Monday 22 September 2008
totesport.com League East
Bradford City 0
Leeds United 1 (Jones 58)
Kick Off: 7.00pm
at the Coral Windows Stadium

Table topping Bradford City were in local derby action as they took on a youthful Leeds United side at The Coral Windows Stadium in the totesport.com League East.

The plentiful crowd saw an even start to the contest, with both sides struggling to create clear cut chances on the opposition goal.

It was the Bantams who created the first real opportunity of the game,when a long ball from Jon McLaughlin was helped on its way to Kyle Nix, Nix's attempted shot just lobbed over Leeds keeper Edwards' goal via a deflection and out for a corner. Leeds cleared the resulting corner.

The visitors hit back though with a chance of their own in the 19th minute through Bradley Johnson. The ex-Northampton winger got the better of trialist David Ryan and flashed the ball across McLaughlin's goal, luckily for the Bantams there was no white shirt there to tap the ball home.

On the 23rd minute, Leeds went even closer when Tom Elliott wriggled past the challenges of two City defenders only for him to fire straight at McLaughlin, who gratefully clutched it to his crest.

Luke Sharry helped create the next chance of the match, when his floated ball into the box was flicked on by Leon Osborne into the path of Barry Conlon. Conlon instantly hit the ball on the volley, but his shot went narrowly over the bar.

David Ryan, eager to impress while on trial at the club, helped create a golden opportunity for Sean Taylforth. Ryan's high cross to the back post could only be flicked by keeper Edwards into the path of Taylforth, who's volley rattled against the post.

The half ended with both teams struggling to create anything more than half chances and unable to break the deadlock.

The second half saw the welcome return of Willy Topp to give the Chilean his first action in Bradford colours since his injury during the reserves match against Rotherham back in August.

Topp was involved in the first chance of the second half, when Luke O'Brien wrestled free of Leeds youngster Liam Darville to cross for Topp to head straight into the hands of Edwards.

In the 58th minute Leeds took the lead. United striker Sam Jones picked up the ball on the edge of the area and fired a testing shot towards McLaughlin, the shot was too hot for the City keeper, who fumbled the ball across the line and into the net.

After this, the Bantams pushed hard but struggled to break down a stubborn Leeds defence, despite the best efforts of Willy Topp, who was looking bright on his return to action.

In the 80th minute, City created one their best chance since going behind when Leon Osborne linked up well with Rory Boulding on the edge of the the Leeds area. Boulding shot was well placed but produced a good save down to his left by Leeds stopper Edwards.

There were calls for a penalty in the 90th minute when Boulding appeared to be bundled over by substitute Adam Watson, but referee Mr Davison waved away the appeals.

Bradford pushed for an equaliser right to the end, but it was Leeds United who hung on to claim the spoils and their second win of their totesport.com League East campaign.

BRADFORD CITY	LEEDS UNITED
1 Jon McLaughlin	1 Mathew Edwards
2 David Ryan	2 Liam Darville
3 Luke O'Brien	3 Luke Garbutt
4 Luke Sharry	4 Tom Lees
5 Simon Ainge	5 Jonathan Webb
6 Mark Bower	6 Andrew Milne
7 Leon Osborne	7 Sam Jerome
8 Kyle Nix	8 William Hatfield
9 Barry Conlon	9 Tom Elliott
10 Rory Boulding	10 Sam Jones
11 Sean Taylforth	11 Bradley Johnson
Substitutes:	Substitutes:
12 Willy Topp for 9 (46)	12 Jonny Lund
14 Kelvin Bleau	14 Callum Williams
15 Jonjo O'Hara	15 Adam Watson for 5 (59)
16 Ryan Harrison	16 Lee Booth for 9 (59)
17 Rory Carson	17 Sanchez Payne for 4 (65)

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee:	P A Davison
Assistant Referee:	M Bristow
Assistant Referee:	N J Sharp
4th Official:	D P Roberts

GOALSCORERS:
BRADFORD CITY	LEEDS UNITED
	Jones 58