international then coughed up possession on halfway and was grateful for a text-book intervention from Clarke on the edge of the penalty area as Darlington looked to break.

City hit back as Law reeled off the pass of the match to spray the ball out to Colbeck, who cut in from the right flank before firing over the angle.

But there was generally not a lot of room to work in with Darlington quick to close down anything fancy.

City still carried the bigger threat, with Colbeck becoming more prominent and showing the appetite to break down the black and white wall of resistance.

Darlington boss Dave Penney threw on Liam Hatch as an extra attacker after 67 minutes to prove they were not content to sit on a point. As if to prove that, it needed a great tackle from Rehman to prevent Carlton firing the visitors in front as he burst away.

But they had still failed to test Evans with a direct shot on target – a record that Abbott was never going to alter with a wild thrash high into the Kop.

McCall made his first switch with 17 minutes to go as Lee Bullock replaced Jones. He took up a central role alongside Furman, with Law moving to the left.

And 12 minutes from time, he called for Barry Conlon to add a bit of muscle up front as Thorne went off.

Conlon, who had two spells as a Darlington player, was greeted with a roar from the fans.

But it was the away side who were pressing again and Evans was finally called into action after 80 minutes, responding with a tip-over to deny Abbott's rasping shot.

And Darlington went close again through Hatch, whose drifting effort just beat the far post with Evans looking on.



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http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford/Bradford-City-0-Darlington-0.4990826.jp

Bradford City 0 Darlington 0: Bantams left frustrated in bid to reclaim place in promotion spots


Bantams held

18 February 2009
By Richard Sutcliffe
at Valley Parade
A LITTLE over a fortnight after being thwarted by heavy snow, Bradford City were last night again left feeling frustrated after being held to a third goalless stalemate of the season at home.


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The Bantams had gone into the rearranged meeting with Darlington knowing that victory could, depending on results elsewhere, earn them a welcome return to the automatic promotion places.

Buoyed by having won all three games since the scheduled February 2 meeting with the Quakers fell victim to the arctic weather that brought Britain to a standstill, City did look the more likely to break the deadlock for much of the 90 minutes.

The home side certainly had the vast majority of the game's standout performers with Nicky Law and Dean Furman excelling in midfield, Matt Clarke being a towering presence in defence and Joe Colbeck a constant threat out wide after replacing Omar Daley midway through the first half.

But for all their pressing and probing, Bradford could not make the vital breakthrough with Peter Thorne going closest with a stabbed shot that bounced to safety off the crossbar.

It ensured the vast majority of the 12,782 crowd went home frustrated, even if the Bantams fans could at least console themselves with their team having been the better outfit for three-quarters of a keenly-fought encounter.

They certainly should have led at the break with Thorne being denied by the crossbar and Michael Boulding being presented with a gilt-edged chance by a fine pass from Steve Jones.

Unfortunately for City, the striker could only drive a fierce shot into the legs of Gerken who then leapt to his feet before punching the ball to safety.

Stuart McCall's side, who lost Daley to a suspected medial ligament injury after a heavy but legal challenge from Neil Austin, continued to press after the break with a fine crossfield ball from Law allowing Colbeck sufficient time and space to cut in from the right flank and unleash a fierce shot that flew inches over the crossbar.

It was not until the final quarter that Darlington sprang into life and the home side were grateful for Zesh Rehman having been alert enough to snuff out the danger as Danny Carlton looked set to race through on goal. Then, with 10 minutes remaining, former Huddersfield Town striker Pawel Abbott showed tremendous poise and skill to flick the ball over a Bantams defender before unleashing a thunderous drive that Rhys Evans did brilliantly to tip over the crossbar.

Substitute Liam Hatch then had the 452 visiting fans on their feet in the closing stages with a fierce shot that flew just inches over the crossbar and ensure City kept an eighth clean sheet in 11 outings.

It also meant that Bradford had, at least, claimed what could yet turn out to be a vital point in the race to get out of League Two.



Bradford City: Evans; Rehman, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien; Jones (Bullock 72), Furman, Law, Daley (Colbeck 23); Thorne (Conlon 78), M Boulding. Substitutes (not used): Arnison, McLaren.

Darlington: Gerken; Austin, White, Foster, Tremarco (Hatch 67); Purdie, Ravenhill, Kennedy (Hulbert 83), Valentine; Carlton, Abbott. Substitutes (not used): Miller, Kazimierczak, Poole.

Referee: A Bates (Staffordshire).



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Some match photos

http://www.rivals.net/news/pgarticle.aspx?artid=13750_4940662&id=30




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McCall signs new deal with Bantams
7:00am Friday 20th February 2009

Stuart McCall today put pen to paper on a new City deal and declared: All my managerial ambition lies here.

McCall wants to climb the divisions with the club he has served as player and now boss.

He signed on for another two years – and then set that as a realistic deadline to bring Championship football back to Valley Parade.



McCall said: "I know Julian Rhodes talked earlier in the season about back-to-back promotions. For me, by the end of the contract I'll have been here four years and I would hope we can reach the Championship by then.

"I want to manage in the Championship but I'd rather do it here in a couple of seasons than somewhere else now. I'm showing loyalty because I want to be here.

"If we got promoted and other teams came in, I wouldn't be looking to go. I don't want to go.

"Obviously if things don't go right, I could find myself somewhere else one day. But my managerial ambitions lie with this club. I can see myself being here for the long-run, taking us where we all want to go.

"People know what I feel for Bradford City and I wouldn't ever think of using this as a stepping stone. I'm also fortunate to have the two chairmen and people I work with and we've all got the same belief and feeling for the club."

McCall's present contract was due to run out at the end of June. But with a large number of players' deals up at the same time, sorting out his future now will remove uncertainty with squad negotiations and allow him to plan ahead.

He added: "It's nice to get it done and shows loyalty from both parties. I was happy to leave it until the summer but it makes sense if the two chairmen are happy to do it now and I'm pleased they've acknowledged what I'm doing.

"We haven't got a crystal ball. We don't know what's going to happen in the summer as in which division we will be in.

"But it gives me a chance to plan ahead. There are 15 games left, maybe more, and we're all focused on what we want to achieve.

"Either way, if we're successful or not, I know I'll be focusing on next season.

"Management can be frustrating at times but it's beneficial for the club to hopefully have that stability and be able to look forward."

Joint-chairman Lawn said: "Year on year we've certainly progressed and you can see that on the pitch with the way we're playing.

"We decided weeks ago that we were all happy for Stuart to continue. But with Gillingham, Wycombe and Darlington to focus on it wasn't fair to put him under pressure about this so we decided to talk about it straight afterwards and we're delighted it's now done.

"Like myself and Julian, Stuart is a fan as well as being the manager which can make it very difficult if we're on a bad run. We do feel the pain just as much as the fans, if not more.

"Stuart wanted to carry on but I can understand him talking to his family first. They feel it a lot more, seeing the angst and pain you go through when it's not going well.

"He wanted to make sure they were happy first and it was right to do that."

McCall had a meeting with the players yesterday to pick over the results during the second third of the season.

He added: "You look at the back-to-back 0-0s with Chester and Shrewsbury. If we'd taken the wins out of them that we should have done, we'd be sat top of the table now.

"We've just drawn a couple too many at home but we're in a decent position and I feel very happy with the squad we've got."






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From Official website...

CITY ASSESS INJURY SITUATION

Bradford City are assessing the damage to their promotion push after losing
Omar Daley and Rhys Evans to injury.

Tuesday night's goalless draw with Darlington at Valley Parade came at a big
cost for Stuart McCall's side.

Daley damaged knee ligaments and Evans strained his thigh, meaning rookie
keeper Jon McLaughlin is in line to make his senior debut at Barnet on
Saturday.

Daley was stretchered off after just 20 minutes but Evans played on through
the pain because there was no back-up stopper on the bench, pulling off a
crucial save from former Huddersfield hitman Pawel Abbott late on.

Talking to the Telegraph & Argus Stuart McCall admitted: "It was a massive
point for us taking everything into consideration. We lost Omar early on,
Clarkey (Matt Clarke) got a bang early on, Rhys did his thigh and Luke
O'Brien was still feeling a bit of tonsillitis.

"It wasn't a great game but it was a great effort. Because of the
circumstances, it's a terrific result.

"There was nothing in it. It wasn't a great spectacle but we'd said before
the game that it would be a really hard match.

"But we're on a decent run and we'll take positives from this game. We'll
rest up now and look forward to hopefully getting the three points from
Barnet."

In a tight game of few chances, City had the best of them in the first half.
Peter Thorne struck the bar from close range and Michael Boulding was denied
when put clean through.

But Darlington, playing their first game since January, grew more dangerous
as the game wore on and threatened towards the end with Abbott, Danny
Carlton and Liam Hatch all going close.

McCall added: "I expected Darlington to get stronger. They threw the big boy
Hatch on and Abbott up top is probably the best in the division with
everything he does as centre forward.

"They might have been a bit rusty but Darlington teams are always hungry.

"But we showed some magnificent defending and Rhys has only had one save to
make, which was a terrific one."

Daley was going for a scan on Wednesday but he is set to be sidelined for
several weeks. Evans' thigh injury also looks a bad one and could rule him
out of City's plans for a while.

McCall has faith in McLaughlin, the keeper he plucked from non-league
Harrogate last summer. He will play in a private reserve game at Doncaster
on Wednesday afternoon - a match that will also see a welcome return for
Chris Brandon.

McCall has ruled out delving into the loan market for a stop-gap replacement
for Evans.

He said: "We brought Jonny in as a back-up for Rhys and it might be time to
give him a chance. We've seen him in training and in the reserves and he's
done nothing wrong."



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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4138070.print/

City facing keeper crisis
9:29am Thursday 19th February 2009

Stuart McCall is racing to find a keeper in time to face Barnet on Saturday after Jon McLaughlin got crocked.

The back-up stopper was lined up to make his debut at Underhill when Rhys Evans suffered a thigh strain.

But McLaughlin suffered concussion in yesterday's private friendly at Doncaster and spent the night in hospital. Under Football Association rules regarding head injuries, he is not allowed to play again for a fortnight.

City will assess Evans' condition today but boss Stuart McCall is expected to make a move for an emergency loan.

The City chief said: "With two keepers being out, you can get one in for seven or 14 days.

"But obviously we feel for Jonny. He hasn't had an injury all season and it's just typical that this should happen at the same time as Rhys.

"Jonny hadn't played for three or four weeks so he needed the game to get rid of a bit of rust. We were only going to give him an hour anyway and this happened just before he was due to come off."

McLaughlin banged his head in a collision with Doncaster striker Darren Byfield.

A more positive note from Doncaster's Cantley Park training ground was Chris Brandon's return to action after five months out. He came through an hour and McCall said: "Chris was full of running and really enjoyed it."

Rory Boulding put City in front but Doncaster, who fielded a near full-strength side, won 4-1.




===========================
Signing City shirt deal made me so proud, says sponsor
6:50am Thursday 19th February 2009

City's new shirt sponsorship will have an added poignancy next season.

MAP Group (UK) have taken up the reins from Bradford & Bingley after signing a deal that is "more than acceptable" according to the club.

And managing director David Keighley admitted it will be a particularly special moment for him when he watches City take to the field sporting his company logo.

Keighley watched Tuesday's draw with Darlington, the first time he had been back to Valley Parade since his father died three years ago.

He said: "I was a season-ticket holder until then but since my dad passed away I had not been back. So to do this sponsorship deal is emotional and I'm sure my dad would be really proud.

"The thought of City playing in shirts with our company name on makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck."

MAP Group (UK), a national supplier of installation engineers for companies such as Virgin Media, are based in the north-east but they employ around 30 engineers in the Bradford area – and boast two City fans on the board.

Director of operations Andy Long and his family are season-ticket holders and make the trip from Teesside to Valley Parade for every home game.

Keighley added: "Andy and I have got real ties with the city.

"We're both Bradford born and bred so this is a proud moment.

"It just feels right. The family angle the club have gone down in recent years is really coming through now.

"It's a great atmosphere when you come here and the management team at the club are genuine people.

"Sometimes you see the sponsors are far too remote and in it purely for commercial reasons. That's not why we want to get involved."

And Keighley would love to see the sponsorship deal kick in with City back in League One.

He added: "It would be fantastic. As someone said the other day, maybe MAP should stand for 'must achieve promotion'!"

L2 v Wycombe Wanderers (h) W1-0 Feb 14th 2009

Football League Two - KO 15:00
Bradford    1 (1) - 0(0) Wycombe 
Jones 43
     
  At Valley Parade on Feb 14-2009 


Bradford: Evans, Arnison, Rehman, Clarke, O'Brien, Jones, Furman, Law, Daley (Colbeck 85), Thorne, Michael Boulding (Bullock 90).
Subs Not Used: Ainge, McLaren, Conlon.


Goals: Jones 43.

Wycombe: Shearer, Casement (Oliver 66), McCracken, Johnson, Woodman, Doherty, Holt (Mousinho 66), Bloomfield (Phillips 85), Pittman, Harrold, Zebroski.
Subs Not Used: Young, Vieira.

Sent Off: Zebroski (78).

Booked: Johnson, Doherty.

Att: 12,689

Ref: Carl Boyeson (E Yorkshire).

Bradford City Wycombe Wanderers
18(10) Shots (on Goal) 14(8)
10 Fouls 12
8 Corner Kicks 9
1 Offsides 0
58% Time of Poss. 42%
0 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 1
10 Saves 11


Next Game v Darlington (h) Feb 17th 19:45 (GMT)
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=262313&lang=EN



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http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/yorkshire-soccer/Bradford-City-Jones-happy-to.4981879.jp

Bradford City: Jones happy to break duck


By Leon Wobschall
Steve Jones might have only been a Bantam for two-and-a-half months, but he's adamant he'd be challenging for the top-scorers' crown – with a goal-den double-figure haul – with a bit of luck.
Chances galore have come the loan star's way, but finding the onion bag has proved a different matter – though it's not for the want of trying.

Jones, whose loan spell from Burnley was extended until the end of the season on the final day of the January transfer window, has copped frustration aplenty, with his predatory touch in training failing to be replicated on game-day.

But the Northern Ireland international got the goalscoring monkey off his back, just when it was threatening to become a gorilla, in the recent 2-0 home success over Grimsby, celebrating with some gusto after netting City's late second against the 10-man Mariners.

It was his first goal in the claret-and-amber at the 11th time of asking and his first in the Football League since finding the net while on loan at former club Crewe in May – in their 4-1 home loss to Oldham – one of just two he scored in the whole of last season.

And having reacquainted himself with the goal trial, Jones – equally at home on the wing or through the middle – is hoping to hit a scoring streak and claim some belated dues.

Jones – whose seasonal best league goals tally stands at 16 with Crewe in 2002-03 – told Yorkshire Sport: "I could have had 10 goals at least since I've been here!

"I've been unlucky, because keepers have been making some great saves, I've been hitting the post and having shots cleared off the line.

"I've been firing them in from all sorts of angles in training as well and was just wishing I could save a few of them for matches!

"I didn't think it was going to come and it was so frustrating.
"But I kept persevering and it all came right in the end.

"Funnily enough, my last goal had come against Bradford in pre-season and I'd scored a lot for Burnley reserves, but it was great to find the net again in a league game."

After sinking the Mariners, it was snow joke for City two days later when their televised home clash with promotion rivals Darlington fell victim to the weather – costing them a tidy packet into the bargain.

The cold snap also placed a huge question mark over last weekend's clash at Gillingham in the frozen south, but the game survived, one of just a handful south of Birmingham in the whole Football League, with 10 games called off in total.

And City certainly weren't under the weather on the pitch, thanks to a superb 2-0 win on the Medway, just the hosts' second home league loss since August.

Jones – who had to negotiate the icy roads to travel to training from his Cheshire base over the past fortnight – said: "It was disappointing that the live game was called off. Everyone was on a high after the Grimsby game and up for it.

"With it being on TV, we wanted to show people across the nation what a good team we are and were gutted it wasn't played, really.

"Quite a few of us couldn't get home at night, so it was a bit of a nightmare and we ended up staying in a hotel.

"Travelling down on the Friday to Gillingham, we were a bit apprehensive with the weather and were thinking the game could be off and that we didn't want to travel all that way down again.

"So we were delighted with the result, and that the game was on, because we'd prepared all week and knew it was a massive game.

"We needed to be on our game and it was a good performance.

"Everyone in the team played really well, which is unusual. Usually, you get seven or eight hitting top form and the rest being carried through. But everyone was top-drawer and we certainly could have won by a lot more.

"It was probably our best performance since I've been here – we went to Brentford and absolutely dominated, but got beat, but with us winning at Gillingham, that was the icing on the cake.

"Gillingham have hardly lost at home for months, so they were on a roll and everyone played really well for us."

Despite being holed up in a West Yorkshire hotel after the Darlington match was called off, Jones at least had the consolation of signing on the dotted line at City ahead of the tea-time window deadline on February 2, with the Quakers game scheduled to have been the final game of his second month on loan.

As to his future, he is keeping an open mind, having been told he won't be getting a new contract at Turf Moor when his deal expires in the summer.

He added: "I don't know what will happen, but I'm enjoying my time here and am playing regularly.

"I'm out of contract at the end of the season, so this keeps me in the shop window.

"I feel I've settled in quite well and they are a good set of lads and staff here. So it was great to sign again, I actually signed on the last day at around 11am and the deadline was 5pm, but I knew it was always going to be done.

"It's been a struggle getting in some days with the snow, but thankfully I managed to sign on in time!"



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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4128093.Jones_enjoys_cutting_big_boys_down_to_size/

Jones enjoys cutting big boys down to size
7:00am Monday 16th February 2009

City 1 Wycombe 0

Steve Jones reckons the bigger they come, the harder they fall after City bagged another major scalp.

The acid test after last week's great display at Gillingham was backing it up at Valley Parade against the best travellers in League Two.

Job done again. Two down and Darlington tomorrow to follow – Bantam tails are firmly up.

Michael Boulding calls it a "nice" pressure to have at the top end of the table and Jones thinks City can't get enough of the promotion six-pointers.

"The big games suit us," said the winger after notching his second goal in successive home games. "We've been dominating teams before but they were coming here playing five at the back and it was hard to break down.

"But we know what's at stake and the crowd were magnificent again. They were like having an extra man on the pitch.

"It was so important to follow up the Gillingham result with another win and we'd worked all week on how to break Wycombe down. We had to win to claw the deficit back on them and the lads were brilliant.

"We're on a high and the confidence is maximum because of the recent results. You can see why Wycombe are up there but it also shows what a good side we are."

Saturday was a cracking advert for League Two. Without getting presumptuous, it wouldn't be a bad game the next level up either.

Wycombe had lost only twice on their travels beforehand. Even given their recent wobble, they presented a major obstacle to City's newly rediscovered belief.

Once again, City finished up at Valley Parade against ten men, although Chris Zebroski's straight red card with 20 minutes left for going all Jackie Chan on Matt Clarke did not impact on the result.

Wycombe will feel hard done by not to get anything from a display Peter Taylor called their best since the turn of the year but then City were equally aggrieved to leave Adams Park with nothing in November.

But this was chalk and cheese compared to that sterile affair.

On that day you could count the number of chances from both sides on one hand. This time you could not take your eyes away for fear of missing something.

Encouragingly, City once again came bursting from the blocks. Like the week before, they forced a couple of immediate corners and David McCracken had to be alert to turn away a dangerous cross from Peter Thorne.

Fellow centre half Leon Johnson nicked another cross from Omar Daley off City's captain for the day and Nicky Law fizzed one just wide.

Law and Dean Furman had their hands full against experienced Wycombe pair Tommy Doherty and Gary Holt but what they may have lacked in game know-how, the young duo once again made up for in sheer endeavour and drive.

Their infectious influence is growing with each game and was never more evident than Furman's outstanding clearance off the line to defy John-Paul Pittman a debut goal. The striker's header from Wycombe's first corner was spot on, downwards and hard, but Furman managed to stretch across far enough to get a leg to it and avert the danger.

Once again, all those hours his manager had spent watching Rangers TV had been justified.

Stuart McCall said: "I saw Deano eight or nine times for Rangers reserves last season and he always stood out for me because of his tenacity, enthusiasm and energy.

"He showed that in abundance against two good midfielders in Doherty and Holt and I thought the legs and energy of Law and Furman just about got on top of them."

Lifted by that close call, Wycombe came back into the game and the next 20 minutes belonged to the visitors.

They should have had a penalty when Clarke bundled into Pittman but only Matt Bloomfield will know how he missed a gaping goal from 12 yards after the striker's cross had pinged straight to his feet.

Pittman, who looks a real coup from non-league, was also inches away with an instinctive overhead kick which flew past the left post with Rhys Evans motionless.

It was a tough examination for a back four minus suspended skipper Graeme Lee. The fact they came up with a third successive clean sheet – and seventh in the last ten games – was testament to their hard work.

Evans almost paid for a bizarre lapse of concentration when he took too long to clear his lines and suddenly found Matt Harrold in his face. Cue a madcap scramble to the touchline to elude the Wycombe front man.

But that apart, he had another rock-solid afternoon. The cut-up pitch made kicking a minefield for both keepers but Evans' handling, particularly from corners, was exemplary.

In front of him, the Lee-less back four stood firm under pressure. Luke O'Brien was back from illness on the left and slipped smoothly into the groove again. The left back was keen to go on bombing raids upfield and one led to City's goal two minutes before the break.

Doherty lost the ball in midfield and O'Brien's first-time cross from the left was worked on unselfishly by Thorne into the path of Jones. He left fly with a flashing left boot, smashing the ball inside the near post.

A half-time lead was a huge bonus for City but the game was far from won and Evans made an important save from Holt soon after.

But the home side, roared on by the fans, continued to ask their own questions. Gone were the doubts of a month ago, you could sense the positivity about City – both on and off the pitch.

There were less of the grumbles that too often accompany them at home and the game was much better for it.

Law drilled over after good work from Jones and Daley twice tried his luck, slicing one so much that he took out the corner flag!

At the other end, Bloomfield's miserable time in front of goal continued with another costly miscue and, as Wycombe's frustration grew, they lost Zebroski to a straight red card.

Wycombe had no complaints about Zebroski's dismissal for a ridiculously high boot which studded Clarke on the top of his shoulder.

Another six inches higher and the big defender would have been cancelling his Valentine's dinner with the missus.

Clarke said: "I could see him lifting his boot as I went to head the ball. I was about 70-30 towards it so knew I'd get there a little bit before him. These days you can't go in with your foot so high. Maybe it's a bit harsh to get a red card but if you're going to do that, you will pay the penalty."

Clarke went down right in front of the dug-outs and Taylor did not argue with referee Carl Boyeson's actions. The Wycombe chief said: "What Chris did was stupid. If he was a bit smaller, I'd beat him up."

Wycombe's ten men nearly conjured an equaliser seven minutes from time with the luckless Bloomfield's cross-cum-shot rolling past the far post when it just needed a nudge from Harrold.

But City had two glorious opportunities to double their advantage at the death. First Law was denied by a desperate tackle from Johnson, then substitute Joe Colbeck's shot was parried up in the air by keeper Scott Shearer, who managed to scramble back and hook the ball off the line.

McCall said: "I don't know how it only ended up 1-0 because both teams had a lot of chances but I'm delighted it did. We're on a run we'd like to be in and that was a big result for us.

"The next game can't come quick enough and it just happens to be another massive one."



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The Wycombe View

http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10430~44679,00.html


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LAWN REVEALS GROUNDSHARE THOUGHTS

Bradford City's joint-chairman Mark Lawn has revealed the club is exploring
the possibility of a groundshare with rugby league side Bradford Bulls.

Bradford City Council are expected to announce next month whether plans for
a new £50million complex on the current Odsal site will go ahead and the
Bantams have been invited to consider leaving Valley Parade, which costs
City £1.2million a year to rent and maintain after selling the stadium to
former chairman Gordon Gibbs in 2003.

Lawn told the Yorkshire Post: "The possibility of us becoming involved with
Odsal was mentioned to me by the council and it would be naive not to
investigate it.

"It is my impression that a decision will be made over whether the scheme
gets the go-ahead in the next couple of weeks and that the signs are
encouraging.

"Our possible involvement would be in the long term obviously and we have
not even had any projected figures from the council. But it is something we
have to look at - not least because of the huge overheads involved with
running Valley Parade."

It has been reported that Bradford Council are hoping the complex, which
would incorporate facilities for cricket, athletics and cycling, can be
completed in time for the 2012 Olympics and that Sport England are "very
supportive" of the scheme.

===========================
T&A to rescue over City shirt deal

6:40am Monday 16th February 2009

City have unveiled a new shirt sponsor – thanks to the T&A.

Next season's kit will bear the name of MAP Group (UK) after the
technology service provider read about the club's frantic search to find
a successor to Bradford & Bingley.

The north-east based company, who supply installation engineers across
the north of England, will this week sign a cutprice £60,000 deal for
one year, the T&A can exclusively reveal.

They also have first option on the following season.

City head of operations David Baldwin said: "The call came from their
managing director who'd had the T&A article forwarded to him. He wasn't
in the Bradford area at the time.

"Both him and one of his fellow directors are Bradford City fans, which
is fantastic. All along I've wanted people on that shirt who also have a
vested interested in the fan side of the football club.

"Commercially, it's a good deal anyway but to have somebody involved who
already has a love for the club is perfect."

City had to hit a manufacturing deadline last Friday to ensure a new
name would be on the home and away shirts for next season.

Bradford & Bingley's sponsorship had another year to run but they pulled
the plug in December because of their financial predicament. Baldwin
added: "It's been a headache because when you've got a contract there
for another year on the shirts, you weren't expecting a problem like
this to arise.

"We're working to a timetable to make sure we maximise income for this
club and then this came out of the blue. Everyone is on edge because of
the tough time we're in anyway and it can prove a bit of a distraction
during the season-ticket campaign.

"But everything is on schedule. We gave verbal confirmation to (kit
makers) Surridge at 4pm on Friday and we've got a seven-day window now
to go to signature. The contract will be signed and payment made this week.

"It's good that we've got that stability. I don't want to be going to
the chairmen and saying we need to put more money into the club.

"The bottom line is that we stand alone as a trading business in our own
right and we're able to grow with the security of income coming in, so
we are self-sustainable."

The deal coincides with the announcement of the latest season-ticket
offer. Fans can buy tickets for next term for £175 before March 31.


===========================
McCALL TO HAVE PERSONAL FA HEARING
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Stuart McCall will fight his corner after requesting a personal hearing over
his FA misconduct charge.

The Bradford City boss was charged by the authorities after being sent to
the stands during the controversial 3-3 draw at Luton last month.

Stuart McCall is accused of using foul and abusive language at assistant
referee Mike George when he flagged for a foul by Luke O'Brien, which was
later shown to be a well-timed tackle.

McCall's charge is one of five from the game, which finished with Barry
Conlon slotting home a dramatic penalty equaliser deep in stoppage time.

Luton boss Mick Harford is in hot water on two counts and there are further
charges against his skipper Kevin Nicholls and the team for their conduct
with referee Trevor Kettle.

If found guilty, McCall is likely to be banned from the dug-out for a couple
of games.

But he is determined to have his say in front of the FA after questioning
the evidence of the fourth official. McCall said: "I was sent off by the
referee for encroachment on the pitch which was 100 per cent correct. I've
no arguments with that but what the fourth official says I'm alleged to have
said is totally untrue.

"I'm not accepting what he's put in his statement and that's why I want the
chance to put my point across."

John Duncan from the League Managers Association has promised to support
McCall at the hearing, which is expected to take place within the next
fortnight.

McCall added: "I did swear, there's no doubt about that. It was a fantastic
tackle but to say I called the linesman a certain word is completely untrue.

"Hopefully it will sort itself out. You can write away and accept the charge
but I'm not accepting it with that on it. The punishment will probably be
the same but, for my own sake, I want the chance to say that the fourth
official's report is not correct."

Harford has been charged for his behaviour at the final whistle and his
comments to the press afterwards when he called the referee "despicable".


===========================
NEW CHARGE AGAINST LUTON BOSS
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Luton boss Mick Harford has been hit by a further FA charge from their
controversial game with City.

Harford has been charged with "bringing the game into disrepute" following
his comments to the press about referee Trevor Kettle.

Harford was fuming after Kettle awarded City a stoppage-time penalty which
Barry Conlon tucked away for a 3-3 draw.

The Luton manager said at the time: "He (Kettle) was despicable and I'm not
bothered if they charge me because it's the truth.

"I feel sorry for the 6,000 people who've paid money to see an incompetent
referee. I'm just voicing their opinions."

Harford is already facing an improper conduct charge for his behaviour after
the game. Stuart McCall has also been charged after he was sent to the stand
in the first half.

Luton have been charged for failing to control their players at the final
whistle. Captain Kevin Nicholls has also been charged separately with
improper conduct - he had to be restrained by police officers afterwards.

And the FA are still investigating the reaction of a section of the crowd
who threw missiles at Kettle in front of the players' tunnel.

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


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