Bradford City 2-1 Northampton Town - Npower League Two
Saturday 22nd October 2011 - The Coral Stadium - Attendance: 9925 (198 Visitors)
So after last weeks shambles at Hereford, City bounced back to pick up a hard fought 3 points at home to Northampton.
After the usual players bar shenanigans in which Carribob annoyed Fagan & complemented Flynn on his jacket, we headed into the ground to take up our seats ahead of the game. Nobody seemed happy to be at VP, not even Bradley & Jonny who are usually ready to go when we're at home but that's what a 2-0 defeat at Hereford does to you.
No Ben meant no drum & very, very little atmosphere in the ground as the teams headed out to get the game underway.
The start of the first half was very stop & start with offsides & unfair challenges galore. It wasn't until the 22nd minute when Sam Walker in the cobblers (no, it's true) goal made a save from Scouse that there was some moment of notice.
From there it was a few more offsides & unfair challenges with an odd wasted corner thrown in plus one of the clearest handballs I've ever seen which ended up being a corner instead of a penalty until the 43rd minute when Michael Bryan took a shot from the edge of the area which dipped onto the crossbar from which James Hanson followed up with a poor header to Walker, then the half came to an end.
Not much to report from half time except Carribob being accused of being a paedophile.
So, the second half got under way in the style the whole first had been played with Adam Reed (how long's his loan? Because I've had enough of him!) being booked moments after Craig Fagan just smashed the ball over.
Then in the 58th minute, Northampton wonderkid Michael Jacobs took the ball & punished City for not pushing out or getting back by unleashing a super strike from 25 yards past Matt Duke in the City goal to break the deadlock & give the visitors the lead.
However, when the Northampton goal flew in people all around me (me included) applauded it, after all it was a special goal. Then the PA Announcer (is it the reverend?) said "And that screamer was scored by Northampton number 17 Michael Jacobs" (Good use of Wiki by me!) Then people who weren't applauding & some who were started shouting abuse towards him. Second time in three home games now.
Then 6 minutes later, Andy Holt was penalised for handball from a Bryan cross & City were awarded a penalty. Cobblers captain John Johnson (I'd get your name changed by deed poll lad! Same to your team mate Ben Tozer!) was booked for dissent after arguing & arguing with the official. But, captain for the day Craig Fagan stepped up & smashed home to bring the Bantams level.
Five minutes later, Threlfall took a free kick with ball coming to Kyel Reid who sent a beautiful cross across the box to which the returning James Hanson headed home to complete the turn around & bring the Bantams 2-1 up.
The game then just seemed to patter out with both teams having the odd chance, the closest being Jake Robinson's effort at Matt Duke before the full time whistle went & City took the three points & I took the bragging right over my Grandad!
Bradford City Player Ratings:
Matt Duke - 5 - Not much to do in the game, kicking was spot on & made Daily Mirror team of the day.
Liam Moore - 5 - Did get caught out on the odd occasion but had a solid game.
Luke Oliver - 7 - MOTM - My man of the match. Luke did his job brilliantly & continued his current POTY form! Not pointed out for his performance by many.
Marcel Seip - 5 - When in doubt, kick it out! The man's play is defined by that quote.
Robbie Threlfall - 5 - Did his job quietly & when needed was there.
Michael Bryan - 6 - With the exception of being sent so far off the pitch he needed a passport to get back on, the lad had a brilliant game & did well before being subbed.
Adam Reed - 4 - The kid is poor! End off. He'll struggle to make it at Sunderland but he might make it at this level if he can get an act together.
Ritchie Jones - 5 - With Reed & on the right wing looks poor, when with Flynn looks solid! He did a job but looked poor on occasions.
Kyel Reid - 5 - The man is another Omar Daley! Does naff all, all game before one super cross to Hanson wins him all sorts of praise before doing naff all again.
James Hanson - 6 - Was a 5 with numerous headers to no one or the opposition goalkeepers & being bullied off the ball but his winner & final 20 minutes got him up to a 6! Jimmy gave us all a reason to celebrate!
Craig Fagan - 6 - Lead by Example, scoring the equaliser & showing his class once again.
SUBS:
Luke O' Brien - 5 - Came on & helped City see the game out.
So, Ten Categories chosen by Chapalar:
Was it worth the money? Up until the 64th minute, no. From then on, yes.
City MOTM - Luke Oliver - My man of the match. Luke did his job brilliantly & continued his current POTY form! Not pointed out for his performance by many.
Northampton MOTM - Michael Jacobs - Only Northampton player to show any class & his strike was just WOW!
Quote of the Match - James: "It's Syers", Me: "No it's Davies", Jonny "It's Syers", James: "I'm right, so did I prove you wrong?", Me: "Yes, you did." - Very rarely I admit I'm wrong!
Goal of the Match - Michael Jacobs 25 yard thunderbolt for Northampton is one of the best goals to grace VP since Scholes volley.
Moment of the Match - Hanson's winner which sent VP into raptures & gave us a reason to celebrate!
Fan of the Match - Not of the match but the Torquay fans in the programme. Thank You!
Chant of the Match - "Carribob's a paedophile." - Either this or C'mon City!
FB Status of the Match - Well done city we getting there we go bouncbackabuility - Nick Bcfc Kitchen
Referee Watch - Simon Rushton - Not much to report, missed the handball in the first half, got it in the second. Took far too long with John Johnson's yellow for dissent.
And finally...
FATWATCH - The Northampton fan who's stomach was hanging out of his shirt... Oh Deary Me!
Saturday 22nd October 2011 - The Coral Stadium - Attendance: 9925 (198 Visitors)
So after last weeks shambles at Hereford, City bounced back to pick up a hard fought 3 points at home to Northampton.
After the usual players bar shenanigans in which Carribob annoyed Fagan & complemented Flynn on his jacket, we headed into the ground to take up our seats ahead of the game. Nobody seemed happy to be at VP, not even Bradley & Jonny who are usually ready to go when we're at home but that's what a 2-0 defeat at Hereford does to you.
No Ben meant no drum & very, very little atmosphere in the ground as the teams headed out to get the game underway.
The start of the first half was very stop & start with offsides & unfair challenges galore. It wasn't until the 22nd minute when Sam Walker in the cobblers (no, it's true) goal made a save from Scouse that there was some moment of notice.
From there it was a few more offsides & unfair challenges with an odd wasted corner thrown in plus one of the clearest handballs I've ever seen which ended up being a corner instead of a penalty until the 43rd minute when Michael Bryan took a shot from the edge of the area which dipped onto the crossbar from which James Hanson followed up with a poor header to Walker, then the half came to an end.
Not much to report from half time except Carribob being accused of being a paedophile.
So, the second half got under way in the style the whole first had been played with Adam Reed (how long's his loan? Because I've had enough of him!) being booked moments after Craig Fagan just smashed the ball over.
Then in the 58th minute, Northampton wonderkid Michael Jacobs took the ball & punished City for not pushing out or getting back by unleashing a super strike from 25 yards past Matt Duke in the City goal to break the deadlock & give the visitors the lead.
However, when the Northampton goal flew in people all around me (me included) applauded it, after all it was a special goal. Then the PA Announcer (is it the reverend?) said "And that screamer was scored by Northampton number 17 Michael Jacobs" (Good use of Wiki by me!) Then people who weren't applauding & some who were started shouting abuse towards him. Second time in three home games now.
Then 6 minutes later, Andy Holt was penalised for handball from a Bryan cross & City were awarded a penalty. Cobblers captain John Johnson (I'd get your name changed by deed poll lad! Same to your team mate Ben Tozer!) was booked for dissent after arguing & arguing with the official. But, captain for the day Craig Fagan stepped up & smashed home to bring the Bantams level.
Five minutes later, Threlfall took a free kick with ball coming to Kyel Reid who sent a beautiful cross across the box to which the returning James Hanson headed home to complete the turn around & bring the Bantams 2-1 up.
The game then just seemed to patter out with both teams having the odd chance, the closest being Jake Robinson's effort at Matt Duke before the full time whistle went & City took the three points & I took the bragging right over my Grandad!
Bradford City Player Ratings:
Matt Duke - 5 - Not much to do in the game, kicking was spot on & made Daily Mirror team of the day.
Liam Moore - 5 - Did get caught out on the odd occasion but had a solid game.
Luke Oliver - 7 - MOTM - My man of the match. Luke did his job brilliantly & continued his current POTY form! Not pointed out for his performance by many.
Marcel Seip - 5 - When in doubt, kick it out! The man's play is defined by that quote.
Robbie Threlfall - 5 - Did his job quietly & when needed was there.
Michael Bryan - 6 - With the exception of being sent so far off the pitch he needed a passport to get back on, the lad had a brilliant game & did well before being subbed.
Adam Reed - 4 - The kid is poor! End off. He'll struggle to make it at Sunderland but he might make it at this level if he can get an act together.
Ritchie Jones - 5 - With Reed & on the right wing looks poor, when with Flynn looks solid! He did a job but looked poor on occasions.
Kyel Reid - 5 - The man is another Omar Daley! Does naff all, all game before one super cross to Hanson wins him all sorts of praise before doing naff all again.
James Hanson - 6 - Was a 5 with numerous headers to no one or the opposition goalkeepers & being bullied off the ball but his winner & final 20 minutes got him up to a 6! Jimmy gave us all a reason to celebrate!
Craig Fagan - 6 - Lead by Example, scoring the equaliser & showing his class once again.
SUBS:
Luke O' Brien - 5 - Came on & helped City see the game out.
So, Ten Categories chosen by Chapalar:
Was it worth the money? Up until the 64th minute, no. From then on, yes.
City MOTM - Luke Oliver - My man of the match. Luke did his job brilliantly & continued his current POTY form! Not pointed out for his performance by many.
Northampton MOTM - Michael Jacobs - Only Northampton player to show any class & his strike was just WOW!
Quote of the Match - James: "It's Syers", Me: "No it's Davies", Jonny "It's Syers", James: "I'm right, so did I prove you wrong?", Me: "Yes, you did." - Very rarely I admit I'm wrong!
Goal of the Match - Michael Jacobs 25 yard thunderbolt for Northampton is one of the best goals to grace VP since Scholes volley.
Moment of the Match - Hanson's winner which sent VP into raptures & gave us a reason to celebrate!
Fan of the Match - Not of the match but the Torquay fans in the programme. Thank You!
Chant of the Match - "Carribob's a paedophile." - Either this or C'mon City!
FB Status of the Match - Well done city we getting there we go bouncbackabuility - Nick Bcfc Kitchen
Referee Watch - Simon Rushton - Not much to report, missed the handball in the first half, got it in the second. Took far too long with John Johnson's yellow for dissent.
And finally...
FATWATCH - The Northampton fan who's stomach was hanging out of his shirt... Oh Deary Me!