Tuesday 28 July 2009
Pre-Season Friendly
Alfreton Town 0
Bradford City 1 (J O'Brien 68)
Kick Off: 7.45pm
at the Impact Arena

Attendance: 215

Bradford City ground out a narrow victory at Alfreton Town's rain soaked Impact Arena.

A solitary Jamie O'Brien strike midway through the second half was enough to defeat the Blue Square North outfit and get City back to winning ways in their pre-season schedule after Saturday's defeat to Barnsley.

With the club travelling to Hyde United the following night, the Bantams line up had an unfamiliar look to it.

One player to benefit from the changes was 2^nd year apprentice Phil Culter, who coped admirably with the physical presence of Alfreton forward Paul Claydon in a composed performance by the youngster.

Cutler was among a number of City players who put in strong performances. Bullock, who captained the side, was a commanding figure in the midfield and Ramsden continued on from his good performance against Barnsley at the weekend, looking assured at right back.

Skipper Bullock's midfield partner, trialist Jamie O'Brien seemed to struggle to impose himself on the match despite some neat touches. The young Irishman is one of a clutch of players looking to earn a contract at Valley Parade and will now face a nervous wait to see if he has impressed Bantams boss Stuart McCall enough to extend his stay.

The absence of Saturday's skipper Peter Thorne gave Michael Boulding and James Hanson the chance to work on a partnership that had looked so promisingly during City's fixture with Bradford (Park Avenue).

Both players worked hard and linked up to good effect on occasion.

Young keeper Simon Eastwood made his first start for the Bantams since making moving on loan from Huddersfield Town. Eastwood put in a composed and assured performance, looking safe and unflustered in the Bantams goal.

The heavy rain that greeted both teams made it hard work for either outfit to get a foothold in the match during the early stages.

City started the stronger and created several half chances through the promising partnership of Michael Boulding and Hanson.

In the 20^th minute City created a clear opportunity on the Alfreton goal. A long ball from Eastwood was diverted goalwards by Hanson for Michael Boulding to chase onto, the former Mansfield striker struck earlier, but Alfreton keeper Craig Dootson was down earlier to save smartly.

The home side were subdued at this point, only threatening from set pieces. From one such set piece, Eastwood denied Alfreton's giant defender Aden Flint from close range.

On the half hour mark, City thought they had broken the deadlock, only to be denied by the linesman's flag. An Osborne corner was scrambled home via Alfreton keeper Dootson, City's celebrations were cut short as the linesman indicated the ball had gone out of play.

Matthew Clarke, making his return since a head injury received during the Bradford Park Avenue fixture, needed treatment and a fresh headband after receiving a further cut to his head.

As the half grew so did Alfreton's influence on the game, their main threat coming from Josh Law, son of the manager.

Alfreton have invested heavily this summer and have high expections for a bright campaign this season. Once the home side had adjusted to the damp conditions, you could see that the club's optimism have some foundation as they started to match the Bantams.

On the stroke of half time, City had Eastwood to thank for keeping the scores level. The loanee keeper produced a superb quick fire double save from Alfreton's Anton Brown and Law.

The second half thankfully saw an end to the downpours that had plagued the first half.

Josh Law saw his influence on the match diminish as he was given the unselfish role of tracking Bantams winger Leon Osborne, who was causing the Alfreton defence problems.

Early in the second half a superb marauding run from Luke O'Brien saw the left back set up Rory Boulding, Boulding's effort was blocked to Osborne, who's subsequent shot was tipped over.

Eastwood continued to look brave, diving at attackers feet on regular occasions despite receiving a knock for his troubles in the first half.

Osborne went even closer and somehow managed to miss a glorious chance to place his side ahead. A Rory Boulding cross found his way to Osborne, who was amazed to see his close range effort somehow tipped over by Dootson.

Dootson again denied the Bantams with a smart save from Bullock.

Moments later though and City were in the lead thanks to trialist O'Brien. Hanson, who had been asked to play in a left wing position in the second half, produce an inviting cross from that very position on the pitch. Alfreton keeper Dootson just managed to beat the on rushing Michael Boulding to the ball, but he could find O'Brien, who smashed home from close range.

Alfreton's response was to push forward in an effort to create chances and draw level. A superb Cutler tackle denied Alfreton forward Anthony Howell the chance to do just that.

Eastwood nearly blotted his copybook by spilling a Jordan Hall cross a few minutes from time, but a combination of the superb pair of Ramsden and Bullock managed to clear the danger.

Photographs courtesy Bill Wheatcroft -
www.alfretontown.com

ALFRETON TOWN	BRADFORD CITY
1 Craig Dootson	1 Simon Eastwood
2 Dominic Roma	2 Simon Ramsden
3 Kyle McFadzean	3 Luke O'Brien
4 Matt Wilson	4 James O'Brien
5 Aden Flint	5 Phil Cutler
6 Ian Ross	6 Matthew Clarke
7 Josh Law	7 Leon Osborne
8 Anton Brown	8 Lee Bullock
9 Paul Clayton	9 Michael Boulding
10 Damien Reeves	10 Rory Boulding
11 Antony Howell	11 James Hanson
Substitutes:	Substitutes:
12 Jordan Hall for 3 (46)	12 Louis Horne
14 Matt Burke for 8 (46)	13 Chris Elliott
15 Tom Curtis	14 Luke Dean
16 Richard Pell for 4 (46)	15 Dean Mitchell
17 Luke Shiels	16 Ryan Harrison
18 Kris Bowler for 9 (74)
19 Lawrence Matteson

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee	I Dudley
Assistant Referee	M Eyre
Assistant Referee	H Hawkins
4th Official

GOALSCORERS:
ALFRETON TOWN	BRADFORD CITY
	J O'Brien (68)