Accrington Stanley 2 Bradford City 0

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1972170,00.html

Saturday 20 February 2010
Coca-Cola League 2
Accrington Stanley 2 (Miles 54, 87)
Bradford City 0
Kick Off: 3.00pm
at the Crown Ground

Attendance: 3396 (1878 visitors)

If Peter Taylor wasn't aware of the size of the task ahead of him when he first walked through the doors of Valley Parade on Wednesday morning, he surely is now.

Short on ideas and confidence once more, the Bantams produced a disappointing display against a hard-working, but limited Accrington side to perfectly illustrate the job Taylor has on his hands.

City fans, including the many who flocked to Accrington this Saturday, must remember though that Taylor has only been in the club for 3 days and it may take the former England Under 21's manager some time to mould the Bantams into his image.

Bradford's disappointing display at Accrington will have left Taylor a lot to ponder as he travels back to his Southend home for the weekend.

Taylor will now at least have a better idea at what particular problems need addressing in his squad. No doubt the experienced coach will already be drawing up his plan of action.

Over 1800 Bantams supporters made the short journey across the Pennines to usher in the new Peter Taylor era, but two strikes from Accrington midfielder John Miles left them having to endure another winless afternoon.

Miles first came about when the Bantams defence allowed him to run in unchallenged on Matt Glennon's goal before slotting past the Bantams stopper.

His second sealed the match for the home side as he drove home from close range with City chasing the game.

City have now only won one single league match in nine fixtures and face the daunting task of a trip to league leaders Rochdale next.

For his first starting eleven in the Bantams hotseat, Taylor made only one change from the side that produced a dour goalless draw with Grimsby Town seven days ago.

Chris Brandon was promoted to a starting berth, taking the place of Peter Thorne in the process.

Both sides struggled to create many goalscoring opportunities in the early exchanges as the players adjusted to the bobbling surface.

Flowing football was difficult on the rutted pitch, but it was certainly no worse than many in League 2, in fact the playing surface was certainly in better condition than 24 hours earlier, when it was covered with a blanket of snow.

Stanley's potent striking duo engineered the first real opening of the fixture when former Bantam Michael Symes headed down for Robert Grant to whistle a volley narrowly wide of Glennon's goal.

Brandon tried to get the Bantams going as an attacking force moments later, but he could only fire two shots wide of either post in quick succession.

Gareth Evans fired straight at Ian Dunbavin and James Ryan sent over a teasing far post cross that just missing dropping into the goal, as both sides tried to engineer a breakthrough

From there on, neither side could really could offer anything to over trouble either keeper as both defences remained firmly on top.

Accrington looked slightly potent of the two sides at this point, mainly due to their greater ability to keep hold of the ball.

Too often, the Bantams resorted to long hopeful through balls that struggled to find their targets and allowed attacks to break down too easily.

City suffered a brief scare in the closing exchanges of the first period when Grant tumbled to the ground with Matthew Clarke next to him. It looked a tad theatrical to the neutral and referee Mr Kettle agreed as he waved play on, as the home supporters howled for a penalty.

Symes missed the half's final chance when he mis-kicked when in space inside the Bradford penalty area after being picked out by Grant.

With less than a minute on the clock in the second period, the Bantams missed a golden opportunity.

A low Simon Ramsden free-kick dangerously bounced across the Accrington goal before finding James Hanson in front of goal and barely six yards out.

Hanson appeared to be not expecting the ball to make his way through to him however and snatched at the chance, sending his sidefooted effort into the turf before watching it bounce over the bar with Dunbavin rooted.

City were left to rue that chance even more less than ten minutes later when Accrington stole a march to grab the lead.

Miles was allowed to sneak in behind the Bantams defence and pick up a loose ball before racing through in on Glennon's goal. The Accrington man made no mistake when through, as he slotted home past Glennon.

Taylor tried to respond by bringing on Michael Boulding for Chris Brandon, but with their tails up, it was Accrington who nearly scored again.

Firstly, Miles flashed in a dangerous cross which just missed Glennon's far post, before the Stanley midfielder forced the Bantams stopper into a full length save when Simon Ramsden was robbed in possession.

Hanson and Boulding both tried their hardest in quick succession to trouble Dunbavin, but Hanson's header was easily saved by the Stanley keeper and Boulding fierce drive flashed just over the bar.

City were showing lots of endeavour in their efforts to get back into the match, but seemed to lack the sharpness and imagination to prise open the home defence.

Leon Osborne replaced the disappointing Scott Neilson with time running out as Taylor looked for something from his players.

Osborne's first real taste of the action was to send over a corner which Matthew Clarke headed goalwards, only for Phil Edwards to hook the effort clear from right in front of his goal.

In the 83rd minute, Taylor took his last roll of the dice when he replaced Zesh Rehman for Peter Thorne and went with only three in defence.

City now had several players in attacking areas, but things didn't seem to change for Bradford.

With the clock ticking towards the ninety, the match would see a second goal, unfortunately for Taylor and his new squad, it came in their own goal.

A low teasing cross from Symes found Miles at the far post. The Stanley midfielder turned inside from the byline and fired past Glennon to seal the match for Stanley and a disappointing journey home for Taylor and the Bantams.

If I'm being honest, it was pretty poor today, obviously though it's Taylors first day at the club things might get better.

Was listening on Bantams player and the second half sounded better than the first.

Ah well I'm not getting worried yet, like I say it's Taylors first game.

Oh dear.
Not the greatest start now was it.

I'm sure after a couple of games he'll be more settled and he'll know what to do. I'm sure you can pick things up.

Terrier2009 wrote:I'm sure after a couple of games he'll be more settled and he'll know what to do. I'm sure you can pick things up.

Just an early blip, as Tez says let him get his feet under the table then see what happens.
Great match report btw BV, please keep posting them.