Bradford City v Stevenage — Valley Parade — 26 September 2020
Get all the latest action from the Utilita Energy Stadium as we take on Bradford City in our latest Sky Bet League Two match. Boro’s preparations for the game could’ve been better; forced to cancel Friday travel plans due to a positive Covid-19 test. After testing the whole squad and management, two further cases are now confirmed. But the show must go on. And it’s a chance for Alex Revell‘s team to build on an encouraging start to the new season.
Bradford City v Stevenage — Live Match Highlights
That’s it from us. Got nothing more to add. Time for a drink, we reckon…
FT — Bradford City v Stevenage: 2-1 (Novak 67, 81; List 37)
For the second time in 2020, Boro’ leave the Utilita Energy Stadium empty-handed after going in at the break with the lead. There were chances for us, however. That’s definitely one positive you can take. But the manner in which the goals came for the Bantams is a blow to take. The hosts worked the flanks well and, ultimately, we made two errors.
90′ —
Dinanga does brilliantly to collect the ball and get a shot away. It takes a deflection and just goes wide. Corner to come in from the left – but it goes over everyone and that’s it for that attack. Any time for another?
90′ —
List flicks the ball on from the free kick – but it’s too straight. Either side of the keeper and it might be a different story.
90′ —
The ball breaks kindly for Akinwande, who powers through the middle towards the goal. His run is brought to a cynical end, however; earning a booking for the offending player.
90′ — WOODWORK BRADFORD
Lovely footwork from the Bradford lad and the shot cannons off the top of the bar.
90′ —
Six minutes to be added on. Bradford have a dangerous free-kick, however.
89′ —
Boro’ corner causes havoc in the box – but no-one can profit. LJW has a pop from range and it takes a good save to force another corner.
88′ — BORO’ SUB
Femi Akinwande on for Luke Prosser.
86′ —
Nice work down the right threatens to set LJW through. He loses the shoulder battle – but there’s a big question as to whether it should be a foul. Boro’ come back yet again shortly after; the cross in from the left is poor and Newts rues the latest ball that goes into the ‘keeper’s hands.
85′ —
Optimistic effort from the hosts. It skews wide and Boro’ get the goal kick.
82′ — WOODWORK BRADFORD
Bradford stream forward and create the angle on the left hand side. The shot hits the bar via Cumming’s arm; not that he knew much about it.
81′ — GOAL BRADFORD
Novak scores again as Boro’ fail to organise after Prosser’s knock. The aerial ball pays dividends as a result.
80′ —
It’s headed towards goal by Prosser, although it’s a simple one for the goalkeeper. The defender goes down on the edge of the area as the Bantams try to counter attack. The play is pulled back and the hosts will have to build from the back.
80′ — Bradford City v Stevenage: Last 10
Boro’ win a free-kick wide out on the right. Osborne to take…
77′ —
Marshall is to the rescue to block a low cross in after Cuthbert makes a hash of his clearance. The skipper does better with the resulting corner – but Boro’ still can’t clear. Luckily, Guthrie gives a needless free-kick away and we can clear.
73′ —
We have a break as Ross Marshall who, after winning a big header against Guthrie, takes a knock to the head. Be a bit rubbish if he ends up going off after just two minutes. But he looks like he wants to continue. Is there a head injury assessment in football these days?
71′ — BORO’ SUB
Marshall on for Read.
69′ —
Big escape for the home goalkeeper, who spills the through ball with Newts at his feet. As the Boro’ forward turns and shoots for goal, he’s deemed offside. Not sure about that one.
67′ —
Guthrie comes off worse from the aerial challenge with Cuthbert – but wins the free-kick, which is worked short.
66′ —
A chance for Boro’ to counter after a slip by the Bantams’ defender. Dinanga drives on – but the move slows as the support arrives with the home side’s cavalry. In the end, the cross is pinged over and claimed by the goalkeeper.
Bradford just made a sub.
63′ —
Bradford with the momentum now. Boro’ need to spring back into life.
61′ — GOAL BRADFORD
Too much space on the flanks again and, this time, the ball in for Novak is perfect.
60′ —
Dinanga shoots low and wide from the edge of the box.
59′ —
Great chance for Bradford. Cuthbert is beaten in the air to open up the space for the striker. LJW gets in, however, and steals the ball. But he then elects not to clear and is robbed himself. Callum Cooke gets the ball back and forces a smart save. He gets yet another crack – but this time it’s easy for Cumming to deal.
56′ —
Again, Boro’ with a great chance; Hutton crossing low from the left. It evades everyone except the centre-half. Even then, hit strikes him on the leg and could have gone anywhere. The visitors are trying to turn the screw – but need to make one of these opportunities count.
55′ —
LJW has his pick of two Boro’ attackers with the low ball after being set free by Listy. But he manages to pick out the defender.
53′ —
Boro’ are keeping the Bantams far enough from the goal for the time being. If proof was needed, their centre half tries his luck from 35 yards and only manages to irritate his teammates.
51′ —
If Newts doesn’t get a goal today, it won’t be for the lack of trying. It takes three Bradford defenders to rob him of the ball in the box after a Boro’ free-kick. Eventually, the hosts get a free-kick for something or other.
47′ —
The corner is not worked so well; hit far too long by Read as Osborne gives chase to no avail. And, now, the Bantams build from the back.
46′ —
Boro’ work it well down the right to earn a corner.
Boro’ go in at the break ahead thanks to Elliott List’s goal 10 minutes before the interval. It’s been a half that we’ve done alright in – but can do better? If we can get on the front foot a little more, improve the final ball and stop giving them too much space down the flanks, then who knows what could be possible. The Bantams will believe there’s a goal for ’em here, though. It’s important to keep it tight in the first 10 here.
HT: Bradford City v Stevenage – 0-1 (List 36′)
45′ —
The Bantams are still looking for a way through. They ain’t finding it though…
44′ —
Immense block from Prosser. LJW pushes forward – but can’t quite make the second ball. It’s played over the top for Novak to chase. Cuthbert tracks back, only for the forward to check back and take the skipper out of the equation. His defensive partner is on hand to stop the ball getting close to Cumming. And now it’s a break as Cuthbert gets treatment.
41′ —
Cuthbert penalised for handball in the aerial duel with Guthrie. The eventual ball into the box is flicked on and ends up drifting wide. Bradford still posing questions of the defence, however. Not long until half time.
38′ —
Space for Bradford down the Boro’ left. The ball comes in and Guthrie rises to meet it. Unfortunately (for him), he rises way too much and there’s no control over the header.
37′ — GOAL BORO’
Dinanga sent clear down the left and eventually gets the cross in. List is the man who bundles into the centre of the box to meet the ball; working the space to smash it home.
37′ —
Old pals Guthrie and LJW have another nudge-fest. Free-kick to Boro’.
34′ —
It’s an interesting routine from Osborne. The ball finds Newton; the striker again making a bit of space to get a shot away. But it’s wide. Shame.
33′ —
A promising free-kick for us.
32′ —
A penalty shout for Boro’. List goes down under the challenge. But there’s nothing in it for us. He might have been wise to attack the one defender when he had the chance – rather than letting a second back into the equation.
31′ — Bradford City v Stevenage: Third of the game gone
The Bantams work the free kick well, finding the man at the back post. The header back is cleared behind. From the corner, the Bantams find a good bit of space in the area. It’s just as well a Boro’ man is out to block. The hosts starting to look menacing, however.
30′ —
Superb work by Newton to create the space. The shot isn’t what he wants it to be, though. It falls to Osborne, who takes one touch too many and loses the chance. Bradford come back at us and win a free-kick 30 yards out.
28′ —
Yet another nearly moment for us. The ball whipped in from Osborne from the left doesn’t quite fall kindly for either Newts, List or Newts again. Bradford work it clear and look to do their own thing in attack.
26′ —
Panic stations at the back for Boro’. Scott Cuthbert goes to ground to deny Guthrie. Did it hit his hand? It’d be harsh if it did. We clear and have the chance to counter at pace. But the impetus isn’t quite there.
24′ —
Poor from Osborne, who loses the ball inside the Bantams half. The hosts attack at speed and get a bit of fortune with the flick. The end shot is rubbish, however.
22′ —
If Boro’s final ball was just a little better, who knows what the score might be? It’s almost a perfect ball to set Newts through.
19′ — Bradford City v Stevenage: Hosts shading it?
Both sides have had their chances; the Bantams creating more space up top at the moment and Cumming having more of the two keepers to do.
17′ — SAVE CUMMING!
Oof. What a save. A clever corner from the Bantams leads to a free header, which the on-loan stopper denies at close range. That corner came after a close penalty shout; a leg is hung out by Osborne and just gets enough on it.
16′ —
LJW pushes forward through a couple of challenges and attempts the through ball for Marcus Dinanga. But it’s not quite strong enough. Hutton perhaps the better option there? Bradford launch their own attack over the top. Prosser clears onto Guthrie’s shin and it’s a goal kick.
13′ —
Nice ball in from Osborne after wriggling clear. He finds Jack Smith free at the back post. But the header is a week one and it bounces wide at the near post for a home goal kick.
12′ —
Hectic start. Both sides feeling their way into it nicely. Our fingers are hurting.
11′ —
Half an opening there for Bradford. But the attempted Novak flick can’t find a teammate and Boro’ can clear; winning a free-kick in midfield.
9′ —
Boro’ looking a little more comfortable after an imposing start from Bradford. Ball now in the Bantams’ third. But it’s cleared again and Cuthbert can only concede a throw-in just inside our half.
8′ —
Prosser meets the corner strongly. But it’s too high and not much of a danger.
7′ —
Nice flick by Newton sets Dinanga on the chase. It gets put out for a throw-in on the Boro’ left. Hutton looks to go long – but Newton is beaten to it. The follow-up clearance is sliced out for a corner. Read to take…
6′ —
Read concedes a free-kick inside the Boro’ half now. Ball whipped in just right of centre; big head clear from LJW and eventually worked up to halfway. Ball comes back, though. The hosts work a shooting angle. But it’s high and handsome into the empty stand.
5′ —
Nice work by LJW on the right to get the cross over. A bit deep, however. Dinanga gives chase – but eventually loses control for a throw-in to the hosts.
3′ —
Bit of confusion between Prosser and Cumming as the ball is played over the top. Cleared and the Bantams try again. The ball appears to take a nick off Hutton, but it’s a goal kick.
2′ —
Kurtis Guthrie catches out LJW – but the ball runs out for a goal kick and Boro’ clear their lines.
1′ — Bradford free-kick inside the Boro’ half
Cuthbert harshly penalised in our opinion. Free kick not brilliantly dealt with, but it’s out for a throw-in.
15:01 — WE’RE OFF
14:59 — Here are the hosts
Not long now.
14:58 — BORO’ ARE OUT…
… and looking in fine fettle.
14:55 — Five-minute warning
Tick followed tock…
14:46 — It’s cold up north
It’s not often that our Ed’ll admit he’s a Leeds resident (why would you?). But he can say for sure that, if the weather is the same 10 miles down the road is Bradford, then it’s cold.
14:38 — It’s OK.
We found a free socket.
14:32 — A promising start
Our battery is already down to 74%. So, we’ll be back at kick-off. It’s not like we’ve got much to say.
14:25 — More on Mackye…
The addition of Townsend-West to the squad should come as no surprise to Boro’ fans. He featured on the bench for our FA Cup replay at Posh last season. We can’t remember who was gaffer at the time. But, whether it’s Revs or Sampson, the lad still has what caught the attention back then. And, with three academy lads on the bench, there’s every chance of one of ’em featuring at some point.
14:12 — BRADFORD TEAM NEWS
If you care, the hosts line-up with O’Donnell in goal; Richards-Everton, Cooke, Novak, French, Clarke, Watt, Staunton, Sutton, Wood and Kurtis Guthrie. On the bench will be Hornby, Longridge, Pritchard, Donaldson, Ismail, Evans and Mottley-Henry.
That’s all in number order, by the way. Couldn’t tell you the positions…
14:10 — BORO’ TEAM NEWS
One change from last week’s match against Oldham; Marcus Dinanga in for Inih Offiong. So, you’ve got: Cumming, LJW, Cuthbert, Prosser, Hutton, Osborne, Read, Smith, List, Newton and Dinanga.
The subs bench is an interesting one. In addition to Johnson, Vincelot, Akinwande and Marshall, we also have three young lads. Mackye Townsend-West, forward Yasin Arai and midfielder Max Granville complete the 17 that Boro’ have to choose from today.
