Tadcaster Albion 1-7 Bradford City, Pre Season Friendly
Saturday 21st July 2012 - 2inspire Park - Attendance: 693
So, Pre Season Game Four & the Bantams are back in action!
The trip to the North Yorkshire Brewery Town began early afternoon at Carribob's where I met up with our resident train spotter & the 'bald one' who is Carribob's father, and my Grandfather.
So, there we were in the car en route to Tadcaster discussing the previous night's rugby between Leeds Rhinos & Bradford Bulls & our hopes for the upcoming football season & our views on City's new signings but this died shortly after Otley, so, we decided to have a little bit of a laugh.
As we entered the country roads heading up towards Tadcaster there was a lot & I mean a lot of Cyclists so being the sort of lad I am, I shouted some encouragement from the car window to the Cyclists as we passed. Some looked happy, others look pissed but eventually we arrived at Tadcaster.
After a quick meet up (and a cheeky cuddle & kiss) with Ayesha, me & Carribob headed off through town to find our way to 2inspire Park, home of Tadcaster Albion.
Me & Carribob found our way eventually to the ground after a bit of a walk around & after a quick conversation with Rocky Balboa himself, Jon McLaughlin, we headed into the ground & took a position ahead of the game.
We found a good spot, next to the players tunnel & were soon joined by Lenny, Rhino Pete, Pete's Dad & the ultimate 'playa' himself Alberto!
After another conversation regarding the previous night's egg chasing action, the City First Half XI came out to warm up & we were greeted by a cheeky smile & a giggle from Messi himself... Will Atkinson! Then after a quick clearing of the Welcome sign it was the moment we'd all been waiting for... City were back in action!
After firing wide moments earlier from some good work down the right wing, the goal machine Ross Hannah lobbed the home sides keeper to break the deadlock & give the Bantams an early lead. City then had no luck in the following twenty minutes with Messi's cleared shot the only real chance for the visitors.
Then in the twenty-ninth minute, City doubled there advantage when Andrew Davies shot from twenty yards out following a corner bobbled over the unfortunate Tadcaster keeper. The keepers afternoon got worse just four minutes later when after bringing down Ross Hannah in the box, he could do nothing to prevent the goal machine tucking home to grab his second & City's third.
City would head into the half time break with a 4-0 lead after just two minutes from the penalty, Youth Team star Forrayah Bass did some fantastic work down the left flank before a floating cross from trialist Anthony McNamee was headed home off the post by James Hanson.
At half time, a steward gave me & Albert permission to go onto the field after City's Second Half XI warmed up & the First Half XI warmed down.
So, we went onto the field of play & took a jog round to the dugout areas in order to grab some photographs with some of the First Half XI including our favourite, Will 'Messi' Atkinson & in the process discovered that goalscoring wasn't the only one of Ross Hannah's talents! He's handy with a camera too! And, after a jog across the pitch to re-take our positions, the second half got under way.
But, then some random man came over Rhino Pete's shoulder to my face & came out with "Don't be a cunt, it took us four weeks to clear that pitch & we don't need you little bastards running all over it!" Well I was outraged! As was Rhino Pete who for a period we thought was going to deck this particular individual! No worries, as Kyel Reid pointed out, the pitch was shit anyway!
So, the second half got away & the new City XI got into the routine early on with Nahki Wells firing home past the hapless Tadcaster Goalkeeper to but the visitors into a 5-0 lead! But during this we came across some interesting news, City Second Half Centre Back Christophe Lowinsky is a possible future signing! A City director dropped the ball that we are in negotiations with Marseille over a transfer free for the French Under-19 International.
The referee got in on the fun too! After a decision went against the hosts, Tadcaster's shrimp of a number seven kicked the ball away in anger & in a situation in which a ref would usually produce a yellow this one didn't... He simply made the dry your eyes mate gesture much to the amusement of the crowd.
A rather familiar face was walking round the ground & it was believed to be City's new signing Alan Connell! So, myself & Albert went & got ourselves a picture with the lad... It has since turned out it wasn't Alan Connell, the new signing wasn't even at the game! Egg on Face Moment Much?
Back on the pitch however, City's dominance saw Kyel Reid take a shot which took a cruel deflection into the back of the net in order to but the visitors into a 6-0 lead! And after a worldy of a save from Super Jonny Mac, Tadcaster got themselves a consolation goal. A defence mix up between Lowinsky & Meredith allowed Danny Gray to get the ball & nick it in over a diving Jonny Mac to blemish City's record.
The ref got back into the fun, jokingly putting Ritchie Jones into a headlock for disputing a decision.
But, the six goal advantage was restored with the final goal of the game when another star of the Youth Team Louis Swain headed home with some power a cross from Kyel Reid.
Nothing to report from the quick journey home so this is where the day came to an end.
City First Half XI Ratings:
Matt Duke - 6 - Had nothing to do, only troubling effort was straight at him.
Michael Boateng - 8 - The trialist Right Back is an absolute tank! Put in a awesome shift & his understanding with Messi & Gary Jones was very impressive!
Andrew Davies - 8 - Showed why we longed for him on a permanent deal all summer! Nothing was getting past this rock!
Rory McArdle - 7 - Made some good defence clearances & put in a decent shift at the back!
Forrayah Bass - 8 - The Youth Team star put in an awesome shift at left back, looking forward to seeing more of this young lad!
Will 'Messi' Atkinson - 8 - Played some good passes & had a fantastic understanding with Gary Jones & Michael Boateng. Played a key role in the first half & showed improvement from last season.
Gary Jones - 9 - The summer signing ran the show in the first half, grabbing an assist & playing a key part in the 45 minute massacre of the hosts.
Tom Taiwo - 8 - The trialist & Gary Jones controlled the middle of the park & he has an eye for a pass. Hope we agree compensation with Carlisle for the lad!
Anthony McNamee - 6 - With the exception of his assist for Hanson's goal offered nothing to the game for me personally.
James Hanson - 8 - Won every header & grabbed himself a goal to!
Ross Hannah - 9 - The Goal Machine is back & how! Everything he touched turned into goals & he was running the defence wild!
City Second Half XI Ratings:
Jon McLaughlin - 6 - Pulled out saves when needed, shame he conceded.
Javan Vidal - 5 - Forgot he was on the pitch to be honest.
Luke Oliver - 6 - Had very little to do but came good when called upon.
Christophe Lowinsky - 6 - Shame about the mistake for the Tadcaster goal but like Oliver came good when called upon.
James Meredith - 6 - Had a solid game shame about the mistake he made for the Tadcaster goal.
Adam Baker - 9 - MOTM - The lad is my Man of the Match. He tore the right flank of the pitch apart, the left back & left wing of Tadcaster couldn't handle him, he got an assist, he had plenty of efforts of his own on goal, didn't do anything wrong. Extremely looking forward to see him break into the first team!
Ricky Ravenhill - 6 - Very quiet afternoon from the City skipper but played some good passes during the second half.
Ritchie Jones - 7 - Played some awesome passes throughout the second half & ran the middle of the park but did let his guard down once or twice.
Kyel Reid - 8 - Run the left wing ragged all half, got himself a goal & a assist in this very impressive shift.
Louis Swain - 8 - The Youth Team star had a very impressive afternoon. Caused the centre back problems all half, got himself a goal & won over some new fans!
Nahki Wells - 7 - Grabbed a goal early on in the second half & played some good football.
And of course, Chapman's XI:
Was it worth the money? Of course! New ground visited & the Bantams run riot!
Tadcaster Albion MOTM - Scott Pallister - The poor keeper had all the work to do, shame about the seven goals he shifted...
Bradford City MOTM - Adam Baker - The lad is my Man of the Match. He tore the right flank of the pitch apart, the left back & left wing of Tadcaster couldn't handle him, he got an assist, he had plenty of efforts of his own on goal, didn't do anything wrong. Extremely looking forward to see him break into the first team!
Quote of the Match - "So, there I was & then I felt this hand on my bum... It was only a bloke in drag!" - A fan nearby leaves everyone with some food for thought!
Chant of the Match - "Hey, we just signed you & this is crazy, but your Will Ako, you play like Messi!" - We show our appreciation to the man known as Messi!
FB Status of the Match - This Ref is class! Loving It! Mocking Tadcaster's Number 7 for throwing strops all game! 7-1 City, Louis Swain of the Youth Team scoring for the Bantams! - I reflect on the Referee.
Tweet of the Match - @AlastairBCAFC Just got into an argument with there chairman because steward let me on pitch #Cunt - I vent my frustrations at our annoying person from earlier.
Referee Watch - Adam Madely - Was up for a laugh & a bit of banter! Didn't make any mistakes & got it spot on too!
FATWATCH - Not because he's fat but because he's a prick. Yes, it's Tadcaster Chairman!
Saturday 21st July 2012 - 2inspire Park - Attendance: 693
So, Pre Season Game Four & the Bantams are back in action!
The trip to the North Yorkshire Brewery Town began early afternoon at Carribob's where I met up with our resident train spotter & the 'bald one' who is Carribob's father, and my Grandfather.
So, there we were in the car en route to Tadcaster discussing the previous night's rugby between Leeds Rhinos & Bradford Bulls & our hopes for the upcoming football season & our views on City's new signings but this died shortly after Otley, so, we decided to have a little bit of a laugh.
As we entered the country roads heading up towards Tadcaster there was a lot & I mean a lot of Cyclists so being the sort of lad I am, I shouted some encouragement from the car window to the Cyclists as we passed. Some looked happy, others look pissed but eventually we arrived at Tadcaster.
After a quick meet up (and a cheeky cuddle & kiss) with Ayesha, me & Carribob headed off through town to find our way to 2inspire Park, home of Tadcaster Albion.
Me & Carribob found our way eventually to the ground after a bit of a walk around & after a quick conversation with Rocky Balboa himself, Jon McLaughlin, we headed into the ground & took a position ahead of the game.
We found a good spot, next to the players tunnel & were soon joined by Lenny, Rhino Pete, Pete's Dad & the ultimate 'playa' himself Alberto!
After another conversation regarding the previous night's egg chasing action, the City First Half XI came out to warm up & we were greeted by a cheeky smile & a giggle from Messi himself... Will Atkinson! Then after a quick clearing of the Welcome sign it was the moment we'd all been waiting for... City were back in action!
After firing wide moments earlier from some good work down the right wing, the goal machine Ross Hannah lobbed the home sides keeper to break the deadlock & give the Bantams an early lead. City then had no luck in the following twenty minutes with Messi's cleared shot the only real chance for the visitors.
Then in the twenty-ninth minute, City doubled there advantage when Andrew Davies shot from twenty yards out following a corner bobbled over the unfortunate Tadcaster keeper. The keepers afternoon got worse just four minutes later when after bringing down Ross Hannah in the box, he could do nothing to prevent the goal machine tucking home to grab his second & City's third.
City would head into the half time break with a 4-0 lead after just two minutes from the penalty, Youth Team star Forrayah Bass did some fantastic work down the left flank before a floating cross from trialist Anthony McNamee was headed home off the post by James Hanson.
At half time, a steward gave me & Albert permission to go onto the field after City's Second Half XI warmed up & the First Half XI warmed down.
So, we went onto the field of play & took a jog round to the dugout areas in order to grab some photographs with some of the First Half XI including our favourite, Will 'Messi' Atkinson & in the process discovered that goalscoring wasn't the only one of Ross Hannah's talents! He's handy with a camera too! And, after a jog across the pitch to re-take our positions, the second half got under way.
But, then some random man came over Rhino Pete's shoulder to my face & came out with "Don't be a cunt, it took us four weeks to clear that pitch & we don't need you little bastards running all over it!" Well I was outraged! As was Rhino Pete who for a period we thought was going to deck this particular individual! No worries, as Kyel Reid pointed out, the pitch was shit anyway!
So, the second half got away & the new City XI got into the routine early on with Nahki Wells firing home past the hapless Tadcaster Goalkeeper to but the visitors into a 5-0 lead! But during this we came across some interesting news, City Second Half Centre Back Christophe Lowinsky is a possible future signing! A City director dropped the ball that we are in negotiations with Marseille over a transfer free for the French Under-19 International.
The referee got in on the fun too! After a decision went against the hosts, Tadcaster's shrimp of a number seven kicked the ball away in anger & in a situation in which a ref would usually produce a yellow this one didn't... He simply made the dry your eyes mate gesture much to the amusement of the crowd.
A rather familiar face was walking round the ground & it was believed to be City's new signing Alan Connell! So, myself & Albert went & got ourselves a picture with the lad... It has since turned out it wasn't Alan Connell, the new signing wasn't even at the game! Egg on Face Moment Much?
Back on the pitch however, City's dominance saw Kyel Reid take a shot which took a cruel deflection into the back of the net in order to but the visitors into a 6-0 lead! And after a worldy of a save from Super Jonny Mac, Tadcaster got themselves a consolation goal. A defence mix up between Lowinsky & Meredith allowed Danny Gray to get the ball & nick it in over a diving Jonny Mac to blemish City's record.
The ref got back into the fun, jokingly putting Ritchie Jones into a headlock for disputing a decision.
But, the six goal advantage was restored with the final goal of the game when another star of the Youth Team Louis Swain headed home with some power a cross from Kyel Reid.
Nothing to report from the quick journey home so this is where the day came to an end.
City First Half XI Ratings:
Matt Duke - 6 - Had nothing to do, only troubling effort was straight at him.
Michael Boateng - 8 - The trialist Right Back is an absolute tank! Put in a awesome shift & his understanding with Messi & Gary Jones was very impressive!
Andrew Davies - 8 - Showed why we longed for him on a permanent deal all summer! Nothing was getting past this rock!
Rory McArdle - 7 - Made some good defence clearances & put in a decent shift at the back!
Forrayah Bass - 8 - The Youth Team star put in an awesome shift at left back, looking forward to seeing more of this young lad!
Will 'Messi' Atkinson - 8 - Played some good passes & had a fantastic understanding with Gary Jones & Michael Boateng. Played a key role in the first half & showed improvement from last season.
Gary Jones - 9 - The summer signing ran the show in the first half, grabbing an assist & playing a key part in the 45 minute massacre of the hosts.
Tom Taiwo - 8 - The trialist & Gary Jones controlled the middle of the park & he has an eye for a pass. Hope we agree compensation with Carlisle for the lad!
Anthony McNamee - 6 - With the exception of his assist for Hanson's goal offered nothing to the game for me personally.
James Hanson - 8 - Won every header & grabbed himself a goal to!
Ross Hannah - 9 - The Goal Machine is back & how! Everything he touched turned into goals & he was running the defence wild!
City Second Half XI Ratings:
Jon McLaughlin - 6 - Pulled out saves when needed, shame he conceded.
Javan Vidal - 5 - Forgot he was on the pitch to be honest.
Luke Oliver - 6 - Had very little to do but came good when called upon.
Christophe Lowinsky - 6 - Shame about the mistake for the Tadcaster goal but like Oliver came good when called upon.
James Meredith - 6 - Had a solid game shame about the mistake he made for the Tadcaster goal.
Adam Baker - 9 - MOTM - The lad is my Man of the Match. He tore the right flank of the pitch apart, the left back & left wing of Tadcaster couldn't handle him, he got an assist, he had plenty of efforts of his own on goal, didn't do anything wrong. Extremely looking forward to see him break into the first team!
Ricky Ravenhill - 6 - Very quiet afternoon from the City skipper but played some good passes during the second half.
Ritchie Jones - 7 - Played some awesome passes throughout the second half & ran the middle of the park but did let his guard down once or twice.
Kyel Reid - 8 - Run the left wing ragged all half, got himself a goal & a assist in this very impressive shift.
Louis Swain - 8 - The Youth Team star had a very impressive afternoon. Caused the centre back problems all half, got himself a goal & won over some new fans!
Nahki Wells - 7 - Grabbed a goal early on in the second half & played some good football.
And of course, Chapman's XI:
Was it worth the money? Of course! New ground visited & the Bantams run riot!
Tadcaster Albion MOTM - Scott Pallister - The poor keeper had all the work to do, shame about the seven goals he shifted...
Bradford City MOTM - Adam Baker - The lad is my Man of the Match. He tore the right flank of the pitch apart, the left back & left wing of Tadcaster couldn't handle him, he got an assist, he had plenty of efforts of his own on goal, didn't do anything wrong. Extremely looking forward to see him break into the first team!
Quote of the Match - "So, there I was & then I felt this hand on my bum... It was only a bloke in drag!" - A fan nearby leaves everyone with some food for thought!
Chant of the Match - "Hey, we just signed you & this is crazy, but your Will Ako, you play like Messi!" - We show our appreciation to the man known as Messi!
FB Status of the Match - This Ref is class! Loving It! Mocking Tadcaster's Number 7 for throwing strops all game! 7-1 City, Louis Swain of the Youth Team scoring for the Bantams! - I reflect on the Referee.
Tweet of the Match - @AlastairBCAFC Just got into an argument with there chairman because steward let me on pitch #Cunt - I vent my frustrations at our annoying person from earlier.
Referee Watch - Adam Madely - Was up for a laugh & a bit of banter! Didn't make any mistakes & got it spot on too!
FATWATCH - Not because he's fat but because he's a prick. Yes, it's Tadcaster Chairman!