Match Report 2001-2002

Saturday 18 August, 2001, Division One

Portsmouth Away

Jess shaping something solid as City get a second win

There is a solidity to Bradford City this season that seems to overrule all over aspects of the team that Jim Jefferies has built, a solidity that's origins have come from the Scots manager.

Take the man who's goal settled this terse affair at Fratton Park, Eoin Jess. Ask them on the terraces at Aberdeen or Coventry and they do not have a good word to say about the man. They call him light weight, they say he is ineffectual. Under Jefferies he is none of these, he is forceful.

Ditto Andy Myers, who did so much today in a solid back like with Robert Molenaar to keep giant striker Peter Crouch at bay as City got off to what could be a trademark bad start. The home side, emotionally charged after the credit to keeper Aaron Flahavan save a head or two from the six six Crouch the South Coast side never looked like breaking a resolute rear guard.

City's defence, regardless of the injury to David Wetherall, was solid.

Solidity too in the midfield. Stuart McCall and Pompey's Nigel Quashie battled all afternoon, McCall coming out on top over the impressive former Forest and QPR man, and for time City claimed a midfield victory, a chance was formed. Not much momentum seems to be wasted in the Bantams side. Gary Locke's passing edged towards Gareth Whalley levels and Whalley's tackles approached Lockes. You had to be pleased with the way this season is shaping up.

And shaping up up front is Ashley Ward. Ward was booked for mouthing off at the Ref following what he thought should be a corner. It was last year's Ward, frustrated by Darren Moore's defence, but that Ward is only evident in patches having been replaced with a more powerful, more solid hold up man with no little skill and an uncanny ability in bringing others into the game. Once again his contribution to the only goal of the game, a header from Eoin Jess knocked back by Ward following a fine cross by Locke who himself had been teed up by Carbone, goes noticed. Jim Smith wanted Ward as a first choice, settled for Ravinelli.

So what do we make of this City team? At the moment it is bes6t to keep outlooks in perspective. Two games and two wins have put City top of the division, but with over forty games left the chances of that position not been challenged are minute, first of those challenges, at home to a Coventry side that came down with City last year, presents a better yard stick to measure the Bantams by.

Man of the Match

Stuart McCall

The key to the team protecting the back two of Molenaar and Myers and prompting a lot of attacking motion. Setting the speed for the game and taking the sting out of the match once City took the lead.

City Team:

Walsh
Halle Molenaar Myers Jacobs
Locke McCall Whalley
Jess
Ward Carbone

Subs: Lawrence for Locke, Sharpe for Jess, Blake for Carbone