West Yorkshire Woe - Part 2

By: Matty Newton
Date: 20/04/2008

NO changes were made at half time as both teams lined up with the same formations. Bradford started of the better of the two sides as they looked for the equaliser and came close in the 49th minute, Thorne just heading over from a well worked free-kick.

Mr Singh again gifted Bradford a free-kick, but again it was comfortably dealt with.

Despite Bradford starting the brighter of the two teams the game was very much open, and both teams looked like scoring at any opportunity, it was also pleasing to see that we hadn't conceded a goal straight after half time, as the defence looked pretty solid.

Jarman, who played well in patches sent a threw ball into the path Hegarty but was just to far in front of him to control it well and the goalkeeper gathered with ease.

Towns lead lasted until the 61st minute, when Newey, who was being slightly pressured into our area made a schoolboy error and tried to pass the ball back to Barnes only to find THORNE sneaking in and placing the ball around the helpless Barnes from a tight angle, as again a defensive mistake cost us dearly.

Bradford's fans had now awoken and were spurring their team on. Barry Conlon was introduced in place of Johnson, as they looked for the winning goal.

Conlon was straight in the action heading over from close range after good work with Thorne.

Town then made a substitution of their own bringing on Butler, in place of the tired looking Hunt, as Buckley switched to 4-4-2.

Chances were fast and furious for both teams after that as both Jarman and Toner went close for Town, as the game was looking as it would finish 1-1.

Just as quick as Town has fashioned to chances, Bradford were again on the attacked this time good work from Nix allowed him to get a shot off, only for Barnes to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.

Town's best chance in the second half came late on when Jarman raced through one-on-one and was denied by the keeper Loach, only to find that Mr Singh had blown for a flow by Jarman anyway, to the complete disbelief of both Town players and fans.

In the last minute of normal time Hegarty found himself in space on the right hand side and tried to fire past Loach, only to miskick the ball and allow the keeper to gather comfortably.

With the game seeming all but over and the Town faithful in good voice, disaster struck for the Mariners, after a quick throw in from our left hand side, saw good link up play, the ball was produced to COLBEC, who unleashed an unstoppable effort past Barnes, to the dismay of the Town fans.

There was not enough time for the Mariners to create anymore chances as the final whistle sounded shortly after the goal, the whistle was greeted with boo's from the town faithful not towards the players however, but the referee and his assistants, as many others and myself stayed behind to let Mr Singh know who we felt as he left the field.

Town did not deserve to lose the game and were slightly out of sorts after Till was forced off, but bad calls from the officials and bad judgement from a hopeless Newey gifted the Bantams all 3 points.

At the Coral Windows Stadium 13,448 saw it finished, Bradford City 2, Grimsby Town 1

NewtoN's Man of the Match: Bennett, after his England experience in mid week, he looked sharp and was tireless all game up and down the line, as well as not making any mistakes at the back.

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