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| BRADFORD CITY 2-1 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS Whichever City official agreed to switch this game to a Friday night on a Bank Holiday deserves the death penalty. The motorways are jam-packed and travel is a nightmare. To combat this,14 free coaches were provided (Who actually paid for them is open to speculation but the smart money is going on Bradford!). Unfortunately,the coaches did not leave Highfield Road until 4.15pm and after a police escort which took the coaches the long way round, we finally got to Valley Parade after kick-off. Thankfully, all of the 2,500 City support had made it into the ground before there was any serious action and discovered that Andy Goram who had signed on a months trial was on the bench whilst Youseff Safri was left out altogether. With Thommo banging in his usual high crosses that a pro basketball player would struggle to reach, never mind Jay Bothroyd and Lee Hughes, it was the home side who looked the better side with Benito Carbone causing problems alongside City reject Eoin Jess. This was born out when Hedman only flapped the ball off the line for Jess to smack the ball back towards goal. Thankfully, Lee Carsley was on the line to head away. The first half was notable for a bottle being thrown from the home stand on our right in the direction of David Thompson who was booked as was Lee Hughes for failing to retreat the ten yards for a free kick. Hughes had also been the culprit with two glaring misses but they would not have counted as both were adjudged to be offside. The second half was a different kettle of fish. Bradford came at City from the start and were awarded a 49th minute corner. The corner flew across a crowded box to be met by the head of Andy Myers who firmly planted the ball past Hedman. Five minutes later, it was disaster time. City's defence again failed to clear the ball on the edge of their own penalty area, the ball fell to Gary Locke who smashed the ball into the net. The reply from the City support was a "We want Strachan Out" chant which was very loud for those of us in the upper tier of the visitors end. To be honest, it was not a surprise coming after the nightmare that was Wolves. City decided that they had better start playing and looked a lot better when Chippo and Zuniga replaced Barry Quinn and David Thompson . In the 75th minute, the City support got some reward for their efforts when Jay Bothroyd shrugged off two defenders and headed towards goal. As he reached the penalty spot,he hammered the ball low past Gary Walsh and into the net. This was a fine reward for the City youngster who worked really hard trying to create chances for the Sky Blues all night. Two minutes after the goal, City were down to ten men,when Lee Hughes made a rash tackle from behind and was red carded for a second bookable offence. Both cautions for Hughes were preventable and hopefully, a decent club fine may make him think twice in future. City kept pressing forward in the hope of earning a draw. Three times, arms or hands that belonged to those wearing amber and claret were clearly seen to be handling the ball and three times the protests of both the City support and players was ignored by referee Mr Foy. Foy required an escort off the pitch at the end and Gary Pendry had to be held back by stewards as he tried to protest to the match official. Strachan admitted that he was pleased with most of the players commitment and effort and but for some dubious officiating from a referee who hails from the same county as the home side, a draw would have been a fair result TEAM 13 Hedman,24 Nilsson,4 Williams,5 Shaw,3 Hall,16 O'Neill,14 Quinn (11 Chippo 68),7 Thompson (17 Zuniga 68),8 Carsley,9 Hughes (Sent off 77),21 Bothroyd SNU Goram,Davenport,Strachan RATINGS 13 Hedman 6/10 Another dodgy performance from the Flapper, the sooner Kirkland is fit the better. 24 Nilsson 7/10 Tried hard, but was let down by his passing and some of his marking 3 Hall 7/10 Ditto 4 Williams 7/10 Put himself around, but some of his marking was very slack 5 Shaw 7/10 Covered well, probably the best City defender on the night 14 Quinn 7/10 Did ok 7 Thompson 7/10 Caused a few problems, riled the home team and fans 16 O'Neill 6/10 A very quiet game 8 Carsley 6/10 Another quiet game 9 Hughes 5/10 Wasted chances and foolishly got himself sent of 21 Bothroyd 9/10 Battled very well, won a lot in the air and deserved his goal which was well taken 11 Chippo 6/10 The game was over before he got into it. 17 Zuniga 7/10 Only had one chance but put it wide. |