Bradford City 1-0 Torquay United - Npower League Two
Saturday 8th October 2011 - The Coral Stadium - Attendance: 11,738 (204 Visitors)
So, off the back of our Paint Pot Cup exploits at the Gayfarm on Tuesday night, (Sheffield United Away in next round!) it was back to VP & a return to our Npower League 2 Struggle as we hosted Torquay. However, for the first time since Aldershot on day one there was a buzz around VP prior to kick off.
As the players arrived to VP, they were all in the mood to go out & give a spectacle even the likes of Hanson who was out injured & Branston & Rodney who were on the bench were revved up & ready to give us a great game of football.
So, after heading into the stand to meet the usual contingent of Ellis, James, Bradley, Jonny, Vicky & Drummer Boy Ben! ;) It was kick off time as the sides entered an electric VP!
The game got off to a dull affair as the first chance of the game came in the 13th minute when Davies blocked an Atieno effort. Fagan just shot over & Stewart followed that up with a header over as City got closer & closer to breaking the deadlock but the next drama & moment of note was controversial to say the least & came in the 24th minute!
Davies came in across the wet deck & got the ball in one of the cleanest challenges I've ever seen to which Danny Stevens (Yes, you Kitchen's brother!) threw himself to the ground like he'd been taken out by a sniper in the Co-operative Stand! Anyway, Torquay striker Rene Howe was straight in there (Like an all you can eat buffet!) & pleaded a case for the diving little swine to which referee Boyeson reacted by showing the on-loan Stoke man Davies a straight red card! (Believe me, Boyeson's in for a long slating in this blog!)
So, Parko threw Ex-Torquay man Guy Branston on for Jack Compton to get a defence on the pitch for the remaining 66 minutes. Boyeson booked Joe Oastler for a challenge on Kyel Reid, from which we had 2-3 minute spell of Reid either creating or wasting. It was mainly the latter & Duke saved from Kevin Nicholson.
But then, we had a breakthrough! Oliver pick pocketed the ball & headed across to Fagan to smash home past Olejnik (He's probably illegal so it doesn't matter!) to make it 1-0! Dickens couldn't of wrote this stuff! There was a sense of justice around VP as the 10 men had the lead & never looked back! Boyeson finished the half with another two yellows, one for Flynn & another for Rene Howe, who wiped his face in disgust with his shirt, he was probably licking it to check if it was custard!
Half Time began with a crowd at the far left corner of the lower TL to give Stevens & referee Boyeson some choice words but then we discovered that Zumba had returned for a second coming to the valley of dreams! After some intense working out, the teams returned for the second half!
Carl Boyeson was back at it in the middle with dodgy decisions galore! Free kicks & Yellow cards would be the highlight of the half as he made himself Mr Unpopular in Bradfordia! Lee Mansell tried harder & harder to get the 6th goal of his season which would make team mate Kevin Nicholson have to clean his house naked but couldn't find the back of the net!
The next controversial incidents came at the mid way point of the half as Mr Boyeson booked Reid & Macklin for a nothing head to head but then allowed Howe off for kicking Oliver in the nut before booking Eunan O' Kane for dragging Reid down. Now, this constitutes as denying a goalscoring opportunity, therefore meaning a straight red card. Parko was extremely unhappy & let his feeling known as he stormed onto the pitch to make his feelings known!
Of course, Ben's guests of honour fell victim to our unique style of banter as we discovered crushes & love in the air & this allowed me & Bradley to discover some new ammo on Ben & also to discover the existence of Joe Bedford! Hey Joey!
City nearly doubled the lead as a breakdown in communication between Torquay's goalkeeper & defence allowed Craig Fagan to lob Olejnik from 30-35 yards but much to the dismay of the City faithful, this hit the inside of the post & bounced back out to safety. The game just pattered out with some more dodgy decisions for Mr Boyeson & we headed home happy!
City Player Ratings:
Matt Duke - 5 - Made the saves when needed, a solid game off the back of his Hudders performance.
Liam Moore - 6 - Made sure that little git Stevens was kept quiet & put him on his backside when needed in another quality display! Expect big things from this young man!
Andrew Davies - 5 - Wrongly sent off by dodgy ref Boyeson, but blocked an Atieno effort early on which was goalbound.
Luke Oliver - 7 - If the season ended now, he'd be player of the year! Lad can't do no wrong! Cleanest two footer I've ever seen & block & clearances galore in a all round defensive masterclass! Also, got himself an assist this afternoon as well!
Robbie Threlfall - 5 - Set pieces & defensive duties were spot on again.
Jack Compton - 5 - Did his job until having to be the unlucky one who gave way to Guy Branston following Davies red card.
Michael Flynn - 6 - Tried to lead by example & put in a great shift & did a good job up against Lee Mansell this afternoon.
Ritchie Jones - 5 - Bit quiet than usual today. However, did his job when needed.
Kyel Reid - 6 - Even though he wasted more than he created he had a good game & I can't deny him that.
Craig Fagan - 7 - MOTM - Was in all the right places at the right time & repeatedly showed Premier League & Championship class before being subbed off & also scored the winner!
Mark Stewart - 5 - Did his job next to Fagan & came close with a header in first half.
SUBS:
Guy Branston - 7 - Came off the bench as a man on a mission! Did everything correctly & was on the ball & along with Oliver kept Howe quiet! Did his chances of starting & retaining captaincy a world of good!
Luke O' Brien - 5 - Came on & did the job he was sent on to do. Making a case for a start like Branston!
Nialle Rodney - 4 - Came on & I forgot he was there, good job you scored that penalty on Tuesday then Rodders!
So, Ten Categories chosen by Chapalar:
Was it worth the money? Yes to see Parkinson's first official win in charge! (Hudders goes down as a draw on record books) & also to discover some new ammo & to laugh at that muppet Boyeson!
City MOTM - Craig Fagan - Was one of three (with Branston & Oliver!) but just edges it out! He shows his Premier League & Championship qualities oh so often now which is a joy to watch!
Torquay MOTM - Lee Mansell - Even though he couldn't get that 6th goal to reach his target for Nicholson's punishment, he ran the show for them & made them look good even when they were bad!
Quote of the Match - "I bet Emily doesn't throw the towel in!" - Me in relation to some new information!
Goal of the Match - Since there was only one, Fagan's winner!
Moment of the Match - The City fans rendition of you fat bastard to Rene Howe to which Guy Branston turned round a responded... Me?!
Fan of the Match - The always excitable blind lad at the front of the TL Dallas Stand!
Chant of the Match - "Joe, Joe will tear you apart again!" - Private jokes are the best aren't they? ;)
FB Status of the Match - "Oliver pick pocket passes to Fagan... Dickens couldn't write this!" - Josh Chapman
Referee Watch - Carl Boyeson - Mate, just give up & get another job. It's clear this career path isn't for you! Deano told you that in the car park after Cheltenham at home in December 2006!
And finally...
FATWATCH - The Torquay fan in the home shirt & tracksuit behind the wannabe Rambo in the blue hoody!
Saturday 8th October 2011 - The Coral Stadium - Attendance: 11,738 (204 Visitors)
So, off the back of our Paint Pot Cup exploits at the Gayfarm on Tuesday night, (Sheffield United Away in next round!) it was back to VP & a return to our Npower League 2 Struggle as we hosted Torquay. However, for the first time since Aldershot on day one there was a buzz around VP prior to kick off.
As the players arrived to VP, they were all in the mood to go out & give a spectacle even the likes of Hanson who was out injured & Branston & Rodney who were on the bench were revved up & ready to give us a great game of football.
So, after heading into the stand to meet the usual contingent of Ellis, James, Bradley, Jonny, Vicky & Drummer Boy Ben! ;) It was kick off time as the sides entered an electric VP!
The game got off to a dull affair as the first chance of the game came in the 13th minute when Davies blocked an Atieno effort. Fagan just shot over & Stewart followed that up with a header over as City got closer & closer to breaking the deadlock but the next drama & moment of note was controversial to say the least & came in the 24th minute!
Davies came in across the wet deck & got the ball in one of the cleanest challenges I've ever seen to which Danny Stevens (Yes, you Kitchen's brother!) threw himself to the ground like he'd been taken out by a sniper in the Co-operative Stand! Anyway, Torquay striker Rene Howe was straight in there (Like an all you can eat buffet!) & pleaded a case for the diving little swine to which referee Boyeson reacted by showing the on-loan Stoke man Davies a straight red card! (Believe me, Boyeson's in for a long slating in this blog!)
So, Parko threw Ex-Torquay man Guy Branston on for Jack Compton to get a defence on the pitch for the remaining 66 minutes. Boyeson booked Joe Oastler for a challenge on Kyel Reid, from which we had 2-3 minute spell of Reid either creating or wasting. It was mainly the latter & Duke saved from Kevin Nicholson.
But then, we had a breakthrough! Oliver pick pocketed the ball & headed across to Fagan to smash home past Olejnik (He's probably illegal so it doesn't matter!) to make it 1-0! Dickens couldn't of wrote this stuff! There was a sense of justice around VP as the 10 men had the lead & never looked back! Boyeson finished the half with another two yellows, one for Flynn & another for Rene Howe, who wiped his face in disgust with his shirt, he was probably licking it to check if it was custard!
Half Time began with a crowd at the far left corner of the lower TL to give Stevens & referee Boyeson some choice words but then we discovered that Zumba had returned for a second coming to the valley of dreams! After some intense working out, the teams returned for the second half!
Carl Boyeson was back at it in the middle with dodgy decisions galore! Free kicks & Yellow cards would be the highlight of the half as he made himself Mr Unpopular in Bradfordia! Lee Mansell tried harder & harder to get the 6th goal of his season which would make team mate Kevin Nicholson have to clean his house naked but couldn't find the back of the net!
The next controversial incidents came at the mid way point of the half as Mr Boyeson booked Reid & Macklin for a nothing head to head but then allowed Howe off for kicking Oliver in the nut before booking Eunan O' Kane for dragging Reid down. Now, this constitutes as denying a goalscoring opportunity, therefore meaning a straight red card. Parko was extremely unhappy & let his feeling known as he stormed onto the pitch to make his feelings known!
Of course, Ben's guests of honour fell victim to our unique style of banter as we discovered crushes & love in the air & this allowed me & Bradley to discover some new ammo on Ben & also to discover the existence of Joe Bedford! Hey Joey!
City nearly doubled the lead as a breakdown in communication between Torquay's goalkeeper & defence allowed Craig Fagan to lob Olejnik from 30-35 yards but much to the dismay of the City faithful, this hit the inside of the post & bounced back out to safety. The game just pattered out with some more dodgy decisions for Mr Boyeson & we headed home happy!
City Player Ratings:
Matt Duke - 5 - Made the saves when needed, a solid game off the back of his Hudders performance.
Liam Moore - 6 - Made sure that little git Stevens was kept quiet & put him on his backside when needed in another quality display! Expect big things from this young man!
Andrew Davies - 5 - Wrongly sent off by dodgy ref Boyeson, but blocked an Atieno effort early on which was goalbound.
Luke Oliver - 7 - If the season ended now, he'd be player of the year! Lad can't do no wrong! Cleanest two footer I've ever seen & block & clearances galore in a all round defensive masterclass! Also, got himself an assist this afternoon as well!
Robbie Threlfall - 5 - Set pieces & defensive duties were spot on again.
Jack Compton - 5 - Did his job until having to be the unlucky one who gave way to Guy Branston following Davies red card.
Michael Flynn - 6 - Tried to lead by example & put in a great shift & did a good job up against Lee Mansell this afternoon.
Ritchie Jones - 5 - Bit quiet than usual today. However, did his job when needed.
Kyel Reid - 6 - Even though he wasted more than he created he had a good game & I can't deny him that.
Craig Fagan - 7 - MOTM - Was in all the right places at the right time & repeatedly showed Premier League & Championship class before being subbed off & also scored the winner!
Mark Stewart - 5 - Did his job next to Fagan & came close with a header in first half.
SUBS:
Guy Branston - 7 - Came off the bench as a man on a mission! Did everything correctly & was on the ball & along with Oliver kept Howe quiet! Did his chances of starting & retaining captaincy a world of good!
Luke O' Brien - 5 - Came on & did the job he was sent on to do. Making a case for a start like Branston!
Nialle Rodney - 4 - Came on & I forgot he was there, good job you scored that penalty on Tuesday then Rodders!
So, Ten Categories chosen by Chapalar:
Was it worth the money? Yes to see Parkinson's first official win in charge! (Hudders goes down as a draw on record books) & also to discover some new ammo & to laugh at that muppet Boyeson!
City MOTM - Craig Fagan - Was one of three (with Branston & Oliver!) but just edges it out! He shows his Premier League & Championship qualities oh so often now which is a joy to watch!
Torquay MOTM - Lee Mansell - Even though he couldn't get that 6th goal to reach his target for Nicholson's punishment, he ran the show for them & made them look good even when they were bad!
Quote of the Match - "I bet Emily doesn't throw the towel in!" - Me in relation to some new information!
Goal of the Match - Since there was only one, Fagan's winner!
Moment of the Match - The City fans rendition of you fat bastard to Rene Howe to which Guy Branston turned round a responded... Me?!
Fan of the Match - The always excitable blind lad at the front of the TL Dallas Stand!
Chant of the Match - "Joe, Joe will tear you apart again!" - Private jokes are the best aren't they? ;)
FB Status of the Match - "Oliver pick pocket passes to Fagan... Dickens couldn't write this!" - Josh Chapman
Referee Watch - Carl Boyeson - Mate, just give up & get another job. It's clear this career path isn't for you! Deano told you that in the car park after Cheltenham at home in December 2006!
And finally...
FATWATCH - The Torquay fan in the home shirt & tracksuit behind the wannabe Rambo in the blue hoody!