Shrewsbury Town 3-1 Bradford City

npower League 2
Saturday 7 August 2010
Shrewsbury Town 3 (Robinson 32, 51, 55)
Bradford City 1 (Adeyemi 24)
Kick Off: 3.00pm
at the Greenhous Meadow

Attendance: 6993 (1449 visiting supporters)

A Jake Robinson inspired Shrewsbury Town condemned the Bantams to a disappointing opening day defeat at the Greenhous Meadow.

Robinson's second and third strikes at the start of the second period proved to be crucial as the home side ultimately took the match away from the Bantams during those vital first few minutes after the restart.

An action parked afternoon had started so well for City when Tom Adeyemi, who was making his full City debut, rewarded a composed start from City by slotting the Bantams into the lead in the first period.

Shortly after the Shrews had survived a goalmouth scramble where Gareth Evans hit the post, they equalised as Robinson was on hand to fire home when McLaughlin spilled the ball.

City claimed a foul on McLaughlin, but the goal stood.

At the start of the second period, Shrewsbury raced out of the blocks, catching City cold as a result.

Robinson's second of the match came as the striker headed home from the dangerous Lionel Ainsworth's cross.

Moments later, the Shrewsbury striker completed his hat-trick with a neat lob over McLaughlin to place the home side firmly in control.

The Bantams were given a lifeline later in the half when Kevin McIntyre was given his marching orders for lashing out at City sub Louis Moult, but Shrewsbury managed to hang on to grab the three points.

Along with Adeyemi, Taylor had earlier handed Lewis Hunt his competitive debut for the Bantams, while fellow summer signings Tommy Doherty, Jake Speight, Shane Duff and Louis Moult had to settle for a place on the bench.

With Hunt at right back, new captain Simon Ramsden was pushed forward into midfield as part of City's 4-3-3 formation.

City, who were backed by a plentiful away support, started in smart fashion and looked comfortable in possession.

Neither side had created many early chances during a cagey opening period - until the Bantams struck.

The on-rushing Adeyemi latched onto James Hanson's knock down as he strode into the area.

Shaking off the advances of Daniel O'Donnell, the young midfielder just got to the ball before Ben Smith to slot home on the stretch and grab his first ever league goal.

Within minutes, City could and maybe should have grabbed a second.

Luke Oliver looked almost certain to head home from Robbie Threlfall's corner, but the ball was blocked inadvertently by Evans from right in front of goal. City still could have scored as the ball eventually bounced back to Evans, but the striker's effort on the turn hit the near post.

From potentially doubling their lead, City soon found themselves pegged back.

After claiming a corner, McLaughlin appear to fall awkwardly and let the ball bounce out of his grasp. City managed to block Sharps effort on the line, but the ball eventually fell to Robinson, who smashed home.

McLaughlin felt he was pushed in the build up to the goal, but effort stood nonetheless.

The goal seemed to raise Shrewsbury for the final segment of the first period, but the score remained level at the interval.

At the start of the second period though, Shrewsbury stepped things up a notch to take the match by the scruff of the neck.

Lionel Ainsworth, who's pace caused problems all day, was at the height of Shrewsbury's second half burst.

Ainsworth had already fizzed over a cross that Matt Harrold somehow missed from right in front of goal, before the former Huddersfield man set up Robinson's second of the match.

The pacey winger's hanging near post cross was headed by an unmarked Robinson into the corner and wrongfoot McLaughlin in the process.

Taylor tried to changes things by introducing Moult, but worse was to come for his Bantams.

Robinson was played in behind the Bantams backline and proceeded to lob the ball over the on-rushing McLaughlin and claim the match ball.

The Bantams had started the second period at sixes and sevens and as a result found themselves with a mountain to climb.

As Shrewsbury buzzed forward again, Ainsworth had the beating of Threlfall once more, but this time his cross was headed onto the top of the net by Harrold.

Taylor tried to alter things further by bringing on Doherty and switching to a 4-4-2 formation.

While, Doherty ultimately couldn't save the match for the Bantams, his cameo appearance suggested great things are to come from the former Wycombe Wanderers man.

His range and weight of pass were splendid and added another dimension to City's attacks.

With the match slipping away from Bradford, they urgently needed a boost.

They got one when Kevin McIntyre was given his marching orders for lashing out at Moult as the pair tangled.

Naturally, Shrewsbury sudden numerical disadvantage forced them back and encouraged City to push forward.

Trouble is, City were finding it tough to break down the Shrews defence as time ticked away.

Things could have got worse when Mark Wright wasted two bites of the cherry to grab Shrewsbury's fourth on a late breakaway.

A delightfully flighted pass from Doherty was flicked just wide by sub Jake Speight on the stretch, but in truth, City failed to create many openings and find a way back into the match.

Hunt managed to scramble the ball in from a late corner, but the whistle had already gone for a foul.

Following this defeat at the Greenhous Meadow, City will now look to a cup and league home double header next week to kick start their season.

Well that result sure has blown a hole in my hopes.. I'm sure we can still do well this season but a game like that isn't exactly inspiring... (Was listening to it on Bantams Player and it sounded dire to be honest..)

just got back and to be honest we were clueless all over the field

my theory is;
when we lose our first game of the season we always go on to do well

It's very early days and far to soon to draw any conclusion out of it, sometimes a 'wake up call' is a good thing at the beginning of the season ; it will help the team to refocus on the campaign ahead.
Btw superb match report and excellent ''away'' following taken to Shrewsbury.
good luck for the season , I expect things to improve rapidly for your lot.